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Local Job Fair August 31at the FSCC Ellis Center
Category Archives: Business
Happy Kids Daycare and Preschool Opens
Lindsay Knopp and Afton Brown are the new owners of Happy Kids Daycare and Preschool, INC. at 1502 Scott Avenue, the former New Generations building.
The business provides daycare for children ages two weeks and up.
“We are pretty much full, with a waiting list of 50-plus,” Knopp said.
“We… have our normal daycare settings and preschool during the school months and then daycare and summer program during the summer months,” Brown said.
The hours of operation will be 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Currently in the preschool there are 37 students, Knopp said. “This includes the USD 234 (students). They lease a space to serve more preschool age kids and the majority of those students are also served in our daycare the other half of the day. In daycare we currently have around 60.”
“We are still waiting on our license, but we signed on the building June 16th,” Knopp said.
To contact the business call (620) 223-1506 or email:
New Exterior Building Cleaning Service Is Offered
Local resident Jake Province, started Influx Services, a building exterior cleaning service in late May of this year.
“We provide house washing, pressure washing, exterior cleaning, and restoration services,” Province said. “We provide … driveway and concrete cleaning, deck and fence cleaning, and restoration services such as oil and rust stain removal.”
Service to other businesses are offered by Province as well.
“We also offer all services to commercial clients,” Province said. “We offer reasonable prices, professional service, and use appropriate cleaning techniques to prevent damage to your home or building.”
“I started this business because I’ve lived in Fort Scott and the
surrounding areas for most of my life, and like all of us, I want to
see it grow and improve,” he said. “Providing quality pressure washing, house washing, and exterior cleaning to the people of the town at reasonable prices is my way of giving back, and I hope to see my efforts cause more people to appreciate the town and the local businesses here.”
The business serves Fort Scott and all surrounding areas.
Those interested in residential or commercial cleaning can get a free
quote by calling (620) 407-3008,
or emailing [email protected]
New Grocery Store Opens in Bronson
Kelly and Thaddeus Perry opened their store, Perry’s Pork Rinds and Country Store on July 31 in Bronson, Kansas-population 309.
The store is located right on Highway 54 that runs through the town.
The mom and pop operation has people sign a guest book when they come in. “This is for Kansas Tourism,” Kelly said. “There have been a ton of people coming in.”
“We sold over 200 pounds of (her homemade) fudge in the first three days we were open,” she said.
Mama K’s fudge, made by Kelly Perry on site, has the capability of making 200 flavors of fudge.
“The fudge takes two hours to make with real cream and butter,” she said. “It’s from the same company that made Ozark Land and Silver Dollar City fudge.”
“We are wholesaling fudge and doing fundraisers (for community organizations),” Kelly said.
Their best seller at the store is their pork rinds, which along with the fudge is made in the back of the store.
Thaddeus said to make the pork rinds they order from a U.S. Dept. of Agriculture site.
“Then it’s cooked until done, then seasoned, then cooled and then bagged,” he said.
“It took two-and-a-half years to get to produce rinds and fudge on site,” Thaddeus said. “People have been asking us for six to eight months when we were going to open.”
In addition to their signature products, “We now carry milk and eggs, that will be from local vendors,” Kelly said. “We will be getting eggs and frozen chickens from Freedom Farms ( a Bourbon County farm) and all our ground beef, brats, hot dogs and bacon are from Bronson (Meat) Locker.”
And important to locals and those passing by, is the ability to purchase local fruits and vegetables.
“The first weekend we sold 28 watermelons and 60 pounds of tomatoes,” she said.
A hot meal is also served everyday from 11 a.m. “until it’s gone,” she said. A list of the week’s offerings are on a whiteboard near the inside door of the store.
The Perry’s have eight employees, some part-time and some full-time.
“We just hired three new employees for the front store,” Thaddeus said.
The store is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.
To contact the store: 620.224.2052.
Sales Tax Holiday Weekend In Fort Scott Continues Today
| Sales Tax Holiday Weekend
in Fort Scott |
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| The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces an opportunity for shoppers to save money this weekend, August 5th-7th!
With no “official” Sales Tax Holiday weekend in the State of Kansas, we have our own holiday here where these local retailers pay the tax for you! Save 9.4% this weekend at these local merchants: Angie Dawn’s Boutique Bids & Dibs Hedgehog.INK! Museum of Creativity Gift Shop Papa Don’s Pizza Ruddick’s Furniture & Flooring (up to $500 of sales/$50 of Sales Tax) Shirt Shack Sunshine Boutique These stores offer a variety of merchandise including apparel, home furnishings and décor – both new and repurposed, school supplies and much more! There is no need to cross the border during this No Sales Tax Holiday Weekend. Save money, shop local, shop Fort Scott! |
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Local Business Selected For Accelerator Program
Nedra Barr, Spyder CEO, of Spyder, announced today that they were selected to be included in the NXTSTAGE Accelerator program in Kansas.
“We are excited to collaborate with this program and the other awardees in the program,” she said. “This allows Spyder a larger stage in the State of Kansas to sell our new software products geared towards small business.”
Spyder CTO Mike Upright said, “Spyder’s small business product is scheduled to be released in September and will include Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. These tools are not widely available to small business’ today, but we see it differently. Small Business’ need these types of solutions to put them on more of a level playing field. Small business’ are the lifeblood of our U.S. economy, so helping them get to a level playing field is an important mission of Spyder!”
To learn more:
Fort Scott Community College Business Expo is August 17
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Bailey and Nate Lyons: $65,000 KDC Grant for McDonald Hall Building Reno
Commerce Department, Patterson Family Foundation Team Up to Help Downtown Areas Throughout Kansas
TOPEKA – It is a familiar sight in smaller Kansas communities throughout the state: vibrant downtown districts whose allure is somewhat diminished by one or two vacant or dilapidated buildings. In many cases, a major barrier to making these structures useful again is the high cost of renovation.
Last fall, the Kansas Department of Commerce launched a new community revitalization program, the Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL), to address the issue. With HEAL, the state assists building owners with matching grants to cover eligible expenses as historic properties are revitalized. HEAL was made possible through a collaboration with the Patterson Family Foundation, which has been dedicated to strengthening rural communities since 2007.
Today, Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland announced the inaugural HEAL grant recipients. Slightly more than $1.8 million in matching grants will be awarded to help 32 projects across the state.
“The goal of the HEAL is to rescue downtown buildings and restore them as productive spaces for business and community use,” Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary Toland said. “Seeing our downtown districts turned into more attractive and vibrant places to live and work, along with creating new jobs and services for Kansans, is key to our state’s prosperity.”
Grants are divided into two funding categories, Emergency and Regular, for cities with fewer than 50,000 residents. The program is designed to transform buildings for new or expanding businesses, housing, arts and culture, civic engagement, childcare or entrepreneurship – and once again become economic drivers in the community.
“Vibrant downtown areas are important to the future prospects of smaller communities, so it was not a difficult decision for us to join the Department of Commerce and its partners in funding HEAL grants,” said Lindsey Patterson Smith, President of the Patterson Family Foundation. “HEAL grants give architecturally significant buildings a new lease on life, so they can continue to play vital roles in their communities.”
Emergency HEAL was established to make strategic investments in underutilized, dilapidated or buildings in danger of collapse. Twenty-four applications were received for this category. A total of 10 projects are receiving $585,000 in matching grant funds.
Emergency HEAL Award recipients include:
- Elmo Building, Burden – $40,000,
- Union Gas Building Renovation, Caney – $65,000,
- Pretty Boy Floyd’s Underground Restaurant and Event Venue, Ellsworth – $65,000,
- Cohn-Gardner Hill Department Store, Eudora – $65,000,
- The Eureka Project, Eureka – $41,000,
- McDonald Hall, Fort Scott – $65,000,
- Kollock and Bragunier-Otte Buildings, Peabody – $65,000,
- David Rettiger Building, Strong City – $65,000,
- Jacob Engles Dry Goods/Restaurant and Distillery, Wellington – $64,000, and
- Stiles Mortuary Building, Wilson – $50,000.
A total of 220 applications were received for Regular HEAL grants. Twenty-two projects from across the state are receiving $1,294,715 in matching grant funds.
Regular HEAL award recipients include:
- The Star Block Restaurant/Retail, Osage City – $65,000,
- Restoration of 17 E. Fourth Ave – Brewery Manufacturing, Emporia – $65,000,
- HL Hart Building Coworking & Apartment, Newton – $65,000,
- Historic Lowis Building – Nesting Expansion, Colby – $65,000,
- Atchison Riverfront Brewery Project, Atchison – $65,000,
- Letha’s, Plainville – $8,000,
- Farmer & Florist Renovation/Expansion, Marysville – $65,000,
- Weathered Wood Home Store, Council Grove – $65,000,
- Heartland Gamebirds & Lodge, Courtland – $65,000,
- The Gym at Matfield Green Recording Studio, Matfield Green – $65,000,
- 1010 Main, Goodland – $65,000,
- 113 W. Lincoln Ave – Fitness Center, Lincoln – $65,000,
- Bill and Essie’s BBQ LLC, Marion – $65,000,
- Farmers Union Co-op Rehab-Children’s Museum, Alma – $65,000,
- Farmhouse Fresh in Jetmore, Jetmore – $57,260,
- OmGrown Yoga & Wellness Collective, Baldwin City– $41,780,
- The Landing Restaurant & Outdoor Gathering Place, Great Bend – $43,960,
- Junction City Brewery & Restaurant, Junction City – $65,000,
- Midland Theater Front of the House & Stage Restoration, Coffeyville – $65,000,
- Marquee Performing arts Center, Winfield – $38,715,
- Tree House of Early Learning, Independence – $65,000, and
- Robin’s Nest, Minneola – $65,000.
About the Kansas Department of Commerce
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021 and 2022, and was awarded the 2021 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.
About the Patterson Family Foundation
Where you come from says a lot about you. But what you do says even more. The Patterson Family Foundation is a family-led foundation extending the legacy of Neal and Jeanne Patterson to improve the rural communities we come from through healthcare, education, economic opportunity, and beyond. Learn more about the Patterson Family Foundation and how it can help your community at https://
Chamber of Commerce Insurance Interest Survey
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Kansas Gas Service: Environment, Social, Governance Report
New ONE Gas ESG Report Highlights Kansas Gas Service’s Community Involvement and Sustainability Progress in Kansas
ONE Gas, the parent company of Kansas Gas Service, has released its 2022 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report, which outlines the company’s commitment to safe operations, responsible environmental stewardship and an inclusive and diverse work culture.
“Natural gas plays an essential role in Kansas’ transition to a carbon-neutral energy future, and we are actively working toward that future,” said Sean Postlethwait, vice president of Operations for Kansas Gas Service. “This report highlights our commitment to provide safe, reliable and affordable natural gas service to our customers, now and into the future.”
Some highlights from Kansas in the report include:
- Energy-Efficient Hutchinson South Service Center
In 2021, the company completed construction on the Hutchinson South Service Center using new energy-efficient building standards including:- Automated lighting system and brightness sensors.
- Automated thermostat control and more efficient HVACs.
- Stormwater capture to aerate low-impact landscaping.
- Low Income Support
The Kansas Gas Service Customer Service team offered in-person workshops around the state to guide customers through the Low Income Energy Assistance Program application process. - Community Giving
The ONE Gas Foundation donated more than $400,000 across the state of Kansas to support community enrichment and development.
“Our ESG report outlines the vision and progress toward a more sustainable future for all the communities we serve,” Postlethwait said.
The full ONE Gas ESG report is available at esg.onegas.com.
About ONE Gas
ONE Gas, Inc. (NYSE: OGS) is a 100-percent regulated natural gas utility, and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “OGS.” ONE Gas is included in the S&P MidCap 400 Index and is one of the largest natural gas utilities in the United States.
Headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, ONE Gas provides a reliable and affordable energy choice to more than 2.3 million customers in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. Its divisions include Kansas Gas Service, the largest natural gas distributor in Kansas; Oklahoma Natural Gas, the largest in Oklahoma; and Texas Gas Service, the third largest in Texas, in terms of customers.
For more information and the latest news about ONE Gas, visit onegas.com and follow its social channels: @ONEGas, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.
New Restaurant and Pub Coming to Downtown Fort Scott
A new restaurant and pub is on the horizon for downtown Fort Scott, called Pizza Republic.
“We want to make sure people have good options,” Bret Holder, the president of the new business venture said. “You’ll get a great meal and it’s a place for the whole family.”
Robert and Kimberly Coon, owners of 17 S. Main, the old Kress Building, are partnering with Pat McDonald and Bret and Sara Holder, all of Fort Scott, and Dennis Moon, Houston, TX, Sara’s uncle, to open the new business venture by September 1.
Bret Holder is the president of Pizza Republic, and has 20 years of corporate law experience, he said. “I am setting the vision, and making sure it’s going,” he said.
Pat McDonald just moved from Kansas City Northland, and has previous restaurant ownership experience: PatMacs in Kansas City. He is also an investor, chief chef and manager, he said.
Moon is the treasurer of the new venture, Holder said.
The Coons have been facilitating the reno of the first floor, 5,000 square foot of space, that will be divided into a family dining area, a bar, a large kitchen and an office space.
In the family side will be arcade games, a juke box, 10-plus big screen TVs and space for live music on occasion.
“It’s a big thing coming,” Robert Coon said. “The new floor plan requires a lot of reconstruction. The restaurant and pub will take up the entire first floor.”
“Kim and I have a residential construction crew, that we are having them take time off from that, to work on this,” he said. “We’ve been working non-stop.”
The idea for the business has been percolating for some time.
“Bret and Pat approached me quite some time ago, but I wasn’t open to the idea because the building was already rented,” he said.
A sushi restaurant business was formerly the renter of a portion of the first floor.
“The sushi restaurant closed on July 5,” Coon said.
The new restaurant plans to employ 15-20 people, Holder said.
The ideal candidates for employment are “go-getters from Fort Scott High School and Fort Scott Community College and others,” Holder said.
Holder, a veteran, said the reason he moved to Fort Scott “was to help veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome with Adam LaRoche.”
Adam LaRoche, retired from major league baseball, along with his wife, Jennifer, both of Fort Scott, are the founders of the E3 Ranch Foundation. Together, they are committed to put God’s love into action, through supporting combat wounded veterans, fighting against sex-trafficking, and providing support during humanitarian crises globally, according to their website.
In the future, Holder sees opportunities for veterans getting training at this restaurant for future franchises.
“The plan is open other restaurants, in other towns,” Holder said.
John Bartlesmeyer: 60 Years in the Craft
John Bartelsmeyer, Fort Scott’s jeweler, is training the next generation of jewelers.
Bartelsmeyer Jewelry specializes in retail jewelry sales, engagement rings, custom jewelry designs, and repair or restoration of all types of jewelry.
Krysta Hulbert has been working for him since 2010, and has been learning ring sizing, general jewelry repair, chain repair, welding with a torch and engraving.
Her husband, Wyatt, has been coming in on his days off his regular job to learn some of the trade as well.
“Wyatt is learning ring sizing and in the near future-diamond setting, stone setting and making pendants,” Bartelsmeyer said.
Bartelsmeyer started learning from his dad, Bart, at Newberry Jewelry. His dad had apprenticed as a watchmaker.
“In 1963, my dad bought the shop from Newberry’s widow,” he said.
“I had already been working with him after school on Saturdays.”
“So, I have been doing it for 60 years,” he said.
Through the years, Bartelsmeyer not only learned from his dad, but took jewelry seminars and schools and most recently gleans from You Tube, on the internet.
He credits Elmer Smith, who was a Fort Scott Community College welding instructor, with helping him learn to be a metalsmith, and eventually Bartelsmeyer helped teach the class.
“I love to move metal,” he said. “He taught me techniques I use everyday.”
Bartelsmeyer restores heirloom jewelry and also crafts chains out of gold and silver.
“I love what I am doing, I think it’s because of the smile on the customer’s face,” he said. “I get to work on beautiful things for beautiful people.”
Bartelsmeyer Jewelry is at 22 N. Main, Fort Scott and can be reached at 620.223.2070, email: [email protected] or website: bartelsmeyerjewelry.com
John works Wednesday-Saturday.