Two Rooks County businesses chosen as 8 Wonders Finalists

Baxter Bait & Tackle, located in Stockton, and the Dessin Fournir Companies, located in Plainville, are among the 24 finalists for the 8 Wonders of Kansas Commerce. 

Baxter's Bait & Tackle was selected because is has a huge inventory for a small town and is known as the "Little Cabela's."  Open every day of the year, they are an anchor, a constant presence on main street and frequently the shop brings some pretty big spenders to the downtown. The value of this is priceless to a rural community.

Dessin Fournir is a finalist because this luxury goods firm competes internationally from its rural Kansas headquarters.  The Dessin Fournir Companies began 15 years ago in the basement of an oil company as a vision of Chuck Comeau who wanted to pursue his life-long passion for exquisitely designed, beautifully crafted high-fashion home furnishings.  What makes this business so important to Plainville is that the success of it does not depend upon the local economy for support. But, the dollars the company generates are then infused back into the local economy through payroll, purchases from local merchants and charitable contributions and support of school and community activities.

The 8 Wonders of Kansas series is a project of the Kansas Sampler Foundation, a non-profit based near Inman.  The Foundation has long used the eight elements of rural culture (architecture, art, commerce, cuisine, customs, geography, history, and people) to help see Kansas with new eyes.  The project is designed to educate the public about the state and to encourage travel.

The public is encouraged to vote for our local businesses by voting online at www.kansassampler.org/8wonders/vote.php, or by going to the Rooks County website at www.rookscounty.net and clicking on the 8 Wonders Commerce logo.  Paper ballots will also be available.

The series will continue until all eight elements have been featured.

For more information go to kansassampler.org.