Category Archives: Business

Bailey Lyons Opens New Realty Business

Bailey Lyons. Submitted photo.

Bailey Lyons is a lady on the move.

 

“After more than three years as a realtor in Bourbon County, I decided to launch my own independent brokerage,” Lyons said. “It was a dream of mine to open…in my hometown.”

 

 

Lyon’s real estate business has grown over the years from repeat business and word-of-mouth introductions of friends, family, and neighbors, she said.

 

Lyons Realty Group’s new office is at 8 E. Wall St., in the recently restored Tribune Building. The office is part of the LaRoche family’s investment in the block of storefronts at Wall and National Avenue.

 

Katie Hueston is the business’s office administrator.

Katie Hueston. Credit photo: Facebook page of Lyons Realty Group.

 

“We invite you to stop in and visit anytime,” Lyons said. “Stay tuned for more details regarding a grand opening in the very near future.”

 

She can be reached via phone at (620)266-9448, or email at [email protected].

 

Born and raised in Fort Scott, Lyons values this community.

 

“Growing up in this wonderful community was a blessing,” she said. I want to see it grow, thrive, and evolve, and I love playing a small part in that. The many benefits of small-town, Midwest living is not lost on me, especially since I have chosen to raise my family here. It is a true joy to help people fall in love with our little gem, and allow other families to call this place home.”

 

“Up until I found my calling in real estate, I worked in banking and finance, a background that compliments real estate and one that I capitalize on to help my clients as they work through the loan process or contemplate financial decisions.”

 

“I care about giving clients sound advice they can trust and truly want the best for them,” she said.

 

She works with a team of professionals that include marketing, lenders, home inspectors, title companies, financial advisors, and attorneys.

 

Bailey and husband Nate reside in Fort Scott with their four children, Addison-19 years old, Jhett and Jaxon-7 , and Lute-3.

 

Lyons and her family have played an active role in the community and the new business will carry on that tradition, she said.

 

“At Lyons Realty Group, we want to give back to the community that supports us,” she said. “Our business wouldn’t exist without the support of this community. It’s our goal not to express in words how much we appreciate that support, but to display it in action and deed.”

 

She is dedicated to getting top dollar for clients while making the process “enjoyable, smooth and stress-free.”

 

“Buying or selling a home is a deeply personal endeavor,” she said. “Our clients deserve the full service and attention that only a team of experts can consistently provide.”

 

 

“Working with us, you will have personal attention, professionalism, honesty, integrity, and extremely hard work ethic,” she said.

 

Lyons said she loves what she does.

 

“I hope that shows,” she said. “I am sincerely grateful that I get to work with wonderful clients, in a wonderful community. It is truly an honor and a pleasure.”

 

Lyons attended The University of Kansas where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in both finance and accounting, as well as her Master’s in Business Administration (MBA).

She has worked in Tulsa and Kansas City but ultimately made her way back to Fort Scott.

Activity This Weekend

This weekend the new business is a part of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Lollipop Hop & Shop + Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest.

“Bring the kids and have them draw their dream house in front of Lyons Realty Group’s new downtown office,” she said.

“Put your name in for a drawing for a prize from us,” she said.  “And of course, don’t forget to snap a pic or two and tag us on Facebook at @lyonsrealtygrp and use the hashtag #lyonsrealtygroup. Chalk and lollipops are provided!”

 

Smallville Athletics Seeking Sponsors For Fort Games

Sending the email below on behalf of
Chamber Member
SMALLVILLE ATHLETICS
Thank you for your Chamber partnership!
HEY, LOCAL BUSINESSES! WE HAVE ROOM FOR TWO MORE TITLE SPONSORS!
Some of you may not be interested in a booth set up for the event but we are adding a banner wall for our title sponsors for the duration of the event.
This will have your logo and any information you want on a 11×17 poster for all our athletes (over 100) and spectators 200-300
(many from out of town) to see.
The cut-off is this Friday 03/19/20 as we are rolling fast into the event. Please get with Lindsey Watts or Katie Hueston for any questions or to get on our sponsor list to make this event happen!!
Call or Text 620-719-9602 or 620-768-9768
Contact us!
(620) 719-9602

Spring Hill Meat Processors To Break Ground

A rendering of the Spring Hill Pork Processor’s plant to be located south of Fort Scott. Submitted.

Billy Madison will soon open his new business venture in Bourbon County, Spring Hill Pork Processors.

The pork processing plant will be located on 47 acres south of the Kansas Department of Transportation facility on Hwy. 69 south of the LaRoche Ball Park.

The business will manufacture pork for the Asian and Hispanic markets, Madison said.

The business will employ 15-30 people, and depending on experience, wages will start at $14 an hour.

“If you can bone meat, $18-20 an hour, depending on experience is our starting wage,” Madison said.

A  U.S. Department of Agriculture inspector will be on-site every day, as required by law.

“The U.S. government provides their pay (for the inspector), we pay overtime if we have overtime,” he said.

“There are places in big towns where there are Asian and Hispanic markets,” he said. “It’s all in how you cut the pig up. Both like the skin left of the pig.” He said the meat cuts are a little different as well.

“We box a lot of meat and send it to meat markets, like Fanestil Meats in Emporia,” he said.

Madison is not sure how long the process will take to break ground at the site but estimates approximately three months.

The plant will not be a smell to the surrounding area, he said.

“There is no smell,” he said. “People don’t understand the process. We are not raising hogs (at the site).”

“All the (Bourbon County) commissioners came to our plant in Spring Hill,” he said. “They found out it doesn’t smell.”

The estimated investment in the plant will be over $2 million dollars by Madison, he said.

“We don’t have the numbers yet,” he said. “The bidding process is quite in-depth.”

Billy and his wife, Becky are the sole owners of the processing plant.

Billy and Becky Madison are the sole owners of Spring Hill Pork Processors. Submitted photo.

They live five miles south of Louisburg, but Billy lived in Fort Scott for a period of his early life.

He still has family who lives here.

“My dad, Warren, still lives there and my Uncle Frank Madison is a cattle rancher there.”

 

Chamber Coffee at Briggs Auto March 18

The Chamber Coffee will be hosted by
Briggs Auto of Fort Scott
1819 S. Main, Fort Scott
Join us in the main Ford Bldg.
Coffee, Juice & Snacks
Enter yourself for a drawing!
March 18, 2021
8 am
Chamber Members & Guests are welcome
to make any announcement for $1 to the Chamber about their business or organization including events, new products, promotions, or any other specials!
Upcoming Chamber Coffee Schedule:
3/25 ~ (NRMC) Nevada Regional Medical Center @ Common Grounds
4/1 ~ OPEN! Call the Chamber to schedule
4/8 ~ FSCC (New Athletic Building – The Hound Pound)
4/15 ~ Fort Scott Christian Heights
4/22 ~ Bourbon County Conservation District
4/29 ~ Papa Don’s Pizza

Spring Pop Up Event: Lots of Goodies For Foodies

Two area food vendors are planning an event on March 27 at the Tractor Supply parking lot, on South Main Street in Fort Scott.

The Blue Spoon, Pittsburg, and Perry’s Pork Rinds, Bronson, are partnering for a second annual Spring Pop Up Event.

Blue Spoon

 

Christina Oberle and Brenda Davis are the owners of The Blue Spoon Food Truck. Submitted photo.
From left are Christina Oberle and Brenda Davis. Submitted photo.

The Blue Spoon is a food truck whose specialty is a variety of macaroni and cheese dishes and was created in Pittsburg, by Brenda Davis.

Davis began her food truck venture in July 2017.  Christina Oberle is a partner in the business.

“It became very well-liked and instead of a hobby it became a success,” Oberle said.

“The name (The Blue Spoon) just came to us… we thought and thought and thought,” Oberle said. “Brenda wanted to create a memory and have our customers walking away remembering who we are. With that, the Blue Spoon was formed and the logo created,” Oberle said.   “Every dish is served with a blue spoon… if the dish needs a fork, well it’ll be white.”

“We specialize in mac ‘n cheese (dishes)… all varieties,” Oberle said. “Plain to Chicken Mac, to Chops and Cheese, which is a grilled pork chop in a bowl of mac ‘ cheese, and soon to be released, Lobster Mac.”

The Lobster Mac and Cheese bowl. Submitted photo.

“We have a great variety, eleven flavors, at big events,” she said.  “We also serve fresh-cut fries, nachos, and funnel cakes. All with varieties… nothing plain Jane here, we even put it on a sandwich!”

Oberle lived a few years in Fort Scott, working at Lifetouch and Woods Grocery.

“I came to know a lot of people there and wanted to share our awesome food with Fort Scott,” Oberle said. “A few years ago we got into the Good ‘Ol Days and last year we were able to do the wonderful pop-up with Perry’s Pork Rinds! They are wonderful people and through this journey, we have had the great honor of meeting many entrepreneurs like them!”

The food truck is currently part-time, Oberle said.

“You just never know when this can become a full-time gig,” she said.

Perry’s Pork Rinds

Kelly and Thaddeus Perry are the owners of Perry’s Pork Rinds. Submitted photo.

Perry’s Pork Rinds is a family-owned business, with the husband and wife team of Thaddeus and Kelly Perry.

Perry’s Pork Rinds sold their rinds last year at the pop-up event. Submitted photo.

They make small-batch pork rinds in the following flavors:

Original, Spicy, Ranch, BBQ, Cinnamon Sugar, Chili Cheese, Cheddar Cheese, Sour Cream & Onion, Chili Lime, Garlic Parmesan, Shoe String Cracklings, Bacon Cheddar.

They recently expanded their business with a new product: fudge.

Chocolate walnut fudge. Submitted photo.
They can make up to 350 flavors but they feature chocolate walnut, chocolate fudge, birthday cake, and peanut butter.
Birthday cake fudge. Submitted photo.
“We use real cream and butter to make our fudge,” Kelly Perry said. “We pour them directly into containers and ship them nationwide and take them into the fairs and festivals.”

 

The cost for both rinds and fudge is  $8 for 8 oz.
Fudge is poured into individual containers to sell to customers. Submitted photo.
“The company that we actually bought into is the same company that is selling inside of Bass Pro shops and Ozark Land,” Kelly Perry said.  “We had to pay a hefty price for a custom kettle, as much as a small car!”

Hound Nutrition Changes Hands

Ashtyn Dowell left, and Kelly Perry, are the new co-owners of Hound Nutrition. Submitted photo.

Hound Nutrition, 116 S. Main, is under new ownership.

 

Kelly Perry and Ashton Dowell have purchased the shop from former owner Haven Kelly, who is a Fort Scott Community College student and catcher on the school’s softball team.  Haven Kelly became the tenant of the shop in August 2020, following the move of the Common Ground Coffee Shop to a different location.

 

“With the softball season starting, Haven was unable to give it the extra care it needed,” Dowell said.

 

Ashtyn Dowell, a 2020 Fort Scott High School graduate is one of the co-owners of Hound Nutrition. Submitted photo.

 

“We have a 50% investor from Oklahoma and Ashtyn represents his 50% of the business and works the retail side of the business,” Perry said.” I am another 50% owner in the business. All of us have some skin in the game so to speak.”

 

Kelly Perry is a new co-owner of Hound Nutrition. She also is the owner of The Protein Place in Iola and co-owner of Perry’s Pork Rinds in Bronson. Submitted photo.

 

The business sells meal replacement shakes, energizing teas,  and protein coffee.

Submitted photos.

 

Customers can contact the business on Hound Nutrition Facebook page or Instagram, or coming soon, their new call-in line.

 

“We are selling the same products, but some new flavors are coming,” Dowell said.

There are some new services.

“The new service we provide is our delivery,” Perry said.

In addition, they are planning some upcoming events that will be hosted at the facility including: songwriter nights, joining the Chamber of Commerce, and tea parties “where we give informational meetings to anyone looking to start a program,” Perry said.  “We break down each of the products one-by-one and educate customers on what the products do for their health. We sample a few of the products and for those who want to purchase the programs they can, or they can continue to pay for retail via our nutrition club.”

 

Herbalife Nutrition is the brand of product sold at the shop.

“Herbalife Nutrition is a multi-level marketing group we are #2 in the nation behind Amway,” Kelly said. “And the #1 nutrition company worldwide that has been in business for 40 years.”
“Anyone working behind the counter is an Herbalife Distributor that can sell any of our products,” Perry said.  “Our nutrition clubs are a hub for people to come to try products, narrow down their wants and then purchase healthy products.”
“The customer receives one-on-one coaching and guidance from their independent distributor,” Perry said.
“Our hope is to pick up retail sales before the end of our lease in four months so the business can continue to grow and run in Ft Scott,” Perry said.
“All of the independent distributors are highly motivated self-driven and want to see a change in the community for the better,” Perry said.
“This is the second store that I have opened since January 18,” Perry said.  “My husband is not involved (in this venture), he is fully invested into the pork rind business which is going full steam ahead.”

 

“We will soon be offering protein pretzel bites, protein waffles, and protein donuts in this location,” Kelly said.

 

Employees, who at this shop are called distributors, include Reaghn Dowell, Kelsey DeMott both of Fort Scott, and Chris Ames of Bronson.

Reaghn Dowell left, is in training at Hound Nutrition as a distributor. Training her is her elder sister, Ashtyn Dowell, center. Customer Kaelani Bryan, right, is purchasing a meal replacement shake and a tea on March 15.

Kelly Perry is also the owner of The Protein Place in Iola and co-owner of Perry’s Pork Rinds of Bronson, with her husband, Thaddeus.

Dowell said they will be focusing on setting up meetings for Herbalife, the supplier of their products, and those interested in say, a weight loss program.

“We can help them along their journey,” Dowell said.

Daily specials are offered.

 

 

 

Chamber Coffee to be hosted by Briggs Auto of Fort Scott

 

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces that this week’s Chamber Coffee will be hosted by Briggs Auto of Fort Scott. The Coffee will take place in the Ford building of Briggs, located at 1819 S. Main St., and the event will be celebrating their five-year anniversary of the Fort Scott location.

Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served, and attendees may enter into a drawing.

Attendees are strongly encouraged wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines.

Chamber members and guests are invited to Chamber Coffee events each Thursday at 8 a.m. to network, make announcements, hear about happenings in the community as well as learn about the host business or organization.

***

LOLLIPOP HOP & SHOP + SIDEWALK CHALK ART CONTEST!

Chamber Announces LOLLIPOP HOP & SHOP + SIDEWALK CHALK ART CONTEST!

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces a Lollipop Hop & Shop + Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest will take place Friday, March 19th through Sunday, March 21st. Most stores in the Downtown Historic District and several additional locations will be participating in the fun.

All ages are encouraged to take part in the Chalk Art Contest by making a display in the Downtown Historic District or at another participating store and post the art creation to the Chamber Facebook page “Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce” with the hashtag #fortscottshopart to be included in judging.

Customers are invited to shop local while viewing the chalk art. Most retailers will be offering complimentary lollipops, and many will also be offering drawings and promotions. Locations included in the event will have a Lollipop Hop & Shop poster in the window to show they are participating.

The participating retailers are: Angela Dawn’s Boutique, Barbed Wire and Roses Vintage Market, Bids & Dibs, Hedgehog.Ink book store, Iron Star Antiques & Such, Laree + Co, Star Emporium Downtown General store, Sunshine Boutique and Treasure Hunt Flea Market.

The Chamber encourages the community to shop local, express yourself through art for all ages, and join the Lollipop Hop & Shop + Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest starting Friday, March 19th thru Sunday, March 21st.


C
ontact the Chamber for more information at 620-223-3566.

THRAMS Antiques, A Picker Family

From left: Tyler Ericson, Helen Bolling, Rayma Ridge, Amber Ericson, and Mandie Ericson. All “pickers” for THRAMS Antiques and Collectibles in Bronson. Submitted photo
Photo credits: THAM’s Antiques Facebook page.
THRAMS Antiques has been open in Bronson for about four months and was started by women because of their hobbies that turned into a business.
“We pick up antiques and furniture in our spare time,” Mandie Ericson, one of the pickers said. “This is a hobby that we started several years back and used the extra room at the Bronson Locker (same building and same family) to display our unique finds. We take passion in finding rare collectible antiques that can be repurposed and used in homes.”
According to https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Picker,

a picker is an early bird who hunts swap meets, estate sales, thrift stores, etc, and scoops up the good deals – often for resale in antique shops or on eBay.

“All antiques have a story to tell, and they become more valuable over time,” she said.  “It is our passion to make people happy and for people in our area to have the opportunity to shop for antiques and unique items.”
  “We find things (to sell)  through people selling on the marketplace and estate sales as well as people wanting us to buy from them directly,” said  Mandie Ericson.
The antique storefront is adjacent to the Bronson Locker, 504 Clay Street.
THRAM’s Antiques and Collectables is located next door to Bronson Locker in Bronson, KS. Photo credit: Facebook
“Helen Bolling is the owner of the Bronson Locker so we had room to open it in the old hardware building (adjacent to the Bronson Locker) and we think it’s a great addition to the town of Bronson,” said Mandie.
The name of the antique shop is THRAM’s Antiques, with the R for Rayma Ridge, recently added.
T is for Tyler Ericson, H is for Helen Bolling, R is for Rayma, A is for Amber Ericson, and M is for Mandie Ericson.
Helen and Mandie work at the Bronson Locker, while Amber Ericson, the main investor of the antique shop, is a 4th-grade teacher at Uniontown. Tyler Ericson is currently at Pittsburg  State University pursuing her degree in elementary education and Rayma works in insurance, helps at the locker when she can and has her own disc jockey business.
“Helen is Amber’s mom and Mandie and Tyler are Amber’s daughters-in-law and Rayma is my sister,” Mandie said. “I basically manage the Bronson locker so we take care of the antique shop through the locker while Amber teaches at school.”
Mandie and Helen work at the antique shop during the day while Rayma and Tyler help on weekends and Amber helps after school and weekends, Mandie said.
The antique store will be open every weekend in March on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday from 12:30 to 3 p.m.
Contact Amber (call or text) 620-363-1159 to schedule an appointment or with any questions regarding the store, according to their Facebook page.
Photo credit: THAM’s Antiques from their Facebook page.
“Our family has been collecting antiques for several years and really enjoy it,” Mandie said.  “We have very nice collectible items, household basics, as well as one-of-a-kind furniture for fantastic prices!”
Photo credit: THAM’s Antiques from their Facebook page.

Chamber Coffee to be hosted by Old Fort Auto

 

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces that this week’s Chamber Coffee will be hosted by Old Fort Auto on Thursday, March 11, 2021 at 8am. Chamber members and guests are invited to join us at the Chamber Coffee located at 213 Scott Ave., Downtown Fort Scott.

Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served, and attendees can enter into a drawing!

Attendees are strongly encouraged wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines.

Chamber members and guests are invited to Chamber Coffee events each Thursday at 8 a.m. to network, make announcements, hear about happenings in the community as well as learn about the host business or organization.

Kansas: 10th In Nation For Eco Devo

Kansas Ranked 10th in Nation for Economic Development Projects Per Capita

TOPEKA – Kansas had the most dramatic jump in economic development success of any state in the country in 2020, according to Site Selection magazine.

With 70 projects meeting the magazine’s criteria, Kansas ranked 10th in the nation in economic development projects per capita in 2020. The new ranking increased from 2019 when Kansas was ranked No. 20.

“Our latest Site Selection ranking proves what we already know: Kansas is on the right track to continue strengthening our economy,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “More businesses means more, higher-paying jobs for Kansans. As our economy continues to recover from COVID-19, our ability to attract new development and maintain existing businesses will be critical.”

This achievement comes in the wake of sweeping changes to the state’s Department of Commerce, including a new International division, a fully-staffed Business Recruitment team, an overhauled In-State Development team, and other improvements. These strategic shifts for Commerce led to 2020 being one of Kansas’ most successful capital investment years ever. In 2020, the Kelly Administration broke the all-time capital investment record since the Department of Commerce was formed with more than $2.5 billion in new capital investment.

“This is a testament to how our state’s approach to economic development has fundamentally changed,” Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland said. “We’re aggressively pursuing new avenues for business, and in much higher quantities than Kansas ever has before. To go from 20th to 10th in one year is a major achievement, and I’m proud of my team at the Department of Commerce and our partners throughout the state for making this incredible progress possible.”

The criteria for projects per capita in this ranking include new corporate facility projects like headquarters, manufacturing plants, research and development operations and logistics sites, among others. Retail, government projects, schools, and hospitals are not counted.

New facilities and expansions must meet at least one of three criteria to be included:

  • Involve a capital investment of at least $1 million
  • Create at least 20 new jobs, or
  • Add at least 20,000-square-feet of new floor area

In addition to this new ranking for the state, several Kansas communities were recognized as top-performing “micropolitan” areas, including Coffeyville, Hutchinson, McPherson,  Pittsburg, and Salina. These rankings can be seen here.

Site Selection’s full state rankings report can be seen here.

About Site Selection

Site Selection magazine, published by Conway Data Inc., delivers expansion planning information to a qualified circulation of 48,700 executives of fast-growing firms. Celebrating its 65th anniversary this year, Site Selection is also available via Site Selection Online. Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., Conway Data, publisher of Site Selection magazine, the Conway Analytics Report and a family of online industry newsletters, in 2017 was recognized as Georgia International Small Business of the Year by the Atlanta Business Chronicle. Conway Data has been a trusted advisor to corporations, government economic development and investment promotion agencies around the world since 1954. Conway Data owns and manages Conway Events, organizer of worldwide FDI events; FDI advisory firm Conway Advisory; and New York-based Conway PR & Marketing, a leading PR and lead-generation firm. Conway Data also manages the Industrial Asset Management Council.

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.

March 19: Lollipop Hop and Shop, Plus Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest

Chamber Announces LOLLIPOP HOP & SHOP + SIDEWALK CHALK ART CONTEST!

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces a Lollipop Hop & Shop + Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest will take place Friday, March 19th through Sunday, March 21st. Most stores in the Downtown Historic District and several additional locations will be participating in the fun.

All ages are encouraged to take part in the Chalk Art Contest by making a display in the Downtown Historic District or at another participating store and post the art creation to the Chamber Facebook page “Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce” with the hashtag #fortscottshopart to be included in judging.

Customers are invited to shop local while viewing the chalk art. Most retailers will be offering complimentary lollipops, and many will also be offering drawings and promotions. Locations included in the event will have a Lollipop Hop & Shop poster and pink & blue balloons displayed at their entrance.

The Chamber encourages the community to shop local, express yourself through art for all ages, and join the Lollipop Hop & Shop + Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest starting Friday, March 19th thru Sunday, March 21st. A list of participating retailers will soon be posted on fortscott.com.


C
ontact the Chamber for more information at 620-223-3566.