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Category Archives: Business
What’s Happening In Fort Scott By The Chamber of Commerce
UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS – MAY 2020
MANY RESTAURANTS ARE NOW OPEN FOR
DINE-IN AND OFFERING CURB-SIDE & DELIVERY!
8 – Corona Cruise Night – cruise National Ave. with your family starting at 7pm! Cruise runs back and forth between 6th and 18th Streets. Click here for Facebook event.
8 – Fort Cinema serving Cruise Night concessions from 5 to 8pm, click here for Facebook event.
9 – Fort Scott Farmers’ Market on Skubitz Plaza in front of the Fort, 8am to noon. Bourbon County Master Gardener’s will also be having their annual plant sale.
9 – Iron Star Antiques & Such special on the popular Myra bags, treat your mother with a Myra purse or bag of all sizes and different designs with a special of 10% off.
9 – Live music at the Boiler Room Brewhaus, corner of Wall & National, 7 to 9pm. Enjoy Wade D. Brown while enjoying some craft beer, or other alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages, snacks available, or have your own food delivered! No cover charge, tips encouraged. Due to the virus only a limited number will be allowed in, so come early for a seat.
10 – Country Place Living on Horton invites you to a Mother’s Day Drive-thru Parade from 10 – 10:30am, see below for more info.
10 – Boiler Room Brewhaus brings back Trivia night for teams of 2 to 6 people, $5 entry per team, 5-7pm
THIS WEEKEND – Courtland Hotel & Spa invites you to treat your Mother, or maybe yourself, to a gift card for some personal service specials. See below for more details!
SAVE THE DATE!
12 – 1/2 Price Plant Sale at Tri-Valley Developmental Services, see more info. below.
16 – Perry’s Pork Rinds & Blue Spoon Pop-up Shop at Tractor’s Supply, 10am-7pm, click here for Facebook event.
Fort Scott Farmer’s Market Continues on Saturdays and Tuesdays
The Fort Scott Farmer’s Market will continue on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon and Tuesdays from 4-6 p.m. at Skubitz Plaza, directly in front of the Fort Scott National Historic Site.
This farmer run market provides a friendly, safe, and fair local market of fresh locally produced items for the community, according to its’ Facebook page.
Linda Bower and husband Chet, have been involved in the market for 25 years she said.
Things will be a little different in 2020 with the pandemic in that social distancing will be maintained, Bower said.
“The public health nurse, Becky Johnson, has OK’d the farmer’s market,” she said. “We have to do social distancing. Masks are optional. Hand sanitizers will be available.”
The Bowers will be bringing spring harvested food produce.
“We will be bringing broccoli, onions, lettuce, spinach, and radishes,” she said.
The Fort Scott Garden Club will have their annual plant sale this Saturday, May 9.
Other vendors are:
R and B Produce, owners Ronnie and Beverly Brown, will be selling nuts and nut bread: (pumpkin, banana, poppy seed, apple nut), caramel rolls, jelly, and salsa.
Locust Hill Lamanchas, owner Sue Reinecke and family, will be selling goat’s milk products: soap, lotion, body cream, all-natural deodorant, and candles.
Micki Kraft will be bringing fabric facemasks in three sizes-$3 each. and also aprons (kids and adults), kitchen towels, hot pads, dish rags, and microwave potato bags.
Leta Herboldsherimer will be selling baked goods, pot holders, and dish rags.
Some Amish families will be selling plants and a new vendor will be selling glassware yard decor, Bower said.
To learn more about becoming a vendor, please click the application and guidelines here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tmtWzbD4woEHX7618JRrH2xvuouv08Pl/view?usp=sharing
Plant Sale at Tri-Valley Greenhouse May 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Help For Small Businesses in the County With Inventory and Capital
Bourbon County businesses with under 50 employees may soon apply for grant funds because of the financial effects of the pandemic.
These grants will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
Rural small businesses should contact the county economic development director, who will apply for the grant.
“We are exploring business needs, outside of Fort Scott City limits, for the CDBG-CV grant opportunity, Hoenor said. “The goal of the grant is job retention. We are looking for all business in the county, outside of Fort Scott city limits, with 1 to 50 employees who have been impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic. Funding can be used for inventory or working capital needed to reopen or help keep a business operating. “
“The City of Fort Scott will have the opportunity to apply for funding if they have used all their current funding,” she said.
Contact Hoener at [email protected] to get a business included in the grant application.
Under the Corona Virus Aid and Economic Security Act (CARES), Kansas will receive an additional $9 million in Community Development Block Grant funds to be used exclusively to support projects related to combating the impact of COVID-19, according to a press release from Hoenor.
Hoenor received notice of a public hearing yesterday and attended online.
The following is an email interview with Hoenor regarding the grants for small businesses in the county.
Who is the target for the grant?
There are four proposed activities with this specific grant. At this point, we are focusing on businesses with fewer than 50 employees.
What benefits will the grant give the applicant?
Applicants can use the grant funding for inventory or working capital needs.
What is the application process?
The county will apply for grant funds, identifying a general number of businesses we intend to help in our grant application.
Grant means no payback, right?
We have not seen the specific requirements but grants typically mean they do not have to pay it back unless the recipient does not fulfill the obligations the grant was intended for.
What is the timeline?
We were told the applications process will be online and hope to have available next week. It will be first come first serve.
County Seeking Businesses That Need Funding Due to COVID 19 For Grant
Bourbon County Economic Director Jody Hoenor is exploring business needs, outside of Fort Scott City limits, for the CDBG-CV grant opportunity. The goal of the grant is job retention.
” We are looking for all business in the county, outside of Fort Scott city limits, with 1 to 50 employees who have been impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic. Funding can be used for inventory or working capital needed to reopen or help keep a business operating.”
“The City of Fort Scott will have opportunity to apply for funding if they have used all their current funding.” she said in a press release.
Please share and reach out to Jody Hoener, [email protected]
“So we can be sure to get your business included in our grant application,” she said.
Food + Cotton Candy and Snowcones: Sunshine Shack
Shayla Knight is a mother of six children and has a food trailer business that she started last year.
She has reopened her business, Sunshine Shack LLC in her driveway at 606 Sherman in Uniontown.
“It’s convenient with the kids,” Knight said. “They can be with mom while I’m working.
She also has the help of husband Kyle Knight, she said. “This is our home base address.”
Kyle works for the City of Fort Scott during the day.
“I have been in the food industry for 10 plus years,” Shayla said. “Ranging from fast food, fine dining, and schools. I enjoy serving the community and customer service is a high priority for me! I love to chit chat! “
She started her business in April 2019.
“My food trailer has the ability to move wherever I would need to be such as fairs, festivals, and other community events,” she said.
Sunshine Shack is currently open from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and closed on Sundays,” she said. This is… subject to change as we hope to attend some events throughout the season.”
“We are currently looking at the possibility of catering our fun stuff like cotton candy and snow cones for birthday parties,” she said.
When social distancing is over the Knights will provide a few picnic tables for people to sit and enjoy their food on the property, but not currently, she said.
The business Facebook page is Sunshine Shack LLC, or call 620-224-8493.
Pandemic guidelines especially important as businesses re-open
This news release from K-State Research and Extension is available online at www.ksre.k-state.edu/news/stories/2020/05/pandemic-guidelines-for-reopening-businesses.html
K-State expert outlines key tips during webinar for Kansas small business owners
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Many of the guidelines that helped Americans get through the COVID-19 pandemic over the past two months will serve as a good guide as businesses throughout the country slowly begin to re-open their doors.
In fact, Londa Nwadike, a food safety specialist with K-State Research and Extension whose academic background is in public health, says avoiding close contact with others and washing your hands regularly will become even more important as Americans begin moving about more regularly.
“Ensure that you are following all guidance, especially as it is being provided by your local public health department,” said Nwadike, who holds a dual extension appointment with Kansas State University and the University of Missouri.
On April 30, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced a phased re-opening of the state’s economy, which continued to emphasize the importance of the six-foot social distancing guideline, and washing hands with soap and water. Kelly’s plan also encourages wearing face masks in public settings and staying home if you feel sick.
Nwadike spoke May 1 during a First Friday webinar hosted by K-State Research and Extension and targeted for Kansas business owners. Among the advice she shared:
- Listen to workers and customers regarding their concerns.
- Communicate your plans with workers, stakeholders and customers.
- Evaluate your situation and implement appropriate steps for re-opening.
“Business owners should actively encourage sick employees to stay home,” Nwadike said, adding that other steps businesses can take include providing protective equipment (face coverings and gloves, for example), providing tissues and trash cans, installing plexi-glass shields for cashiers, and other modifications specific to the business – such as additional space between restaurant tables.
Additional steps that businesses can take, some of which have already been seen in stores that were able to stay open in March and April, include:
- Disinfecting cart handles.
- Encouraging sick customers to not come in.
- Providing sanitizing wipes for customers.
- Placing marks on the floor near checkout areas to guide social distancing.
- Monitoring the number of people in the building.
- Cleaning and stocking bathrooms more frequently.
- Cleaning frequently touched surfaces often, such as door handles, shelves and the credit card terminal.
Nwadike said those practices are important since coronaviruses such as the new strain that causes COVID-19 are generally spread person-to-person through respiratory droplets. It is also thought that it may be possible to get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object with the virus on it, and then touching one’s mouth, nose or eyes – though, she adds, “this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.”
“Encourage your customers to shop with their eyes, not their hands,” Nwadike said. “The more we can keep people from touching shelves and products, the less likely we will pick up a virus.”
Nwadike cited a guide being distributed in the Kansas City area that provides good advice for businesses of all sizes. While the information is geared toward the greater Kansas City area, it is a good resource for all business, Nwadike said.
Nwadike and colleague Karen Blakeslee also have published a website, Food Safety and COVID-19, providing numerous resources outlining safe practices related to COVID-19.
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FOR PRINT PUBLICATIONS: Links used in this story
Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas, https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Reopen-Kansas-Framework.pdf
#SafeReturnKC, https://bit.ly/SafeReturnKC
Food Safety and COVID-19 (K-State Research and Extension), www.ksre.k-state.edu/foodsafety/topics/covid19.html
K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county extension offices, experiment fields, area extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan. For more information, visit www.ksre.ksu.edu
This news release from K-State Research and Extension is available online at www.ksre.k-state.edu/news/stories/2020/05/pandemic-guidelines-for-reopening-businesses.html
Sunshine Boutique Reopens Today Showing-Off Expansion
Sunshine Boutique has added space to their shop at 18 E. Wall and now has a storefront at 2 S. Main that is connected to it.
It is a small, family-run business with a wide variety of goods and services.
“We do fresh and silk flowers for all occasions, tuxedo rentals, decor, gourmet foods and coffees, clothing, jewelry, candles, and more,” Rillie Creollo, store manager, said.
Creollo is the grand-daughter of Georgia Brown, the store owner of the long-time boutique in downtown Fort Scott.
“We offer our community a friendly and personable place to hang out and shop,” Creollo said.
“2 S Main is the new addition and we are having a soft opening on Monday (today),” she said. “To keep ourselves and our customers safe we will be practicing social distancing and scheduling times to sanitize throughout the day.”
“We expanded to introduce some new inventory and give us and our customers a little more breathing room while shopping,” Creollo said.
Submitted photo.
The store manager has added new items during the expansion.
“A whole new line of clothing including Kancan jeans, crystals, plants, candles, sage, hand-blown crystal orbs, and Doterra essential oils,” Creollo said.
Operating hours will be Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Before and after hour appointments are available upon request.
To contact the store: 620-223-6007
Kansas Consumers’ Shopping Survey
Survey to Evaluate Kansas Consumers’ Shopping Practices
and Awareness of From the Land of Kansas Program
MANHATTAN, Kansas — The Kansas Department of Agriculture’s state trademark program From the Land of Kansas has released a public survey asking consumers about their shopping practices and preferences. Recent events have reminded all of us about the importance of local foods. This survey is seeking feedback from Kansas consumers on what they are looking for and how we can help them find local foods. The survey, which takes less than five minutes to complete, will inform the program’s efforts to better promote and celebrate agricultural experiences and products grown, raised or produced in the state of Kansas.
Participants who complete the survey will be entered in a gift basket drawing. The gift baskets contain a variety of Kansas grown or made products, valuing over $100. Three winners will be selected and notified in early June via the contact information they provide at the end of the survey.
Any Kansas resident is eligible and encouraged to take the survey at surveymonkey.com/r/KS-consumers.
From the Land of Kansas is designed to promote and celebrate agricultural experiences and products grown, raised or produced in Kansas. The program offers an array of incentives to Kansas companies — big and small — who grow, raise or produce products in the state. For questions about the survey, please contact Janelle Dobbins, marketing manager of the From the Land of Kansas program, at 785-564-6759 or [email protected].
Kenny Felt Photography Has New Digs
Kenny Felt Photography’s new address is 10 E. Wall St.
He is moving from a small studio on Main Street, around the corner.
“When I moved into the old location, it was really only meant to last until I found a bigger space,” Felt said. “It worked well for newborns and seniors but I really needed more space.”
Having the larger space will allow Felt to accommodate large groups and families “as well as expand on what I can do creatively in the studio.”
Felt has memories of this particular building.
“I’ve loved this building on Wall Street since 2001 when I began working at the Fort Scott Tribune as a photographer,” he said. “
“I sort of grew up here as a college student. My first job out of high school was as a photojournalist for the paper even though I had barely any knowledge of how to work a camera. Through a lot of dumb luck, I fell into photography and have loved it ever since. Even after leaving the Tribune, I regularly photographed subjects throughout the various open areas in the building. it’s always had great light coming through the large windows. Now that it’s been given new life, I’m excited to see what happens! “
Felt is impressed with the renovation project of Jennifer LaRoche.
“When I heard about the plans for renovation I had high hopes for what it would turn into but never did I imagine it would’ve turned out as beautiful as it has,” he said. ” It’s unreal how beautiful everything is.”
Felt can be reached by phone a 620-719-0249. His website is www.kennyfelt.com OR he can be found on Facebook or Instagram @kennyfelt
Felt provides all sorts of photography services.
“I do all varieties of photography but specialize in seniors pictures, weddings and newborns,” he said.
Sunshine Shack Open in Uniontown
Sunshine Shack has opened their new season with a new menu and new hours, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The food truck is located at 606 Sherman in Uniontown.
