Category Archives: Business

Lyons Starts Realtor Career in a Seller’s Market

Bailey Lyons is a new agent with Stutesman’s Action Real Estate Agency in downtown Fort Scott. She can be reached at 620-224-7795.

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.

Stutesman’s Action Realty in Fort Scott is located at 119 S. Main.

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.

Courtesy photo.

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.

 

 

 

 

Home Show Starts Friday Eve At FSCC

Fort Scott Broadcasting Company, Inc., owns and operates KOMB-FM and KMDO-AM Radio Stations in Fort Scott, KS. Owners of the company, Tim & Deb McKenney, have a long family history in the broadcast business. Pictured is Tim McKenney speaking at the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Weekly Coffee this morning.

KOMB Radio will be hosting the Fort Scott Home Show starting tomorrow from 5 to 8 p.m. at Arnold Arena on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton.

Approximately 60 vendors will be available to tell about their products and services, along with thousands of dollars of prizes and giveaways, Tim McKenney, owner of the radio station said.

McKenney stated the annual event is a collaboration between the radio station, the college, and the City of Fort Scott.

 

Fresh Coffee Online And Other Fort Scott Progressions

Don’t want to wait in line for your custom coffee?

At the Downtown Quarterly Meet and Greet at Common Ground Coffee Co. Tuesday morning,  MacKenna Robinson said the coffee shop is beginning to offer online ordering.

“Online ordering is now at Common Grounds and in April, we are giving five-percent off (each order),” Robinson, assistant manager of the shop said.

To order go to https://squareup.com/store/common-grounds

Mackenna Robinson, assistant manager of Common Ground Coffee Co., 116 S. Main, speaks to the Downtown Quarterly Meet and Greet April 3.

Robinson also told the group that the coffee shop has been approved for a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas Pathways to a Healthy Kansas grant, through the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team.

Common Grounds Manager Vicki Waldron and Mackenna Robinson, assistant manager and also Waldron’s grand-daughter.

The grant will allow the coffee shop to purchase more equipment to serve fresh salads, Vicki Waldron, the manager said in a later interview.

Robinson said the coffee shop will also be a part of a meeting  to make a directory of food producers and local restaurants. The meeting’s purpose is to form collaborations to get fresh locally produced foods to restaurant tables.  The Buy and Eat, Meet and Greet event will start at 5:30 p.m. May 3 at Memorial Hall.

To learn more about the May 3 event see the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team Facebook page.

To learn more about the grantor, BCBSKS, click here:

https://www.bcbsks.com/pathways/

Other upcoming local events announced at the meeting:

  • The 2nd Story Festival of Arts and Ideas is scheduled for April 27-29 around venues in Fort Scott. It includes workshops, improv comedy performances and a festival finale event and fundraiser Saturday evening. For more information: https://www.2ndstoryartfestival.com  Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lindsay Madison asked the group to attend the 2- 3:30 p.m. Saturday event titled “Creative Placemaking: Building the Artist Community in Fort Scott” by Marc Wilson at the Empress Event Center, 7 N. Main in downtown Fort Scott.
  • There will be free outdoor movies offered at a location to be announced by Larry Gazaway, the city’s tourism manager. The movies are The Incredibles, May 25; Cars 3, June 22; Star Wars Night, July 20 and The Princess Bride, August 17.
  • Art walks by the Bourbon County Arts Council will be from 5-8 p.m. at the Liberty Theater patio, on May 18, June 15, July 27 and Sept. 14.
Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lindsay Madison speaks to attendees at Tuesday morning’s Downtown Quarterly Meet And Greet, hosted by Common Grounds Coffee Co.
  • Smallville Crossfit is having a “Murph Challenge” on Memorial Day and Fort Games on June 23. See their Facebook page for more information.
  • The Good Ol Days Festival is May 31 – June 2 this year. The theme is “The Great Outdoors.” The parade is at 6 p.m. June 1 and there will be Friday night shopping again this year downtown.
  • There is a new website for tourism: www.visitfortscott.com/
  •  Biking Across Kansas, a 559-mile ride will end in Fort Scott on June 16. Expected are about 850 cyclists.
  • There will be a Veteran’s Weekend Nov. 9-11 in honor of veterans. An 11 am. service at National Cemetery and a parade at 3 p.m. on Nov. 11 are some planned events.
  • Craw-Kan Telephone Cooperative’s Fiber Optic Internet is progressing to the downtown area this summer and project construction will ramp up in 2019, according to Zach Adams. He said the response was more than expected in the community.
  •  Free tourism trolley tickets are available, businesses are encouraged to add coupons to the ticket envelope to advertise. Contact Gazaway at the tourism office, 231 E. Wall.
  • The Presbyterian Church will have a Sunday Serve Clean Up/Projects Day April 29 at 8:45 a.m.
  • The Fort Scott National Historic Site  Civil War Encampment is April 21-22.
  • KOMB is hosting the 7th Annual Home, Sport, Farm, Garden Show at Arnold Arena at Fort Scott Community College April 13 -14. There will be 56 inside booths and more outside. Call  620-223-4500 for more information. Children’s activities will also be available.
Attendees listen as each tells their name and the business/organization they represent.
  • The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes is collaborating with Fort Scott National Historic Site to bring “Mother” Mary Bickerdyke to area fifth-grade students.
  • There will be a woman’s luncheon April 25 at the Ellis Fine Arts Center at Fort Scott Community College. Vendor booth rental is $6. For more information contact Juley McDaniel at 620-223-2700 Ext. 5201.
  • An interactive story time at the library will start soon, contact K-State Extension Agent Joy Miller for more information.
  • Gary Palmer said he will be starting a retail printing business within the next 30 days. He will offer a discount to not-for-profit groups.
  • The townwide yard sale will be May 11-12.
  • In a recent conversation with Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer, City Manager Dave Martin said Colyer indicated the completion of the Hwy. 69 is a priority project. Martin also mentioned the positive movements in town: the Boiler Room Brewhaus expansion, the Liberty Theater building rehabilitation, the Hole in the Wall Liquor Store project, the Fort Scott Family Dental move to downtown, Bartelsmeyer’s renovating a downtown loft, progress on the old La Hacienda building, Arby’s Restaurant coming to the old Kentucky Fried Chicken facility, and the Fisher Park Project. Martin gave his cell phone number if anyone has questions: 620-644-2498.
  • The Third Saturday Marketplace in collaboration with Fort Scott Farmer’s Market needs volunteers to oversee the event once a month, said Lindsay Madison.
  • There will be a meeting at 4 p.m. Thursday, May 3  at the Empress Event Center, downtown, for senior citizens interested in senior housing options. Pat Wood will host the event, which includes drinks and hors d’oeuvres.

The meet and greet is hosted by the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce the first Tuesday in January, April, July, and October each year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liberty Theater Gets A Facelift

MidContinental Restoration Co, Inc. workers on Tuesday morning prep the face of the Liberty Theater, 113 S. Main, for painting.

Foreman Ronnie Coulter, Bronson, is pictured on the ground while Foreman Jonas Greenway, Bronson is on the SkyJack which lifts him to do the work.

Coulter said they have replaced plaster and wood, re-anchored plastered details and then will paint this week if weather permits.

Liberty Theater Owner Jared Leek said he is giving the theater a facelift in preparation for the event season fast approaching.

Weddings and other special events are a part of the services the theater provides.

The Southpaw Preachers will perform next Saturday, April 14 from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. at the Liberty, according to Liberty Theater’s Facebook page.

This band draws their inspiration from hard-hitting funk, soul, R&B, and rock. Southpaw blends both original music and covers.

Contact Jared Leek for more information by calling (620) 224-9787.

Leek also owns Crooner’s Lounge next door at 117 S. Main.

Crooner’s is open from 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday with happy hour from 5-6 p.m.

The crew has been working for about a month on the restoration project in downtown Fort Scott.