Three local businesses receive KDOC Merit Award

Renee Lippincott (far right) of KDOC?s south-central Kansas regional office presents the Award of Merit to the Franz family (from left) Ryan, Darren, Melanie and Dale. Free Press photos by Don Ratzlaff

 

Three Hillsboro businesses were recognized for their economic and civic contributions to the community during the June 9 Cham??ber of Com?merce luncheon at the Scout House.

Supreme Floor Co., Dale?s Supermarket and Coopera?tive Grain & Supply each received a Merit Award from the Kansas Department of Com?merce as part of its ?Business Appreci?ation Month.?

The businesses were nominated for state recognition by the Hillsboro Devel?op?ment Corp., which provided the luncheon program.

Renee Lippincott, regional project manager for KDOC?s south-central Kansas regional business and com?munity develop?ment office, presented a certificate and a letter from the governor to the business owners or representatives.

Prior to the presentation of each award, Clint Seibel, who is HDC?s executive director and the city?s economic development director, provided a brief overview of the business.

Renee Lippincott (far right) of KDOC?s south-central Kansas regional office presents the Award of Merit to: Dawn Suderman, representing owners Stuart and Leah Isaac. Free Press photos by Don Ratzlaff? SUPREME FLOOR CO. carries a longstanding tradition of quality flooring. Former owners Les and Noami Flaming successfully operated the business known as the Carpet Center for 45 years before selling it to Stuart and Leah Isaac in 2006. The Isaacs renamed the business Supreme Floor Co. and moved to a new location on Main Street.

Stewart and Leah, along with some of their employees, spent several years learning about different types of flooring, pricing, marketing and installation methods. Over the next six to seven years, the business grew to the extent that the Isaacs had to look for a larger showroom and additional warehouse space.

In 2013 they purchased their present location at 117 N. Main St., having three times the space along with an expanded warehouse. This enabled them to offer a wider variety of flooring, countertop and wall tile products for both residential and commercial settings.

In addition to quality products, the Isaacs emphasize outstanding customer service. They begin the trans?action with one of their qualified design consultants. They help customers choose the styles and colors to update their space. After the sale, certified technicians do the installation.

In recent years, Supreme Floor has provided floor covering services to a number of nursing homes and retirement centers in central Kansas, and are becoming known for their expertise in this market.

In addition to the sale and installation of new products, they provide a carpet-cleaning service for their clientele. They are certified to handle carpet damage restoration, including flood water, mold and sewage.

Supreme Floor contributes to the Hillsboro downtown business district by occupying its large Main Street storefront and investing a significant amount of money to purchase and update the facility.

Currently, Supreme Floor has four employees, not including a number of installation technicians who work as independent contractors. They also have supported the business community by serving on the Chamber of Commerce board of directors.

Renee Lippincott (far right) of KDOC?s south-central Kansas regional office presents the Award of Merit to  the Franz family (from left) Ryan, Darren, Melanie and Dale. Free Press photos by Don Ratzlaff? DALE?S SUPERMARKET is a full-line Affiliated Foods grocery store with a fresh-cut meat department.

Dale and Melanie Franz purchased the family business from his parents, Ray and Aldine Franz, in 1999 and changed the name from Ray?s Thriftway to Dale?s Supermarket.

Dale?s specialty is German smoked sausage, which is produced in-house by his meat department. The sausage is made from the whole hog, including hams shoulders and loins, seasoned with Dale?s special proprietary seasoning. Presently they sell about 1,000 pounds per week.

During the Arts and Crafts Fair, Dale sells about 3,000 pounds of smoked sausage. Many people come back year after year specifically to buy sausage. Presently, Dale ships sausage to customers nationwide and is planning to go online to accommodate Internet sales.

In recent years, Dale has expanded the square footage of his floor space, including new coolers and display cases. His capital investment has been about $200,000 the past 10 years with plans for additional capital expenditures in the near future.

Last year Dale?s Super?market received the Growth Achievement award from Affiliated Foods Midwest. The store?s growth has come about in part because of its customer service. They make special orders as well as deliveries when needed.

Following his family tradition of supporting the Hillsboro community organizations and events, Dale?s gives discounts for the USD 410 Booster Club and Tabor College to stock their snack bar and sell grilled sausage sandwiches at various events.

The store also provides discounts for people living at Main Street Ministries as well as the local food bank.

Many of Dale?s 22 employees have been with him for a numbers of years, which speaks well of the work environment. The store has been a great place for high school students to find part-time employment.

Some of Dale?s employees are involved in various committees that promote the town. Dale serves on the Chamber of Commerce board of directors.

Renee Lippincott (far right) of KDOC?s south-central Kansas regional office presents the Award of Merit to Delbert Peters and Dick Tippin, CG&S staff member. Free Press photos by Don Ratzlaff? COOPERATIVE GRAIN & SUPPLY was incorporated May 1, 1966, as a farmers? cooperative that focuses on grain, feed, petroleum and crop production.

CG&S has grain-storage locations in Canada, Canton, Hills?boro, Lehigh and Marion, and operate Ampride stores in Hillsboro and Marion. CG&S also operates a seed-treatment plant in the Hillsboro Industrial Park.

Lyman Adams, general manager for almost 30 years, has led CG&S through major changes. Their grain storage capacity has grown from 1.2 million bushels in 1966 to the present capacity of more than 4 million bushels. CG&S has made over $5 million worth of capital improvements the past 10 years.

CG&S also has formed alliances with several surrounding cooperatives to form two joint ventures: Countryside Feed and Team Marketing Alliance.

Countryside Feed is a full-line feedmill facility manufacturing for all species of livestock. They distribute feed within in a 150-mile radius of Hillsboro. Coun?try?side Feed has 35 employees in Hillsboro.

Team Marketing Alliance was formed by four area cooperatives for the purpose of marketing grain.

CG&S is civic-minded in a number of ways. The company co-sponsors a scholarship for a graduating senior wanting to major in an ag related field.

CG&S management staff and employees serve on various city boards and organizations such as the HDC, Chamber of Commerce, Hillsboro Fire Department, Marion County Fair Associ?ation, Marion County 4-H Endow?ment Committee, Hillsboro Community Foun?dation and local churches.

CG&S has participated in the Land O?Lakes Founda?tion Matching Fund program since 2004, having generated nearly $70,000 for area food banks, local fire departments, Tabor College, USD 410 and other local organizations and charities.

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