Tag Archives: featured

Bourbon County, Business

Eco Devo Visioning Groups Have Goals For 2023

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Rob Harrington. Submitted photo.
In 2022, the Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc. group held visioning meetings to find the perceived needs of the community.
These meetings were in August, October and November and focused on specific areas: labor, housing, retail, and an in-depth sales tax revenue study.
“These sessions brought community and business leaders together to work through important issues that we face today,” said Rob Harrington, director of REDI. “On average, we had 40 participants at each event and the dialogue was very thought provoking.”
“In the final session the hard work and dedication of all who attended these visioning sessions came to three very specific projects which the group felt were the most important,” he said.
Bailey Lyons, CEO of Lyons Realty Group, was chosen by the housing group to lead a group that will encourage more housing developments in the county.

“A separate committee decided that having a quality place to live was just as important, and would help with growing our housing possibilities as well,” Harrington said. This group  is being lead by Brad Matkin, Interim Fort Scott City Manager, and will be working on the planning and construction of a tennis court complex in Fort Scott.

Training the youth in the county  was another issue the visioning group thought was important.
“This group decided to work with the three different education boards (USD 234-Fort Scott, USD 235-Uniontown and Fort Scott Community College) to develop more technical training for our youth,” he said. “This group is being led by Susan Bancroft Chief Financial Officer of Bourbon County.
The groups have been asked to meet throughout 2023 to work on each of these goals.
“At the end of next year the same group of people will be asked to reconvene and discuss with the group all of their progress on each goal,” Harrington said. “At which time, if goals have been reached others can be developed.”
“This was the first time a group of leaders across the entire county had been brought together to target and address concerns and opportunities for our communities as a whole,” Harrington said. “Bourbon County REDI was honored to be the host organization, and look forward to the continued work by this and other groups.”
The Bourbon County REDI mission is to build a vibrant county through business, economic and tourism development, and ongoing community development throughout the county, according to its website.

The Bourbon County REDI is housed on the second floor of Landmark Bank, 200 S Main St Suite 200, Fort Scott, KS 66701 and can be contacted at (620) 644-7966.

Landmark Bank Fort Scott houses the office of Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc.
Entertainment, Fort Scott

Local Cook Pays For a Movie as a Present to Her Community

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Fort Cinema,224 W 18th St, Fort Scott

A Fort Scott woman, who cooks at a local restaurant for a living, has paid for a movie for the community at Fort Cinema,  224 W. 18th.

On January 7 at 2 p.m. there will be a free showing of Puss in Boots The Last Wish hosted by this woman, who wishes to remain anonymous.

“This is Christmas present to the community,” Terri Belcher Turner, her cousin, said.  “The first 95 people will get to enjoy the movie, free of charge.  The concessions stand will be open. There was a scheduling issue before Christmas, so now it is the Saturday after the holidays.”

Turner sent an email to fortscott.biz with the story.

“I know the donor and want everyone to know she is a life-long Fort Scott resident with a love for her town and the families in it,” Turner said. “She works regular jobs and struggles like the rest of us but wanted to give families a chance for an afternoon out that they normally couldn’t afford. I hate I am 500 miles away and can’t be there to help promote this generous act.” Turner lives in St. Paul, MN.

“She is someone that cares and really doesn’t have the extra but wants to make a difference,” Turner said. “I’m just wishing I could be there and could  help get other people or companies involved because this could help the community and be an ongoing thing on spring break, summer break anytime through out the year.”

“I’m wondering if anyone would like to step forward and pay for the concessions,” Turner said.

The donor paid close to $200 for renting the theater for this free event to the community.

“This is something for a family to do together, but because of the cost, can’t go to a theater anymore,” Turner said.

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Robert Coon Invests in Another Downtown Building

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120 E. Wall was purchased this week by Robert and Kim Coon. Submitted photo.

Continuing the restoration of Fort Scott’s downtown, Robert and Kim Coon have purchased 120 E. Wall this week. They own Coon Rentals LLC.

Robert and Kim Coon own Coon Rentals LLC. Submitted photo.

“After I bought the Kress Building, I fell in love with the downtown area,” Robert Coon said. “There is lots of energy, lots of events, music on Friday nights at Heritage Park. That little strip of Main Street was dead, now it’s thriving.”

The Kress Building he purchased last year was renovated into Pizza Republic Restaurant this year.

To view a prior story:

New Restaurant and Pub Coming to Downtown Fort Scott

“It’s the support of the community that put downtown Fort Scott on the map and it’s exploding,” he said. “Developers, business people have contributed-the Bartlesmeyers, the Lyons, the Freemans, the LaRoches, the Lipes, the Dancers and others.”

“Developers are taking money from their other ventures to fund this,” he said. “These people are building downtown, are working downtown and still choosing to build downtown.”

“My wife and I have always been involved in rentals,” Coon said. “The residential rental market is easy. The commercial market is fun.”

Going back in time, the shoe store, the appliance store, the Kress Tea Room were closing, now investors are revitalizing the downtown, he said.

Instrumental economic development people in this revitalization have been Jody Hoener and Rob Harrington, Coon said.

 

Plans For the Building

Coon Rentals LLC will be renovating the upstairs of 120 E. Wall into a 1,900 square feet “high end, classy Airbnb.”

“The view is spectacular from the second floor,” he said.

The lower 1900 square feet, which was renovated by the Gettler’s and most recently Patrick Wood, is an office space that is currently rented out to Stutesman Action Realty.

A view inside 120 E. Wall on the main floor. Submitted photo.

History of the Building

“In the 1800’s the original building burnt down,” Coon said. “In 1920, the current structure was built. Brian Allen and Shane Walker are a wealth of knowledge of downtown history.”

“There was a complete renovation under the previous ownership of Patrick J. Wood-the street level, 1900 square feet of a stunning, professional area, is currently occupied by Stutesman Action Reality.  The 1,900 square feet, high end loft apartment space upstairs is set to be Airbnb in early April, 2023”.

Robert Coon can be reached at 620.215.9267.
Business, Fort Scott

New Business: Helpful Hands Errands and Delivery Service Targets Help for Seniors

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Teresa Cummings. Submitted photo.

Teresa Cummings, 53, moved with her family from California to Fort Scott in May 2020, when her husband retired. “It was the best thing I’ve ever done,” she said. “We have more conservative values than the San Francisco Bay area.”

In October 2022, she started her business Helpful Hands Errands and Delivery Service.
She is hoping to fill a need for senior citizens who might need a little help shopping and running errands.
“I will deliver to anyone, but what got me started is I wanted to help older people,” Cummings said. “They are walking history and have done a lot for their families. Some people don’t have a lot of family to help them out.”
Cummings delivers from any restaurant and will shop at any store in town.
“I do additional errands, such as prescription pick-up, pick-up or drop-off of items to friends and family, in-home meal prep, party and holiday decorating, and more,” she said. “
Whatever the  errand or personal service need, she will accommodate.
Her hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, Sunday and Monday by appointment only.
The business contact is 620.224.7604.
The service area for the business is the Fort Scott area.
Her pricing for shopping service:
1-5 items $3.50
6-10 items $5.50
11-15 items $7.50
16+ items $11/hour (one hr. min.)
Delivery (for example: restaurant, prescription pick-up, etc.) $3.50
All other errands (example party prep, holiday decorating, in-home meal prep, etc.): $11/hour
15% discount for Veterans
This fall, Cummings was helped by the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team with the start up of her business.
“Rachel Carpenter and Dacia Clark helped me to go through each step to set up the business,” she said. “They were absolutely wonderful. I would recommend to anybody trying to start a new business.”
Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Government, Health Care

Fort Scott’s CHC Receives Federal Money: Completion Date March 2023

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CHC originally projected the Price Chopper building would be completed by the end of 2022, it is currently now March 2023..

“There is a Santa Claus,”  Krista Postai, CEO of Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas said.

U.S. Senator Moran called Postai last Friday to let her know some good news for CHC/SEK.

Krista Postai. Submitted.

“Senator Jerry Moran contacted CHC/SEK on December 23 to notify us that our request for $5 million to offset the cost of renovating and equipping a comprehensive full-service medical facility (the former Price Chopper building) in Ft. Scott, was approved,” Postai said. “Total cost of the project has been estimated at approximately $10 million including the installation of a CT Scanner.”

CHC’s request was included in Moran’s Congressionally Directed Spending appropriations approved in the Fiscal 2023 Omnibus spending package, Postai said.

“The $1.7 trillion bill to fund the U.S. Government was signed by President Joe Biden shortly after it was approved by the Senate (on Thursday) and the House on December 23,” she said. “Also contributing to the cost of our new facility is the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, through the Community Care Network of Kansas’ Capital Investment Grant which awarded us $40,000 to help equip the wellness section of the facility; funding for diagnostics is coming through the American Rescue Plan approved by Congress in 2021. The balance of the cost will be covered directly by CHC/SEK offset partially by the sale of its buildings at 902 Horton Street and 1624 S. National Ave.”

Completion of the new clinic is now expected in March due to supply chain delays and unanticipated construction issues.

“The primary supply chain issues were the heating/cooling system and doors and flooring. They were delayed,” she said. “We also had to fill in the underground tunnels we found throughout the building with concrete. Apparently they were there to support the utilities necessary for the store’s refrigeration system…. renovation always bring surprises.”

 

 

 

 

 

Business, Entertainment, Food, Fort Scott

New Staff at Common Ground Coffee Shop

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Common Ground Coffee Shop, 12 E.Wall.

Common Ground Coffee Shop is a place to sit a spell, have a cuppa and relax. The shop’s specialty is coffee, baked goods, breakfast and lunch.

They sell special order cookie trays as well.

It has been a community gathering place since its inception in 2013 by the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene.

To view the first story on the business by fortscott.biz:

Common Ground Coffee Co. offers community a gathering place

Common Ground employees are from left to right: Dawson Korinke, Barista; Brightin Eads, Barista;, Lauren Ogran, Barista; Chandler Endicott, Barista; Michelle Keyes, Cook; Heidi Dixon, Manager, Samantha Racy, Asst Manager and Hannah Dunn, Bookkeeper. Submitted photo.
 Not in the picture: Payton Atwood, Barista; Ella Maher, Barista;  Skylar Mohler, Barista
and Hannah Keyes, Barista.

New Staff

Heidi Dixon, 52, started as the new manager of Common Ground Coffee Shop on Dec. 19.

Dixon grew up in Fort Scott, moved away and moved back.

She has been a general manager for Fort Scott Taco Tico, operations manager for Dave and Buster’s Restaurant in Kansas City and worked at several other restaurants through the years.

The Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene board oversees the coffee shop and selected Dixon as the new manager.

Hired as assistant manager is Samantha Racy, 22.

“I volunteered for about a week,” Samantha said. “There was a period the coffee shop was struggling. Others from the church helped. My whole family volunteered.”

Samantha Racy is an esthetician at Healing Hands Therapeutic Massage and Salon and also works at the coffee shop.

In addition, several high school students work there.

The business is searching for an additional cook.

“There is an assistant manager and a manager to take a load off of one person,” said Stacy Racy.

Racy has taken on the scheduling of the Loading Dock, the big rental room, in the rear of the shop.

 

The Loading Dock

Stacy Racy is hoping to have an event in the Loading Dock at least once a month, she said. Stacy is Samantha’s mother.

In December they had two events: a 1940s Christmas Concert on Dec. 16 and a Photo With The Grinch event on Dec. 17.

The Loading Dock has a stage area and an outside patio area.

To rent the event center costs $60 for four hours during business hours, eight hours will cost $100. To rent the space during in off- business hours is $150 for six hours, she said.

For small groups there is a conference room with a large table in a private area, and it is free, she said.

Hours of operation are Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Sunday.

To contact the Common Ground Coffee Shop, call 620.223.2499.

Visit the shop’s Facebook page and webpage to see the shop’s latest news.

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Business, Housing, Jobs

Data Received: Bourbon County Eco Devo Moving Forward

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Rob Harrington. Submitted photo.
 Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc. hired a consulting company to do local studies on retail, housing and labor in the county. That study was completed this fall.
“Last year, REDI was able to work with both Goldstone Consulting and O’Brian and Associates on the Retail, Housing, and Labor studies,” Rob Harrington, REDI CEO said. “These studies were able to provide us with the necessary data to move forward on several initiatives in 2023.”
“One of those initiatives is a Small Business Retention and Expansion Program for our local businesses,” he said. “We will be working throughout this next year to visit and create ways to help these companies continue to grow within Bourbon County. “
“We will also begin working with a group of citizens throughout Bourbon County on housing development initiatives,’ he said. “This housing committee will be instrumental in creating ways for us to not only attract developers but also new residents and marketing our communities to outside markets”.
REDI will continue to work to bring new developments in commercial and industrial business to Bourbon County by using the data from these reports as well as building on the partnerships that have grown over the last two years, Harrington said.
“All of the reports were paid for by Bourbon County REDI and we will continue to use our funds to help grow our county and ultimately work towards lowering taxes for everyone who lives and owns businesses in Bourbon County,” he said.
Landmark Bank Fort Scott houses the office of Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc.
Business, Food, Fort Scott

Kevin Allen Purchases Aunt Toadies Restaurant

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Alisha Jamison is the new manager and Kevin “Skitch” Allen is the new owner of Aunt Toadie’s Restaurant. Submitted photo.

Kevin “Skitch” Allen purchased Aunt Toadie’s Restaurant in October but officially took over the business on Dec. 12, 2022.

Aunt Toadies Restaurant.

“My heart is on the east side of town,” he said.

Allen started his construction business and car wash on the east side of Fort Scott. Nineteen years ago he demolished a house on the west side of the Aunt Toadie’s restaurant property for the former owners Larry and Mary Jane McHenry.

That started a relationship with the McHenrys. Then two years ago he started dating their niece Alisha Jamison.

“One evening we were talking to Mary Jane and Larry and discovered they wanted to work less hours,” Allen said. “Alisha and I talked about it. She was interested in running the eating business and I am interested in eating.”

“I’ve never owned a restaurant before,” he said. But the McHenry’s have stayed on to help the transition until the end of December.

“Thankfully, Larry and Mary Jane made it a success,” he said. “It’s one more way to help out on my side of town.”

Allen has been doing work on the outside of the restaurant on East Wall since purchasing it.

Kevin Allen works on the new parking lot on the west side of Aunt Toadies on Dec. 13.

The west side of the building will have an addition, which will double the size of the eating area.

“It will be called the Lily Pad,” he said. “That will be for people who enjoy watching (sport) games on TV. Possibly with beer, in the future with dining.”

Possible futuristic plans are a pickle ball court to the north of this new addition, he said.

“You’ll be able to walk out to a pickle ball court,” he said. “Playing off the idea of chicken and pickle ball.”

On the east side of the restaurant there will be table and chairs for an outdoor eating area in warmer weather.

Inside, he has purchased a new soft-serve ice cream machine and discovered an old milk shake machine which will be put to use once again.

“We plugged it in and it went,” Allen said.

Alisha Jamison is the new manager and they are keeping the current wait staff. Matt McHenry, Larry and Mary Jane’s son, has decided to stay as cook.

“That’s a blessing,” he said. “He has worked there since he was a child.”

“I’m the taste tester,” Allen said.

The hours and menu will remain the same, but there might be additional hours on Monday and Saturday in the future.

There may be some additions to the menu because “we’ve got some good cooks thinking up ideas,” he said.

Larry and Mary Jane McHenry, left, Alisha Jamison and Kevin Allen. Submitted photo.

“I want to thank the McHenry’s  for allowing us to take over their family business,” Allen said. “We are going to work hard to keep the family food atmosphere.”

“And thanks also to Fort Scott customers for the years of patronage, we know they won’t be disappointed,” he said.

 

Fort Scott, Government, Jobs

Brad Matkin is the New Fort Scott Interim City Manager

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Brad Matkin. Submitted photo.

At the Fort Scott City Commission meeting on Dec. 20, Brad Matkin was promoted to interim city manager, after having served as assistant city manager since September 2022.

Fort Scott City Hall.

Josh Jones, a Fort Scott Commissioner, congratulated Matkins for being moved up to interim city manager on his Facebook page, following the meeting.

“The current interim city manager will be retained at a cheaper rate to provide guidance for Brad,” Jones said.

On Sept. 20, the City of Fort Scott hired Jeff Hancock as interim city manager, and appointed Brad Matkin, current Human Resource Director, to become assistant city manager in addition to his HR duties. Matkin’s salary was increased to $85,000 annually.

To view a prior story:

Zellner Resigns, New Interim Jeff Hancock is Hired as FS City Manager

Matkin is in a 90 evaluation period for the city manager position now, he said.

“They will review the situation in three months,” Matkin said. “I’ll still be doing the human resource duties but will be looking for additional staff to take over some of the roles I have.”

Matkin’s city manager duties include:

communications to citizens, staff, commission, and media;

staffing-there are currently 92 employees with searches on for one more in the streets, police and fire departments;

day-to-day operations;

and project management.

Here are the projects he manages as interim city manager:

There is a winter street project, which will be busy the next couple of days with an Arctic Blast headed this way.

“We’ve got a great group of guys in the streets department,” Matkin said. “And the street superintendent has been through this kind of weather before. The dump trucks and plows are ready.”

The water department could be busy with broken pipes during this upcoming Arctic Blast, he said.

Other projects under his jurisdiction: resolving the downtown parking shortage, the Memorial Hall renovation, the golf course and Gunn Park improvements, and 100 more Fort Scott blocks of streets to be chipped and sealed, Matkin said.

“And whatever comes up, day to day,” he said.

“As mayor, I have had the privilege of working with Mr. Matkin on many different occasions in his previous role as Assistant City Manager,” FS Mayor Katherine Harrington said. “I feel that over this time he has grown as a manager and demonstrated that he was ready to take on this new role as Interim. I look forward to working with him more in 2023 and seeing how he leads this community forward.”

Bourbon County, Government, Housing

Upgraded Bathrooms in the Future For Cottonwood Estates, Uniontown

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Cottonwood Estates in the 200 block of Fifth Street in Uniontown.

Uniontown’s Rural Renting Housing, Inc. has received a $40,000 grant to update bathrooms for the residents of Cottonwood Estates, located in the 200 block of Fifth Street.

The funds will be used to continue phase two of the rehabilitation process of the 12-unit housing complex.

“The first round of grant money we received was $25k,”  Jennie McKee, site manager, said. “The funds received were to make ADA accessibility improvements to the bathrooms. This would include the zero threshold showers, adding grab bars, ADA height toilets, etc.. It was originally estimated that we could get 6 bathrooms completed for that amount but with the increase in materials we hope to get 5 bathrooms completed for the $25k. With the additional $40k in grant money we will be able to complete the remaining 7 bathrooms.”

 

“These walk-in showers will be very helpful for many of the tenants,” said McKee.

This is a zero threshold shower that is being completed in Cottonwood Estates.

Tenants must be 62 years old or receiving disability, SSI, from the government. Currently there is a waiting list for the units.

“We began the process one and a half years ago with a $25,000 grant through USDA,” she said. “We were hoping that would do the cost of the walk-in showers, but it didn’t. SEKRPC applied for a second round of grants.”

“The first round was tiled with zero threshold, the rest will be pre-made,” she said.

SEKRPC helps individuals, companies, and government agencies with finance packaging, advice, and procedures, according to its website. It’s resources are available for community improvement, economic development, and other urgent needs.

Three shower updates that were started with the first round of grants are nearing completion. They were empty units, waiting for new tenants

“They should be done before the end of the year,” McKee said.

“It took a long time for Rural Development to distribute the funds,” McKee said. “Contractor issues led to the project starting in September 2022.”

SG2, Uniontown, was the contractor following the bidding process.

When work begins in the second round of the shower project, the tenant will be displaced for about five days per apartment while the bathroom is remodeled.

A hospitality room in a nearby church will be utilized for that tenant while the remodel is underway.

Funds won’t be available until late winter or early spring 2023, she said.

“Rehabs of older properties are not usually given grants,” McKee said. “It’s usually new builds.”

This grant required no match from the grantee.

The Uniontown Rural Rental Inc. board is comprised of Ron Eldridge-president, Larry Jurgensen-vice president, Lucille Ward-secretary and treasurer and other members: Matt Noll, Dan Ramsey, Susan Karleskint and Brenda Gleason.

In normal years, the board meets twice yearly and more if needed.

McKee can be contacted at 620.756.1000.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Business

Sixty-four Years as Partners in Life, Business and Ministry

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Helen and Chub Bolling. Submitted photo.

Sixty-four years as husband and wife. And 64 years as business and ministry partners, that’s Helen and Raymond (Chub) Bolling’s story.

Last week they celebrated their anniversary.

Chub and Helen met in high school at Bronson, KS and were attracted to each other at age 15 and 17.

Chub said he felt the Lord pointed her out to him.

They married December 14, 1958,and “she’s been taking care of me since,” Chub said.

Chub and Helen Bolling on their wedding day, December 14, 1958. Submitted photo.

They purchased the Bronson Locker in 1966.

“My husband’s father had a slaughter house,” Helen said. “We bought the town’s (meat)locker from Oscar Burris.”

In their business journey they sold the locker and were completely out of the business for 10 years, Helen said, then bought it back.

Helen and Chub Bolling stand in front of some meat in their business, the Bronson Locker. Submitted photo.

For 40 years of marriage they worked at both the locker and as pastors at Fulton United Methodist Church and Elsmore United Methodist, then 26 years at Paint Creek Church of the Brethren, south of Uniontown. Today their grandson, Seth Bolling, pastors that church.

Together they raised three children, Amber Ericson,  Micheal and Mitchel Bolling; and now have six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

What advice does this seasoned couple give couples starting out in marriage?

“I know one thing, you have a lot of ups and downs and you just have to work through them,” Helen said. “Remember your wedding vows and stay with them.”

Couples must be mindful of the words they say to each other, Chub said.

“When tough times come, you’ve got to see them through.” he said. “Plan on that. That’s our marriage.”

They have a little farm with livestock that Chub takes care of everyday, but he and Helen help out at the locker to “keep things moving” in the busy times, he said.

The Bronson Locker. Submitted photo.

The Bronson Locker has several family members working together.

From left: Tom Bradbury, who worked at the locker for over 30 years but is not family, then Chub Bolling, Tyler Ericson (Ethan’s wife), Helen Bolling, then Amber Ericson with Ethan’s two children, Julian and Jamison, Mike Bolling, Ethan Ericson, Garrett and Mandie Ericson.

Their grandson, Garrett Ericson and wife, Mandie, are going to purchase the locker when Helen and Chub decide to fully retire, possibly in a year, Helen said. Garrett and Mandie manage the business now.

The business has expanded from 4 to 14 employees through the years, and many of them are family members.

Beside Garrett and Mandie, Amber and her other son, Ethan, and his wife, Tyler, work there. Micheal Bolling is the butcher. Then there is nephew Jim Kuns and  Randall, Robert and Jessie Kuns and Mandie’s mom, Mary Ridge who all work there.

Son, Mitch and family have businesses in Allen county.

Mitch and Sharon Bolling  own the Bollings Meat Market with co-owner Cara Thomas.
Mitch owns the Moran Locker.
Mitch, Seth and Austin Bolling manage the Moran Locker.

 

In addition, Amber and some of the women of the family opened a furniture/antique store just down the street in downtown Bronson, called THRAMS.

THRAMS Antiques, 504 Clay Street, Bronson. March 2022.

THRAMS Antiques, A Picker Family

“Bourbon County has been very good to us,” Chub said.

 

 

Business, Fort Scott

Aunt Toadies Restaurant Changed Ownership

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From left: Larry and Mary Jane McHenry,  Alisha Jamison and Kevin Allen. Submitted photo.
Larry and Mary Jane McHenry started  transferring ownership of Aunt Toadies Restaurant in October, 2022.
The restaurant is located on Fort Scott’s east side at 1411 E. Wall.

Aunt Toadies has been in business almost 20 years.

 “Our original plan was to get the restaurant to this point and step back a bit and let our children run it, with our help,” Mary Jane said.  “We are ready to step back and slow down.”
Their children weren’t interested in taking over the business, she said.
But their niece, Alisha Jamison was.
“Alisha was one of the first we hired as a waitress, when she was in high school,” Mary Jane said.
For Mary Jane, the best part of the restaurant was working with family, she said. And since they opened in 2003 they have hired nieces and nephews on both sides of the family to work for them.
Her sister-in-law, Debbie Ballou and her daughter Kelly McHenry, along with son Matthew McHenry still work at the restaurant.
“I will miss a lot of the customers that we’ve become acquainted with over the years,” she said.
But after working 80 hours a week at the restaurant, Larry and Mary Jane will be looking for “jobs that don’t require so many hours and being on our feet.”
They sold the restaurant to Kevin “Skitch” Allen and Alisha will be managing it.
Kevin Allen is working on the new parking lot on the west side of Aunt Toadies on Dec. 13.

New owner Kevin Allen was doing outside work on the restaurant property this week.

He said they will be expanding the restaurant and parking lot.

There will be feature on the new owner’s plans in the near future on fortscott.biz.

Mary Jane wants the public to know that they have stayed, since the new owner purchased the business, to train the cooks the way they prepared food.

“The menu won’t change,” she said.

The most popular meal sold is their country-fried stead dinner and also their desserts, she said.

On Dec. 13, five different pies were being offered, which is an everyday occurrence. In addition, in the winter, bread pudding and cobblers are the specialties; in summer it’s their strawberry shortcake.

Restaurant hours are:
Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Fridays from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and
Saturday from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
History of Aunt Toadies Restaurant
The restaurant was started in 1952 and called Bright’s Grill, she said.
“The restaurant had been empty for two years before we bought it in 2003,” Mary Jane said.
They named the restaurant after Larry’s mother, Virginia McHenry.
“She was a tow-head, and her father called her Toad, which was eventually changed to Toadie.”
Mary Jane said Virginia would announce to nurses, as she was in and out of the hospital in her later years, that she was the Toadie of Aunt Toadie’s.
“She loved eating here,” she said. Virginia died in 2011.
When they purchased the restaurant, her dad gave her a (art) frog to display. Through the years, customers have donated their frogs to where they currently can’t display all of them, Mary Jane said.
Larry and Mary Jane will work at the restaurant until the end of 2022.