Category Archives: Business
Main Street Gallery: Six Businesses
Julie McClellan joined forces with her son Josh McClellan in 2000 to open a retail shop in Fort Scott.
The shop has moved from 8 N. Main to National Avenue across from the post office then to 24 N. Main. It was at this location they renamed the shop from Spice of Life to Main Street Gallery and Gifts.
“After 10 years at this location, we outgrew the space and bought the old J.C.Penney building at 23 S. Main,” Julie said.
Through the years they added more offerings for their customers.
Today they have gifts, home decor, custom and antique furniture, gluten-free products, a homebrew supply shop, herbs, essential oils and supplements in addition to an upholstery shop, picture frame and mat shop and additionally they rent out space to the Spoiled Brat Salon next door at 19 S. Main.
In the lower level of Main Street Gallery and Gifts is a flea market with many vendors.
“Josh’s wife, Rechelle, and my husband, Gene, and granddaughter Shelby help out in this multifaceted business,” Julie said.
Good Samaritan Auction and Dinner Today
The Good Samaritan Auction and Dinner is today, Wednesday, May 2.
The annual event is to benefit senior citizens who have outlived their resources at Fort Scott Presbyterian Village.
Chicken Mary’s dinners are served from 4:30-6:30 p.m. along with homemade desserts and the auction begins at 5:00.
“We started this specific fundraising event in 2003 doing an auction and dinner, however, we have had a Good Samaritan fund ever since the first Presbyterian Manor opened,” Ginger Nance, executive director of the local assisted living facility, said. “Each year our fundraising event gains momentum as people learn more about the mission of our organization and how the funds are used. Every dollar raised is used to help seniors who have a financial need to pay for the care that they need if they should outlive their resources, through no fault of their own. All money stays local in Fort Scott. We have never asked someone to move out due to lack of resources. This is a commitment we make to people when they move in.”
All money donated to the Good Samaritan program is tax-deductible.
The Presbyterian Village is a not-for-profit, Christian mission organization.
Nance is asking the community to get involved.
“An event of this caliber cannot happen without the help of hundreds of volunteers who donate their time, talents and resources,” Nance said. “Our community understands that a program like this is only sustainable through the commitment of supporters… who reach out to help. One never knows when it might be them who needs the help in return one day. ”
This year there will be a drawing to win a trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Drawing tickets are $5 each or three for $10. One need not be present to enter this drawing.
“The donor of the trip is a local person who has supported the mission of the Village for many years,” Nance said. ” He and many others have seen firsthand the benefits that the Village can provide family members in their time of need.”
The auction, at 5 p.m. May 2, is a large one.
“We have many super great items for the auction,” Nance said. ” We have started lining things up but we are a long way from done.”
Pictured are a few of the auction items:
Items are still being accepted for the auction.
“If people have things they are no longer using, or simply don’t need, we’d love to have them donated to the auction,” Nance said. “Sometimes people have a boat just sitting around that they haven’t used, maybe a motorcycle, a vehicle, a piece of furniture, golf cart, tractors, you name it, we can use it! We can provide a receipt to the donor and it is a tax-deductible contribution for them. Everyone wins in this situation. The person who donates their items, the person who buys a nice item they would love to own, and the seniors who benefit from this awesome fund.”
“More than anything, I hope people can understand that each person can make a positive difference in the lives of seniors in need Nance said. ” Every meal sold, every item donated, every ticket purchased, every item bought at the auction, every smile and word of encouragement means the world. Come out and see what a great time it is!”
Papa Don’s 7th Anniversary May 2
Art Festival Starts Today
“Our inaugural festival in 2016 was held mostly in a couple of locations,” Jared Witt, spokesman for the group said. “This year we have expanded our offerings and events and so have utilized multiple spaces in the downtown area. The festival schedule lists where each event will be held.”
Schedule of Events
Friday
2-4pm Art of Brewing, Tour and Tasting of Beer Flight $10 per person (must be over 21, ID required), non-alcoholic
tour & tasting $5 per person.
3-4: 30 pm Trolley Tour of Public Art in Fort Scott ($8pp), leaves from the Chamber, 231 E. Wall St. – limited to 22 people.
7 pm Improv Comedy at Common Ground Coffee Co. 116 S. Main, $5 suggested donation. Join for a night of laughs as the Fort Scott High School Thespian Improv Troupe performs comedy sketches created on the spot using audience suggestions.
Saturday
9-10: 30 am Trolley Tour of Public Art in Fort Scott, $8pp, leaves from the Chamber, 231 E. Wall St. – limited to 22 people.
9-11am Mimosas and Painting Workshop with Brittany Morris, Boiler Room Brewhaus, 102 S. National Ave. -south back entrance, $30pp, includes one beverage – limited to 25 people south back entrance, $30pp, includes one beverage – limited to 25 people.
9 am Enameling w/Kris Bohanon, First Presbyterian Church Zimmerman Hall, 308 S. Crawford$, 25pp – limited to 10 people.
9-10: 30 am Comedy Improv – Improvised Theatre Techniques And Games – FSHS Thespians and Director Angie Bin
will provide a 1.5-hour class. Have fun getting an introduction to creating comedic theatre on the fly! No experience necessary, Sleep Inn Conference Room. This is FREE but donations are welcome to FSHS Thespians.
9-10: 30 am “Art as a Business” by Marc Willson, Empress Event Center, FREE.
9 am Block Printing workshop with Ripp Harrison, Papa Don’s Celebration Room, 10 N. Main St., $15pp -limited to 15 people
9:30 am Art Workshops for Young People Ages 6-11, FS Public Library. Oogly Monsters with Clay with Myrna Minnis: unique and personalized clay creatures,$5pp – limited to20 people
10 am Scratchboard with Chris Woods, Lowell Milken Center, 1 S. Main St., $25pp – limited to 15 people
10 am Literary Workshop: Writing and Publishing Children’s Literature with Lori Baker Martin, Common
Ground Coffee Co., FREE
10:30 am Art Workshops for Young People Ages 12-18, FS Public Library
Oogly Monsters with Clay with Myrna Minnis: unique & personalized clay creatures, $5pp – limited to 20 people
11 am Block Printing workshop with Ripp Harrison, Papa Don’s Celebration Room, 10 N. Main St., $15pp -limited to 15 people
11:30 am Literary Workshop: Writing for Tabletop RPG’s (Role Playing Games) with Bartholomew Kick, Common Ground Coffee Co., FREE
12:30 am Art Workshops for Young People Ages 6-18, FS Public Library. On the Fence: Stitching with Metals & Fabric w/Allison Dey, $5pp – limited to 20 people
1 pm Enameling with Kris Bohanon, First Presbyterian Church Zimmerman Hall, $25pp – limited to 10 people
1 pm Scratchboard with Chris Woods, Lowell Milken Center, 1 S. Main St., $25pp – limited to 15 people
1 pm Literary Workshop: Romance Writing as an Exploration of Healthy Relationships with Lynn Caldwell, Common Ground Coffee Co., FREE
2-3:30 pm Comedy Improv – Improvised Theatre Techniques and Games – FSHS Thespians and Director Angie Bin, 1.5-hour class. Have fun getting an introduction to creating comedic theatre on the fly! No experience necessary, Sleep Inn Conference Room. FREE – donations welcome to FSHS Thespians.
2-3: 30 pm “Creative Placemaking: Building the Artist Community in Fort Scott” by Marc Willson, Empress Event Center, FREE
2-4pm Art of Brewing, Tour and Tasting of Beer Flight $10pp (must be over 21, ID required), non-alcoholic tour and tasting $5pp.
6:30-8: 30 pm Festival Finale Event and Fundraiser at Nate’s Place, 750 S. National Ave., $25pp, includes heavy appetizers, dessert, and a liquor cash bar. This event will feature the awards for the Student Art Competition and art for sale by the artists participating in the 2nd Story Festival of Arts & Ideas.
Sunday
2-4 pm Art of Brewing, Tour and Tasting of Beer Flight $10pp (must be over 21, ID required), non-alcoholic tour and tasting $5pp.
The event is being hosted by the Fort Scott Festival of Arts.
Grant funding provided by the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation.
Event Sponsors
Boiler Room Brewhaus | Bourbon County Arts Council | Citizens Bank | City of Fort Scott
Common Ground Coffee Co. | Empress Event Center | First Presbyterian Church | Fort Scott Public Library
Fort Scott Area Community Foundation | Charles and Martha Jane Gentry
Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes | Nate’s Place at the Lyons Twin Mansions
Sleep Inn & Suites Hotel | Jeff and Kate Sweetser
Visit the following websites for community information:
Chamber:www.fortscott.com CVB: www.visitfortscott.com City of Fort Scott: www.fscity.org
Questions or need more information, contact the Chamber at 620-223-3566 or[email protected].
Buy and Eat-Meet and Greet May 3
Consumers, retailers, restaurants, businesses, and food service providers can have access to locally grown food, and also strengthen the communities local food system and economy, Hoener said.
The meeting is open to the public and is free.
Specifically, the following are listed by Hoener as people who might benefit from the “Buy and Eat-Meet and Greet,” Hoener said.
- A food service director, chef, restaurant owner or other professional willing to learn/ share expertise with peers and implement best practices to buy and use local foods.
- A local grower interested in selling to restaurants, institutions, food retail and other producers.
- A caterer or restaurant owner, to showcase a food item from a menu item, which includes locally produced food in its ingredients.
- An insurance provider willing to provide information to help protect our local farmers and producers to sell and buy local produce.
About the meet and greet hosts:
City State Bank To Be Remodeled
City State Bank is remodeling its downtown branch at 202 Scott Ave.
“The building was built in 1957,” John Hill, bank president said.”We are sticking with mid-century design.”
The canopy over the drive-in window will be replaced and a new ATM island will be installed in the drive-through, Hill said.
“It will be wider for easier access for automobile traffic,” he said.
The remodel includes a new metal fascia system, new fabric awning, new wrap around awning, new stone entrance, new stone veneer and wall in the front of the building. Additionally, there will be a new sign.
Fifty-percent of drive-through transactions occur at the downtown branch, Hill said.
From 1957 to 2001, the downtown branch was the main facility.
Then a new facility was built at 1012 Hwy. 69, just south of Walmart.
“We’ve been here 18 years,” Hill said from his office at the Hwy. 69 address.
Work on the remodel will begin within 90 days and construction will take about 90 days.
“It should be completed by September 30,” he said.
Need A Job?
JOB FAIR TO BE HELD TUESDAY, APRIL 24TH IN FORT SCOTT
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Job Fair on Tuesday, April 24, 2018, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ellis Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton St.
Fort Scott employers currently registered to attend include Briggs, City of Fort Scott, Firstsource Solutions, Medicalodges, Mercy Hospital, Niece Products, Peerless Products, Presbyterian Village, Russell Stovers Chocolates of Iola, Southeast Kansas Mental Health, Timken, Tri-Valley Developmental Services and WK Holdings (Ward/Kraft, Inc. and Fort Scott Munitions). KANSASWORKS will have a booth on employer and job seeker resources and Fort Scott Community College Phi Theta Kappa will be offering soft skills tips on interviewing, resume writing, and more.
Positions employers will be hiring for are include those shown below:
- Briggs of Fort Scott: Full-time Sales, Full-time Service Techs, Full-time Service Advisors, and Full-time Sales Managers
- City of Fort Scott: Police Officer and Seasonal Park Laborer
- Firstsource Solutions: Full-time Claims Examiners and Full-time Call Center Representatives
- Medicalodges, Inc.: Certified Nurse Aides, Certified Medication Aides, Licensed Nurses, and Dietary Aides
- Mercy Hospital: Clinical and non-clinical positions including Food Service staff and Nurses
- Niece Products: Skilled Mechanics, Welders, and Painters
- Peerless Products, Inc.: Full and Part-time Process and Production Engineer, Project Manager, Assembly 1st Shift, Press or Saw Operator 2nd Shift, and Part-time Mechanical and Plastic Engineer
- Presbyterian Village: Full-time Certified Nurse Aide, Full-time Certified Medication Aide, Part-time Certified Nurse Aide, Part-time Licensed Practical Nurse, and Part-time Registered Nurse
- Russell Stovers Chocolates, Iola (all full-time): Utility Operator, Material Handler, General Mechanic, Electronics Technician, Service Workers, Lead, Production Supervisor, Plant Scheduler, and Training Coordinator
- Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center: Full-time Adult Case Manager (Bourbon County), Full-time Chemical Abuse Counselor (Neosho County), Part-time Children’s Aides for after-school and summer program
- Timken SMO, LLC: Maintenance Technician off-shift
- Tri-Valley Developmental Services: Full and Part-time Residential Service Specialist
- WK Holding Co., Inc.: Ward/Kraft Production Operators, Sales Reps for both Ward/Kraft and Fort Scott Munitions, Shipping Clerk for Fort Scott Munitions
Job seekers are encouraged to dress for success, bring copies of a resume, and be prepared to connect with employers. Attendees may enter a drawing for a door prize of $50 in Chamber Bucks that may be used at over 50 Chamber member businesses. Contact the Chamber for more information on having an employer booth at 620-223-3566 or email [email protected].
Bartelsmeyer Estate Jewelry Sale Starts April 23
An event to share with friends and family!
The Semi-Annual Estate Jewelry Sale at Bartelsmeyer Jewelry is about to begin on Monday, April 23 and will continue through May 5.
All Estate Jewelry is 25 percent off including free ring sizing.
May 7th – 12th, any remaining estate jewelry will be marked down to 50 percent, however, ring sizing is not included at 50 percent off prices
Bartelsmeyer Jewelry is located at 1519 S. Main. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Stutesman’s Action Realty Hosts Chamber Coffee
Stutesman’s Action Realty was the host for the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee Thursday.
The event took place at the real estate office at 119 S. Main, Ste. A, just north of city hall.
Bourassa told the attendees its real estate agents provide professional services that include not only signing contracts but help with the loan services and the negotiation process.
“The Fort Scott businesses work together to make Fort Scott a better place to work and live,” Bourassa said.
Bourassa can be contacted at 417-684-5681.
Amy The Welder
Amy Heitman never imagined she’d grow up to be a welder.
“I didn’t know anything about it,” she told the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee attendees. “I took a welding course in high school, I grew to have a passion for it.”
Heitman started researching why there weren’t more women welders and found only two percent of welders are women, she said.
“In the war (World War II) women stepped in to do jobs,” she said. “When men came back, women were pushed back. In manufacturing now, it’s predicted there is a shortage of 400,000.”
“I’m a welder and I weigh 107 pounds,” Heitman said. And “I’m building water tanks.”
“We are still building this world, if we don’t have welders and manufacturers, where does that leave America? ”
“I’m encouraging people to step up to non-traditional spots,” she said. “I want to help women know they can step up.”
Heitman welds and fabricates the metal pieces in water tanks that the Niece Equipment builds, she said in a later interview.
“I do some of the internal plumbing on the piping,” she said.
The facility she works in is climate controlled: fans in the summer and heat in the winter.
Heitman said there are 40 employees at Niece and of those, approximately nine are welders.
The salary range for the welding positions range from $15 to $19 per hours, she said.
Heitman, 25, and husband, Josh Heitman moved to Fort Scott from Austin, Texas in January 2018.
She worked for Niece Equipment in Austin and was recruited to Fort Scott.
They have two children, Gabriel and Ayden. Because it was in the middle of the school year, Ayden stayed behind in Austin with his grandmother temporarily. Ayden has autism.
“Because of his autism, I didn’t want to bring him yet, into something completely new…it would throw him off,” Heitman said.
Her first impression of Fort Scott: “I was enchanted,” she said.
“This is the kind of place I want to raise my kids,” she said.
“There is not a ton of things to do like in Austin, but so many things the whole community gets involved in. It’s a beautiful thing.”
Heitman got connected with Fort Scott Community College and together they are working on a plan to talk to high school students that tour the school, she said.
She is going to try to solve the issue of getting more people into non-traditional careers where they are needed.
Lyons Starts Realtor Career in a Seller’s Market
Bailey Lyons and husband, Nate have been restoring or “flipping” houses, in addition to property management in their business Lyons and Lyons, LLC.
“Nate and I will soon have a downtown location,” she said. “We have been immersed in real estate in Fort Scott.”
That exposure to the real estate market in her community led to her next career move: real estate agent for Stutesman’s Action Realty.
Lyons started with Stutesman’s Action Realty the end of March when she received her Kansas real estate license. She will receive her Missouri license in a few weeks, she said.
Lyons earned a bachelor of science in financial accounting from Kansas University and will graduate in May with a master’s in business administration from KU.
She has a background in banking which she feels will enable her to help a client with the “financial side of things,” she said.
“A lot of people renting don’t realize they can purchase a home and build equity,” Lyons said. “There are a lot of financing options available. USDA loans are zero money down payment, FHA is 3.5 percent down. There are options other than conventional formats. Military vets have a VA loan option with zero dollars down.”
She would be glad to do a buyer’s or seller’s consultation, she said.
In addition, Lyons can offer suggestions on how to make a home more aesthetically appealing to sell it, she said.
She can help young home buyers view homes they want to update, and offer suggestions, with a “starter home or a forever home,” she said.
Lyons can be reached at 620-224-7795.
Seller’s Market
It’s a seller’s market currently in Fort Scott, Lyons said.
“Inventory is low, there are more buyers than sellers which is good for negotiations,” Amanda Bourassa, the broker/associate at the Stutesman Real Estate Agency said in agreement.
“The median home price in Fort Scott is $90,000, with most of our buyers in the $100,000 to $150,000 range,” Bourassa said.
Economic Development and real estate will always go hand in hand,” Lyons said. “Some jobs require residency within the county.”
“Within the last year or two, things have taken off economically in Fort Scott,” Bourassa said.
Relocation packets and tours of the community are offered through the real estate agency.
Lyons is active in the community
Lyons is the Young Professional League President this year, on the Visioning Committee for the City of Fort Scott, member of PEO, and recipient of the 2016 Young Professional of the Year.
In the recent past, she and husband Nate led fundraising for the public skatepark, she is a Lead Bourbon County graduate and was the chairperson for Relay For Life for three years.
She and Nate have four children Addison, 16, Jaxon and Jhett, 4, and Lute, four-months-old.
In their business Lyons and Lyons LLC, Bailey does the design work and Nate does the labor.
“I think there is a gap in market homes, those that are move-in ready for clientele. We are trying to fill in that gap. We do structural work: electric, plumbing and aesthetic stuff,” she said.