Category Archives: Business

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott, Jobs

Center for Economic Growth: Focus on Health and Economic Stability

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Dacia Clark and Jody Hoener.

The group that set up an office on the second floor, above the Star Emporium Downtown General Store, 17 S. Main,  has changed the name, but not services.

 

 

“The partners that made up the Bourbon County Workforce and Entrepreneur Resource Center (BWERC) have decided to name ourselves The Center for Economic Growth,” Jody Hoener, director of the center, said. “We have the same space, model, operations, and services that were provided before.” The one exception is the Bourbon County Commission is not a part of the partnership, she said.

 

“Our mission is to increase access to physical activity and healthy food, promote tobacco cessation, enhance the quality of life and encourage economic growth,” she said.  “We wanted our program and name to tie directly to our mission.”

 

 

 

“The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team Board and our partners re-branded our collaborative efforts,” Hoener said.  “Our work to build healthy communities and address the social determinants continues, with health and economic stability as the focus of the center.”

 

 

“Specifically, we are working with community members and our partners on economic stability,” she said.

 

 

“Priority is given to those businesses owned by low-income, minority, female, or veteran,” she said. “Pittsburg State University Small Business Development Center uses the U.S. Small Business Administration small business definition…typically 500 employees or less with less than $5m in profit in a two-year period.”

 

 

Jody Hoener at her desk at the Center For Economic Growth, 17 S. Main, second floor.

 

 

 

“Poverty and low income are drivers of poor health,” Hoener said. ” Bourbon County is a rural community… with higher rates of poverty.  Our community has seen low investment and low upward mobility in employment.  We are working to create economic opportunities to generate wealth and income for Bourbon County residents.”

 

 

 

The partner organizations are the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce,  Fort Scott Community College, Kansas Works, Pittsburg State University’s Small Business Development Center, and  BAJA Investments.

 

 

Hoener’s work as the Bourbon County Economic Director ended in March

 

Continue reading Center for Economic Growth: Focus on Health and Economic Stability →

Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee at Billiard Hammer Hartman Ins. May 13

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The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces that this week’s Chamber Coffee will be hosted by
Billiard Hammer Hartman
Insurance Agency
A tradition of providing quality service to clients, doing business in an honest fashion since 1921.
Celebrating 100 years in business!
May 13th, 2021 at 8 am
20 S. National Ave.
Join us for Coffee, Networking,
Community Events, and Business Growth!
Coffee, refreshments, and prize drawing in celebration of 100 years in business!
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.
Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information. Visit the Events Calendar and category of Chamber Coffees on fortscott.com for upcoming locations.
UPCOMING CHAMBER COFFEE SCHEDULE:
 5/13 ~ KOMB FM 103.9 & 98.3
5/27 ~ FSHS Strength & Performance Program
June 2021
6/6 ~ Good Ol’ Days
6/10 ~ Sharky’s Pub & Grub, Celebrating 10 years!
 617 ~ The Lavender Patch Farm
6/27 ~ The Hound Nutrition – Ribbon Cutting
Bourbon County, Business

Union State Bank a Mainstay and Family Business for 120 Years

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Union State Bank, Uniontown. Courtesy photo.
Union State Bank, Fort Scott. Courtesy photo.

The Holt family started as bankers in Uniontown on May 10, 1901, with an investment of $5,000.

 

 

“The bank’s assets are around $60 million total,” said current Union State Bank President Bryan Holt. “That is an increase of about 20% over this time last year. There’s currently nearly $5 million in Tier 1 capital.”

 

 

For five generations they have served the banking needs of their community, starting with Emmit Holt, then his son, Curtis, then his son, Kent, then his son Kenny, then his son, Bryan. All these were in succession.

 

Emmit Holt, courtesy photo from Union State Bank.

 

Curtis Holt. Submitted photo.

Kent Holt, 89, remembers the first job at 12 years old.  He helped his parents, Curtis and Helen, where he could.

 

 

“One of my duties was the Address-o-Graph, that machine that addressed envelopes,” Kent said.

 

 

By that time in the early 1940s,  his mom and dad were the owners of the bank.

 

Kent Holt. Submitted photo.

 

 

Kent became president when his father died at 62 years old, he was 35 years old.

 

When he was the president he could do any job in the bank, he said. But through the years, the industry has become more complicated.

 

 

“The big change was computers coming to the bank,” he said. “it was slow coming in, and in stages. Then we had to hire more people.”

 

 

Kenny Holt was president and CEO of Union State Bank from 1993 until 2018 when he retired. He died in November 2019.

 

 

To view his story:

Baton Is Passed at Union State Bank

 

 

 

Fifth-generation president, Bryan Holt,  became president and CEO of Union State Bank on January 1, 2019.

Bryan Holt.

 

“I returned to the bank in 2005 after working for 10 years in the accounting and tax software industry,” Bryan said. “I had always wanted to work in the family business and was, and still am, grateful for the opportunity to do so.”

 

 

Changes that Bryan has seen in the banking industry also include technology.

 

 

“Most recently, the ability to conduct business via a mobile device has been a game-changer in terms of service,” Bryan said. “Our mobile banking app allows for users to deposit checks via their phone, which is extremely convenient. We’ve also added our debit cards to mobile wallets, which allow for payments via mobile phone. Personally, I didn’t see this as a great addition, but after I used it, I use it as often as I can.”

 

 

Through the years Kent’s wife, Marilyn, and sons, Kenny and his wife Nancy, and Randy and his wife Debbie, and daughter, Susan Eldridge,  worked at the bank, along with some of their children. Then grandsons, Bryan and Chad, and his wife Amy.

 

 

Daughter, Debbie Likely, chose to teach for her career.

 

 

“Holt family members currently working in the bank include Randy Holt, Susan Eldridge, Chad Holt, Amy Holt and myself.,” Bryan said. “Aiden Holt( Chad’s daughter) works part-time in Uniontown during the summer and Claire Holt (Bryan’s daughter) works as a part-time teller in Fort Scott.”

 

 

In 1992, the bank opened a branch in Fort Scott, just off Hwy. 69 and 12th Street.

 

 

“We have 16 full- and part-time employees between the two branches.,” Bryan said.

 

 

Kent Holt Remembers a Bigger Community

 

 

Like most small towns, the population of Uniontown has shrunk.

 

 

Uniontown Park, approximately the early 1900s. Courtesy of Union State Bank.
Union State Bank, the original building, in Uniontown, KS. Courtesy of Union State Bank.

Uniontown used to have more people, Kent Holt said.

 

 

He tried to remember all the businesses in town while he was working at the bank.

 

“Stroud’s Grocery Store, Griffith Elevator and Lumber, Bishard Grocery Store, there was an old folk’s home, Gates-the blacksmith,  several filling stations-Ira Steele’s was one, a barber shop-Raymond Mosier, telephone company, two doctors-Dr. Miller was one, a dentist, Arch Ramsey, we were the only bank in town,” Kent said.

 

 

Flora Klenklen was his secretary for several years, then Alice Ramsey.

 

 

Kent Holt said he just faded out, he didn’t really retire, and was a member of the bank’s board of directors until about five years ago.

 

 

See the latest about the bank on its’ Facebook page.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Business, COVID-19

Survey Data: Vaccinated Adult’s Mental Health Improved

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After more than a year of declining mental health at the national level, there’s finally some good news – nearly 75% of vaccinated U.S. adults say that getting the vaccine has positively impacted their mental health, according to a new Walgreens survey.

 

The sentiment most shared among respondents is relief (64%), followed closely by thankfulness and optimism.

 

Survey results also suggest good news ahead for businesses, especially in the travel, hospitality and fitness industries.

 

Survey respondents shared that they are significantly more comfortable resuming the following activities once fully vaccinated:

  • TRAVEL: comfort level more than doubled once fully vaccinated (from 32.7% to 67.6%)
  • INDOOR GATHERING: comfort level nearly doubled once fully vaccinated (from 33.3% to 64.9%)
  • GOING TO THE GYM: 83% increase in comfort level once fully vaccinated (from 30.1% to 55.1%)
  • VISITING FRIENDS: 76.4% increase in comfort level once fully vaccinated (from 48.8% to 86.1%)
  • DINING OUT: 75.5% increase in comfort level once fully vaccinated (from 42.5% to 74.4%)
  • GOING TO WORK: 44.7% increase in comfort level once fully vaccinated (from 44.7% to 72.1%)
Area News, Bourbon County, Business

Evergy’s Plan: Public Comments Sought

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KCC invites public comments on Evergy’s Sustainability Transformation Plan

TOPEKA – The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) has opened a public comment period beginning today through July 7 to allow Evergy customers the opportunity to weigh in on the company’s proposed Sustainability Transformation Plan (STP). The plan, approved by Evergy’s Board of Directors in August, is designed to cut operating and maintenance expenses while increasing capital expenditures.

To protect the interest of Kansas ratepayers, the Commission opened a General Investigation on August 27 to provide KCC staff, stakeholders, and Evergy an opportunity to discuss and evaluate the plan.

As part of the investigation, a series of workshops were scheduled and broadcast for the public on the KCC’s YouTube channel.  The final workshop is scheduled for May 24 at 10 a.m. At that time, Evergy will present an updated STP plan incorporating feedback from earlier workshops and answer questions from intervenors and Commissioners.

Recordings of the three previous workshops are available on YouTube for anyone who missed them. Topics covered include grid modernization investments and related benefits, operational efficiencies, and enhanced customer experience.

Additional information is available in Docket No. 21-EKME-088-GIE on the KCC’s website .  The Commission has requested all participants in the docket file background information explaining the proceeding and their respective positions.

Public comments can be submitted online via the KCC website, through email (public.affairs@kcc.ks.gov) or in a letter to the agency’s Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at 1500 SW Arrowhead, Topeka, KS 66614. All comments must be received by 5 p.m. on July 7 and will be included in the case record.

Business, Fort Scott

Star Emporium Closes in Downtown Fort Scott

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Bill Michaud. Submitted photo.

Star Emporium Downtown General Store owner Bill Michaud announced the closing of the store after four months on a May 5 post on its Facebook page.

The store is located at 17 S. Main and featured grocery store items and a deli.

 

The Star Emporium’ was formerly the Kress Store in Downtown Fort Scott. Submitted photo.

 

Starting today all items in the store will be 20 percent off, then Friday and Saturday-40 % off, then Monday-60 % off.

 

“It’s an awful feeling for something that I had such high hopes to make a difference in the elevation of the retail climate downtown to be shut down so quickly,” Michaud told fortscott.biz.   “The perishable inventory and low sales level pushed us to this.”

 

Michaud is working on a new chapter of the storefront in downtown Fort Scott, though.

 

 

 

 

“We certainly hope that Fort Scott comes out and helps us liquidate our inventory this Friday and Saturday,” Michaud said.  “We will be closed on Mother’s Day and most of what’s left will be offered for sale at 60% off on Monday.”
  “We are very hopeful that all perishable and frozen items are purchased so that we can shut down the refrigeration equipment,” he said. “IF our sale is successful, Monday will be our last day open.”
 “We will open the deli and sell sandwiches on Monday to utilize as much deli meat and cheese as possible but the salad bar will not be open.”

 

“We will keep our regular hours during the sale – 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.,” he said.
What is on the horizon for you at this storefront?
“Since its inception, this project has been about aiding the growth of our downtown, addressing the limited food access in this part of the community, and giving local producers a place to sell products,” Michaud said.  ” We’ve done all those things, but we have unfortunately learned that our business model was not financially sustainable.”
  “Because this project was funded in large part by the SPARK grant (A COVID-19 relief grant) funding that we received, we have always viewed this as investment in the community, so we have an obligation to figure out a different business model that is sustainable and still helps us with the objectives set forth by that grant program.”
Food Producers Co-Op
“The new model we are working to put together will be more of a producer’s co-op type format,” he said.   “We are looking for people who produce products of all types in our region that are looking for a marketplace.”
  “We will begin hosting producer meetings soon and form a co-op model together to create that marketplace at the store,” Michaud said.  ” There are still more questions than answers on how this will come together but we will navigate the questions together with the producers to create a model that the group feels will be sustainable and beneficial for all involved.”
“We’re getting more community involvement in hopes that we can attract more broad-based support and offer more products that people will go out of their way to buy than was offered in the previous grocery store model.”
Licensed Commercial Kitchen
“Our current deli will become available as a licensed commercial kitchen in which space may be reserved for co-op members, as well as others, to rent in order to produce products that are able to be sold to retailers.”
 “Currently there is no licensed commercial kitchen available for use in our community for small quantity producers or that can be used as a food-based business incubator,” Michaud said.  “This opportunity will allow someone to start small and develop a base business prior to expanding into a larger space such as a restaurant, bakery, or other food production facility.”
 “With great resources in our community such as the Center for Economic Growth on the second floor of the (Star Emporium) store and the Chamber of Commerce E-Community loan program,  we hope to continue to pursue the economic impact goal that was one of the purposes of the SPARK program.”
Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

New Bourbon County Eco Devo Director: Rob Harrington

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Robert Harrington. Submitted photo.

On Monday, May 10, Rob Harrington will begin as the newly created position of Bourbon County Economic Director.

 

 

Harrington, 40,  has 13 years of experience in economic development and civil investment.

 

 

Currently living in Houston, MO, Harrington is the economic director there. He has a wife and four children.

 

The Harrington family. Submitted photo.From left: Ostin, his wife Kathryn, Rob, Braley, Hunter, and Avery.

 

 

“His office will be in the Landmark building,” Gregg Motley, chairman of Bourbon County Economic Development Council, said.  “That may be temporary, but we would like him to take ownership of a final domicile.”

 

 

Harrington has a bachelor’s of science degree from the University of Phoenix in business and has been a retail company business manager and in politics, he said.

 

 

He has a master’s degree in economic development practicum and certification from the Advanced Economic Development Leadership Program sponsored by the University of Clemson, Texas Christian U., Southern Mississippi U., and New Mexico U.

 

 

He is currently finishing a master’s degree in public administration from Park University,  based in Parkville, Mo.

 

 

“I am facilitating a rural economic development class in the Kansas City portion, for the Advanced Economic Development Leadership Program.”

 

 

For Harrington, the best part of his job is “Knowing if I do my job right, the person with no job, can get a job and provide for their family.”

 

 

Challenges  of Economic Development

 

 

The number of members in a family has decreased, which for this generation means fewer workers,  Harrington said.

 

 

People his parent’s age are retiring, and there are not as many people in the working-age group, he said.

 

 

 

“Also in rural areas, is ‘brain drain’ in the 1990s and early 2000s,”  Harrington said. This is where young people left their rural areas to find higher-level wages.

 

 

That is changing because of quality of life issues like cost of living and crime, and many in urban areas are seeking smaller towns, he said.

 

 

“And in my opinion, the COVID-19 Pandemic has changed the way people look at being in densely populated areas,” he said.

 

 

Work ethic also comes into play.

 

 

There is a work ethic problem when you can stay at home and receive money, he said.

 

 

“There will still be some who would live off the system,” he said.

 

 

 

Harrington has been president of the University of Missouri Extension Board and treasurer for the Houston Community Foundation, along with several other groups in his community, he said.

 

 

“My kids are active in our school, where we live,” he said.

 

 

In his spare time, he likes to hunt and fish and is a Kansas City Chiefs and St. Louis Cardinals fan.

 

 

 

Harrington will have a forty-hour workweek, Motley said

 

 

“We are not disclosing salary, as we are a private entity,” Motley said.  “Funding is from a budget from the county (Bourbon County Commission).

 

 

Business, Fort Scott

Opening Soon: Fort Scott Barbershop, 118 E. Wall

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From front to back are Jaylisha Montanez, Giancarlo Montanez, and Jose Montanez, the three new barbers in Fort Scott. Mayra Montez stands beside her husband, Jose. In the barber seat is Jose Montanez Jr.
A view of the inside of Fort Scott Barbershop, 118 E. Wall.

The Montanez family will soon open their new barbershop at 118 E. Wall.

 

 

They are waiting on a few items to complete the shop and plan on opening in the next few weeks.

 

 

Jose Montanez is father to the other barbers: his daughter, Jaylisha Montanez, and son, Giancarlo Montanez. Jose’s wife, Mayra does bookkeeping for the business “and everything else,” Jose said.

 

 

For 20 years the family has had a barbershop in Overland Park, operating six shops altogether, Mayra said.

 

 

“Jose won an award for best barbershop in the midwest and the Trailblazer Award of Kansas City,” she said. “Jose started training other barbers. We specialize in straight razors. It gives a clean, direct shave to the face, that started getting people’s attention.”

 

 

Razor cuts are what the Montanez family is known for in Overland Park.
Jose Montanez demonstrates a razor cut on his son Giancarlo.

“It is an old fashion barbershop with hot towels and hot lather for our VIP treatment,” Mayra said. “But also all the trending hairstyles.”

 

 

The cost for a haircut is $20 and $30 for the VIP Treatment, which includes a beard cut with a hot towel and hot lather, Jose said.

 

 

There are posters of 180 men’s hairstyles on the wall of the barbershop, Jose said. “But we can also do custom hairstyles.”

 

 

 

“If you bring your kid in for a first haircut, they get a certificate with a piece of the hair and their name, date, and the signature of the barber,” Mayra said.

 

 

Their hours will be Tuesday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

 

 

Their first day of business, instead of a traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony, will be a day of free haircuts for City of Fort Scott personnel: which includes police officers, firemen, city office, EMTs.

 

 

 

 

“Following the honoring of Fort Scott employees, the shop will be open to the public,” Mayra said.

 

 

 

 

“We are making vouchers, so if the city employees can’t come on that day, they can still come and get the VIP treatment,” she said.

 

 

 

 

“Being Puerto Rican…we know how to work with all hair,” Mayra said. “That has helped us be so diversified in the city. Anybody can come  and get a great haircut experience.”

 

 

Fort Scott City Manager Jeremy Frazier was in the shop on May 3 to welcome the new business.

 

 

Fort Scott City Manager Jeremy Frazier, right, welcomed Joses Montanez, to Fort Scott on May 3 outside the new barbershop.

 

When people are looking for a new town to reside in, they look for the basics: housing, transportation, schools, health care… but also personal care, such as barbers, Frazier said. “I feel like this shop will help add diversity and offer people with different kinds of hair a place for a haircut.”

 

 

 

The Montanez family purchased the storefront at 118 E. Wall from Dean and Marlene Gettler.

Former building owners Dean and Marlene Gettler stop in the Fort Scott Barbershop on May 3 to view the building remodel.

 

The Gettler’s would often have coffee and people-watch from the storefront, they were told by their realtor, Barbara Albright.

 

Realtor Barb Albright, left talks with Mayra Montanez on May 3 at the new barbershop.

 

So the Montanez’s have installed a coffee station in the shop, with free coffee, and a table to sit and have the coffee.

 

 

“We started a coffee station, with Puerto Rico, Brazilian and American coffee, so the Gettlers can come for coffee, along with patrons,  and can have a free cup of coffee,” Mayra said.

 

 

Jose and Mayra have purchased a home on Judson, Jaylisha a home on Main Street and Giancarlo is looking to purchase a home in Fort Scott, as well.

 

 

To view the previous story on this barbershop:

Downtown Barber Shop Coming Spring 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Business

Real Estate Taxes by Greg Motley

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Greg Motley. President of the Bourbon County Economic Development Council. Submitted photo.

Real Estate Taxes

In my last column, I briefly mentioned the role higher taxes play in real estate values. When young workers are straining to afford a house to fit their families, the associated mil levy can make a big difference in the monthly payment, and whether or not they can make it work. Additionally, if they paid more for the house than the last owner, they can anticipate a tax increase in the near future.

High taxes is a relative term, so a comparison of 10 counties in SEK are in order. They are: Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Cherokee, Crawford, Labette, Linn, Montgomery, Neosho, and Woodson. Besides geography, these counties have another common denominator: they all lost population from 2010 to 2018, 4.41% as a whole (Bourbon was 3.43%).

Here is the good news for Bourbon County: in 2018, our bond indebtedness was $2.3 million; the average for the 10 counties: $12.9 million. One would think Crawford County would contribute to a higher average, but their number was $2.4 million. Both Anderson and Neosho had indebtedness over $46 million. We are in good shape, relatively speaking.

The bad news: our average mil levy for 2018 was 179.27; the 10 county average was 157.67. The high was Labette at 187.00 (we are number 2, after holding the top spot for several years); the low was Linn at 115.30. On a $100,000, home a Bourbon County resident will pay $1,630, on average; the average Kansan pays $1,370 and the average US resident pays $1,070. We are at a competitive disadvantage, especially if one adds in school bonds and the community college. Commissioners have done what they can to hold the line, but declining population and increasing costs are a toxic mixture.

One of the reasons our mil levy is so high is our assessed valuation is so low. We are over $62 million lower than the 10 county average (only the rural counties of Anderson and Woodson are lower), and total tax collected is $6.7 million below the average.

What can we do? Play offense first: We can afford to issue debt to take care of roads and bridges in our communities. Interest on indebtedness is lower than the rate of inflation, which means it cost more to wait on repairs and improvements compared to borrowing the money now. This will help us attract new residents and businesses.

The defense: look for ways to be more efficient in government services by looking for duplications of effort and expense between jurisdictions in our county, and look for ways to cooperate. We have to get past our parochial divisions and lack of trust; grudges are too expensive and may prove to be ruinous for us. Lower the cost, and lower the mil.

Don’t punish people for building new properties or improving older ones. We have a rebate plan in place, and we need to look for more incentives to encourage real estate investments.

We simply have to look at ourselves differently, and in some cases, change the way we look at our neighbors in this county. Like it or not, our fates are joined at the hip. Let’s realize it and act like it.

Business, Fort Scott

Hedgehog INK Bookstore Expands

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Hedgehog INK employee Lynne Pallaske puts a book in its place on April 26. This area is the fiction area of the bookstore.

Hedgehog INK, 16 S. Main, had no more space for their books.

 

Hedgehog INK is located at 16 S. Main.

Jan and Dick Hedges opened the bookstore in October 2018.

Jan Hedges at the cash register of Hedgehog INK. Masks and sanitizers are available for use to deter the spread of COVID-19. There is also a plastic screen at the cash register.

“We were running out of space for all our books,” Jan Hedges said. “I have wanted a space where I can have author talks, writing groups, reading groups…a space where people can meet for whatever reason.”

So they annexed the back two-story room of the building next door, adjacent to theirs, an approximate 1,200 square foot space, and extended to the back of the current store to make a 9 foot by 16-foot children’s area, she said.

The new space for the children’s area in 9 feet by 16 foot and is located in the rear of the building, just behind the fiction area.

 

The Hedges started the expansion in January 2021.

“It’s a work in progress,” she said.

 

Their plan is to start children’s storytime in September, Jan said.

 

The expanded larger space is for meeting rooms,  and the walls are full of research and reference books.

Jan Hedges walks through the new space for non-fiction and history books. It will be the gathering place for future events. This view is from the mezzanine area.

 

“We were able to save the tin roof and wood floors,” she said. “The building was built in the 1870s.

 

The tin ceilings are original to the 1870s building.

The Hedgehog INC building, and the one next door, are all owned by Jared Leek, who has remodeled these and several other downtown Fort Scott buildings.

 

The Hedges have carved out an office space in the building.

In the mezzanine area of the expanded space is a seating area with large windows to read and relax.

 

There is seating in the mezzanine area for reading a good book.
Jan Hedges stands at the top of the stairs in the reading area.

“With the additional space we are able to spread out our fiction area more, to be able to see them better,” Jan said.

 

Hedgehog INK has a local authors section.

 

The bookstore hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

 

The store also sells local products from area producers and artists.

To see the latest, view their Facebook page.