Maria Morris grew up on the Kansas/Missouri border in Deerfield, MO.
“I bar tended at Sharkey’s Pub for eleven years,” Morris said. “A year ago, I decided to start a different career. I always loved fashion, so I decided to follow my dream and own a clothing store.”
She started her venture in Nevada, MO in 2025.
“I was talking to Dean Striler (co-owner of the new space she is leasing in Fort Scott), and he presented the opportunity to open in Fort Scott. I always loved the community of Fort Scott and wanted to be a part of bringing customers to the area.”
The new space is 6 North Main, the former Tribune storefront.
The name of her new venture is Midwest Runway.
“I am really excited to be a part of the community,” she said. “I believe clothing is more than what we wear, but is also a unique part of who God created us to be.”
The next two weeks are the last weeks at her location at 14182 E. U.S. 54 Hwy, Nevada, and also starting the move to the new location in downtown Fort Scott.
Once she gets moved in, there will be a grand opening on Saturday, August 1, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Normal hours will follow: Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. The business is closed on Sundays.
Morris said she likes to “make women feel empowered and beautiful on the outside and the inside.”
The selection ranges from lounge wear to special-occasion clothing.
“Outfits you can take from day to night,” she said.
Sammie Barner is the manager of Midwest Runway. Submitted photo.
Sammie Barner will be the store manager, and there are some part-time employees as well.
The business can be contacted on its Facebook and Instagram pages or at [email protected].
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites Chamber members and their guests to attend a Chamber After-Hours, Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting celebrating The Library, Fort Scott’s newest speakeasy, on Thursday, July 9, from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. The event will be held at 523 S. Main Street, with the entrance located on the south side of the building beneath Lu’s Ice Cream Shop.
Chamber members and their guests are invited to tour The Library Speakeasy, enjoy refreshments, network with fellow Chamber members, and celebrate this exciting new business. Chamber remarks and the official ribbon cutting will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m.
The Library is the vision of local businessman Al Niece and will be managed by Flo Tanner. Tucked away in the basement below Lu’s Ice Cream Shop, the venue offers a unique 1920s speakeasy-inspired atmosphere featuring specialty cocktails and a select beer menu. The Chamber After-Hours will serve as an exclusive preview celebration ahead of the business’s public Grand Opening on Friday, July 10.
Chamber After-Hours events provide an excellent opportunity for Chamber members to network, build relationships, make new business connections, and celebrate new businesses, expansions, and investments that strengthen our community. As a Chamber After-Hours tradition, a $2 admission will be collected at the door and includes entry into the Chamber’s popular 50/50 drawing, with one lucky attendee taking home half of the proceeds.
“We’re excited to celebrate another outstanding investment in Fort Scott,” said Lindsay Madison, President & CEO of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce. “The Library is a wonderful example of how historic spaces can be thoughtfully reimagined while preserving the character and historic charm that make Fort Scott so special. We appreciate Al Niece’s continued investment in our community and look forward to welcoming Chamber members to this special preview event.”
Following the Chamber celebration, The Library will celebrate its public Grand Opening on Friday, July 10, and will be open Thursday through Saturday from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m.
For more information about the Chamber After-Hours, contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at 620-223-3566, stop by 231 E. Wall Street, or visit FortScott.com.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce presents the Let’s Flamingle Shopping EventDowntown & Around Fort Scott, KS!
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces the Let’s Flamingle shopping event will be held this Friday and Saturday, July 10th–11th, Downtown and around.
Businesses in the Downtown Historic District and additional locations will be participating by hiding flamingos inside the stores that can be found for discounts and giveaways. Shoppers may also pick up a card from any participating store and get it stamped by spending $5 or more in at least three retailers for a chance to win $50 in Chamber Bucks gift certificates.
Participating Stores
110 South Main Mercantile – 110 S. Main St.
Barbed Wire & Roses Vintage Market – 18 N. Main St.
Be The Light Boutique – 12 N. Main St.
Better In Bourbon – 2 Old Fort Blvd.
Common Ground Coffee Co. – 12 E. Wall St.
Eternal Grace Boutique – 13 N. Main St.
Hedgehog Books – 16 S. Main St.
Laree & Co. – 3 S. National Ave.
The Market at 23 Main – 23 S. Main St.
Shirt Shack – 11 E. 18th St.
Sunshine Boutique – 18 E. Wall St.
Grab your “flock” and get ready to shop local this weekend for the Let’s Flamingle event, Downtown and around in Fort Scott. Organized by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, 620-223-3566, fortscott.com.
Lu Niece stands at the entrance to her new business Lu’s Ice Cream Shop at 6th and Main in Fort Scott in this December 2025 photo.
Starting today, July 1, Lu’s Ice Cream shop, at the corner of 6th and Main Street in Fort Scott, will have a new menu and new hours.
The business owners, Al and Luanna Niece, recently purchased fudge equipment from Perry’s Pork Rinds (Bronson) and will be making fresh fudge and, in addition, will offer ballpark-inspired food: loaded hot dogs, nachos, paninis, and salads.
New hours are Mondays: closed. Tuesday through Thursday: 3-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday: 2-7 p.m. They will be closed July 4.
One novel aspect of this business venture is that they employ individuals of all abilities and are committed to creating a workspace where every team member is valued, supported, and empowered to succeed, said Nicole Regan, manager of Lu’s Ice Cream.
Regan is a former special education teacher.
Nichole Regan stands behind the counter at Lu’s Ice Cream shop at 6th and Main Street.
They sell Blue Bell Ice Cream, whose headquarters are in Texas, where the owners, the Nieces, are from.
“The Blue Bell delivery driver said we are the second largest delivery account in this region, second only to Branson, MO,” Regan said.
The response from the community so far has been “incredible”, she said. “The ice cream sales have exceeded our expectations. We are grateful to our customers and community for making this achievement possible.”
The building at 6th and Main was dilapidated until a few years ago, when the Nieces took it on as a project.
Al and Luanna Niece in 2023, outside their new purchase, the building at 6th and Main Street, Fort Scott.
It is ideally located directly across from the ballpark that is used consistently throughout the summer.
The Nieces own Niece Equipment in the city’s industrial park and is a leading manufacturer of custom-built water trucks and fuel lube trucks.
Join us for Chamber Coffee
hosted by Chamber Member The Fort Scott Railroad Museum
Thursday, July 2nd — 8am
@ The Fort Scott Railroad Museum (The Depot)
1 Scott Ave.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to attend this week’s Chamber Coffee, hosted by new Chamber member, the Fort Scott Railroad Museum, on Thursday, July 2, at 8:00 a.m. The event will be held at 1 Scott Avenue in the historic depot located directly behind the Ellis Foundation building, caddy-corner from the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber Coffee will be hosted by local businessman Al Niece, owner of Niece Manufacturing, whose recent investments in preserving several of Fort Scott’s historic properties include the restoration of the city’s last remaining railroad depot. The museum will be managed by volunteer Rick Sadler, who is helping lead the effort to preserve and share Fort Scott’s railroad history with the community.
Guests will enjoy coffee, juice, and light refreshments while learning about the exciting vision for the Fort Scott Railroad Museum. Attendees will also have the opportunity to register for a special door prize drawing.
The Fort Scott Railroad Museum is dedicated to preserving Fort Scott’s rich railroad heritage while inspiring curiosity, learning, and community pride. Through engaging exhibits, the museum seeks to deepen public understanding of the region’s important role in shaping American transportation history.
The museum is housed in Fort Scott’s last remaining railroad depot. Originally constructed in 1870 near the Marmaton River, the depot was relocated to its current downtown location in 1997 to protect it from flooding. Following the Civil War, Fort Scott emerged as one of the premier cities of the American frontier. Between 1870 and 1900, the community competed with Kansas City on three separate occasions to become the largest railroad center west of the Mississippi River.
Chamber members and guests are encouraged to attend and learn more about this exciting preservation effort and the history that helped shape Fort Scott.
For additional information about the Fort Scott Railroad Museum, email [email protected].
For more information about Chamber Coffee or other Chamber events, contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 or visit fortscott.com and select the Chamber Coffees category on the Events Calendar for upcoming Chamber Coffee locations.
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
