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Category Archives: Business
Home Mortgage Business Opens Branch in Fort Scott
A business, whose mission is to help homeowners and also increase financial security, recently opened.
Open Mortgage opened a branch office at 1 East Wall Street, Fort Scott, in December 2022.
The branch manager is David Vonfeldt, with the Fort Scott location serving four states.
There are four employees in the Fort Scott Branch – Joe’ Fritter is a loan officer with two additional loan officers, Monica Creighton and Paul Vonfeldt in Wichita.
Fort Scott is the hometown for Joe’(Albright) Fritter.
She recently left healthcare after 34 years to work in the mortgage
business with her brother in law, David Vonfeldt.
David is married to Joe’s sister Dani (Albright) Vonfeldt. They recently moved to Fort Scott from Wichita in November of
2022.
“David’s business plan has always been to open up his own Branch within Open Mortgage,” Fritter said. “As the stars aligned, this was made possible in December of 2022.”
We are looking forward to assisting the residents in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Arkansas,” she said.
Open Mortgage was founded in 2003 and David Vonfeldt has been with the company for eight years, Joe’ started in March of 2022.
Contact information
Fritter
E-mail : [email protected] website or the wesbite: openmortgage.com/joe-fritter
Phone number – 620-644-8146 (licensed in Kansas, Missouri)
Vonfeldt
E-mail : [email protected], the website is
openmortgage.com/david-vonfeldt
Phone number – 316-619-2720 (licensed in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas).
About Open Mortage
Open Mortgage is a nationally recognized, rapidly growing, multi-channel mortgage lender that allows the American dream of home ownership, according to a press release.
Since 2003, the business has been dedicated to assisting borrowers.
Local Insurance Industry Software Business to Change Name
Nedra Barr started the business, Spyder Inc., in 2021, and it is located at 102 W. 2nd. She is the CEO and founder.
The business develops software and sells it to the insurance industry.
This month the business is renaming to OnboardXI.
“The new name is short for Onboarding Experience Improvement,” she said. “Our new name represents what we do for insurance companies and Insurance Marketing Organizations (IMO), which are our two target markets. The Spyder name will be phased out once the new website is up and running over the next few weeks.”
Onboarding is the processing of a new application for insurance of any kinds, Barr said. “Once the application for insurance is completed by the customer, it goes to the Insurance Marketing Organization or directly to the insurance company to process and issue or decline the policy. While I make this sound simple, these are highly complicated and technical work streams for insurance companies. Every insurance company is unique from another.”
“The OnboardXi solution is easily flexible and adaptable to accommodate each company’s differences,” she said. “Our platform connects systems together fast, processes new applications fast…. right the first time. Pretty fun stuff!”
“What used to take months and years to setup for an insurance company, we can do in weeks to couple of months,” she said. “This will be a huge cost savings to insurance companies compared to older types of software solutions.”
“We liked the Spyder name but found it to be too common,” Barr said. “As a result, we were not able to obtain the social media handles we need for marketing and sales.”
In today’s world, a business needs to use social media for presence, awareness and marketing, she said. ” We now have those capabilities with our new name.”
The OnboardXI Platform began demonstrations on Feb. 3 to insurance companies and IMO’s with a rebranded rollout slated for March 1, 2023.
The business has a new low code, no code digital platform that is unique in the insurance industry, according to Mike Upright, CTO Founder. All types of new insurance applications: home, auto, life, disability, annuities, worker’s compensation, etc. will be driven through the application process in the client’s offices with the OnboardXI workflows.
OnboardXI can help up-sell and cross-sell their client’s products and services, which are new capabilities in the market, Upright said.
“This year, 45% of all insurance companies are anticipated to have projects to improve upon the exact things the OnboardXI solution solves,” Upright said.
David Brezik, local Fort Scott resident and investor in the business, is also the OnboardXi Senior Vice President Product and Co-Founder. He believes their business will have a “significant impact in the insurance marketplace. This is truly next level software that will revolutionize the insurance industry.”
“We know the impact and importance of our solution in the United States,” Senior Vice President Product Engineering and Co-Founder Arun Nageshwar said. “When we are ready, we will look to specific international markets to serve as well.”
Three people work in Fort Scott office: Brezik, Barr and a marketing support person.
Nageshwar works from India and Upright from St Augustine, FL.
For more information, contact Barr at [email protected]
Makers Market Feb. 11 at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds
The February Makers Market is this Saturday, February 11th from 10 am to 3 pm in the Cloverleaf Event Center at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds.
The Makers Market will have lots of options for all of your Valentine’s gift
Vendors are:
Mmm Flavor Shop
Locust Hill Lamancha Goat Milk Products
Donna Beerbower’s Fudge
Designer Florals by Rilie
Hamilton Bakery
Bathhouse Trading Company
Micki Kraft’s Sewed items
All Things Cute Cuddle
Happy Little Candle Factory
Makaeldron’s Cauldron Jewelry
Frilz by Victoria
Pheonix Fire Designs
Mmm Flavor Shop will have a meals available for purchase that include create your own pasta, macaroni and cheese, from scratch Angel Food Cake, and Whoppie Pies. They will also have dips available for Sunday Superbowl Parties.
Moderate Income Housing Grant to Bring 20 New Housing Units to Fort Scott
Bourbon County REDI is proud to announce its collaboration with two housing developers on the Moderate-Income Housing Grant from the Kansas Rural Housing Corporation. If awarded, this project will bring over 20 new housing units to Fort Scott, a much-needed addition to the community.
The Moderate-Income Housing Grant provides funding for the development of affordable housing for moderate income families. This grant will allow for the creation of new housing units that will provide families with the stability and comfort of a safe and affordable home.
Bourbon County REDI, working with the two housing developers, has been advocating for this grant for many months. The grant, if awarded, will have a significant impact on the local economy, creating jobs and providing much-needed housing for Fort Scott families.
“Bourbon County REDI is committed to creating a better future for the families of Fort Scott,” said Robert Harrington, Executive Director of Bourbon County REDI. “This grant will help us achieve that goal and make a positive impact on the community. We are grateful for the opportunity to work with the Kansas Rural Housing Corporation and our housing development partners on this project.”
For more information on Bourbon County REDI, please visit our website at www.bourboncountyredi.com.
About Bourbon County REDI
Bourbon County REDI is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting economic development in Fort Scott, Kansas, and the surrounding areas. We work with businesses, individuals, and community organizations to create a thriving and sustainable economy for future generations.
Contact: Robert Harrington Executive Director of Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc. [email protected]
Komb Radio Auction Feb. 9-10
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Electric Car Charging Station Installed At Sleep Inn
To better serve travelers and the community, the Sleep Inn Hotel installed an electric vehicle charging station a few weeks ago.
An electric vehicle charging station is equipment that connects an electric vehicle (EV) to a source of electricity to recharge electric cars, neighborhood electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, according to https://www.techtarget.com
“We are only the second public charging station in town,” Sleep Inn Manager Bill Michaud said. “The only other one being Evergy with a single port station in front of their offices on Old Fort Blvd.”
The Sleep Inn is located at 320 E. Wall, Fort Scott.
Currently. Michaud knows of only one other hotel charging station in the area, in Overland Park.
“As far as hotels in southeast Kansas, the Hampton Inn at Prairie Fire Casino is the only other hotel based EV station, ” Michaud said. We are hopeful that adding this station will open the doors to our community to the growing number of EV drivers.”
Michaud is in the process of adding the Sleep Inn charging station to the numerous station locator online apps. This makes it easy for drivers to plan sites that can accommodate their electric vehicles along a route.
“Our charger is a JuiceBar brand, two-port, 32 amp charger that operates on the EVConnect network,” he said. “To use the station you simply download the EVConnect app and use the station identifying QR code on the side of the charging station to activate the port.”
“The station is open to the public – not restricted to hotel guest use,” he said. “We just hope that making the charging station available will bring people to town that otherwise wouldn’t ,due to lack of charging options. I’m told that the 32amp charger will charge an EV at the rate of 25 miles per hour on the charger giving someone that’s plugged in for 12 hours up to 300 miles in driving range.”
Chamber Coffee at Lyons Realty Group
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110 S. Main Mercantile Reopens Feb. 10
Kathy and Tracy Dancer are reopening their new business venture, 110 South Main Mercantile and Market, on Feb 10. The business is located in the former Scottish Rite Temple.
To view a prior story on this business:
The store will be open on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“The store started as a pop-up in the old Scottish Rite building in December and will be reopening with limited hours during February and March,” she said.
“We have about a dozen local artisans and craftspeople with items for sale in the market,” she said. “There are some great handmade home decor items, glass art, locally sourced and knitted Shetland wool scarves and shawls, woodcraft products such as: crosses, charcuterie boards, framed art and furniture made from reclaimed wood. We will be adding several additional market vendors in February and March as we expand the space.”
In addition to market vendors, Kathy sources items for the mercantile portion of the shop from around the U.S. with a focus on small businesses in Kansas and the Midwest.
“We have candles, jewelry, bath products, beard balms, soaps, home decor, caramels, puzzles, and baking mixes made in Kansas,” she said. “Some of the companies we are working with include Kansas City Caramels, Kansas City Canning Company, Prairie Fire, Madame Scodioli, Sunflower Food Co, Thompson’s Handmade, and Rural Pearl Art.”
The following are photos of some of the mercantile that will be for sell.
They will also have for sale products from outside of Kansas.
“We will be offering coffee from Modest Coffee, soup mixes from Anderson House, baking mixes from Finding Home Farms, and treats from Rolling Pin Bakery and Bear Creek Candy, Kathy said. “We have expanded our offering of craft drink mixes and cocktail accessories. We also have a selection of children’s books and wooden puzzles.”
“It really is a great variety of products for the entire family and all ages,” she said.
She is currently enjoying some of the items she sells at home.
“Right now with the cool weather, I am enjoying the Anderson House soup mixes, the Shetland wool scarves from Black Dog Farms, and the seasonal home decor from 2 Southern Ladies,” she said.
A Cafe on the Horizon
“We have also started the process to license a restaurant in the space,” she said.
The restaurant will be named Cohn’s Cafe.
” The cafe space was Cohn’s Coffee Shoppe from 1926-1948, so we felt it was a great way to embrace the history of the space while adding a dining option for the community,” she said. “The cafe will be open sometime this spring.”
In addition the cafe will have a selection of breakfast and lunch items, coffee, specialty drinks and desserts.
“We are testing menu items during February, but we hope to offer a selection of quiches, scones, waffles, crepes, sandwiches, and soups,” she said. “There will also be a rotating selection of classics such as pot roast, meatloaf, and chicken and dumplings.”
People can follow the mercantile’s progress on Facebook or Instagram at @110s
Marsha’s Deli Closed For Updating Feb. 6-11
A local eatery known for its’ generous portions, is closed for some aesthetic improvement to the dining area.
“We will be closed February 6-11,” Brian Lancaster, owner, said.
H2 Painting LLC will be painting the ceilings and walls.
“We are wanting to update and improve our dining room area,” Lancaster said. “We are planning to update flooring and the kitchen area at a later date.”
The deli’s owner, Marsha Lancaster, died on September 19, 2021, and on October 13, 2021 , her siblings became the owners of her decades-running restaurant.
In July 2022, Marsha’s nephew, Brian Lancaster assumed ownership of the deli.
Brian Lancaster Assumes Ownership of Marsha’s Deli
Also last year, a Marsha Fest was started in memory of Marsha Lancaster.
Marsha Fest Is March 5: Celebrating Her Life
This year’s Marsha Fest is Saturday March 4, 2023
from 8 to- 10 PM at the Liberty Theater, 113 S. Main.
Tickets are $35.
To learn more about Marsha:
Common Ground Offering A Valentine Concert on Feb. 10
Nevada MO musician Stephan Moses will be playing at Common Ground Coffee shop,12 East Wall Street on Feb. 10 from 7 to 8 p.m.
This is a Valentines Day Concert, so bring a special someone.
“He will be playing Jazz music and performing love songs by Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra,” said Common Ground’s Event Coordinator Stacy Racy. “All age groups are welcome to come out and spend their Friday evening with us.”
Racy’s goal is to utilize the beautiful facility while giving the community something to do on Friday Night, Racy said.
“So often we hear people say they have never been in the building and we would like to change that by offering good coffee, pastries, food, concerts, catering, and by renting out the dock area and conference room,” Racy said.
About Stephan Moses
Stephan Moses was born in rural Northwest Iowa and came from a non-musical family. Since the age of ten, he’s been playing guitar and has a diverse musical background with influences from Crooner’s to Blues greats, according to Racy. As a singer, songwriter, musician, Moses has a love for Gospel music and Delta Blues. Mostly, he just loves to play. Moses currently resides in Nevada, MO.
What’s Happening in Fort Scott
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