Local businesses and volunteers showcase Kingman at First Friday event

KINGMAN, Ariz. — Business owners and community volunteers used Kingman's First Friday gathering to promote new local services, praise the city's permitting process and underscore the town's small-community appeal.

Chris, director of construction at Luxe Locker, said his company "recently built a project in Kingman, Arizona" on Andy Devine and is currently renting units there. "The city was very easy to work with here in Kingman," he said, adding inspectors from the public works department conducted site inspections across the street from the development.

The event included artists and small-business proprietors who described why they located in Kingman. An attendee involved with KCA, a local nonprofit that supports the arts, said she has been engaged with the group since its founding and that the organization "encourages the arts." Karen Lopez, owner of Pieces of Karen, said she chose Kingman for its "tight knit community" and downtown's family-oriented feel.

Amber, owner of Mojave Munchies and a distributor for Mountain Man Nut and Fruit Company, said she values the historic downtown and recurring customers. "It's always a good time here in Kingman," she said.

A speaker identifying themself as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and owner of River Rock Oral Surgery described the local chapter of a worldwide volunteer clearinghouse that matches volunteers with organizations: "They can come to this website. They can put their information on this website. It's a clearing house for both volunteers and for organizations."

Tony D'Angelo highlighted the town's car culture and long ties to public service, saying he has worked with the fire department for about 26 years and appreciates Kingman's family orientation. Chris Godwin, owner of Iron's Cycles, said his shop is one block off Route 66, praised downtown renovations on Beale Street and reported an official opening on Feb. 10: "We open February 10 officially and we have been booked ever since."

Speakers repeatedly emphasized community benefits beyond commerce: friendliness, support for arts and volunteer infrastructure. Several described practical advantages for businesses — from inspections conducted by nearby public works staff to strong customer relationships downtown.

Organizers and participants encouraged residents to support local small businesses and arts programming; no formal actions or city decisions were announced during the event. The First Friday gathering provided a forum for promotion and networking rather than a policy forum or governmental hearing.