The Main Thing: Downtown Revitalization Project Nears Completion

Best-selling author Stephen Covey says, “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” For some time now, the MyTown project has been “the main thing” on Main Street in Great Bend. After months of brainstorming, planning, designing, organizing, and constructing, MyTown LP’s ten new downtown businesses are finally starting to take shape. With the expected opening dates coming into focus, MyTown’s staff and volunteer committee are growing more excited.

“We’ve come a long way in the last few months,” MyTown volunteer Mark Bitter says. “It’s gratifying to see the end in sight.”

MyTown LP is a limited partnership created early this year by the ‘Downtown, Our Town, Our Future’ committee with the hope of opening ten new businesses in downtown Great Bend. Originally, the goal was for the new businesses to open their doors on the same day in early October. However, after the construction and preparation phases were underway, it soon became clear that November was a more realistic goal.

Finishing Touches- Construction workers finish up the store that will soon house Caleb’s Lighthouse – A Sea of Beads. After months in the construction phases, MyTown’s ten new businesses will soon be opening their doors for business. Expected to open as early as the beginning of November, these ten new retail businesses will create a constant buzz in downtown Great Bend.

“It’s still the same ten really neat shops, so being a little later than planned just means a little more suspense this holiday season,” MyTown general manager Jonathan Hogg says. “I’m thinking of each shop as a new package under the downtown Christmas tree, waiting for customers to unwrap it and see what’s inside.”

In addition to the rapid progress with construction and remodeling, leaps and bounds have also been made toward hiring the staff for each of the stores. “The people who run the stores will determine the success of this project,” Hogg says. “The board has made the plan, my office is ready for the training, and now with the right people in place it’s time to get the right customers—which is anyone!”

Several of the new MyTown managers have already been hired. Kevin Kramp, who has twelve years experience as manager of Pizza Hut, will be managing the food court inside at 1309 Main. The food court will feature a candy and ice cream store called M.S. Sweet & Co., as well as Treader’s Deli. Treader’s will also have the Event Horizons meeting and party room, available for businesses or individuals to rent, with or without catering from Treader’s.

Perks Coffee Shoppe under construction.

Perks Coffee Shoppe, located at 1216 Main, will offer freshly ground and freshly roasted coffee, free Wi-Fi internet access, and occasional live performances in a relaxed lounge atmosphere.

For Great Bend folks who are fashion forward, MyTown will have three exciting stores to offer them. Jewelry expert Kathleen Asher will be managing two separate jewelry stores inside the Zarah Mall. The first, Caleb’s Lighthouse – A Sea of Beads will be a great place for people of all skill levels to create custom jewelry individually or in a party setting. The second, Mali Jewelry, will offer a wide variety of fashion jewelry and accessories. The third, Mainstream Boutique, featuring fashion clothing and accessories for women of all ages, will be managed by Nellie Loreg. Loreg returns to Great Bend after earning a degree in business management, bringing with her a passionate enthusiasm for women’s fashion.

Relaxing Renovation- Despite the constant noises of construction inside the future home of Renue Salon & Spa at 1419 Main, this high class retreat will soon be a quiet place to unwind. Renue Salon & Spa, as well as Renue Retail, are expected by mid November.

MyTown’s goal is to provide an exciting shopping atmosphere along with opportunities for simple relaxation. The full-service Renue Salon & Spa, managed by licensed cosmetologist Allene Owen, will provide several ways to wind down at the end of a busy day. “The new salon will have everything from hair stylists and nail technicians to massage therapists and aestheticians,” Owen says. “Renue Retail will also carry several lines of name brand salon-grade products, including shampoos and conditioners, cosmetics, and wigs.”

Another one of MyTown’s new stores, the Heart of Kansas Mercantile, will be managed by Char Brown, who has several years’ experience as a local art teacher and craftswoman. The Heart of Kansas store will feature items specific to Kansas’ culture such as honey, home made salsas, crafts, quilts, and other stock and consignment items made by local individuals.

Last but not least, the MyTown Outlet Store will offer several lines of products specific to Great Bend’s local market, including Fuller Brush household cleaning products, JanSport backpacks, and Coleman outdoor equipment. Mad Dog and Sevylor brand name items will also be available.

These ten new shops will open their doors for business individually throughout November. “We expect that the two jewelry stores will be among the first to open,” general manager Jonathan Hogg says. “The other stores will follow quickly behind.”

MyTown Managers- General manager Jonathan Hogg and food court manager Kevin Kramp compare and analyze data before making decisions about the new stores’ inventory. With ten new retail locations opening within weeks of each other, they have their work cut out for them.

Project organizers have several goals for the MyTown project beyond the stores’ staggered openings in November. Other plans for the downtown area include organizing affordable family entertainment in Jack Kilby Square, bringing restaurants to the downtown area, and possibly even implementing loft-style housing above some of the retail business locations.

“This project has been in the works for over a year now. The opening of these ten new stores will be a tribute to all the time and effort poured into the downtown revitalization by so many key volunteers and visionaries,” Hogg says. “Our goal has always been to join existing retailers to make downtown Great Bend an exciting destination for dining, shopping, and leisure activities. I know MyTown LP can do just that.”

As these ten new retail businesses open in the upcoming weeks, Great Bend residents and visitors will witness as Main Street evolves into Great Bend’s “main thing.”