Jan and Dick Hedges opened Hedgehog INK! on October 31, 2018, because they wanted to support the community, encourage others to invest in downtown Fort Scott and provide a market for local vendors and authors.

“I’ve decided I have one more ‘moving on’ left in me”, Jan Hedges said. “I knew this day would come but had hoped not yet. I knew I would know when it was time and the time is now.”

She will be actively pursuing selling Hedgehog.INK! in the next few months.

“Please know that we will stay open with our regular hours until that transition takes place,” she said. “We will definitely give you advance notice.”

Dick died in the spring of 2022, but Jan said “He would be so impressed to see the difference (in the downtown) and knowing we had a part in it happening.”

“Since before we opened the store, there has always been construction going on in this block, ” Jan said. “Always a dumpster, product being unloaded, extra dirt and noise. The beautiful sounds of progress. Soon every building in this block will be filled with a viable business.”

The Store’s Staff

The bookstore staff “is amazing…(and) has helped me through some difficult times,” she said. “I could not do it without them.”

Employee Sheryl Bloomfield has been with her from the very beginning, she said “She is our window decorator among her many other jobs.”

Lynn Pallaske began working at the bookstore in 2020. “She handles the social media, and book displays, is super organized, and can help you find the perfect book.”

” Rylan Mason joined us during her sophomore year in high school, as a volunteer,” Jan said.” She became an employee when she turned 16, she is now a freshman at Pittsburg State (University).”

About the Store

Hedgehog.INK! started basically in one storefront at 16 S. Main with almost 10,000 books.

“We have expanded into a children’s room, the great room, and the reading loft with nearly 30,000 books.”

“We also carry a variety of bookstore-type items: bookmarks, bookends, journals, and art supplies. We host  11 vendors and 32 local authors, both sold on consignment,” she said.

The bookstore’s events include storytimes, author talks, Wednesday Writer’s group, and an annual writing seminar. The great room is available for rent for the evening and Sunday afternoon groups.

‘My hope is that someone will step up and take Dick’s and my dream to the next level,” she said. “It has turned into an active business and is one I know can continue to grow.”

Jan Hedges wants to give a special thank you to Dacia Clark and the staff at SEK Economic Development.

“They have walked me through the steps of opening and running a business, including this last step,” she said  “And to Jared Leek, my landlord and Ed Lundberg, who I’m sure rolls his eyes when he sees my number on his phone.”

Hedges said she has had many jobs through the years.

“In college, I worked in the circulation department at then Farrell Library at Kansas State University,” she said. “I learned a lot about books and book systems. I spent 40 years in education, working as a teacher, building administrator, and district-level administrator.”

She also owned and operated a preschool for two years, worked for an educational technology company for one and a half years, and spent several years as a coach through the Kansas Educational Leadership Institute.

“Of all my jobs over the years, owning and operating this bookstore has been my greatest love,” she said. “I always say, we are a store full of books, but the best stories are the ones who walk in our doors. Fort Scott and Hedgehog.INK! has made my story so much richer.”

“The bookstore has provided an amazing way to meet people and to hear their stories,” she said. “We have out-of-town customers who have become regulars anytime they are in the area. Locals bring their visiting families over holidays and special occasions. It is so rewarding when a young child enters the store and heads straight to the kid’s room. Being a gently used bookstore, the books are affordable and just a little bit already loved.”

Her retirement plans?

“To finally, really retire,” she said. “I’ve retired three times already. I will stay in Fort Scot for the short term, but will be moving closer to family.”

Hedges wants to thank the community for making Hedgehog INK! the business they became in five short years.

“And if you know anyone who might want to own an awesome bookstore, send them my way,” she said.

Fort Scott Washateria has teamed up with Healthy Bourbon County, SEK Community Health Center, Community Organizing to Promote Equity, and  Bourbon County Health Equity Action Teams to assist folks with washing their clothes and bedding this Saturday, December 16 at the laundry mat located at 501 S. National.

“Since November 1st we have made machines available from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. every Wednesday for folks free of charge,” Washateria manager, Lori Lovelace said. “The Washateria provides laundry soap and dryer sheets for folks that don’t bring their own.”

“In honor of the holiday season, we are hosting our first Wash Wednesday Weekend on Saturday, Dec 16th from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. and all machines are free,” she said. “We are not limiting people to one machine.”

“Those that come at 8 a.m. probably won’t have to wait to put their laundry in,” she said. Noting later in the morning, there will probably be a wait for the machines.

“We do have some guidelines,” she said. “We are limiting, depending on the size of the washing machine. Up to four small machines, up to two 40-pound machines, up to one 60-pound machine, and up to one 80-pound machine and the corresponding dryer. One dryer per machine.”

Lovelace and the staff want to prevent people from “stuffing it too full,” she said. “If they need more than one dryer, they will have to pay for that.”

The larger machines are designed for bedding, “but if nobody is using them, I will let someone with a big load of clothes use them,” she said.

That day also, the Community Day will happen in the clothes closet that the Washateria provides for those in need.

The Community Closet is full of donated items that have been washed at the Washateria and made ready to give away.

“We … want to sincerely thank St. Mary’s Catholic Church who have once again had an Advent Clothing Drive and provided us with much-needed coats, bedding, and clothing,” Lovelace said.

“The Community Closet is having our Community Day in conjunction with this (free washing machine availability) event on Saturday and will have our clothing out and available to anyone in need,” she said. “The coats will be pulled out to make them more accessible.”

In the last month, Lovelace has added vintage kiddie rides that range from 50 cents to $1 per ride, including Dino, a train, and a pony. These are for customer’s children while waiting to clean their clothes.

She has also added massage chairs for those who wish to relax during the wash/dry time. “It takes dollar bills or cards, and has been popular since they came in,” she said.

On Saturday, Christmas music and free popcorn will be added to the experience.

In addition, her husband will have backpacks for homeless people with socks and food put together. “Let us know if you need one, we’ll have a backpack.”