Recent News

Express Employment Professionals Receives Small Business Award

Wednesday, June 16, 2021

In 2016 when Levi Julian was still with Subway, he placed an order from the franchisee home office and included in the packaging materials was a Fortune 200 magazine. He looked through to see what franchises were ranking high and when he saw Express Employment listed, he immediately liked the concept and felt it was the type of business that would offer a “hand up” in the community. After doing his research and completing all the initial steps, he began looking for office space and after walking up and down Main Street he found the perfect space in January 2017. ...

Skaets Steak Shop Receives Small Business Award

Thursday, June 03, 2021

Skaets Steak Shop has been in business for 71 years as a small neighborhood family style restaurant now serving the 6th generation of customers. It was built in 1949 by Norman Deshene with the idea to be the first fast food restaurant in Hutchinson. After closing for a short time in 1974, Donna Bartholomew re-opened the business and in 1996 Karen LeShure purchase the land and building. Donna and Karen have been running the business together ever since. Many items on the 1950’s menu still exists today, which includes proprietary homemade garlic and blue cheese dressing, daily fresh cut French fries...

Ward Davis Builders Receives Small Business Award

Thursday, March 18, 2021

After Ward graduated with a degree in construction management from Kansas State University, he worked six years as an estimator and project manager for the highway division of a Wichita company. When he and his wife Erica decided to start their family, they moved to Hutchinson, and he began Ward Davis Builders. He started with single-person projects and focused mostly on residential construction and remodeling work. After about five or six years, Ward began adding commercial projects and then moved into the industrial sector. Most of their work is done on a site, so their expansion has been in th...

Farm Bureau Financial Services - Mary Winter Agency Receives Small Business Award

Thursday, February 18, 2021

Mary Winters had been an Office Manager for five Farm Bureau Agents for several years when she was approached about becoming an Agent in the South Hutchinson Office. In 2004, she began her career as an Agent, and with a lot of hard work, dedication, discipline, and long hours, she soon realized she had been preparing for this role for many years. During her first year, she was awarded Rookie of the Year and Super All American. Since then, she has grown her book of business, achieving All American for 14 years, Super All American twice, six consecutive years a...

Nelson Heating & Air Conditioning Receives Small Business Award

Thursday, January 21, 2021

Rex and Marlene Nelson know the Heating and Air Conditioning business very well, having worked in Hutchinson since 1971. Marlene's parents opened Warrington Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning in the late 1950's and Rex joined the business as an employee in 1971. In the late 1970's, Rex and Marlene Nelson purchased the business from Marlene's parents and changed the name to Nelson Heating and Air Conditioning. Nelson Heating and Air Conditioning serves both commercial and residential clients, offering repair, installation, duct work, and Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) services. In addition, Nelson also provides 24-hour service, seven days a week. Whil...

Ashcraft Pharmacy Receives Small Business Award

Thursday, December 17, 2020

Good morning! Today I am honored to present the December Small Business Award to Ashcraft Pharmacy. Ashcraft Pharmacy was originally opened in 1980 by Steve and Jackie Ashcraft. They started the business with two employees and hired Tami to start working for them her junior year in high school. She continued to work for Ashcraft Pharmacy until she left for pharmacy school at KU. After graduating, she worked for another pharmacy until coming back to Ashcraft Pharmacy in 2003 as a staff pharmacist. In 2016, when Steve was ready to retire, Tami purchased the pharmacy from him. Ashcraft Pharmacy is a small...

Ken's Pizza Receives Small Business Award

Tuesday, December 01, 2020

The Hutchinson store opened in 1978, first as on operational location. After Marty Foster met the owner of the franchise through his fraternity in Tulsa, he purchased the franchise and brought on his brother, Paul Foster, to run the restaurant. Throughout the years they have increased their number of employees from 15 to 30, and while Ken’s was first known for its lunch buffet, they have now evolved to offer the buffet for lunch and dinner. Also, as young families have become more involved in activities, their carry out business has had a steady increase as well, and they continu...

Hutch Lawn Care Receives Small Business Award

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Greg Fast began when he was 29 years old by taking care of a neighbor's lawn. Shortly thereafter he had fifteen yards he was taking care of and then after three years, he purchased a business that had grown exponentially. His company didn’t have a name at first, but he purchased a small lawn care company's equipment and contracts and eventually Hutch Lawn Care was officially born. What makes Hutch Lawn Care special is the team always brings integrity to their work. They began on a solid foundation with old-school, high standards and the people of Hutchinson really understand and appreciat...

Zenor Electric Company Receives Small Business Award

Thursday, September 17, 2020

Zenor Electric started in 1982 by Larry Zenor and one other person. Dusty Moore purchased the business in 2001 and today has 28 full-time employees. The business began in the back of Cooper Tire, and at one point moved to South Hutchinson, before ultimately ending up on West 4th Street across from the COOP in 1998, where it operates today. Since Dusty purchased the business in 2001, they have added on to the original building, purchased the building to the west for warehouse storage and also purchased the lot to the south of the business for additional vehicle and traile...

Bogey's Receives Small Business Award

Thursday, August 20, 2020

Craig Davis started Bogey’s in 1987 after being the area manager for the corporate Long John Silvers in the Midwest. He had become familiar with a relatively new restaurant in Salina called Bogey’s and decided to open his own restaurant. He was the first and only franchisee of the Salina Bogey’s. In the early 90s, the two operations had a “falling out,” and officially ended their relationship. While both stores share the same name, there is no actual connection between the two stores anymore. When Bogey’s opened in 1987, the building was about half the size it currently is. The dinin...

Bridgman LLC Receives Small Business Award

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

In 1960 Elmer (Bud) Bridgman started selling Standard oil products as a commissioned agent in Mt. Hope, Kansas. In 1964 Standard Oil Company was transferred to Bud in Burrton, expanding his sales territory. In 1976 Standard Oil sold Bud the business where he started Bridgman Oil selling petroleum products as an Amoco jobber. In 1977, the Hutchinson location was purchased, and the office was established here. In 1989, Bud hired Brad Thompson and sold the business to him when he was ready to retire. After working hard for 30 years to increase the business, Brad sold the company to hi...

Frederick Chiropractic Center Receives Small Business Award

Thursday, June 25, 2020

Dr. Keith Frederick said he was first exposed to chiropractic services through an injury he received in high school and was impressed with how helpful it was for his recovery. He knew then he wanted to be able to help others in the same way. After finishing school, Dr. Frederick started as a chiropractor in Hutchinson in 1998 with another doctor. In 2006, he started his own practice at 1515 N. Lorraine St. Ste A, where he is still located today. Then in 2015, Dr. Frederick brought on a third employee which has allowed him to provide better customer servic...