Brickstreet BBQ is at the corner of National Avenue and Oak Street just northwest of downtown Fort Scott. Oak Street turns into Old Fort Blvd. when you cross National going east.
Brickstreet BBQ, at the corner of National Avenue and Oak Street opened yesterday with a Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting.
Alex and Carissa Bowman welcome the crowd that came for the ribbon cutting on May 2.
Owners are Carissa and Alex Bowman.
In an interview, Carissa said they are looking forward to this new venture and “The challenge and excitement of starting something that Alex and I can build together.”
She said they are also looking forward to bringing more job opportunities to Fort Scott. They currently have 60 part-time and full time employees.
Brickstreet BBQ owner Carissa Bowman, left, and Shelby Burdick and Donna Hughes, servers, prepare for the first customers on this opening day.
The service they will be providing to their community is “A sit-down restaurant experience with high quality smoked meats,” she said.
Contact them at 620-224-2425 or on their Facebook page.
In this photo of the ribbon cutting at Brickstreet BBQ, the Bowmans are pictured in the center with family, friends and staff surrounding. At left is the Chamber Chairperson Bailey Lyons and holding the other end of the ribbon is Mayor Matthew Wells.
There was much gratitude expressed in the comments for the opening of this restaurant.
Carissa welcomed and thanked all the family and friends for the support they give.
Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Chairperson Bailey Lyons told the attendees “Thanks for bringing barbecue back to Fort Scott.”
“May this place bring you much return on your investment,” Fort Scott Mayor Matthew Wells said.
The meal was catered by Great Western Dining and Twigs and Berries.
The number of women attending the Fort Scott Community College Women’s Appreciation Luncheon was doubled from last year.
“Pre-pandemic, we had a women’s luncheon every year with between 150 and 200 women in attendance,” said Allie Birket, one of the organizers. “We didn’t have a luncheon in 2020 or 2021, but began again in 2022. Last year’s luncheon numbers were low ,around 70 women attended, but we saw a better turnout this year. We had 114 women attend!
“We plan on having one every year,” she said. ” And we hope attendance continues to rise.”
“This was the first women’s luncheon I’ve planned, so it was a completely new experience,” she said. “The very best part was seeing so many smiling faces! We’re getting a lot of great feedback from the food to the vendors to the décor. Everyone seemed to really enjoy it, and that makes it all worth it! A HUGE shoutout to: FSCC’s Community Relations Committee, who helped plan the event and who volunteered at the event; Great Western Dining who catered the wraps and drinks; Twigs & Berries who catered the sides and desserts; and all of our vendors who helped complete the event. The whole luncheon came together wonderfully, and it wouldn’t have been possible without each and every one of these amazing people.”
“The best part of the luncheon was being able to interact with the community, be that luncheon attendees or vendors,” said Susie Arvidson, one of the organizers. ” It’s wonderful to see women of our community visiting, enjoying a wonderful lunch, and shopping local businesses.”
There were 16 vendors who displayed their services and products at the luncheon:
FSCC Nursing
FSCC Cosmetology
Mary Kay
Jbloom Jewelry
Riggs Chiropractic Fort Scott
Red Aspen
BBCO Health Dept
CHC
Rite On
The Baby Stitch
Erika George Photography
The River Room
Flying P Ranch
Kimberly Demko
SEK Mental Health Center
Desert Blooms Boutique
Business women lined the entrance lobby of the Ellis Art Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College. Women could shop on their way to the serving table.Women visiting during the luncheon.Woman enjoying the meal and conversation at the FSCC Women’s Appreciation Luncheon on April 26.
Ellis Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton.
Fort Scott Community College’s Women’s Appreciation Luncheon is April 26 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Ellis Fine Arts Center, 2108 S. Horton. Please RSVP today, April 25 by 3 p.m.
In addition to lunch, catered by Great Western Dining and Twigs & Berries, there will be door prizes and product displays.
The menu for the event:
Choose one wrap from two selections: Southwest or club (Great Western Dining)
Traditional salad (Twigs & Berries)
Caprese pasta salad (Twigs & Berries)
Sugar cookie fruit pizza (Twigs & Berries)
Rainbow fruit salad (Twigs & Berries)
Cost of the lunch is $5. One can also pay at the door.
“The purpose of the event is to provide a luncheon of good food, great company, and to support local businesses owned by women,” Allie Birket, a Community Relations Committee member said. Birket, who is the assistant to the college president and Susie Arvidson, director of library services, are on the committee.
Vendors are FSCC Nursing Dept., FSCC Cosmetology Dept., Better in Bourbon Clothing, Tupperware, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Jbloom Jewelry, Riggs Chiropractic Fort Scott, Red Aspen, Bourbon County Health Dept., The Baby Stitch, Erica George Photography, The River Room (event center), Flying P Ranch, Kimberly Demko, Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center, Desert Blooms Boutique, Locust Hill Lamanches (goat milk products).
Patrick MacDonald stands in the newly repurposed room of the Gamerz Lodge.
Patrick MacDonald, also known as PatMac, has purchased the building at 16 Scott Avenue and has been working to make the place into a family fun venue with the name of Gamerz Lodge.
“The community asked for a family fun entertainment space and that’s what I’m doing here,” he said. “Roughly 10,000 square feet of fun!”
Patrick moved here from Kansas City last year to invest in Pizza Republic after owning a few pizza businesses over the last 30 years. “I love this community,” he said. “I saw this as a way to give back to the community and invest in Fort Scott. Down here I can make a difference.”
The first floor will be his first focus to show what Gamerz Lodge is about.
“We’ll have a few TVs, arcade games, air hockey, shuffleboard, and pool tables,” MacDonald said. “We’re also introducing a ‘leveled up’ concession stand. Some of your favorites with a ‘PatMac’ twist. There will also be ice cream!”
It will be an events center for small concerts and a place for birthday parties as well.
“People can really use this space for creative classes, meetings, comedy shows, and gatherings,” he said. “It has so much potential.”
The renovation of the building, which most recently housed Darlene’s Collectibles, is a huge undertaking. “It’s a lot to take on for one guy but I’m definitely up for the challenge,” he said. “If there’s an investor out there give me a holler!” he said.
The second floor has a large ballroom and two 30 feet x30 feet rooms. The ballroom held meetings and dances from the days of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, whose emblem is on the outside of the 1924-era building. Some memorabilia still lines the walls.
“The second floor will grow with the business,” he said. “I see cornhole tournaments, VR space, and potentially a putt-putt golf.”
MacDonald also sees the opportunity to create a wedding venue or an Airbnb on this level.
“I see a whole baseball team from LaRoche Stadium could stay here,” he said. “Games, food, and family. What else do you need?”
Patrick McDonald stands in front of the building he purchased at 16 Scott Avenue.
The outside of the building that Patrick MacDonald purchased has the emblem of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the date of the building’s erection, 1924.One of many plaques on the walls of the large room on the second floor of the building that MacDonald purchased.
Earth Day is coming up, which makes it the perfect time to consider how you can reduce food waste. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that 30% to 40% of the food supply in our country goes to waste. This waste has many negative impacts, including on the environment and on your wallet.
How does food waste affect the environment? Consider all of the resources that go into producing food and getting it to your plate. Those resources include energy, labor, land, water, and more. When we waste food, we aren’t just wasting the food itself; we are also wasting all of the resources that went into growing, processing, and transporting that food. Food waste has further negative impacts on the environment once we send it to the landfill. Why? Food rotting in landfills produces methane, which is a greenhouse gas. In addition to helping the environment, reducing food waste can also save you money. The USDA estimates that households can save $370 per person each year by reducing food waste.
So, what can you do? K-State Research and Extension has developed a fact sheet (available at bit.ly/FoodWasteFactSheet) which details steps that consumers can take to reduce food waste. Some of those steps include:
Shop your refrigerator first.
Shop from a list to reduce impulse purchases of food you won’t end up eating.
Store food properly to reduce spoilage. Make sure you have a thermometer in both your refrigerator and in your freezer to ensure these appliances are in good working condition. For quality and safety, the temperature in your refrigerator should be 40°F or less and the temperature in your freezer should be 0°F or less.
When working to reduce food waste, it is also important to remember the following rule: When in doubt, throw it out! If you aren’t sure if food is safe to eat, throw it away.
Want to learn more about how you can prepare food plans to reduce food waste? Join Nutrition, Food and Health Agent Clara Wicoff for a free educational program at the LaHarpe City Hall on April 17th at 6 PM or at the Neosho County Community College Student Union Cafeteria on April 27th at 1:30 PM. Topics covered will include meal planning, reducing a recipe, strategic grocery shopping, proper food storage, and more. Contact Clara with questions at [email protected] or 620-365-2242.
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
The Easter Bunny poses with some fans at the Fort Scott Kiwanis Easter Egg Hunt on April 1 at Gunn Park. Submitted photo.
On April 1, the Fort Scott Kiwanis Club sponsored their annual Easter Egg Hunt in Gunn Park.
Egg hunters begin their search at the Fort Scott Kiwanis Easter Egg Hunt, April 1, 2023. Submitted photos.
Kiwanis members distributed over 1,500 eggs filled with candy, prizes, and coupons from area merchants into the park in areas designated by age groups. Approximately 75 children participated in the event.
Submitted photo.
The Kiwanis sponsors who donated either money, or coupon’s from their place of business are as follows:
The River Room Event Center is located on the second floor.
FORT SCOTT – The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces their 2023 Annual Dinner & Awards Celebration will take place Thursday, April 20th at the River Room Event Center, 3 W. Oak Street in Downtown Fort Scott. The theme this year is “Let’s Get Fired Up and Celebrate Our Community!” where the event will be a fun evening of recognizing businesses, organizations, and individuals who make a great impact on Fort Scott and Bourbon County.
All are welcome to attend, and reservations can be made online at fortscott.com/events or by calling the Chamber at 620-223-3566. The deadline for reservations is Friday, April 14th. The evening will begin with a social hour and silent auction at 5:30pm, followed by dinner, awards, and live auction at 6:30pm. Reservations are $40 for individuals and table pricing for a table of eight is $360. Dinner will be catered by Brickstreet BBQ.
The Chamber is accepting businesses and organizations to decorate tables for advertising and promotion and is also accepting donations for the silent and live auctions. Contact the Chamber at 620-223-3566 or email [email protected] by Friday, April 14th to make reservations.
This year they created a new menu, with the La Prima (rice/chicken/cheese dip) the crowd favorite, Mirna said.
Restaurant hours are Monday-Wednesday from 11 a.m .to 8 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The phone number is 620.223.4400.
They Received A HBCAT Grant Recently
The business couple applied for and received the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team grant for restaurants in the amount of $7,000.
“We applied because the walk-in cooler was down and needed repairs,” she said. They got those repairs and are also ordering a new fryer for the restaurant, she said.
Giving Back To Their Community
The Santanas are involved in the community and have danced in the “Dancing With The Stars” fundraising event to raise funds for United Way, which distributes to many other entities, she said.
“I (also) try to help the organizations that come to us,” Mirna said. “Especially the schools.”
Mirna is originally from El Salvadore, Jose from Mexico.
Teri, 49, and Michael Hamilton, 47, own The Hamilton’s Artisan Bakery.
Their bakery focuses on slow fermented sourdough products using only high quality ingredients, Teri said.
“This process takes up to 72 hours and increases the body’s absorption of nutrients and is a healthier food option for our community,” she said.
They offer a variety of sourdough breads, including original, roasted garlic and rosemary, jalapeno cheese, and even a triple chocolate sourdough loaf. They plan to add new items such as cinnamon rolls, scones, seeded wheat loaves, focaccia, bagels and pretzels, all made from sourdough.
The Hamiltons started their bakery in April 2022 with just a few loaves at a time and have grown their business in the last year, selling up to 100 items each week, she said.
May through October, one can find the business at the Fort Scott Farmer’s Market, located in front of Fort Scott National Historic Site on Skubitz Plaza, Saturdays 8 a.m. – noon and Tuesdays 4 – 6 p.m, from May through October.
November through April, they have a pre-order and porch pick up system for Fort Scott. Order via messenger and pay by 9 p.m. Wednesday for Saturday porch pick up.
Shop items marked not available are simply not available in the current season, but will be available as they come back into season.
The business accepts cash and credit card.
One can place orders via Messenger or the website.
The Hamilton’s Artisan Bakery is a cottage bakery without a storefront located in Fort Scott.
Chocolate Cherry Swirl Bread from the business Facebook page.
Future Plans
Within the next year, they plan to expand to surrounding counties’ farmers markets and craft fair events. Eventually, they would like to open a storefront in Fort Scott, she said.
Recent Healthy Bourbon County Action Team Grant Recipient
The Hamiltons feel honored to receive the $5,000 business start up grant from HBCAT, Teri said.
“They have been an invaluable resource from the very beginning, helping set up an LLC, bringing focus to our goals for the future and helping articulate a sustainable business plan,” she said. “HBCAT is a phenomenal support to small businesses in South East Kansas.”
The Hamiltons plan to use the grant money to purchase a specialty oven, designed for use in a cottage bakery setting. Their production will increase 300% by utilizing this new oven, Teri said.
They also plan to invest in printed banners to increase their advertising at local farmers markets.
These two main investments will enable The Hamilton”s Artisan Bakery to serve the Fort Scott area more efficiently and increase their ability to provide healthy, handmade breads to surrounding communities, she said
About The Hamiltons
Michael ran a few businesses in Arizona and Teri grew up in a bakery in Northern California, she said.
After moving to Fort Scott in 2020, they were inspired to put those experiences to use and started selling bread at the Fort Scott Farmers Market.
The Hamiltons quickly saw a need for healthy, handmade breads that are an alternative to those available at mainstream groceries. Because of that need, they decided “to dedicate their creativity, energy, and resources” to slowly building a bakery that could sustain itself without any debt.
They love to create “unique, delicious products that are a special addition to family tables” in their community, she said.
“We are especially excited to develop relationships with community members that they get to see weekly at the farmers markets, she said..
