Susan Townley in front of Be The Light Boutique, 12 N. Main, that she and her husband, Eddie, own and operate.
Susan and Eddie Townley opened Be The Light Boutique in November 2022, after several years of selling antiques, vintage finds, and home decor in the Kansas City area.
12 N. Main was the former Country Cupboard, an anchor store in Fort Scott’s Historic Downtown District for decades.
Recently the Townleys have been painting the facade of the building, removing a temporary wall in the back to extend the showroom to the back door and remodeling an existing bathroom.
Ora Et Lobora painters work on the front of Be The Light Boutique. 12 N. Main last week.
“The wall came down in the back, which opened the view front to back, the way Country Cupboard was,” Susan said. Out the back door, there is more parking for downtown businesses.
View to the back door. Recently the Townleys have removed a temporary wall that expanded the showroom.
“We added 400 square feet, with a total of 4,000 square feet,” she said. They remodeled a bathroom, put down new carpet, and painted.
The exterior is also getting painted, last week the front of the building, and this week the back.
Exterior painting was done by Ora Et Lobora Painting LLC, carpeting by Ruddick’s Furniture, and plumbing by Frenchs Plumbing, all of Fort Scott.
Clothing in the Be The Light Boutique.
They are getting ready for the holiday season and the Fall Fest this week in Fort Scott this Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
Hours of operation of Be The Light Boutique are Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sundays noon to 5 p.m.
A fall vignette on a dining table at Be The Light Boutique.Coffee is for sale at the boutique.Furniture is for sale at Be The Light Boutique, 12. N. Main.
The Chamber Coffee was recently held at Walmart in July, but the store invites Chamber and guests back for a second time to keep the community informed on the remodel progress!
The following is a message from Store Manager Heather Magruder: “This week marks the fifth week of our Store Transformation and there are still several weeks before our Store Celebration. During this time, we sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding during our remodel. We know the changes may have caused some inconvenience, and we are truly grateful for your support and flexibility throughout this period. Your continued patronage has been crucial as we work to improve our space and services. Thank you for being such an important part of our community and for standing by us during this transition.”
Contact the Chamber of Commerce for more info.: (620) 223-3566
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members shown below…
Tina and David Lipe, owners of Sharky’s Pub and Grub, stand on the new patio, at 16 N. National Avenue.
Fort Scottians may have noticed that there is a construction area on the south side of Sharky’s Pub and Grug, 16 N. National Avenue.
A major project is underway by Tina and David Lipe who started the restaurant in June 2011.
“Our facility has everything: a cool designed building, a banquet facility…and we always wanted an outdoor facility,” Dave Lipe said.
He said through the years they have added solar equipment on the roof, all new windows and doors and beginning sometime in September 2024 there will be a large outdoor patio open to the public.
They began the project in June of this year and when completed there will be a bar, pickleball court, TVs, gas firepits and bathrooms.
Looking east towards National Avenue. This area is the site of the pickleball court. The area will have a short fence around it. David Lipe said.
“It will be a place for people to enjoy outdoor dining, a little live music, and pickleball,” he said. “Hopefully people will come and enjoy it.”
The patio is 50 feet by 100 feet, with a fence around it and is located south of the restaurant. Entry is from the restaurant.
They hired local Fort Scott businesses to work on the patio: PJW Consulting and Ron Hurd Construction. Others were McKenney Masonry, Geiger Plumbing, Jeff Allen Electric, Bill Lalman Fencing, Miller Brothers Welding and Peerless Products, Inc. who made the doors from the restaurant to the patio.
This construction of the outside bar is in progress at Sharky’s Pub and Grub. The expansion is on the south side of the restaurant.
About the restaurant
Sharky’s has 32 employees, mostly part-time and they will be adding more with the patio opening.
Their banquet facility is on the third floor of the historic building and is for birthday parties, wedding receptions, and meetings.
Starting Thanksgiving weekend they open a Christmas-themed pop-up bar on the third floor.
“People really enjoy Sharkey’s North Pole,” Lipe said.
The restaurant also provides catering services to the community.
For information on reserving the banquet room or catering services, contact Lipe at 816.392.2825.
Restaurant hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, Friday and Saturday until 2 a.m. and they close at 7 p.m. on Sunday except for some sporting events, he said.
Sharkey’s Pub and Grub, 16 N. National Avenue. The outdoor patio construction is on the south of the restaurant.
The Lipes have a Sharky’s Pub and Grub in Iola, KS and Nevada, MO and is a true family business, with two of their four children working with them.
Cherri can often be found at the Fort Scott Farmers’ Market which is held thru October, Tuesdays 4-6pm
Saturdays 8am-12pm
Gathering Square Pavilion, Downtown See more details & contact information on Tiny Greens & Herbs below!
Tiny Greens & Herbs, LLC. serves Bourbon County by providing year-round access to locally grown nutrient-packed wellness food. After the Walrod family experienced physical and mental health challenges a few years ago, they were looking for a way to increase nutrients in their diet while reducing exposure to toxic chemicals. Tiny Greens & Herbs, LLC. was born out of the need for their family to have year-round access to nutrient dense produce which is free of pesticides and herbicides.
The Walrod’s envisioned starting a small family business so their special needs children could learn to work, acquire transferable job skills and appreciate meaningful gainful employment. One of their goals is for their young children to be able to learn the business as they work towards a more independent life. Growing nutritious, toxin-free food for their family and their community, while also teaching their children the value of work is a triple-play win in their book. They feel the micro-greens taste amazing and invite everyone to come learn more and have samples this Thursday!
Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information.
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members shown below…
Governor Kelly Announces $5.6M to
Strengthen Food Supply Chain Infrastructure
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced today that $5.6 million has been awarded for 49 projects to strengthen the middle of Kansas’ food supply chain.
“Kansas’ central location and abundant agriculture production are critical to the nation’s food supply chain,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “By investing in our producers and businesses in this sector, we are strengthening economic growth across the state.”
Through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program, administered by the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA), eight grants will improve producers’ infrastructure. The other 41 will strengthen the middle of the state’s food supply chain operations.
The projects selected for funding were informed by engagement and outreach with underserved producers to understand the needs of the agriculture supply chain.
“These grants will help Kansas food and farm businesses and other eligible organizations create diverse local and regional market options and more economic opportunities for our Kansas communities,” said Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam. “With this financial support, we will see improvements across the middle of our state’s food supply chain, including increased food processing infrastructure, producer aggregation points, and product storage.”
“Projects funded through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program are building strength and resilience in Kansas’ food system, diversifying agricultural markets, creating new revenue streams for small and mid-sized producers, and providing economic opportunities for local communities,” said USDA Marketing and Regulatory Programs Under Secretary Jenny Lester Moffitt. “USDA is grateful for Kansas’ support strengthening local and regional agricultural supply chains.”
This awarded funding is part of the $420 million available through the federal American Rescue Plan.
A complete list of the 49 projects can be found here.
Click here for more information about the RFSI program at KDA.
The Dare to Dream: Collective Impact event occurs from 9 am to 3 pm on Saturday, Sept. 28 at Fort Scott Community College’s Ellis Center, 2108 S. Horton. Check-in begins at 8 am.
Fort Scott Community College Bailey Hall.
Women business owners can be inspired and network with like-minded people during the event. Provided for attendees is a free lunch and child care.
“Our event kicks off with a dynamic pre-conference session on “The Entrepreneurial Mindset,” setting the stage for a day of inspiration and collaboration,” according to the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team Facebook page.
The event will allow women to converse with like-minded individuals during the networking event, forging connections that extend beyond the conference, according to Jody Love, President and Chief Executive Officer for HBCAT.
Jody Love. Submitted photo.
The main event features a keynote address and a variety of breakout sessions tailored to diverse interests, ensuring a customized and enriching experience, according to Love.
Mary Ricketts is the keynote speaker.
Turning Point CEO and founder, Mary Ricketts, began her leadership path in 1990 in the telecommunications industry, according to a press release from HBCAT. Her natural coaching and leadership abilities led her to increased leadership responsibilities in the telecommunications space, and eventually into insurance and financial wellness.
Partnering with John Maxwell’s team helped her sharpen her training and development abilities.
Turning Point Training and Development was founded in 2019 in response to requests from community partners that needed a professional and experienced resource to ensure organizational success.
“We understand the importance of accessibility, which is why we provide complimentary lunch and free childcare, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in this empowering journey,” she said.
Join returning artist Phillip Ortiz for a Pen and Ink and Watercolor Class at The Artificers! Whether you are a beginner at drawing and watercolor or want to grow your skillset, Phillip will show you some exciting techniques for beautifully combining ink and watercolor.
Mmm Flavor Shop owner Emelia Whiteaker is hosting the business’s first Tea Club Tea Party today, Wednesday, August 21st at 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at Papa Don’s Pizza, 10 North Main in Fort Scott.
“This is the inaugural meeting of the Tea Club,” Whiteaker said. “I started selling herbs and spices in 2021 when a major health diagnosis was made in the family.”
“The Tea Club is a way to bring interested individuals together to learn, socialize, and experience what is out there beyond the box stores, supplement companies, and mass-produced products.”
Submitted graphic.
“This month’s Tea Club Tea Party theme is Iced Teas,” she said. “There will be four loose-leaf teas made as iced tea to sample for free. Everyone is invited to come try tea, ask questions, or just socialize with friends.”
“The health benefits of eating truly natural nutrients in herbs and spices are well documented,” she said. “I added a variety of loose-leaf teas for the same reason. Most of the teas we have offer a wide variety of health benefits along with a delicious taste.”
“This summer we added specialty kinds of rice that have an increase in nutrients due to where they are grown.”
“I have spent hours talking to our suppliers on the phone to make sure the products available are high quality and full of nutrients that the body recognizes and absorbs better. Our suppliers can tell me the exact farm and farmer that each item comes from.”
“I am always researching and taking continuing education courses on nutrition,” she said. “This allows me to continue to work to bring tasty, nutritious ingredients to our rural area.”
She said the business sells its products at vendor’s shows and direct ordering through them.
Robin Kendrick, owner of Varia, stands in front of the door at 112 E. 23, the space that is being opened up to expand her shop at 114 E. 23rd.
Varia Resale Clothing Shop, 114 E. 23rd, is expanding next door to 112 E. 23rd, the former Bob Williams Insurance office.
Varia is French for variety, she said.
“We are adding 800 feet to the shop,” owner Robin Kendrick said. “The total square footage will be 2,000 square feet when finished.”
New paint and carpet are being added to the new area, which will be the children’s department and vendors.
Work will be continued today in the new space adjacent to the original Varia shop at 112 E. 23rd.
She said the shop is closed today while the expansion is going on, but is anticipated to be open tomorrow.
The expansion started on August 17 with a completion date by the end of August and plans to remain open during most phases of the work.
The shop accepts name-brand clothing in excellent condition and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Varia was established in June 2021 and sells women’s, men’s, teens, and children’s clothing along with shoes, jewelry, and miscellaneous items.
She currently has four vendors who sell handmade jewelry, antiques, collectibles, art, handmade towels and ornaments.
Items are accepted by appointment only by calling her at 620.238.1703.
Kendrick pays cash for those items she selects and the items then are the sole property of the business.
“We pay upfront in cash at the appointment time,” she said. “Therefore we assume the risk of whether your items sell or not.”
“We don’t offer consignment, but store credit is an option for customers bringing in merchandise. Walk-ins may be accepted but will be paid in store credit. Donations are always accepted and appreciated.”
“You may bring up to 30 items,” she said. “If more than 15 items are accepted you will be paid $2 an item. $5 for jeans and heavy coats. If 15 items or less are accepted, you will be paid 50% of the item price.”
She also goes to Kansas City to buy inventory for the shop.
On the horizon for the shop is bin sales.
“They will be in containers lined up on tables with things that I have had for a while.”
