NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Every community has groups of people that work to make it the best it can be.

Hattie Dewalt serves as the director of the Bellevue Harpeth Chamber of Commerce, which is one of those groups. She told News 2 that she stepped into the role thinking it would be temporary, but three years later, she's still here.

Her bread and butter is putting on events.

"We do a crawfish boil. We have a picnic," Dewalt said. "We have a 'Women of the 'Vue' that meets. We have business before breakfast. We have luncheons."

Each flagship event hosted by the chamber hangs on her office wall. In the center is the biggest event they host: the Bellevue picnic, which happened in mid-May this year.

However, events aren't their only focus. The chamber also plays a huge role in supporting the businesses in Bellevue, businesses that have stood the test of time, but also new ones, like Cafe Sperry's.

"We've never had something like this before, like a cute little cafe in this area," an Employee at Cafe Sperry's, Layla Perkins said.

The chamber has dialed in on getting local businesses to come and stay, like Cafe Sperry's, which is about as local as you can get. Most of their products are from the Nashville area.

It's not just the products that make local shops unique; employees say they especially love the relationships built.

"The regulars — just seeing them flourish in life and hearing their updates like moving, getting engaged, finally having kids or a dog; it's just so much fun," Amelia Saul, an employee at Cafe Sperry's, said.

Dewalt added that they're always looking for ways to improve Bellevue through new businesses, new events and new people. However, as they build, they stay focused on their foundation:

"Advancing the cause of the community and the businesses that are members," Dewalt said. "Being able to expose them to a broader audience, to lift them up when things get challenging."

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/on-tour-middle-tn/bellevue-harpeth-chamber-of-commerce/