27 May 2020 Person of the Month: Julie Goodnight

Posted at 1:22 PMh in Neighbors by

City: Greenbrier.

Julie Goodnight began working while in high school at Simon’s Grocery in Downtown Conway. “I did not know where that would lead me. I was shy and quiet, but not for long! I learned from the best,” she said. “All the ladies from Simon’s taught me cake decorating skills that I still use, and the customer service skills were learned in time and hands-on training from Simon’s.” Julie and her store support a number of local activities and organizations, including Soul Food Café Mission, Renewal Ranch, Salvation Army, Bethlehem House, HAVEN, the Salem Methodist Church food pantry, Circle of Friends and the Conway Regional Women’s Council’s Dazzle Daze. (Mike Kemp photo)

Work: Owner, Julie’s Sweet Shoppe, established in 2013; baking sweets for Conway since 1986.

Why did you decide to go into your field: “Bakery” has been in my family for three generations. My grandmother and dad both worked at Kohler’s Bakery in North Little Rock back in the 1950s and 1960s. My love of the bakery began in the Simon’s Grocery Store days when our family would shop and visit the bakery ladies, bakers and cake decorators while also visiting Dad.

What do you enjoy most about your work: The customers who have become like family. The veterans and coffee drinkers are my favs! We see them daily — sometimes more than their own family. I just love them all!

Family: Husband Larry (30-year anniversary this month); son Bradley and his daughter Doreen; daughter Megan; Mom (Pam Fisher) and Dad (Ed Bradley). My bakery “Dads and Moms” have supported me throughout my journey. We share happy times, heartbreaks and life’s ups and downs. We are each other’s prayer warriors. 

Education: St. Joseph School, first through 12th grade; and Pulaski Tech College (accounting degree).

Most cherished possession: My granddaughter is my whole world!

Most enjoyed weekend activity: Last year it was watching our daughter play softball like we have the last 19 years of her life, but she graduated college in December. We are waiting to see if Doreen will follow in her aunt’s footsteps! Our son, my brother and sister and their families live beside each other, so we eat together and spend lots of quality time together. 

Favorite place in Arkansas: My home.

What do you love about living in the 501: This is where I’m from, where I grew up, where my family is and where my heart belongs — it’s a place where I call home!