Join us for Chamber Coffee hosted by Travelodge & Penny’s Diner
Thursday, June 18 at 8 a.m. Travelodge, 2505 S. Main St. We hope to see you there!
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee hosted by Travelodge & Penny’s Diner, 2505 S. Main St., this Thursday, June 18 at 8 a.m. Coffee, juice, and refreshments will be served, and attendees may register for a special drawing.
Travelodge by Wyndham Fort Scott offers convenient lodging for travelers, visitors, and guests coming to the Fort Scott area. Located along the south edge of Fort Scott, the hotel provides guest amenities including free WiFi, comfortable rooms, and on-site dining.
Located inside the hotel, Penny’s Diner is a 24-hour diner offering classic American favorites in a fun, retro 1950s-style atmosphere. The diner is open around the clock and serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and comfort food favorites all day, making it a convenient stop for both local residents and travelers.
For more information, contact the Chamber at (620) 223-3566. Visit the Events Calendar at fortscott.com and select the Chamber Coffees category for upcoming locations.
The Kitchen Collective+Collaboration is a modern shared commercial kitchen, retail and event space in historic downtown Fort Scott, at 12 S. Main
The Kitchen Collective+Collaboration is located at 12 S. Main, Fort Scott. From its Facebook page.
They offer grab-and-go meals and cooking classes and can also be privately rented.
Bailey Lyons, Rachel French and Angie Simon are business owners of The Kitchen Collection+Collaborative. . Submitted photo.
The business owners are planning a Summer Social on June 25 from 5 to 8 p.m.
“The Summer Social is designed to showcase the entrepreneurs, food businesses, and local producers that make up the The Kitchen Collective+Collaborative community and will include Crumstead, owned by Stephanie Carell, featuring a selection of her handcrafted baked goods and desserts. Also, The Golden Swan Bakery, owned by Grace French, will offer some of her signature gourmet cookies and sweet treats. BBQ by Jarod Bower, serving up samples of smoked barbecue favorites. Jonny O’s, one of our close collaborators, is featuring items from his popular food truck menu. Branch Coffee, owned by Ken Walker, is serving specialty beverages and sharing information about their local coffee offerings,” French said.
“We’re also excited to feature several local farmers and ranchers whose products are available in The Kitchen’s market area, including FB Farms, Freedom Farms, and Sweet Country Farms. These producers will be sharing information about their farms and locally raised meats and eggs they provide to our community.”
“In addition to meeting the vendors, guests will be able to shop The Kitchen’s market, enjoy door prizes, and take tours of our incubator kitchen facility. This event allows an opportunity to connect directly with the community, share their stories and showcase products they work so hard to create. It’s also to see how local businesses can collaborate and support one another and strengthen our regional food economy.”
The event was created to showcase the businesses that have grown within The Kitchen Collective+Collaborative.
“Many people know us as a place to grab lunch, take a class or host an event; fewer realize that we were established as Southeast Kansas’ first food business incubator,” she said. “Our mission is to help food entrepreneurs start, grow and sustain a successful business by providing a licensed, commercial kitchen space, business support and retail opportunities.”
“We are continuing to develop educational programming, business resources and retail opportunities that help local food businesses reach more customers. We’re working to strengthen relationships with farmers, ranchers and producers so local products are available to our community.”
The Kitchen is currently partnering with Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Kansas Healthy Pathways Program, so those who qualify will be eligible for matching kitchen rental hours, helping reduce the cost of accessing licensed commercial kitchen space. This program helps remove barriers for entrepreneurs, making it easier for them to test ideas, grow production, and build sustainable businesses, she said.
“We hope to welcome additional entrepreneurs into our kitchens, expand our classes and events, and continue building…a hub where food businesses, producers and the community can connect, collaborate and grow together.
Join us for an upcoming
Chamber Lunch & Learn
US Department of Labor
Wage & Hour Division
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
11:30am-1pm
Empress Event Center, 7 N. Main St.
Entrances in both front & back of the Empress.
Avoid costly wage & hour mistakes!
All are welcome!
Click here for printable flyer.
Fort Scott Chamber Hosts Lunch & Learn with U.S. Department of Labor Wage & Hour Division
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites business owners, managers, human resource professionals, nonprofit leaders, and employers of all sizes to attend an informative Chamber Lunch & Learn featuring the U.S. Department of Labor Wage & Hour Division on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
The program will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Empress Event Center, 7 N. Main Street in Downtown Fort Scott.
Presenter Trini Najera Murguia, Community Outreach Resource Planning Specialist with the U.S. Department of Labor, will provide an overview of key employment and overtime regulations and discuss common compliance issues facing employers today.
Topics will include:
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requirements
Employment relationships
Exempt vs. nonexempt employee classifications
Calculating overtime pay
Recordkeeping requirements
Lactation break provision in the workplace
Youth employment protections
Common wage and hour violations
Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions and receive information directly from a representative of the U.S. Department of Labor.
“This Lunch & Learn is designed to help employers better understand federal labor laws and avoid costly wage and hour mistakes,” said Lindsay Madison, President and CEO of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce. “Whether you own a small business, manage employees, oversee HR functions, or operate a nonprofit organization, this information is valuable and applicable to your workplace.”
Registration is $20 for Chamber members with lunch, $10 for Chamber members without lunch, $30 for non-members with lunch, and $20 for non-members without lunch.
Advance registration is requested by Monday, June 15 at 1:00 p.m. for those ordering lunch.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee hosted by Varia Quality Resale Clothing, 114 E. 23rd St. this Thursday, June 11th at 8am.
Coffee, juice, and refreshments will be served, and attendees may register to win a special drawing.
Varia offers affordable prices and a variety of high-quality used items, including women’s, teens’, and children’s clothing, as well as purses, shoes, jewelry, and more. Owner, Robin Kendrick, is celebrating her 5th year in business and is excited to host this event and welcome the community to join in the celebration.
Varia’s June Special will feature a $25 store credit drawing. Customers who spend a minimum of $20 when shopping in-store may register for the drawing.
For more information, contact the Chamber at (620) 223-356. Visit the Events Calendar at fortscott.com and select the Chamber Coffees category for upcoming locations.
A crowd of 172 attended the 2026 Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation annual spring fundraiser on Friday, May 1st. Doors at the SEK Impact Center opened at 5:30 pm. Décor was provided by Lisa Wolverton of Hitch and Hoedown Rentals. Approximately $15,000 was raised during the evening from stretch, silent, and live auctions. Following last year’s successful appearance, Robbie Bell once again provided entertainment throughout the evening.
Attendees were treated to a delicious meal of barbecue chicken, pulled pork, potato salad, baked beans, lettuce salad, and roll furnished by Mark Hall. Dessert was cobbler, provided by Brenda Harrison of Sassy Chef’s. Neosho County Community College students helped serve the meal. Door prizes were courtesy of the TVDS greenhouse in Fort Scott and Jennifer Deitsch State Farm.
As in year’s past, the live auction was the highlight of the evening. Dave Petersen served as auctioneer and did a fantastic job. For 2026, our featured trips were courtesy of Monarch Cement and included a trip for two to Nashville and a trip for two to San Antonio. Other items auctioned off include: a Breckenridge CO vacation package courtesy of Home Savings Bank; a Branson MO vacation package courtesy of Community National Bank; a full-size recliner courtesy of Ruddick’s Furniture in Fort Scott; and Dinner for 10 courtesy of Brenda Harrison. Thank you to the local merchants that provided gift baskets for both the silent and stretch auctions. Thank you to Larry Holman for serving as the evening’s photographer. The pictures are amazing.
Submitted photo.
All money raised from the evening will go towards the Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation projects. Since 2001, the Foundation has built six homes and acquired nine additional homes and a duplex. The houses are located in our communities of Buffalo, Chanute, Fort Scott, Humboldt, Iola, Moline, and Neodesha. These houses are home to 92 of our neighbors with intellectual and developmental disabilities served by Tri-Valley Developmental Services.
“The evening was fantastic”, said Bill Fiscus, CEO. “The food, drawings and conversation were phenomenal. Thank you to everyone who attended. We hope you had an enjoyable evening and look forward to seeing you all in 2027.”
A big thank you goes to the evening’s sponsors. Promenade Level: Monarch Cement Company
Colonnade Level: Acrisure; Cardinal Drug Store & Gifts; Community National Bank – Chanute; Hofer & Hofer & Associates; Larry Holman; IMA; Dave Peterson Auction Services; and Smith Law Office, LLC
Arcade Level: Bank of Commerce; CASA of the 31st Judicial District; Cheney Witt Chapel; LeRoy Coop; Mertz Tax Service; SEK COOP; and Shields Motor Company
On Friday, April 10th, Tri-Valley Developmental Services held their 2026 Award Ceremony celebrating achievements from individuals and community support in Allen, Bourbon, Chautauqua, Elk, Greenwood, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson Counties. The ceremony began at 1 pm and was held at Central Park Pavilion in Chanute. Awards were presented to the following:
Business of the Year – Arby’s of Chanute, McDonald’s of Fort Scott, Mertz Tax Service, Fort Scott
Achievement Award – Dylan Lawrence, Bryan Packard, Josh Wilson
Ed Bideau Advocacy Award – Daniel Smith
Jenny Masterson Family Award – Tiffany Tiegreen
Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation Visionary Award – Mike Hofer
Winfred Jent Board Award – Joel Norris
Lifetime Achievement Award – Mike Reid
Employee of the Year Award – Laurel Hall
CEO Award – Jim Jesseph
During the ceremony, Ginger Jakee, Kelsey Meza, and Wendy Henderson were recognized as graduates in the DSP+ Apprenticeship Program.
PERRY’S PORK RINDS ANNOUNCES USDA FEDERAL INSPECTION EXPANSION, POSITIONING COMPANY FOR NATIONWIDE GROWTH
BRONSON, Kansas — Perry’s Pork Rinds, a family-owned food manufacturing company based in rural Southeast Kansas, announced a major milestone in its growth journey as the company moves forward with USDA Federal Inspection, paving the way for expanded wholesale distribution throughout the United States.
Founded in 2017 by husband-and-wife team Kelly and Thaddeus Perry, Perry’s Pork Rinds began with a simple idea, a few recipes, and the last $250 in the family’s savings account. What started as a small local venture has grown into one of Kansas’ fastest-growing handcrafted snack brands.
Today, Perry’s Pork Rinds products can be found in more than 200 retail locations across Kansas and are shipped directly to customers nationwide. The company has built a loyal following through its commitment to quality, bold flavors, customer service, and small-town values.
The transition to USDA Federal Inspection slated for July 2026 represents one of the most significant milestones in company history. Federal inspection will allow Perry’s Pork Rinds to wholesale products beyond Kansas state lines and pursue larger retail, distribution, and food service opportunities throughout the country.
“This is a dream that has been years in the making,” said Kelly Perry, co-owner of Perry’s Pork Rinds. “We’ve faced plenty of challenges along the way, including rapid growth, cash flow struggles, long hours, and moments where we weren’t sure how we were going to keep moving forward. But we’ve continued to invest in our business, our customers, and our vision. Federal inspection opens the door to opportunities we’ve been working toward since day one.”
The company currently produces ten flavors of handcrafted pork rinds and has become a familiar presence at farmers markets, fairs, festivals, sporting events, fundraisers, and retail stores throughout Kansas.
As part of its growth strategy, Perry’s Pork Rinds is investing in upgraded production equipment, enhanced packaging capabilities, expanded manufacturing systems, and increased distribution infrastructure designed to support long-term national growth.
“Our goal has never been to become the biggest,” said Thaddeus Perry, co-owner of Perry’s Pork Rinds. “Our goal has always been to build something we could be proud of, create jobs, support our community, and make a quality product people enjoy. We’re excited to show the rest of the country what our Kansas company can do.”
In addition to its business growth, Perry’s Pork Rinds remains heavily involved in community development efforts throughout Southeast Kansas. The company regularly supports local fundraisers, nonprofit organizations, schools, youth programs, and rural economic development initiatives.
The Perry family credits much of the company’s success to faith, perseverance, loyal customers, and the support of the communities that have rallied behind the business since its founding.
“Whether people remember us for our pork rinds or simply for our determination and faith, we hope they remember that we gave this everything we had,” Kelly Perry said. “We’re proud of how far we’ve come, and we’re even more excited about where we’re headed.”
For additional information, wholesale inquiries, retail opportunities, or media interviews, please contact:
Founded in 2017, Perry’s Pork Rinds is a family-owned food manufacturing company headquartered in Bronson, Kansas. Specializing in handcrafted pork rinds made in small batches, the company offers ten unique flavors and serves customers through retail partners, special events, fundraisers, and direct-to-consumer online sales. Perry’s Pork Rinds is committed to quality, customer service, community involvement, and creating opportunities in rural America. —
Ella Grace Townley is the new owner of Eternal Grace Boutique in downtown Fort Scott.
Ella Townley, 18, graduated from Spring Hill High School last week, and tomorrow she will open her new business venture, Eternal Grace Boutique LLC, in Fort Scott’s Historic Downtown District.
The store is located at 13 N. Main Street.
Ella is the daughter of the owners of Be The Light Boutique, Susan and Ed Townley, just across the street.
“I didn’t know what I wanted to do after graduating,” she said. “I will attend Pittsburg State University, majoring in management and marketing, in the fall.”
In the future, Townley plans to have her own brand of clothing.
“I always wanted to own my own clothing store and bring ideas to life,” she said.
The products she sells are clothes for girls of all ages, she said
“In addition to young women’s clothing (ages 14-25). I sell two lines of jewelry, collegiate ware, home decor items, Bibles, prayer journals, devotionals, and hats.”
The store opens today, May 28, at 3 p.m., and there will be a ribbon-cutting and grand opening at 5:30 p.m. sponsored by the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce.
The hours of operation for the store will be Thursday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, the store is closed.
For information, contact the store at: 913-827-2574.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee this Thursday, May 21st at 8am hosted by Chamber members Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative and Heartland Propane. The coffee will take place at the Heartland Propane bulk plant and shop located at 2161 Osage Rd, just north of town on Old 69.
Guests traveling west on Highway 54 should turn north at Durossette’s onto 215th Street (Old 69 Highway), continue north for approximately two miles, then turn east onto Osage Road. The facility will be visible immediately after turning onto Osage Road and will be located on the left-hand side.
Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served along with a door prize drawing.
Guests will have the opportunity to learn more about Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative and Heartland Propane, their shared commitment to serving local communities, and the important role they play in providing dependable energy to homes, businesses, and rural areas across Southeast Kansas. Representatives will share information about how the electric grid works, how rural electric cooperatives fit into the larger energy network, and how Heartland Propane supports the cooperative’s mission by expanding reliable energy options for members and customers.
Heartland Propane recently reached an exciting milestone of 4,000 routed delivery customers, reflecting the company’s continued growth and service throughout the region. Heartland REC has served the area for decades with safe and reliable electric service, while Heartland Propane continues expanding dependable propane options for homes, farms, and businesses across Southeast Kansas.
Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information. Visit the Events Calendar and category of Chamber Coffees on fortscott.com for upcoming locations.
Tuker Ross (left), Janna Trotter (right), submitted photo.
Two best friends started a mobile coffee business in Nevada, Missouri, in September 2025, and will soon have a physical location in Fort Scott to serve this community.
The name that owners Janna Trotter and Tuker Ross chose for their business is Holy Grounds Jesus & Coffee.
“Coffee is what we do, but it’s never been the full story behind Holy Grounds Jesus & Coffee,” said Ross.
“It has grown into something so much bigger than we anticipated. Our hearts have always been simple: serve our community well and share Jesus with every cup we serve.”
“The Beauty Lounge Salon & Barbershop will be making a location change at the beginning of June, to 1621 S Main St. (previously the Baker Clinic),” Ross said. ” Holy Grounds Jesus & Coffee will be located inside part of the salon, as well as Dr. Press, the audiologist, will be remaining inside the building to continue his work.”
“Holy Grounds Jesus & Coffee has an estimated open date of mid-June. Holy Grounds will be offering hot and iced lattes with scripture written on every cup, as well as non-caffeinated drink options.”
Tentatively, operating hours will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday – Friday, and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
To contact the business, use their Facebook page.
“We will be looking to hire soon. To reach out to us about a job opportunity, please Facebook message us.”
The Why of the new business
“From the very beginning, this business was built on faith. Before the menu, before the logo, before we ever served our first drink— God placed this dream on our hearts,” Ross said. “Long before we felt equipped, He continued to remind us that He doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called.”
“Now, seeing God open the door for us to continue serving Nevada while also opening our very first physical location in Fort Scott feels surreal. Time after time, He has continued to make a way where we couldn’t see one ourselves.”
“Every cup we serve is more than just coffee to us. It’s an opportunity to place truth into someone’s hands right when they need it most. We may be the ones writing the verses on the cups, but we truly believe God places them exactly where they’re meant to be.”
“If someone walks away with a drink in their hand and hope in their heart, then we’ve done what we were called to do. This is our why”.
A long vacant property on National Avenue has new life.
Bolt Bevs and Bites at 1808 S. National Avenue has been remodeled into a drink and snack business.
Bolt offers coffee, energy drinks, kids’ drinks, breakfast items, snacks, sweet treats, and more.
The dress rehearsal before the grand opening of the business starts tomorrow, May 22, with hours of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and continues on Saturday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. then 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday.
They will be closed for Memorial Day.
Following the soft opening this weekend, regular hours will be 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays.
Co-manager Claire Bradshaw said, “We are from PIttsburg. We like the small town feel, the community connection, and were able to purchase a building here in Fort Scott.”
The owner of the business is Mick Marietta.
The building is the former Taco Tico restaurant. “It’s been vacant for a long time,” Bradshaw said.
“It’s been gutted, with remodeling starting last fall,” said Co-Manager Emery Kafka.
The remodeling includes a drive-through with a canopy on the front of the building.
Currently, the staff includes 20 people ranging from high school age up, and they are still accepting applications, Bradshaw said.
Menu. Submitted graphicSubmitted graphic.
Claire Bradshaw, right, and Emery Kafka are the co-managers of Bolt Bevs and Bites. taken from Bolt’s Facebook page.
