Category Archives: Business

Chamber Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet Oct. 6

Join us for the Quarterly Downtown Meet & Greet, Tuesday, October 6th
8:30 am to 9:30 am
hosted by the Chamber at Sharky’s Pub & Grub
Rita Schroeder, Administrative Assistant
Lindsay Madison, President & CEO
620-223-3566
Come see Sharky’s new windows & doors
installed during recent renovations!
These informal, quarterly meetings are hosted by the Chamber for downtown business owners, representatives and community members to network and share ideas on events, promotions and anything related to downtown. Coffee, juice and light refreshments will be served.
Special Note from the Chamber Board:
Following KS state safety recommendations & health practices ~subject to Bourbon County’s continued advancement through the reopening phasing plans.
You may wear a mask at your own discretion.

Fort Scott Pizza Hut Closes Permanently

 

Fort Scott Pizza Hut, 1801 S. Main has closed permanently.

A call to the Fort Scott Pizza Hut revealed that the store at 1801 S. Main is permanently closed.

 

“On August 17, (2020) NPC (the company that operates Pizza Hut) announced that it reached an agreement with Pizza Hut that would allow NPC to close up to 300 of our Pizza Hut restaurants,” Columbia Clancy replied in response to an email to corporate headquarters. “Since that time, we have finalized our plan for next steps and after careful analysis and consideration, NPC has moved forward with closing a number of those Pizza Hut locations (including the Fort Scott, KS restaurant), effective September 8.”

A sign in the window of the Fort Scott Pizza Hut on Sept. 11, 2020.

As part of our restructuring process, we made the very difficult decision to close the Fort Scott Pizza Hut restaurant,” according to a NPC spokesperson. ” We did not take this decision lightly, and we are committed to providing support to impacted employees, including providing transfer to other NPC or Yum! Brand locations, wherever possible. Ultimately, these actions will best position our remaining restaurant business for success. NPC continues to operate many other Pizza Hut restaurants across the country which remain open for business, supported by our 23,000 dedicated employees who are ready to serve our customers.”

Click here for more info:

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200817005414/en/NPC-International-Reaches-Agreement-Pizza-Hut-Optimization

 

The following link is a AP story on the closings of Pizza Huts around the country:

https://apnews.com/84d312c7abd85a60902e0fe8e519011b

What’s Happening in Fort Scott

UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS
2020 GORDON PARKS PHOTO CONTEST – Sponsored by Merl Humphrey. The Theme “Social Justice, Diversity and Equity” for any amataur Photographer. Deadline 9/30 submission to [email protected].
GUIDED TOURS OF THE FORT DAILY, 10AM &1PM-The Fort Scott National Historic Site is open daily 8am-5pm for touring on your own, but arrive at 10am or 1pm on any day and take advantage of a guided tour with a park ranger! Guided tour lasts approx. 1 hour.
9/11 – REMEMBRANCE – Names of lives lost in the war on Terror will be read throughout Downtown Fort Scott. Organized by the Fort Scott National Historic Site and Friends of the Fort.
9/11– FSHS FOOTBALL GAME!The FSHS Tigers will play at home field advantage against Springfield Central, MO. Game starts @ 7 pm
9/11 –COMMON GROUND COFFEE CO. Celebrating your pup with Dog Days of Summer! Bring your pup by for a pup cup or a homemade puppy treats until 9/12.
9/11 –BOILER ROOM BREWHAUS!  – Come in and drink and sing Karaoke night!
9/12 –BOILER ROOM BREWHAUS!  – Live Music with PDA Live, Charlie & Julia Barrale, from 7:30 – 9:30 pm
9/11 & 9/12- FORT SCOTT LIVESTOCKSale starts as 10am – Sale Barn and Sat. at 7 am
9/12 – 5th ANNUAL FS PICKLEBALL OPEN TOURNAMENT – 8 am until 12 pm @ 910 Burke St. Pickleball Courts. Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, Men’s 55+ and Women’s 55+. $15 includes a T-Shirt. Call Tom 620.224.707
9/12 – FORT SCOTT FARMERS’ MARKET– At Skubitz Plaza in front of the Fort, 8am to noon.
9/11thru9/17 –FORT SCOTT CINEMA: New Mutants, Tenant, & Bill & Ted ~ Face the Music
9/12 – THE LAVENDER PATCH FARM – Visiting and shopping from 9 am -1 pm. Second Bloom is starting, so pick your favorite! 2396 Locust Rd.
9/13 – BOILER ROOM BREWHAUS! Brings back Trivia night for teams of 2 to 6 people, $5 entry
per team, 5-7 pm
9/12 & 9/13 – Midwest Nationals Fall Baseball at LaRoche Baseball Complex. See bracket on fortscott.com ~ events.
SAVE THE DATE!
9/17 – THE FORT SCOTT CHAMBER COFFEE HOSTED BY COMMON GROUND COFFEE CO.Join us for the weekly Chamber Coffee at Common Grounds Coffee Shop new location and a Ribbon Cutting and Grand opening will take place directly after..
9/17 – BOURBON COUNTY REPUBLICAN CENTRAL COMMITTEE ~ Empress Event Center, 7 N. Main St. from 6-7:30 pm. This meeting is a reorganizational meeting to elect officers, leadership positions, & appoint vacant precinct/women positions.
9/19 & 9/20 – MIDWEST NATIONALS FALL BASEBALL – LAROCHE COMPLEX! – More Information to come.
9/19 –CRAZY DAYS SIDEWALK SALE!Downtown & around – 16 Merchants participating.
9/19 – BOILER ROOM BREWHAUS!  Fall night Scene featuring a full moon and warm colors. Paint & Brews!
9/25 – EXTRUSIONS/WIN-VENT – Customer & Employee Appreciation Golf Outing at Woodland Golf Course!
9/26 – KDVS 4-PERSON SCRAMBLE – Fundraiser Golf Tournament at Woodland Golf Course! 8 am shotgun starts.
9/26 – THE LAVENDER PATCH FARM – Visiting and shopping from 9 am -1 pm. Second Bloom is starting, so pick your favorite! 2396 Locust Rd.
9/30 – BOILER ROOM BREWHAUS!  Paint Party! Paint & Sip “Witches Crazy, 6 pm -9 pm – Sell out quick!
9/22-9/24 – KANSASWORKS VIRTUAL FAIR! REGISTER, IT IS FREE!
Fort Scott Area
Chamber of Commerce
620-223-3566
In This Issue
9/11 Remembrance
FSHS Tigers Home Game
Gordon Parks Photo Contest
The Boiler Room Brewhaus – Karaoke Night, Live Music & Paint Class events.
Fort Scott Livestock Sales
Chamber Highlights
Click here for our
Membership Directory.
We THANK our members for their support! Interested in joining the Chamber? Click here for info.
Thinking of doing business in or relocating to Fort Scott?
Contact us for a relocation packet, information on grants & incentives, and more!
Seeking a job/career?
We post a Job of the Day daily on our Facebook page, distribute a monthly job openings flyer, and post jobs on our website.
Many opportunities available!
Housing needs?
Click here for a listing of our Chamber member realtors.
Click here for our rental listing.
REGISTER FOR KANSASWORKS VIRTUAL JOB FAIR – NO COST TO EMPLOYERS!
THANK YOU TO OUR BOOSTER MEMBERS!

The Beacon Receives Donation From Bourbon County Cars

Submitted photo.Josh Jones with Bourbon County Cars, right, delivers a $500 donation to David Gillen with The Beacon,

Josh Jones with Bourbon County Cars delivered a $500 donation to David Gillen with The Beacon.

“This is a co-op program Bourbon County Cars has with a vendor of theirs (ASC Warranty Company),” Jones said. ” ASC will in turn be donating $500 as well to The Beacon for a total of $1000 donation to The Beacon.”

The Beacon, Inc., in existence for almost forty years, began as churches in the community came together to serve the needs of Fort Scott and Bourbon County.

 

They have provided those struggling in the community with a food pantry and in offering financial assistance, dominantly through the efforts of community-related donations.

 

Currently, the organization provides food, financial assistance, and referrals to other service organizations.

 

The Beacon is located at 525 E. Sixth Street, Fort Scott, Ks. 66701, and is open from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, with one exception.

 

On the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, the Beacon is closed during the day and is open instead from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

 

 

Sharkey’s Gets A Facelift

Dave Lipe submitted these photos of the Sharky’s Pub and Grub, 16 N. National Avenue. On the left is the before, on the right is the after of the facelift given the restaurant.

 

David and Tina Lipe, owners of Sparky’s Pub and Grub, 16 N. National, have invested time and money to give their restaurant a facelift.

The project started with Mid Continental Restoration, Inc. doing some joint repair and brick replacement on the front of building, David Lipe said.

“Peerless (Products, Inc.) did all of the tear-out and installation of all windows and front doors of the building,” Lipe said.  “The project started on August 17th and was completed on August 26th. ” There is still a little bit of floor replacement to be done, hopefully, this will be completed by August 31st.”

 

“We have been working on this project with Peerless for two years,” Lipe said. ” The building was extremely inefficient, windows were broken, (it) needed a facelift. We wanted to create an open-air type storefront.”

 

The facelift did not add any seating, Lipe said.  “But possibly some outside seating.”

 

“No grant monies were used on this project,” Lipe said.  “We have applied for a building improvement grant through the City of Fort Scott. I was told today that all funds are on hold due to COVID. We have also applied for some funding help through BEDCO (Bourbon County Economic Development Council), (we) have not received anything at this point.”

 

Sharky’s Pub & Grub phone number is 620-223-4777

The restaurant’s hours are: open at 11 am Monday through Sunday,
close at midnight Monday through Wednesday,  close at 2 am Thursday through Saturday, and close at 7 pm Sunday.

 

Mattox Promoted at UMB

Crystal Mattox. Submitted photo.
Crystal Mattox was recently promoted to senior vice president of commercial lending at UMB Bank, according to Stephanie Kayser, a part of UMB Bank’s external communications team.
In her role, Crystal is responsible for developing new relationships, expanding existing business and maintaining customer relationships. Crystal provides financial solutions to help her clients grow, improve operations and increase value. 
 
Crystal has nearly 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. She joined UMB Bank in 2010 as a vice president and commercial lender. Prior to UMB, Crystal worked at Emprise Bank as an assistant vice president and commercial lender.
 
She earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Kansas State University. She is also a graduate of the American Bankers Association’s National and Graduate Commercial Lending School and is a licensed insurance representative. Crystal is active in her community and is on the board of the local United Way chapter. She is also a member of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce and volunteers at St. Johns Catholic Church, Gunn Park Trails and the Moran Ball Association. 

Ad: 306 E 23rd Street, Fort Scott, Is a Prime Commercial Location

Are you looking for a PROFIT? Check out the range of options with this pristine commercial space offering opportunities galore. THINK – Expansion, Progress, Improvement is what it takes!
Primely located in the midst of commercial, industrial, retail & service businesses. From 69 highway, turn East on 23rd (at the intersection with McDonald’s, Taco Bell and Walgreens), and the property is just down the street on the south side of 23rd Street.
The property has 2,100+ SF finished office space & 4,800 SF warehouse space.  The finished part includes a lobby, reception area, 7+ offices, conference room, break room, & 2 restrooms. Previously used as a medical supply company, this space would be ideal for a multitude of uses including a medical office, daycare/preschool facility, teaching facility, church hall, or call center.
$450,000.00
Bailey Lyons

Call or Text 620.224.7795… she will be happy to help!

Over 7,000 SPARK Grant Seekers Applied

Governor Laura Kelly Announces More Than 7,000 Businesses, Nonprofits Have Applied for SPARK Connectivity Grant Funds

 

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced a strong response to the state’s Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Economic Development and Connectivity grant application process, which has yielded more than 7,000 requests for assistance from businesses and nonprofit organizations across Kansas.

 

Of the 7,000-plus grant applications submitted, more than 5,000 were for Small Business Working Capital grant funds. 

 

“The initial response to this application period has been extraordinary,” Governor Kelly said. “We’re ready to give each application the consideration and attention it deserves – and we’ll make sure these funds are deployed in the most effective and strategic way possible to help small businesses, nonprofit organizations and others affected by COVID-19.”

 

More than $138 million in grants to serve businesses and nonprofits affected by the pandemic and for the expansion of broadband access in the state was made available by the SPARK Taskforce established earlier this year by Governor Kelly to lead Kansas forward in recovery from the far-reaching effects of COVID-19.  

 

Connectivity Emergency Response Grant (CERG) applications will be reviewed starting at 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, when those applications are due. Because of the high volume of applications received, we will no longer accept applications for Small Business Working Capital and PPE Procurement grant programs after 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 31. Small Business Working Capital and PPE Procurement grants are reviewed on a rolling basis. 

 

“The response from small businesses across the state has been amazing, and I’m proud to know that so many organizations will benefit from these grants,” Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “I’m so grateful to the organizations across Kansas that helped us amplify this message so quickly. Now, we need to make sure these funds are distributed in a way that benefits all Kansans and ensures that our state can get back to business.”

 

The SPARK Taskforce and Kansas Department of Commerce intend to maintain the Small Business Working Capital, PPE Procurement and Connectivity Emergency Response Grant programs in case additional federal CARES Act funding becomes available.

 

The online application process for several other SPARK grant programs will remain active. Details are available at kansascommerce.gov/covidrelief.

 

Chamber Coffee At Washateria Aug. 27

The Chamber Coffee will be hosted by
Fort Scott Washateria &
Fort Scott Community Closet
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27TH, 8AM
501 S. NATIONAL AVE.
VISIT THE FORT SCOTT WASHATERIA WEBSITE TO
LEARN ABOUT SERVICES OFFERED!
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!
The Chamber Coffee announcements will be held outside under the canopy and attendees are welcome to tour the business individually.
Masks & social distancing are encouraged.
“UPCOMING CHAMBER COFFEE SCHEDULE”
SEPTEMBER ANNOUNCER: Geoff Southwell
  • 9/3- Open – Call the Chamber to reserve this date at 620-223-3566!
  • 9/10- Open – Call the Chamber to reserve this date at 620-223-3566!
  • 9/17 ~ Common Ground Coffee Shop with Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening of New Location!
  • 9/24- Open – Call the Chamber to reserve this date at 620-223-3566!

Fort Scott Town-Wide Garage Sale Oct. 2-3

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Announces the
Fall2020
Town-wide Garage Sale
October 2nd & 3rd
Businesses ~ now is the time to secure an ad on the upcoming Town-wide Garage Sale Map!
See information below!
We are also now accepting
Garage Sale Listings!
All who register a sale will receive two balloons to display and their physical address printed on the maps distributed at
5 Corner’s, Bids & Dibs, Casey’s, Don’s Smoke Shop and all Pete’s locations!
The Fort Scott Chamber will promote the event on all social platforms, paper, radio & distribute the printed maps.
Register online at the Chamber Website or click HERE to download the registration form & return it to the Chamber with payment of $10 registration fee.