Several more new businesses open in County

Several more new businesses have opened in Rooks County in 2005.  The new businesses are a reflection of the progressive attitude of the county.

TJ's Bar & Grill is now open in Plainville at the former location of the Dog House Tavern.  The restaurant has expanded their hours and are now open for breakfast, as well as lunch and supper. Hours for TJ's, located at 115 E. Mill, are Monday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tues., Wed, Thurs., 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and 5 p.m. to close, and to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday.  Phone for TJ's is 785-434-2513.

La Feria Mexican Restaurant opened their doors on December 31, 2005 in Stockton at 425 Main.  Tina and Maria Mares are the owners and operators of the new business and have been very busy trying to meet the needs of all their new customers.  Moving from Maud, Oklahoma, the Mares' have been visitors to the Stockton area before as they are regular vendors at the Rooks County Free Fair.  In fact, the name of the new restaurant is named after the fair.  Hours of operation are from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Sunday.  The phone number of La Feria is 785-425-7207.

The Red Vest Inn in Plainville is a newly-opened restaurant located at 201 S. Madison.  The Inn is located in a former residence that was built in 1910 that's served as a church rectory in the past.  Marge McKenna owns the restaurant and is helped in the operation by her daughter, Pam Gehring. McKenna owned the house, and her son and daughter-in-law lived there until recently. “They moved and I decided it would be a good restaurant,” she said.  Formal opening took place in December, 2005.

The new restaurant offers casual dining and is served by a wait staff clad in red vests, white shirts, and black slacks.  Hours of operation are11:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.  For reservations call 785-434-2081.

Med-Spa of Stockton , a therapeutic rejuvenating skin treatment center located at 511 Main Street, held its grand opening on Monday, October 17, 2005.  Dr. Ann Taylor, D.O. and Dana Jewell, PA-C, are the operators of the facility that specializes in treatments such as photo facials for removal of skin irregularities such as changes in pigmentation, age spots, and birthmarks and scars for example.  At the present time, there are no regular hours.  Everything will be by appointment only.  Call 785-425-6366.

Fonz Custom Services of Damar began in November of 2005 as a custom paper and document shredding service.  Linus Pfannenstiel, owner of the new business, has lock boxes that can be delivered to your business and picked up each week.  The paper and documents will be shredded and baled, and then sent to a paper mill or Tamko Products in Phillipsburg.  Call 785-839-4443 for more information.

The Stockton Funeral Chapel, located at 805 N. Cedar in Stockton, opened in September, 2005 in an empty church building.  The building has been renovated to provide a comforting atmosphere for families.  Managers of the business are Mike and Denise Kemp, and assisted by Deb Jones.  Contact information for the firm are on a website at www.stocktonfuneralchapel.com, or phone 785-425-6255.

Ballard Auto's and Sandtoy's opened in September, 2005 on the corner of Main and Elm streets in Stockton.  For sale at the new location are used automobiles, as well as ATV's & dune buggies.  The owner of the new business is Scott Ballard.  To contact Scott, you can call 785-994-6296, or on location on weekends and evenings.

The Office, located at 1209 Main Street in Stockton, officially opened for business as of August 1, 2005.  The new building houses snooker and 8-ball tables, darts, video game arcade, and tables for card games.  There is also plenty of room for dances.  The Office, owned and operated by Rick Lowry, also serves pop, snacks, sandwiches, pizza, beer and wine coolers during their business hours of noon to 12:00 a.m.

Another business that officially started on August 1, 2005 is Cornerstone Building & Design, LLC.  This Plainville-based construction business is owned and operated by Michael Reed.  Reed is looking for a permanent building location in Plainville, and is currently operating from 610 S. Section Line in Plainville.  Reed has already undertaken several projects in the area including renovation work for Rooks County Economic Development, Unrein Healthmart, and the tornado-damaged Nova Theatre in Stockton.  Reed can be reached at 785-434-4892 or 785-650-1586.

The opening in June, 2005 of the new Home Depot in Hays has attracted a new business headquartered in Stockton.  Ray Shetterly Flooring, currently looking for permanent building space in Stockton, is a private contracting business for Home Depot.  Customers who purchase floor covering products from the new store, are referred to Shetterly Flooring for complete installation services.  Ray and his wife LaDonna are not strangers to the Stockton area, as LaDonna's parents are Stockton residents.

New Stockton residents Jeff Dean and Candy Beckman have started a new business call Tall Grass Treasures as of June, 2005.  Tall Grass Treasures helps people sell their items on eBay by removing the hassle because all the work is done by Dean and Beckman.  The couple has 12 years of experience buying and selling on eBay and have completed well over 15,000 transactions.  To contact the business, call 785-425-6579, e-mail sales@tallgrasstreasures.net, or visit their website at www.tallgrasstreasures.net. 

KC Well Service purchased the building formerly occupied by Randy's Well Service in Plainville and began operations in the summer of 2005.  Several local investors made the new a business a reality and have employed a number of  local individuals to run the day-to-day operations of the oilfield pulling unit.  The company can be reached at 785-434-2190 or 785-621-2611.

Rooks County welcomes each of the new businesses to our area.  To see a complete listing of all the new businesses that have started in Rooks County over the last five years, click here.