Dillon Duffy was working as a para-educator at Fort Scott Middle School when he was approached by Danny Brown, the school principal, and Barb Albright, the owner of H & H Agency, to join their team as an agency manager for H & H Agency. Brown was also working at H & H Agency.
“I wanted to get an engagement ring for Abi (now his wife) and needed more money,” he said.
He began selling insurance for H & H in 2016.
In 2018, Shelter Insurance personnel approached him about the opportunity to have his own insurance business.
“Working for myself was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” Duffy said.
In 2020, Duffy completed the Shelter Insurance program to become a full-time agent.
Also in August 2020, Duffy moved his office from downtown to 1711 S. National, Suite C., just behind Dominos Pizza.
Shelter Insurance, 1711 S. National Avenue, Suite C. Submitted photo.
He provides all insurance services: auto, home, health, life, and business.
“We take care of it, here at Shelter,” he said. “In addition, we do have Progressive, Bristol-West, and Dairyland Insurance. I sell for these companies.”
He likes the business because he is “people-oriented and I like to serve the community,” he said.
Duffy is an assistant basketball coach at Fort Scott Middle School.
He and his wife, Abigail, now have an almost two years old daughter, Emalynn.
Emalynn, Abigail, and Dillon Duffy. Submitted photos.
In addition, his family is a part of congregants at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
Hours of the business are 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. during basketball season he said. Outside of basketball season, the business hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Duffy can be reached at 620-223-4110 or his cell at 417-214-4282.
After the COVID-19 Pandemic frees meetings up a bit, he will have a Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Open House at the new site, he said.
Also, when the pandemic ends, the conference room in his office will be available for public use, he said.
Jennifer Yarsulik, Broker/Owner of Stutesman’s Action Realty, founded the business in 1992. Stutesman’s Action Realty was established on honesty, professionalism, treating all people fairly, and providing the absolute best service in the area.
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!
Call the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce 620.223.3566
Upcoming Chamber Coffee Schedule
February 4th “OPEN” Call the Chamber to schedule
February 11th hosted by Sunshine Boutique
February 18th “OPEN” Call the Chamber to schedule
February 25th hosted by Ascension Via Christi ER Dept. celebrating 2nd yr in FS, Drive-Thru Chamber Coffee
March 4th “OPEN” Call the Chamber to schedule
March 11th “OPEN” Call the Chamber to schedule
March 18th hosted by Briggs Auto of FS – Celebrating Birthday week Anniversary (6 years)
Tedena Tucker, a senior branch office administrator in the Fort Scott office of the financial services firm Edward Jones, recently announced her retirement after thirty years of service with the firm.
Tucker’s retirement becomes effective February 26th, 2021. Don Savage will replace Tucker.
“When I joined this firm thirty years ago, I knew I was making the right decision,” said Tucker. “Now I can say that I truly enjoyed working with the people of this community in helping Jamie Armstrong serve their financial needs.”
A branch office administrator is responsible for the daily operation of an Edward Jones office. This includes providing top-notch client service, supporting marketing activities for the office and staying updated on technological advances.
“Tedena has been my right arm,” Armstrong said. “Not only has she been responsible for the daily operation of our branch, but she has worked closely with our clients.”
To celebrate Tedena’s contribution to the clients served by Armstrong’s branch office, the branch is hosting a “card shower.” Clients, friends and colleagues are invited to send a retirement card to Tedena at the branch, located at 1713 S National, Fort Scott, KS 66701 between February 1 – February 25th, 2021.
Edward Jones, a Fortune 500 company headquartered in St. Louis, provides financial services in the U.S. and, through its affiliate, in Canada. Every aspect of the firm’s business, from the investments offered to the location of branch offices, caters to individual investors. The firm’s 19,000-plus financial advisors serve more than 7 million clients with a total of $1.5 trillion in client assets under care. Visit edwardjones.com or the recruiting website at careers.edwardjones.com. Member SIPC.
Esthetician Hallie Grillot holds a gift certificate for her facial services. Submitted photos.
Esthetician Hallie Grillot, 20, opened a new business in September 2020.
An esthetician is a workerskilled in givingbeautytreatments, according to the Free Dictionary.
Her business, Pure Skin Esthetics, is located inside Healing Hands Therapeutic Massage and Salon, at 117 E. National Avenue.
“I always had a passion for beauty and wellness so i wanted a career which incorporated that,” Grillot said. “I knew in my heart esthetics would be a great fit for me! It’s a very emotionally rewarding profession. Making people look good also makes them feel good; which in turn, makes me feel good. I love what I do, and it shows through my work. I am lucky to have found a career that I love so much.
Grillot graduated from Fort Scott High School in 2019, then attended Bellus Academy, Manhattan, for esthetics. Her parents are Dale and Vonnie Rickerson.
In addition, she is a full-time student at Fort Scott Community College, working towards obtaining a business degree.
“I perform cosmetic skin treatments, facials ranging from $30- $75- such as hydro, aromatherapy, anti-aging, acne treatment, chemical peels. I also offer body treatments, and waxing.”
For Valentine’s Day, Grillot is offering a “love your skin special.”
“It’s 20% off discount code through the whole month of February – Use the code “LOVE” when book your appointment online!
GUIDED TOURS OF THE FORT DAILY, 10 AM & 1 PMThe Fort Scott National Historic Site is open daily 8 am-5 pm for touring on your own, but arrive at 10 am or 1 pm on any day and take advantage of a guided tour with a park ranger! The guided tour lasts approx. 1 hour.
1/23 – Pickleball from 8-10 am at Buck Run, open to anyone wanting to play! Always check the FB Group page here for any location changes or cancelations. Tuesday, Thursday & Saturdays
1/22-23 – Livestock sale at the Fort Scott Livestock Market, both Friday & Saturday, click here for their FB page.
1/22 – Karaoke Friday Nights at The Boiler Room Brewhaus! Experience or beginners, it does not matter! Let’s have some fun with music & drinks! Click here for their FB page.
1/24 – Kansas City Chiefs play at 5:40 pm, watch the game, or order carryout from a local restaurant! See below for Luther’s BBQ Tailgate Package! Holmtown Pub, Sharky’s, Luther’s & other restaurants will be open for the game, click here for our restaurant member listing.
1/26-28 – KANSASWORKS Virtual Job Fair, click here for flyer.
1/28 – Chamber Coffee, 8am, to be hosted by Stutesman’s Action Realty at one of their commercial listings, 306 E. 23rd St.
1/29 – National Kansas Day, Local retailers and restaurants will be participating in this celebration by giving a 10% Discount off your purchase for shopping or dining by wearing any Kansas or Sunflower attire! Look for the Participating Flyer.
1/30 – Real Estate & Personal Property Auction of the Roxine Poznich Trust, 10am, 1519 E. Pine St. by Chamber member Anderson Auction Service. Click here for all the info.
Radio Auction by KOMB FM 103.9 every Thursday & Friday through February at 2 pm! Get your bid # and view the items on their website here. In addition to calling in your bid, you can also bid online this year and even “Buy it Now” ~ or bid by text to 620-724-7962.
FITNESS FOR EVERYONE IN FS!
Many fitness options are available…
SPIN classes now offered by Smallville Athletics, every Mon & Wed at 5:15 pm, and Tues & Thurs at 6 pm. $5/class or $50/mo. unlimited.
Total Body Fitnesswith Karen Reinbolt at Buck Run Community Center, Mon & Wed 8:15 am $20 for 8-week session.
Zumba with Monalynn Decker at Buck Run, Mon, Wed, Fri 6 pm, $40 for a 12-week session.
Indoor Fitness/Gyms at I AM Rehab + Fitness, Smallville Athletics, and Buck Run!
The Chamber posts a “JOB OF THE DAY” posting on our Social Media accounts as requested by area employers or as we notice them in the newspaper and various employment websites.
Shop local retailers celebrating Kansas Day, January 29th, 2021
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces participating retailers and restaurants will be offering a shopping promotion to celebrate Kansas Day on Friday, January 29th. Patrons wearing apparel with Kansas or a sunflower will receive 10% off their purchase. Participating stores will have a Kansas Day poster in their place of business.
Kansas Day commemorates The Sunflower State being the 34th state to enter the Union in 1861. The Chamber encourages shoppers to celebrate Kansas Day and thank a local store owner for doing business in our great state.
In addition to this local shopping promotion organized by the Chamber, Kansas Tourism invites Kansans to Give a Toast to the Sunflower State on Kansas Day and post their own tribute to the 34th state to social media using the hashtag #ToTheStarsKS
Contact the Chamber for more information at 620-223-3566.
The Rennet Studio building is being renovated for new occupants. Submitted photos.
Diane and Dean Striler recently purchased the Rennet Studio building, 6 N. Main, which includes the loft above.
Diane and Dean Striler, owners of the Rennet Studio building, 6 N. Main. Submitted photos.
The building is located between Fort Scott Family Dental and Papa Don’s Restaurant.
They have begun renovating the building for three office spaces.
Renovation of the interior of the Rennet Studio building. Submitted photos.
“We started looking for a downtown building in November and closed the purchase on December 3,” she said.
“The main reason for this purchase is that Dean and I have wanted to invest in the Fort Scott community,” Diane said. “After purchasing our home at Fort Scott Lake in July of 2014, we had often discussed the idea of ending up in Fort Scott as our full-time home.”
“We are living full-time in Fort Scott but still have a home in Lenexa,” she said.
“We feel that there is a lot of potential in the downtown area and see how it is expanding and growing,” she said. “We enjoy the history of the town, the people we have met, and love the quaint atmosphere of the community. We feel that purchasing the Rennet Studio would be a great way to start investing in the community.”
After the Striler’s decided to invest in a downtown building, they looked at a few and then placed an offer on the Rennet Studio, she said.
“Although the main floor of the building had not been occupied for quite a while, we were impressed that the building was in such great shape,” Diane said. “Obviously the owners of the building, the Barnett family, had taken great care of it.”
“It also has a full finished basement that is lined with cinder blocks, had extra cement poured, and has a vinyl floor,” she said. ” We were also very excited about the loft apartment above the retail area. This part of the building really appealed to us because of the tall ceilings, old woodwork, and transom windows above the tall doors.”
Renovation of the interior of the newly purchased building is on-going. Submitted photos.
After purchase, they started working on some exterior repairs to the building.
The new roof portion of the Rennet Studio is completed. Submitted photos.
“We started with getting the front brick power washed,” Diane said. “It was amazing to see the difference in the before and after pictures. The brick on the upper portion of the building had an orange tint to it and now is redder and much brighter. We are waiting to also have some tuck work done to the brick on the upper portion.”
” We have picked out some new paint colors for the front of the building and have submitted them for approval from the City Historic Design Board,” she said. “Last week we had a new roof put on the back portion of the building. That was badly needed and we are happy to have that done.”
The Striler’s are currently renovating the main floor of the building in preparation for new occupants. Submitted photos.
New Tenet Ready To Move In
The main front area of the building will be leased to the Fort Scott Tribune Newspaper, currently at 22 N. Main.
“We have been working with them to update the area they will be in,” she said. “Everything is being painted, we’ve had some trim work to do, and new flooring is being put in. The paper is working on the transition and would like to be up and running in our building by the beginning of February. ”
Additional Office Spaces
“My husband, Dean, will also have an office in the rear of the main floor,” she said. “We were able to close off a wall so that he has a separate entrance to his office.”
“Dean is the Senior Vice President of Sales for Zephyr Ventilation, she said. “The company manufactures residential hoods to go over cooking appliances along with beverage units and wine storage units.”
“We have an additional 700 square feet of commercial/office space that we have available to rent out that will include a break room and restroom,” Diane said.
“Once we complete updating the main level, Dean and I will start working on the apartment loft above,” she said. “We are planning to keep as much of the original woodworking as possible and are going to try to refinish the original hardwood floors.”
Seller’s Market
Diane is a realtor for Front Door Real Estate, with Jared Leek as the broker.
It is a seller’s market, she said.
” I am finding that with the current conditions, I am receiving calls from all over,” she said. “People from other states are wanting to come back to the Midwest for a calmer way of life and are enquiring about the properties that I have listed.”
“Housing is one thing that Fort Scott definitely could use more of, and there is a shortage of what is for sale,” she said.
” As a result, I am trying to find additional properties that are not being occupied, and could be put to good use for a family in need,” she said. “If anyone knows of any properties like this, I would greatly appreciate it if you would reach out to me.”
Diane Striler’s contact: 620-878-3630 or
248-568-7790
Chamber Coffee & Ribbon Cutting Announced for the Star Emporium Downtown General Store
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee and Ribbon Cutting ceremony this Thursday, January 21st at 8 a.m. to celebrate the grand opening of the Star Emporium General Store, 17 S. Main St. Coffee, juice and light refreshments will be served.
Star Emporium is a unique grocery store offering specialty and private label products in addition to staple foods and household necessities. The store also features meat, produce, ice cream and other items made locally or within the region and offers a salad bar and deli with limited seating to dine-in or carry-out.
Business owner Bill Michaud of BAJA Investments and team are excited to provide this service to the Downtown Historic District and the community. Through an agreement with Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, the store will soon provide food storage space and delivery programs to address food insecurities.
Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information.
The Hare and Crow Barber Shop, 118 S. Main, will be open in the summer of 2021. Submitted photos.
Matt Park,, owner of the Hare and Crow Barbershop, 118 S. Main. Submitted photos.
Matt Park is the sole owner of the new barbershop located at 118 S Main Street, which will open this summer.
Hare & Crow is the name of the business.
“Hare & Crow will be a full-service barbershop offering haircuts for men and boys, beard and mustache trims, and hot lather razor shaves,” Park said. “Our aim is to bring back the barbershop experiences of a bygone era reminiscent of the 1900’s architecture and small-town charm Fort Scott is built on.”
He sees it as also a gathering place for the community.
“This will be a place to sit and chew the fat with friends and neighbors whether you need a haircut or not—loafers are more than welcome,” Park said. “Our space will be comfortable and inviting with a lounge feel for those waiting for their turn in the chair.”
“We plan to sell some retail items; mostly related to men’s hair and grooming, but hope to offer other items such as locally roasted coffee, chocolates, and handmade wood and leather goods from local and regional artisans,” he said. ” We hope to incorporate a curated selection of books, music and art too.”
“I am currently in school at Headlines Barber Academy up in Kansas City, on the Kansas side,” Park said. “It’s a bit of a commute, but it’s the closest barber school to Fort Scott.”
He and his wife, Krista, have three daughters and one son.
“I cut all of their hair and have been known to cut my wife’s hair as well,” he said. “So, women and girls are welcome too.”
Why Fort Scott?
“My wife, Krista, and I both grew up in the Midwest,” he said. ” We met at school not too far from here in Bolivar, MO.”
“Krista spent many summers during her childhood visiting her grandmother in Fort Scott and she had so many fond memories of those visits,” he said. ” In July of 2019, we experienced a loss in the family that left us questioning our distance from family. We spent the majority of our marriage living in the South and were ready to come home.”
“Helen Carson is my wife’s maternal grandmother,” he said. “Helen has lived here most of her life and once owned Helen’s Hilltop Fabrics. Her family has been in the area going back several generations.”
“We wanted to move to a small town where we could raise our four children with a little less noise and start a business that would serve the local community,” Park said. “As we began contemplating a move back to the Midwest, Fort Scott stood out to us as a place to slow down a bit, embrace our heritage here and put down lasting roots closer to family. We moved here in July 2020 from Tennessee and this place already feels more like home than anywhere we’ve lived over the last 15 years.”
Reading a book formed a new business idea.
“About the same time we started talking about moving, I read a book by Wendell Berry called Jayber Crow written from the perspective of a barber in a small town,” Park said. “That story was so formative for me that I began looking into the profession of barbering.”
“When we landed on the decision to move to Fort Scott and realized there was no longer a barber in town, we began looking into schools in the area and I enrolled shortly after we moved to town,” he said.
Why the name Hare & Crow?
“I wanted to tip my hat to Wendell Berry’s book, Jayber Crow, because it was so formative for me,” Park said. “Hare really just started out as a play on words suggested by my brother in-law. I was concerned naming the place Crow’s barbershop might be confusing because my name isn’t Crow. So, I started looking for characters in other stories and when Hare was suggested it just fit the idea of storied characters. It almost has a fable-like ring to it. ”
They are loft dwellers in downtown Fort Scott.
“We bought a building downtown on Main Street, live upstairs and plan to open our shop in the storefront on the ground floor,” he said. “We are eager to open our little shop and become part of the fabric of this community. Once I complete school and receive my barbering license we’ll be ready to open our doors this summer.”
The Bartelsmeyer’s loft apartment is above the Fort Scott Tribune Newspaper office at 22 N. Main.
The local jeweler is relocating his business to downtown Fort Scott.
John and Cindy Bartelsmeyer are the owners of Bartelsmeyer Jewelers, which is currently located at 1519 S. National.
They are moving the shop to 22 N. Main in late spring or early summer 2021.
“We like our current location at 1519 S. National,” John said. “We own the building at 22 N. Main and because we wish to promote the growth and renewal of downtown Fort Scott, we decided to relocate. We believe Fort Scott will soon be the hub of tourism in Southeast Kansas.”
At their new location, the Bartelsmeyer’s will continue selling fine jewelry including engagement rings, wedding bands, anniversary rings, diamond pendants, custom designs, sterling silver jewelry, watches, clocks, and other gift items, he said.
John will continue with jewelry repairs, and an employee will be continuing custom design and engraving.
“Krysta Hulbert does most of the custom designs, she’s a great artist, and (also does)engraving,” Cindy said. “Krysta also does minor jewelry repairs and ring sizing.”
The Fort Scott Tribune newspaper is currently located at 22 N. Main and will be moving to the Rennett Studio building just down the street to the south.
Loft Living Downtown
The Bartelsmeyer’s have been residents of downtown Fort Scott since 2019, she said.
“We have completely renovated the second floor and added a deck and master bedroom, ” Cindy said. “We added an elevator, a garage, and a workshop.”
“The building was purchased in 2014,” she said.
Renovation began in the spring of 2014 and is on-going as there is continued building updates each year.”
They said there are benefits to living downtown.
“We love living downtown,” Cindy said. ” We have beautiful views of from our windows of the continuous activity on Main Street, the Fort Scott National Historic Site, and North National Avenue.”
“We are within walking distance of restaurants, a coffee shop, a bakery, a brewery, a hardware store, great shopping opportunities, the post office, banks, and a new grocery store,” she said. ” We can observe beautiful sunrises from our front east-facing windows and sunsets from our the deck on the west side of the building.”
“The development and renewal of downtown Fort Scott has been fun to watch and we are happy to participate in contributing to the history of our community by the restoration of our building,” Cindy said.
Current jewelry store employees are the Bartelsmeyers, Hulbert, Julie Kibble, Jenna Bond, and Yvonne Holloway.
Bartelsmeyer Jewelry is currently located at 1519 S. National.
GUIDED TOURS OF THE FORT DAILY, 10AM &1PMThe 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.
1/15 – Ghetto’s Tacos food truck at the Boiler Room Brewhaus, 5-8pm, Taco truck extraordinaire! Bring your appetite and the brewery will provide the beer/margaritas! Corner of Wall & National. Click here for FB event.
1/15 – Live music by Alyssa Galvan, 7-9pm, click here for FB event.
1/15-16 – Livestock sale at the Fort Scott Livestock Market, both Friday & Saturday, click here for their FB page.
1/16 – Pickleball from 8-10am at Buck Run, open to anyone wanting to play! Always check the FB Group page here for any location changes or cancelations.
1/16 – Lake Fort Scott Advisory Meeting, 9am at City Hall, the meeting is open to the public and can also be viewed on YouTube, City of Fort Scott channel.
1/17 – Kansas City Chiefs play at 2pm, watch the game or order carryout from a local restaurant! See below for Luther’s BBQ Tailgate Package! Holmtown Pub, Sharky’s, Luther’s & other restaurants will be open for the game, click here for our restaurant member listing.
1/18 – Indoor Whiffle Ball at Buck Run for kids while they are out of school, ages 7-12, 10-11:30am, call 620-223-0386 for more info.
1/18 – Virtual Lunch & Learn for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by the Gordon Parks Museum, 12-1pm, Dr. Carmaletta Williams presenting “Free Did Not Mean Welcome”, registration required, register here.
1/18 – The Gordon Parks Museum will be open for touring from 9am-5pm, on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton. Click here for their website.
1/21-22 – Radio Auction by KOMB FM 103.9 every Thursday & Friday through February at 2pm! Get your bid # and view the items on their website here. In addition to calling in your bid, you can also bid online this year and even “Buy it Now” ~ or bid by text to 620-724-7962.
FITNESS FOR EVERYONE IN FS!
Many fitness options available…
SPIN classes now offered by Smallville Athletics, every Mon & Wed at 5:15pm, and Tues & Thurs at 6pm. $5/class or $50/mo. unlimited.
Total Body Fitnesswith Karen Reinbolt at Buck Run Community Center, Mon & Wed 8:15am, $20 for 8-week session.
Zumba with Monalynn Decker at Buck Run, Mon, Wed, Fri 6pm, $40 for 12-week session.
Indoor Fitness/Gyms at I AM Rehab + Fitness, Smallville Athletics, and Buck Run!
Mayra and Jose Montanez in front of the building they purchased at 118 E. Wall in December 2020. Submitted photos.
An Overland Park barber’s family was impressed with the homes and brick streets of Fort Scott when they would shop here.
“We have a property in Mound City and drive to Fort Scott to shop,” Jose Montanez said. “We fell in love with the old Victorian homes and streets like cobblestones.”
The family was from Puerto Rico and lived in Boston for some time, he said.
“This kind of felt like home,” Jose said.
“We are excited,” he said. “We started our business 20 years ago, and are excited to start again in Fort Scott.”
“We are hoping, God willing, to provide modern cuts with ‘old school’ vibes,” Jose said. “Old school razor cuts, hot lather shaves.”
He currently owns a barber business in Overland Park, while living in Shawnee.
“There is a barbershop on about every corner, here,” Jose said.
Currently, Fort Scott has no downtown barbershops.
When the family purchased the building for the new shop at 118 E. Wall, in December 2020, they also purchased a home in Fort Scott.
“We are hoping to be here full-time in the spring,” Jose said.
The building at 118 E. Wall that the Montanez family purchased. It is west of the Hole in the Wall Liquor Store. Submitted photos.
“We are going to make Fort Scott our home,” he said.
He, his wife, Mayra, and their daughter, Jay, and son, Giancarlo, will all be moving to Fort Scott.
Jay Montanez giving a haircut at the family barbershop in Overland Park. Submitted photos.
Jay and Giancarlo are also barbers.
Giancarlo Montanez giving a beard trim at the family barbershop in Overland Park. Submitted photos.Photo of Jose Montanez’s barbershop in Overland Park. Submitted photos.A three-chair family barbershop is coming to Fort Scott. This a photo of the Montanez business in Overland Park. Submitted photos.
“There will be a three-chair barbershop in Fort Scott,” Jose said.
“We are tying up loose ends in Overland Park,” he said. “We will be coming to Fort Scott every weekend, also prepping our house to sell (in Shawnee).”
Jose Montanez giving a shave with a straight razor at his family barbershop in Overland Park. Submitted photos.
Tedena Tucker Announces Retirement
