Thanks to a zero-interest loan program through Network Kansas, the owners of Walburn’s Athletic Club, 1007 Commercial St., are realizing their dreams of expanding the gym to include many new amenities.
Frannie and Brian Walburn, owners of Walburn’s, met with a representative of Network Kansas Thursday afternoon to close on the zero-interest loan. The Walburns were able to apply for the loan through Emporia Main Street, said Kayla Oney, Main Street executive director. Lisa Brumbaugh, of Emporia State University’s Small Business Development Center, also was instrumental in the application process and helped work the numbers, Oney said.
“They (Walburns) are the first ones here in Emporia to get Network Kansas funding,” Oney said.
The program is a 60/40 match program. Network Kansas provides 60 percent of the funds needed in the form of a zero-interest loan. The other 40 percent comes through a match. The two programs used for the matching funds are Incentives Without Walls, which is a Main Street program, and the Trustler Entrepreneur Revolving Loan program. This program was created using money from the Trusler Foundation as a partner.
Oney said the loan programs are a big benefit for small business owners.
“I thank Kayla and Main Street for helping us continue our journey of lifetime fitness and wellness,” Brian Walburn said. “We’re just very appreciative of Kayla and all her help and Network Kansas.”
Walburn also said he was appreciative of Brumbaugh’s help as well.
The money will be put to good use. The Walburns acquired an additional 4,000 square feet of space from the other half of the building. They now own both sides and are remodeling the space. On the new side, which is in the early construction stages, there will be a women’s fitness center with a separate entrance. There will be various pieces of equipment in the women’s fitness center.
The new area will include a fitness room as well with a flex-floor, which is a wooden floor with rubber padding.
“It almost makes the floor flexible,” Brian Walburn said.
Part of the wall that now divides the two sides of the building will be knocked out and the gym will flow through. A salon and massage parlor will be added as well.
“I can’t wait,” Walburn said. “It’s going to be great, especially for the community. We’re trying to keep the community healthy for life.”
In the existing gym, new cardio equipment will be purchased and a commons area will be built where people can sit with wi-fi and have a healthy fruit drink or shake. The kids room will be brought up front as well. The free-weight area will move back to where the group fitness room is now.
“We’re going to spread everything out and make it more user friendly,” Walburn said.
Frannie Walburn said this has been their dream for a long time.
“It just came at a good time so we can do all these things,” she said.
zippy (anonymous) says...
How exciting to have a women's fitness area. I am a little bit embarrassed to workout in front of the guys. This gives gals like me more options to improve our health.
July 18, 2008 at 3:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
abc123 (anonymous) says...
I cancelled my membership there because I had to drag my kids through all the weight lifters all the way to the back and then half the time no one was ever there when they were supposed to be to watch the children. I will definitely rejoin with all these changes made...I love the kids area being up front and a women's area!! Good Job Walburns!
July 18, 2008 at 4:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emporialifer (anonymous) says...
I think it's nice to see an Emporia business expanding, but if part of their zero percent interest loan is sponsored by Emporia Main Street - are the tax payers contributing to that or where does Emporia Main Street get the money to fund this? I've never heard of a zero percent interest loan before - would have loved to have gotten that for my house!
I quit my membership there because the equipment was getting so run down and the atmosphere wasn't to my liking. I joined Emporia Fitness and have really enjoy working out there. Great Facility.
At least Emporia is expanding its options for workout facilities and there should be no excuse to not get in shape now.
July 18, 2008 at 4:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slipandslide (anonymous) says...
way to go
July 18, 2008 at 4:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
esuhornets (anonymous) says...
Is this adding any jobs in Emporia??? I'm not sure why any organization would want to give them a 0% loan when they aren't adding jobs for Emporia. Why don't we give Birch, Dolly, Menu, and hell even Tyson a 0% loan because they would at least add jobs to Emporia. All Walburn's is going to do is expand there business so they can make more profit and they aren't even having to pay intrest on the loan. It seems to me that we could have given someone a 0% loan to open a new restarant in downtown Emporia and that would be better than wasting it on Walburn's.
July 18, 2008 at 4:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dhcc66 (anonymous) says...
sounds to me like they are going to have more jobs for the salon, the day care, and probably for trainers. if not, then maybe it's something to do with providing a great service for the community?
either way, it's nice to see something besides an hispanic clothing store or a pawn shop downtown. hope other businesses take note and follow
July 18, 2008 at 5:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
momus (anonymous) says...
The Main Street loan is a part of a state program called Incentives Without Walls. It is a matching loan program at 0% interest designed to encourage development. Anyone within the district that meets certain criteria can apply. This includes prospective businesses, so if a restaurant decided to open they could certainly apply for a zero percent interest loan. Because of Main Streets affiliation with Network Kansas, they were able to leverage IWW funds to secure more funding from Network Kansas for this project. Because Main Street sought out the wonderful people from the Trussler Foundation, and this project qualified for a seperate loan pool, even more funds were available.
This is a good thing people. The development means an increased valuation and a more profitable business, thus helping the local economy and the tax base. But I guess some people will always try and find a black lining to a silver cloud...
July 18, 2008 at 5:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
esuhornets (anonymous) says...
I just find it interesting how it seems that we bend over backwards for some business but are unwilling to do anything for the business that really provide jobs for Emporia.
July 18, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
momus (anonymous) says...
Different agencies have different responsibilities that are mutually exclusive. Main Street's job (among many other things) is to support downtown businesses, which is exactly what they did in this instance. IWW could not have been used for Dolly or Tyson. There are other programs for that and agencies that oversee those programs (see city government, state government and the RDA). I can tell you that the city tried to do everything that they could to keep Tyson jobs (even going so far as to call in a Congressman), but Tyson had their mind made up.
So, instead of griping that resources weren't used for a certain situation (when they could NOT be used for that situation), why don't we concentrate on being happy that Walburns is expanding and adding great services to our community? These small businesses do provide jobs, services, taxes and a variety of necessities to Emporia. Collectivley, small businesses make up the bulk of the property tax base, jobs, local wealth (which is important to support the community) and intellectual resources for Emporia. Don't fault a success for another persons failure.
July 18, 2008 at 5:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slipandslide (anonymous) says...
Brian, thanks for coaching little league baseball this year it was fun :)
July 18, 2008 at 6:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wirewatt (Ken Bazil) says...
The best thing that can happen at this time is for our existing business's is to expand and add any type of job. We need more jobs for our all the college kids coming into town. We need to help these kids to keep them coming into Emporia. Each one of them spends a good deal of money here, and we need to get more of them coming to town to go to school. However we are getting a reputation of our city police of giving tickets to the kids and they are going out of town to spend thier money. Outside students spend on the average of $10,000 per year in Emporia, lets stepup and save this resourse.
July 18, 2008 at 7:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sciguy (anonymous) says...
It will be nice to see Brittz Salon expand into a larger facility. Walburns is smart to add more than just weight and fitness training to their offerings.
July 18, 2008 at 9:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
outdrsman (anonymous) says...
"Striving to Build a Healthy Community" I beleive that is Walburn's Athletic Club logo. If they put in the time and effort to seek out funding from whatever organization, I think they have the communities best interests in mind and are more concerned about living up to their slogan than just putting a few extra bucks in their pockets. The Walburn's are great people who have been in business for about 30 years since Kenny started in Godfathers basement, and they deserve a better write up in the paper than what was published. I think they have truly taken the time to see what it is their members want and need in a health club and they are going to hit the nail right on the head with this expansion and re-vamping. Good job Brian and Frannie!
July 19, 2008 at 6:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
smith_ron (anonymous) says...
Remember that getting more jobs and quality of life go hand-in-hand. A local business willing to expand tells outside businesses that are looking to re-locate that this is a viable community. Things like ethnic bashing and even no Fourth of July festivities reflect poorly on the community and could signals businesses to look elsewhere. We need to put on our best face and celebrate any legal local business that is willing to expand.
July 19, 2008 at 6:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justthefacts (anonymous) says...
Ok, so now, we should look the other way and not have the cops ticket university kids so they will come here??? What a ad to push. Come to Emporia...break the law with impunity and get away with it because they want you to spend few dollars you have after student loans, room and board and books. Could it be that the tickets are mostly written by the university police officers? I've heard that most of the kids cited are athletes who work for alumni boosters who work very hard to pressure the cops to not write tickets to university students. I'd sure like to know if anybody else has heard of this and how they feel. Not sure what it has to do with a fitness center opening when the University has one they can use for nothing.
July 19, 2008 at 10:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
momus (anonymous) says...
Before this thread gets any more off topic, I just wanted to say: great job Frannie & Brian. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to run an independant business of any type in Emporia, and an expansion in this day and age not only shows dedication to the community, but also vision and business acumen. Kudos to the Walburn family for this expansion. Kudos to the organizations that helped them expand. Now, I am planning to visit with the staff at Walburns about re-establishing my membership (my New Years resolution fizzled quickly) and I hope many others support a local business investing in our community!
July 20, 2008 at 12:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
outdrsman (anonymous) says...
Seems kind of funny coming from someone who posted under the name "TacoBellB"...maybe YOU should join in some healthy extracurricular activities...I know of a great gym on commercial street. They might even have a Nutritionist on staff for you.
July 21, 2008 at 11:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emporia79 (anonymous) says...
I couldn't agree more, outdrsman!!
July 21, 2008 at 11:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
outdrsman (anonymous) says...
Not sure what you're even talking about...doesn't matter. completely off topic. keep your assumptions to yourself if you don't know the facts.
July 21, 2008 at 1:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tosie (anonymous) says...
way to go Walburns - it takes a lot to keep a small business open and to expand. Keep up the good work!
As for TacoB, how about you keep your opinions to yourself if you can't say anything nice at all. I think it's great that there is a positive story in the Gazette with all the negative things going on in the world today.
July 21, 2008 at 3:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ironmanjdm (anonymous) says...
After being involved with Walburns for a number of years, I feel that I can make at least a somewhat informed opinion. First of all, I think that the members of Walburns deserve a safe up-to-date facility to exercise in. That is a given, and with this remodeling / expansion project it is finally time to update. A lot of great individuals train at Walburns, and I made a lot of good friends there. However, not everyone there practices a "healthy" lifestyle. That is just how things work everywhere. Some people choose to do drugs, or eat junk food. Who cares! For the most part, Walburns does a pretty good job with promotion of a healthy community, and they are not there to control what all their members do.
Having said all that, it may sound like I'm a big supporter of Walburns. Well, Im not. I train at Emporia Fitness, and I really think it was the best move for me. The layout, space, and overall mood of the gym is much easier to get along with. And now, Walburns is playing catch-up to them.
Another thing that bothers me is that the Walburns got the 0% loan. That is like handing them money. That money could be directed to much more needy places than walburns. Trust me, they could have made all the changes without the grant. They drive around in brand new cars (bmw), new home, shop, race car. You name it, they have it. It just seems a little unfair to give to the un-needy. I guess I cant blame them. I would take the money too. That doesnt make it right though.
July 24, 2008 at 8:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
momus (anonymous) says...
I don't understand all this negativity surrounding these loans. Anyone meeting criteria can apply. It's not like Walburns getting a loan is going to deny someone else the opportunity. We should be happy that people are developing.
These loans are PARTIAL. They don't pay for the entire project (I know because I actually researched the program before commenting). They simply make it easier for businesses to develop and cash flow improvements. The more businesses develop, the more their property is worth. More development generally equals more income for the business and community. Essentially, this program improves the tax base and business climate. I have no idea why that would bother anyone. But, as I said earlier, it seems like certain individuals can always find a reason to be negative about almost anything.
July 24, 2008 at 12:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dhcc66 (anonymous) says...
waaiiiittt a minute...how did emporia fitness get the money to build?? if they chose to go another way, then fine, but don't bash the walburns for trying to provide a nice service to the community. i'm sure if anybody wanted to check into things, they would find that things were done legally and that there are more funds available to those who want to jump through the hoops to get them. i know brian and frannie waited months if not years to get this plan off the ground. in this time where more and more businesses build west where the "money" is, it's nice to see somebody stay in the middle of town.
ok, on the other thread that seems to have popped up here...i don't think that it's just the esu students that are being ticketed. but if they want to live without laws or boundaries, tell them to go find some other community to terrorize and to find some other law abiding tax paying group of citizens to enable them in breaking the law. i think that for the most part, esu students are law abiding citizens and thats what i would rather have here...thanks those of you students who do the right thing
July 24, 2008 at 1:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
proverbs18_21 (anonymous) says...
Congratulations to Walburns for making a great business move while also benefiting the community. I'm excited about the changes coming! Good for them and good for those of us who work out there!
And shame on those who habitually whine and complain about everything - no matter what the subject! Does not reflect well on our community at all. Try accentuating the positive and offering some encouragement every once in awhile.
When a town is struggling like Emporia is right now - encouragement and support go along way in building it back up!
July 24, 2008 at 2:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emporia79 (anonymous) says...
Congrats to the Walburn's. This has been in the works for a VERY long time and has definitely been a dream of Brian and Frannie's for many years. Kenny started it out as a little gym in the corner of the building, then expanding into the old bingo parlor and now finally being able to actually purchase the entire building.....things take time....sometimes longer than expected. They did not own the building and now that they finally do, they can move forward on everything they had visioned for the gym!! They can format it and set it up exactly how they want to. CONGRATS!!!!
Emporia is a struggling community and keeping a business open for 28 plus years is a great accomplishment. Having the drive to make it a better facility deserves an applause....not negativity, but that's a given. Like they say...bad news spreads faster than good news! C
And competition has always been welcomed...as they have always said...competition is great for the community!
-and to make comments in regards to their vehicles, homes, etc is shady. That's irrelevant.
I'm beyond proud of Brian, Frannie, their family and staff!!!
July 25, 2008 at 6:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TacoBellB (anonymous) says...
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
July 21, 2008 at 1:16 p.m. ( permalink )
TacoBellB (anonymous) says...
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
July 21, 2008 at 8:48 a.m. ( permalink )