Construction Around Lamar

112 South Main Street, Lamar

Several construction projects are becoming visible around Lamar including a facelift to the former Bettiann’s gift shop at 112 South Main Street in Lamar. Interior work has also been in progress through the past year, using some funding from the Lamar Redevelopment Authority.

Current owner, Haley May Rhodes requested $10,000 to offset the code compliance and fixture repair costs. Other LRA funding for the project included $19,000 for a replacement roof and $1,000 for hvac improvements.  The building is currently receiving an exterior facelift on Main Street to accompany other projects such as bringing the bathrooms into ADA compliance, retro-fitting existing lights, updating electrical outlets and replacing aged carpet and flooring.  There is no announced opening date for the business, which is believed to be retail in nature.

Former McKorkel’s on West Oak Street

The former Korkel’s Corner at 701 West Oak Street, now owned by Darlene Lopez is also undergoing a remodeling project, inside and out. The Prowers Journal asked Lopez’s plans for the new enterprise, but she was non-committal at that point last week, indicating she has yet to make a specific decision.  Before it closed, the store was selling candles and various craft gift items and for many years was one of several neighborhood grocery/convenience stores that dotted sections of Lamar.

Toys for Tots Headquarters on West Beech Street

Lopez currently organizes the annual Toys for Tots campaign every Christmas holiday season. She is now headquartered on West Beech Street and said she is making an effort to pinpoint those families who are in dire need of help for the holidays and eliminate duplication of gifts.  Citing a lot of time-consuming cleaning efforts, Lopez is favoring purchasing only brand new gifts for area youngsters instead of handling donated and mostly used gifts, many of which don’t work.  She said she’ll have more information for the community later this year.

Gateway Flare Company on North Main Street

A barrier fence has been set up on the parking lot border of the former Kmart store at 701 North Main Street, part of the on-going development of the new and expanded headquarters for Gateway Safety Flare, formerly located on West Poplar Street. The Lamar City Council recently passed an ordinance on first reading re-zoning the property from C-3 to C-2 for light manufacturing and warehousing capabilities.  The company, which manufactures road flares, intends to use the expanded facilities for more orders and an increased workforce.

Exterior of Stockman’s on East Olive Street,

Construction work is also in progress on East Olive Street at Stockman’s Lounge, listed in phone book as 201 South Main Street! The longtime first-floor lounge and second floor apartments will undergo some renovation work to the front of the business as well as interior upgrades.

By Russ Baldwin