The Shirt Shack is having a sale this weekend to celebrate 50 years in business, and everyone is invited to the business milestone anniversary party.
There is a special sale inside the store today and Saturday, September 12, after the store closes, there will be a street dance.
A band, Shades of Blue, will be performing live, so bring lawn chairs and get ready for an evening of music and dancing!
The street in front of Shirt Shack, at 11 East 18th Street, will be blocked off with plenty of room to sit, celebrate, and hit the dance floor from 7 to 10 p.m.
Food and drinks from Cohn’s Cafe will be available for purchase, and Tiger Ice will be serving sno-cones and shaved ice.
Billy Webster began his clothing business 50 years ago, 1976, and has no thoughts of retiring.
“In high school, I worked for a company that sold car wax at car shops. At the shows, I would see T-shirt sellers making money.”
He graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1975.
“I was 17 years old, didn’t know what I was doing and didn’t have a business plan back then.”
“I got a deal on a printing machine and got a bunch of print designs and began printing.”
“I started merchandising for bands, Aerosmith and ZZ Top, but it got too crazy…I would come back here to reset.”
The shop he began his business was at the same site where he does business today.
“it was an old beauty shop. 15 foot by 12 foot. I covered the walls with gunny sacks. I started printing new T-shirt designs. At one time, I had 400 designs.”
He has added to that original building and expanded his products.
Now he sells stylish shirts, jeans, and sportswear in addition to the T-shirts.
Cinch, Red Dirt, Ariat brands, among others.
“Fifteen years ago I went into Western Wear. We were a surf store, but nobody surfs in Kansas. There are a few cowboys here, though.”
For Webster, the best thing about being a business owner in Fort Scott: the people.
“You meet a lot of great people. When it’s your own business, you put your energy into it, and you meet great people.”
Webster has no plans to retire.
“What would I do?” he asked.
The store has four employees and is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and can be contacted at 620.223.4680.