Category Archives: Business

Seeking Nominations of Women and Minority Businesses

Kansas Department of Commerce accepting nominations for Minority Enterprise Development Week awards

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Commerce Office of Minority and Women Business Development is accepting nominations for Kansas minority and/or women-owned businesses, advocates, young entrepreneurs, and corporations. These nominations celebrate National Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week, October 14-20, 2018. Nominees and winners will be recognized at the annual Kansas Minority and Women Business Awards Luncheon to be held on October 11, 2018, at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Topeka.

“Minority and women-owned businesses are essential drivers of our Kansas economy, and this special awards ceremony will honor the tremendous accomplishments of these amazing entrepreneurs in our state,” said Robert North, Interim Secretary for the Kansas Department of Commerce.

The deadline to nominate a business or individual is June 15, 2018. Online nomination forms can be accessed at KansasCommerce.gov/MEDweek.

 

The 2017 award winners included:

Kansas Women-Owned Businesses

  • MySmartPlans – Kansas City (Construction Firm)
  • Advanced Welding Technologies, LLC – Wichita (Manufacturing Firm)
  • FSC, Inc.- Overland Park (Professional Service Firm)
  • Toronto Lumber Company – Toronto (Retail Firm)
  • Sage Restoration LLC – Overland Park (Service Industry Firm)
  • International Express Trucking, Inc. – Kansas City (Supplier/Distributor Firm)

 

Kansas Minority-Owned Businesses

  • Recyclable Materials Relocating, LLC – Kansas City (Construction Firm)
  • Quik Tek Machining, LLC – Wichita (Manufacturing Firm)
  • LaborMax Staffing KC Metro – Kansas City (Professional Service Firm)
  • Paleterias Tropicanas – Kansas City (Retail Firm)
  • Project Fitness LLC DBA Project Fitness CrossFit – Garden City (Service Industry Firm)
  • Sarin Energy Solutions – Overland Park (Supplier/Distributor Firm)

 

Minority Business Advocate

  • Sandra Olivas, Bank of Labor – Kansas City

 

Women Business Advocate

  • Debra Kunz, Center for Deliberate Growth™ – Mission

 

Young Entrepreneur

  • Paul Kaster, Crooked Branch Studio – Leawood

 

Corporation of the Year

  • Textron Aviation – Wichita

 

About the Kansas Department of Commerce Office of Minority and Women Business Development

The Office of Minority and Women Business Development provides assistance in business management, identifying resources for financing and establishing contacts in the public and private sectors. The office is responsible for certifying minority- and women-owned businesses as small disadvantaged businesses for procurement and subcontracting opportunities.

 

For more information: http://www.kansascommerce.gov/322/MED-Week-Awards

 

Business Pick of the Week: Mercy Health For Life

The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce has selected Mercy Health For Life business pick of the week.

CONGRATULATIONS TO MERCY HEALTH FOR LIFE FOR BEING THE PICK OF THE WEEK!!!

Mercy Health For Life is located at 405 Woodland Hills Blvd. in Fort Scott. They provide many opportunities to help you perform your very best! Come check out this wonderful business and thank you for 20 years of health and fitness services you have provided for this town.

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Boiler Room Brewhaus Expands Into Historic Downtowner Hotel

Barbara Ritter, one of the owners of the Brewhaus, shows some of the work being done in the new taproom of the microbrewery.

Boiler Room Brewhaus is expanding. The microbrewery is moving from 102 S. National Avenue to 10 S. National Avenue, the historic Downtowner Hotel.

“We ran out of space,” Ritter said. “Bryan (her husband and the brewer for the business)…didn’t have enough space. (He) couldn’t make it in advance to not run out.”

Bryan Ritter left, and his brother, Dan Ritter, Stillwell, Ks. work on the new bar in the taproom Tuesday morning.

There are additional advantages to the location at the corner of National Avenue and Wall Street, “Two of the busiest streets in Fort Scott,” she said.

“It’s all on one level, more patrons will have easier access, it has handicapped accessible restrooms, visibility is pretty significant and there is a lot more room for cold storage, like a bigger refrigerator. We will now have a refrigerated room to put kegs in…trucks can come up to deliver grain, and more storage,” Ritter said.

The door to the brew room, the former kitchen of the Downtowner Hotel.
The brew room will allow more beer to be made for the microbrewery, Ritter said.

“We’ll be able to make more of our own stuff,” she said. “We’ll have the ability to serve from four more taps. Although, it will take us a while to catch up, because of the move.”

Future plans also include an outside patio area for customers, under the carport on the south portion of the building.

Barbara Ritter shows the area that will be the outside patio space of the microbrewery Tuesday morning.

The Ritters,  she and her sister-in-law Peggy Ritters are the owners, will have a “soft” opening at the new location Friday, June 1 at 4 p.m. “to celebrate with people and say thanks for all your help and support,” she said.

Ritter also wanted to thank Bobby and Denise Duncan for letting them start their business in their building,  Ritter said.

Josh Jones, the owner of the Downtowner building has been repairing and updating the new site for them.

“He’s done all the painting, replaced glass, changed locks, plumbing and took up all the carpet and sanded the floor,” Ritter said.

Charles Corpstein is painting the exterior of the Boiler Room Brewhaus Tuesday morning. He is employed by Josh Jones, he said.

Saturday, June 2 is the public ribbon cutting at 1:45 p.m. just before they open at 2.

Hours for the microbrewery remain Thursday-Friday from 4-10 p.m.

Saturdays from 2 to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 2 to 7 p.m.

Contact them at 620-644-5032.

The old neon sign is being refurbished by Darren Crays, Ritter said.

The Ritters lobbied for a change in local law, so they won’t have to have 30 percent of their profit in food sales at the microbrewery.

Liquor by the drink laws in Kansas from information provided by Ritter.

As of January 2017, 66 counties (shaded in medium pink above) in Kansas require there be 30 percent of profits in food sales on the premises to be able to sell liquor, 33 (light pink) counties don’t have that requirement and six counties (dark pink) are “dry” counties, and have no liquor by the drink.

Currently, Bourbon County requires 30 percent food sales in a business that sells liquor.

“It has been approved to put it on the November 2018 ballot to say you do not need to have 30 percent food sales to sell alcohol,” Ritter said.

 

Fort Scott Pharmacy Opens

Fort Scott Pharmacy employees, from left, Taylor Cation, pharmacist; Ashley Shelton, technician; Julie Pellett, pharmacist.

Fort Scott Pharmacy, located in the northeast corner of Price Chopper Grocery Store at 2322 S. Main, Suite B, is open for business as of today, May 29. The phone number is 620-644-9444.

Hours of the pharmacy: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; closed from 1:30 to 2 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Closed on Sunday.

Hours of the Fort Scott Pharmacy in Price Chopper.

Julie Pellett, one of two pharmacists, worked as the inpatient pharmacist for Mercy Hospital for 16 years.

Taylor Cation, a 2012 graduate of Fort Scott High School and most recently from Kansas University with a degree in pharmacy in 2018, is the second pharmacist.

“Taylor shadowed us at Mercy,” Pellet said. “She was one of my favorite students to do that.”

“I’ll do my boards this summer, by the middle of July I’ll know my results,” Cation said.

Ashley Shelton is the pharmacy technician, with eight years experience working for the former Woods Supermarket pharmacy as a technician.

The pharmacy is located inside the grocery store and has a drive-through window on the north.

The pharmacy is located on the northeast part of the Price Chopper Supermarket building at 2322 S. Main, Suite B.

“We offer personalized care, more flexibility, competitive pricing and friendly service,” Pellet said.

“We offer compounding more than other chain stores,”  she said.

Other services:

  • daily medicine packs, to organize medicine for patients
  • synchronization of all meds to be due and filled at the same time, to avoid several trips
  • auto refilling of prescriptions
  • free delivery
Daily medicine packs make taking multiple prescriptions organized. They are individually packed and dated.

“Stop by to input new patient information, transfer prescriptions or just meet the staff,” Pellett said.

The pharmacy doesn’t sell over the counter medicines, but can assist and advise the public on purchasing the right product, she said.

“However we don’t sell them through the pharmacy,” Pellett said.

The Iola Pharmacy Group is the owner of the pharmacy.

“They’ve been a retail pharmacy for over 40 years,” she said. “We are the only independent pharmacy in Bourbon County.”

The pharmacy has a lease agreement with Price Chopper, she said.

“We are excited to launch our business, “Pellett said. “We’ll be in the Good Ol’Days parade (to let people know they are in business).

 

 

 

Main Street Gallery: Six Businesses

Julie McClellan of Main Street Gallery and Gifts. Julie and son, Josh, are the owners.

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.

Julie shows Josh’s “The Frame Up” shop located on the first floor of Main Street Gallery. He can do custom framing and matting.
Julie gets information from a customer about an upholstery project at Gene’s Upholstery, in the back of the store.
A homebrew supply shop is located in Main Street Gallery.
Essential oils, supplements, and gluten-free bread are also available at Main Street Gallery.
A flea market with several booths is in the basement of Main Street Gallery.
A booth in the flea market at Main Street Gallery.

Good Samaritan Auction and Dinner Today

Presbyterian Village, 2401 S. Horton, Fort Scott.

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.

The village is located at 2401 S. Horton, Fort Scott, KS. Call (620) 223-5550 or stop by for meal tickets. Meal tickets were $8.50 in advance and $12 today. Carry out is available.

“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 New Mexico adventure is into the beauty of 7,000-foot Rocky Mountain vistas of Santa Fe. Ancient native culture mixed with modern arts and legendary cuisine is part of the visit, according to information provided by Nance.
There are many attractions… numerous art galleries, historic sites, museums, shops,  and plenty of places to hike, cycle or climb nearby, and winter skiing at the Santa Fe Ski Basin.

“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!”

 

 

 

Art Festival Starts Today

Courtesy photos of the 2016 2nd Story Festival of Arts and Ideas by Lindsay Madison.
What started as a group composed of artists and city officials in 2015 has grown each year into an art festival that encourages innovation and entrepreneurship.
This year the 2nd Story Festival of Arts and Ideas will be April 27-29.
All the events are located in or near the downtown area.

“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.”

Anyone in the community, child and adult alike, who would enjoy expressing themselves creatively is welcome to come, he said.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.2ndstoryartfestival.com or at Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, 231 E Wall St.
For children artists the following activities are provided by Breann Martin and Laura Agee:
 
2nd Story Young Artist Visual Arts Show is for Kindergarten through 12th Grade.
“We currently have 64 participants, from schools in Nevada, Fort Scott, Uniontown, and Girard,” Breann Martin said.
The artwork will be displayed at Common Ground,116 South Main on  April 27-28 during business hours.
Winners will be announced at 2nd Story Arts Festival Finale, which is Saturday, April 28, 6:30 pm at Nate’s Place.
Art Workshops for Young People are as follows:
 
9:30-10:20 a.m. Saturday  – Oogly Monsters with Myrna Minnis: Unique and personalized clay creatures will be a make and take for $5 per person for ages 6-11and is limited to 20 people.
10:30-11:20 a.m. Saturday – Oogly Monsters with Myrna Minnis: Unique and personalized clay creatures ($5pp): Ages 12-18: limited to 20 people.
Myrna Minnis, a.k.a. “the oogly lady” is passionate about working with people and clay, according to information provided by Martin.
In 1989, she created the OOGLY kit as a simple tool to help students and adults transform feelings into a form using non-hardening clay.
In Myrna’s workshops, students learn to create a basic oogly, then Myrna gives them free reign to embellish and customize their very own unique oogly creature.
Myrna loves to watch people’s faces light up when they get their hands on clay. Myrna comes from the Overland Park area and is well known by many Fort Scott residents for her famous one-of-a-kind witches.
12:30-1:20 p.m. Saturday:  On the Fence with Allison Dey: stitching with metals and fabrics is another make-it and take-it event for $5 per person for ages 6-18 with a limit of 20 children.
Allison Dey is a modern day fiber artist, according to information provided by Martin.
Her sewing designs and embroidery patterns have been featured in magazines in the U.S. and Australia.
Allison’s artwork is inspired by found objects combined with her love for needle and thread.
In her workshop, students will bring old time skills together with unusual materials by cross stitching fabric strips onto a grid of fencing material to create a piece of mixed media textile art that fuses modern with traditional.
All workshops will be held in the event room at the Fort Scott Public Library, 201 South National.
These workshops are geared toward young artists ages 6-18.
“Thanks to a grant we received from the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation we were able to include activities for young artists in this year’s Art Festival,” Martin said. “Our hope is to inspire young artists to create, give them a platform to display their artwork and expand their artistic skills. “
The festival as a whole is to encourage the importance of arts and innovation for the community and economic development, Witt said.
 The goals of the festival are to promote Fort Scott as a place where creative people and creative businesses want to be located, Witt said. ” So that means we want to encourage creativity among those already here.  But it also means that we want to persuade artists and entrepreneurs to consider relocating here.”
The keynote speaker is Marc Willson, who will be speaking at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday at the Empress Event Center.
“From 9:00 to 10:30 Mr. Willson will present a workshop on Art as a Business,” according to Charles Gentry, a festival committee member. “This address targets professional and amateur artists with practical business advice to grow an art related business.
Private 15-minute sessions with Willson will be offered between 11 a.m. and noon, focusing on any specific questions and issues.
 2 to 3:30 p.m. Willson will on Creative Placemaking.
“This will explore the following: Does Fort Scott have an interest in incubating, nurturing and expanding artistic businesses in our town?” Gentry said. ” How could this best be accomplished? Are there places which have successfully developed artistic activity and what can we learn from them?”
Retail business owners and artists can signup for a  Willson half-hour onsite visit between 4 to 6 p.m. for ideas on display, marketing, and promotional setup.
“Marc Willson is an entrepreneur and nationally known speaker, who presents programs on art, business and community involvement,” Gentry said.
All sessions and consultations are free of charge.
Here is the festival schedule:

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.

The Hair Bow Company gives a tour to attendees of the 2016 Festival of Arts and Ideas. Courtesy of Lindsay Madison.

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 MyrnMinnis: 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.

2nd Story Arts Festival 2016 photo courtesy of Lindsay Madison.

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

www.2ndstoryartfestival.com

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].

The 2nd Story Festival Planning committee serves as a sub-group of the Bourbon County Arts Council, according to Witt.
“The BCAC has provided guidance and advice along the way, Witt said. The committee this year included Deb Anderson, Charles Gentry, Breann Martin, Dr. Randy Nichols, Jason Reid, Kathryn Salsbury, Kate Sweetser, Clayton Whitson, Lindsay Madison, Laura Agee, and Witt.
2nd Story Arts Festival 2016, courtesy photo by Lindsay Madison.