Local music, delicious samples of food, and a lesson on the American flag were among the crowd pleasers Monday during the Harlan Food City renovation ribbon cutting ceremony, as store customers, store officials, and Harlan County officials gathered to commemorate the event.

The store recently underwent renovations that include expanding the bakery/deli into the part of the building that formerly housed the Family Dollar Store, which is now located in the old Harlan Daily Enterprise building next to Hardee’s on the U.S. 421 by-pass.

Monday’s ribbon cutting ceremony yielded numerous shoppers who stopped by to hear music provided by the Harlan Middle School Choir and the Harlan Musettes led by director Marilyn Schraeder; a lesson on the folding of the flag presented by the Harlan Honor Guard; and samples of delicious foods prepared by the store’s deli.

Harlan Honor Guard assistant Sgt. Of Arms and assistant Chaplain Jim Hill spoke to the crowd about the importance of honoring the American flag, noting that the flag represents freedom to the nation and honor to the men and women who serve under it.

“Teach your children to respect the flag,” said Hill. “We are to stand for the flag; and we kneel for the cross.”

Hill also spoke of what each fold of the flag represents as members of the Honor Guard demonstrated the folding of the flag.

Harlan Mayor Danny Howard and Harlan County Judge-Executive Dan Mosley were on hand to speak during the ceremony, with both men noting the beautiful renovations of the store and citing what an asset Food City is to the community.

Store President and CEO Steven Smith, of Knoxville, said while he is very proud of the new renovations to the Harlan store he takes even greater pride in the management and employees, noting that it is the people who operate the store on a local level that actually makes any store an asset for the public.

Smith also cited the fact that many of the Food City employees own stock in the stores, adding a great incentive to their retirement.

Deli food samples were also on hand for all customers during the event.

The store has also renovated and expanded the pharmacy in the space which formerly housed the bakery/deli.