Other businesses report more good news for 2001 years ago
By ROWENA PLETT
Reporter/photographer
In addition to the report carried in last week's Marion County Record, the following was recorded for the year 2001.
Businesses along Main Street in Marion generally were pleased with the revenue they were able to generate.
For some, that meant maintaining the status quo. For others, it meant a slight increase over the previous year. Still others experienced consolidation with a look ahead to future increases in profit.
Jeannie Wildin of The County Seat said 2001 was the "best year ever." She said they ended the year strong and were very pleased with the business they received. She said normally she and her husband take time off between Christmas and New Year, but this year they were extremely busy.
Moving River Mill Woods to Marion's Main Street in June was the right move, according to owners Daryl and Pat Enos. They said being in town has made a lot of difference. Pat, who does picture matting and framing as well as picture sales, said she was swamped two weeks before Christmas. Daryl builds custom-made furniture.
Bev Schor, in her 15th year as owner of Flint Hills Gold, said the jewelry store had a good year. She said customers come from all over to order custom jewelry or for jewelry repair. She said she and her assistant, Sandy Loveless, were extremely busy right before Christmas.
Restaurant owners at Stone City Café, McGillicuddy's, and The Big Scoop said they did well over-all in 2001.
Both computer stores had a good year. Lloyd Davies of Great Plains Computers and Networking said he has a backlog of people wanting to take computer training classes. Warren Younger, manager of Computer Services and Technology, said CS&T did a brisk business in cell phones during the summer and had good computer sales the last two months of the year. "For a town the size of Marion, we did well," added co-owner Andy Hansen.
Western Associates acquired a similar business in South Carolina at the end of November 2000. That acquisition resulted in an increase in total sales volume for 2001.
"We worked last year for fun. This year we hope to make some money," said Jim Crofoot.
Laura Yates just completed her first full year as proprietor of The Hair Co. She said she did "very well" in 2001.
Gene Winkler of Gene's Travel and Video said business was up slightly in 2001 compared with the previous year. He said he acquired some new equipment during the year, including a DVD recorder.
The real estate business was good for Charles Kannady in 2001. He said although sales were down, prices were up, so he did better. He said his biggest problem is the lack of new homes for sale in Marion.
Mike Regnier of Marion Auto Supply said the past year was a good one with business up slightly. "Except for the month of September, we did well," he said.
Jim Richmond at Marion Lumber Co. said 2001 was a good year. He is beginning his 37th year as owner of the business. He is anticipating a slower 2002.
David Leith, co-owner of Gene's Tire, is pessimistic about the future of the business. He said he and his brother Troy have plenty of business but haven't made any money during more than two full years of operation. "Something's going to have to change if we want to remain in business," he commented.
