Mattress Outlet, 2914 W. Highway 50, Suite C, will close at the end of this month.
Brad Hase, owner of the business and the building, said the business will close on Feb. 28 due to him moving out of state. The business has been open about two years and was moved to the former Hill’s building on West Highway 50 March of last year.
“I found opportunities outside of Kansas,” Hase said.
Hase, who lives near Waverly, said there hasn’t been a problem with business in Emporia. He is just moving out of state. Hase also owned a convenience store and some real estate holdings in and outside of Emporia. Those have already been closed.
“This is the last one out of all the businesses I’ve got to get shut down before I go,” he said.
Hase said the store is having sales to liquidate merchandise.
“We’ve got some huge sales going on,” he said. “Just rock-bottom prices.”
Hase said he’s appreciated the support of Emporia.
“We’d like to continue business in Emporia, but I just have other venues that I think have a better opportunity,” he said. “We appreciate everything Emporia has done for us over the years.”
jasond (anonymous) says...
Just one more business to add to the long list that have left Emporia....
February 10, 2011 at 10:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
This is unfortunate news. That's a nice building with a good exposure.
But we have to learn how to make lemonade.
Yesterday, President Obama's comments at a Michigan event would seem to nearly describe this situation when he said, "New companies are going to seek out the fastest, most reliable ways to move people, goods, and information -- whether they're in Shanghai or Chicago. And so if we want new jobs and businesses in America, we have to have the best transportation and communication networks in the world.Just like the movie, Field of Dreams: if we build it, they will come."
Emporia certainly has a good central location and would certainly fit part of this paradigm.
There in Michigan, he is referring to a form of infrastructure called broadband access or high-speed wireless service that has recently been installed by the university there in Marquette.
"It means investing in the skills and training of our people. It means investing in transportation and communication networks that move goods and information as fast as possible."
"We want to invest in the next-generation of high-speed wireless coverage for 98 percent of Americans." He says.
"To make this happen, we'll invest in research and development of emerging technologies and applications. We'll accelerate breakthroughs in health, education, and transportation; and deploy a new nationwide, interoperable wireless network for first responders -- making sure they have the funding and the frequencies that they were promised and that they need to keep us safe. And by selling private companies the rights to these airwaves, we won't just encourage private investment and expand wireless access; we'll actually bring in revenues that lower our deficits."
I am glad for Michigan, a state suffering from an economic nightmare. But they are getting to see this kind of "Field of Dreams" come true because of intelligent investing.
But I am also frustrated when I know that our own city commission is spending over a hundred thousand dollars on entrance rocks and calling it INFRASTRUCTURE. What is more, the CVB spent 10K on a one-time ad in "O" magazine.
Something is desperately wrong! Why aren't we spending our money more intelligently?
If you've a mind to, here's a link to the speech to which I am referring. It's not very long, and it's not all about broadband access, it's about having the right stuff to think ahead.
http://projects.washingtonpost.com/ob...
February 11, 2011 at 7:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
In the Council Grove area, 120 million for broadband. I wonder what that cost is to the taxpayers per household? And some of you folks complain about monuments.
February 11, 2011 at 9:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
When he bought that from Steve Sauder, I just shook my head and I so very much wanted to tell him he was making a huge mistake, but in my business it is not ethical to comment on another agent's transaction.
February 11, 2011 at 9:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
reddog, the federal government is offering grants for broadband contracts. I see you didn't read the speech. Instead you just went off as usual.
My point was not only referring to broadband contracts either. IF YOU READ THE SPEECH, there are other ways to make your community more economically sound. Damn!
February 11, 2011 at 10:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Those rocks are not monuments. Monuments commemorate things. With nothing but the name of the city engraved, what do those rocks of yours commemorate?
Those rocks are an insane expenditure, especially at a time when this community has great needs. Even putting that money aside until something can be researched or matching grant funds can be found makes better sense. No, you guys rushed this all because you just had to have your way.
This is just one more reason why I don't believe expenditures more than ten thousand dollars should be entrusted to the commission or any committee. Had the public been consulted to begin with, this entire outcry would have never happened.
February 11, 2011 at 10:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
EmporiaRocks (anonymous) says...
DO YOU MEAN TO TELL ME THAT REDDOG DIDN'T READ THE INFO FROM THE LINK YOU PROVIDED???
February 11, 2011 at 10:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yev_kassem (anonymous) says...
create--
That is your fault that reddog didn't read your article. You should have made it a youtube video and he would have been all about it.
February 11, 2011 at 11:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
newtoemporia (anonymous) says...
create, thank you for sharing the transcript of Pres. Obama's speech.
It really makes a person question priorities within local government.
$100,000 on rocks or $10,000 to advertise in "O" Magazine to "connect" a traveler with Emporia.
vs
$100,000 on the best technologies to not only connect Emporia with the world, but to see a high return on investment.
It will make jobs easier and employees will increase productivity. It will attract new jobs. It will benefit current business because owners will have a global market.
I loved hearing how technology has helped a doctor in South Dakota connect with patients, who are in critical need, 100+ miles away.
Or, the schools, first responders and government agencies that are able to benefit from Michigan's technology ... 30+ miles away from the source.
The teachers in a small Wyoming town who have jobs teaching English to students in Asia because of high speed technology.
Rocks won't help local farmers with weather reports and stock prices.
Rocks won't educate our students.
Rocks won't employ and/or attract new business.
Rocks won't take Emporia to a global level.
February 11, 2011 at 11:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blulitespecial (anonymous) says...
Anyone have an idea on who to call for warranty work now? Will the Megalowmart cashiers be doing the work on your TV,or the plumbing to put your new dishwasher in?
February 11, 2011 at 11:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justaflushaway (anonymous) says...
did any of you pee up you leg while obama was talking?????
February 11, 2011 at 11:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blulitespecial (anonymous) says...
Didn't watch the video,so no tingles here.Never has been,never will be.Never watched him.Ever.
February 11, 2011 at 11:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blulitespecial (anonymous) says...
But that doesn't put a new pump in my dishwasher!!!!!!
February 11, 2011 at 11:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Perhaps these so called Monument Rocks have some sort of magical power, like that of a " RUNE STONE " of myth, that will some how cause jobs, tourists, people and money to magically appear in the middle of the delapidated and crumbling infrastructure and economy of Emporia !!
Or will these " ROCKS " be just another stepping stone to the " RUIN " of the City and its people, especially the ones who don' t have the " Stones " to say " NO " to the few people who belive they possess the " Stones " to get whatever they want, by putting all of the people of the City on the " ROCKS " !!!
February 11, 2011 at 11:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
blulite,
I think that little shop behind the Mattress Outlet is still in business. They are the ones who take care of my appliances because they are in a separate business for themselves.
February 11, 2011 at noon ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
newtoemporia,
I'm glad you read the speech, and didn't go off half-cocked about $120 million. Thanks for listing the highlights. Communications technology has helped many a small community stay abreast with the modern world and maintain a solvent economy too. If the feds can help accomplish this, it's worth a looksee.
February 11, 2011 at 12:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blulitespecial (anonymous) says...
create,I didn't know that.Last time I was in the repair shop was at the back of the store.Thanks!
February 11, 2011 at 12:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
railroadhorn (anonymous) says...
Darn, my stove needs repair. Guess i'll have to buy a new one?! Or call someone in Topeka?
February 11, 2011 at 12:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
EmporiaRocks (anonymous) says...
Call Darrel Leeds!
February 11, 2011 at 1:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
blulite,
Yeah, that's the one. Use the little door on the south side to get in. I buy my refrigerator filters from them too.
AAA Appliance Service
342-1392
They have Hill's old number. I just spoke to the gal that takes care of things. She tells me that they haven't been told yet about what to expect with regard to the Mattress Outlet's closing; however, she assured me that if they lose their little rented space, that they will go elsewhere and will still remain in the repair business. They will also keep the same phone number I posted above.
That's very good news.
The repairman's name is Britt.
So, the rest of you, if you need your appliance repaired or you need to buy a part, go there.
February 11, 2011 at 4:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Buffalo_Breath (anonymous) says...
Obama has never run so much as a lemonade stand ... those of you waiting around for him to "solve the Nation's economic woes" are in for a long wait.
Maybe he should look behind the NAFTA curtain, though, and see if our jobs are back there.
February 11, 2011 at 4:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
The trick is, he isn't the one running that "lemonade stand" at the University of Michigan." They are. It's a done deal for them so they didn't have to wait long. They just had the guts and good sense to go after what was put in place for movers and shakers.
You'll have to bitch to Clinton about NAFTA.
February 11, 2011 at 5:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MisterO (anonymous) says...
Sad.
Another business run out of town by all the anonymous negative bloggers on the Emporia Gazette Website.
If only we had listed to our city leaders and let them go ahead with rocks project, this would never have happened and the Mattress & Appliance Outlet would still be in business.
I hope you're all happy.
Disclaimer: For those who may not have known, this post was entirely sarcastic.
February 11, 2011 at 6:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justthefacts (anonymous) says...
I agree call Darrel Leeds, he local and provides exceptionally good service and follow up. Besides that, he's a heck of a nice guy.
February 11, 2011 at 7:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lcountyvictim (anonymous) says...
Oh but wait! Darrel Leed's daughter works for the Chamber of Commerce, so he must be cahoots with them and quite possibly may have orchastrated the Rocks Rigmarole.
February 11, 2011 at 8:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
LOL Mr. O. Let me hang my head in shame for a couple of seconds.
There. All better.
Good one, lycountyvictim.
February 12, 2011 at 9:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )