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New Business of the Year expanding to second building
In the past two years, the Rygmyrs' business has been so successful that it has outgrown its location.
Recipients of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce New Business of the Year award last week, the Rygmyrs finalized an agreement on Wednesday to expand Papa Don's restaurant, which features pizza, sandwiches and a salad bar.
They opened the restaurant at their current location at 10 N. Main Street on May 2, 2011 and will expand into the building next door.
"We closed today on 8 N. Main Street, just south of the current location. We're going to knock some holes between the two," said Sheila Rygmyr, who along with her husband, Tom, is co-owner of the business.
The new expansion will allow for 13 more tables and some booths, plus a large room for private parties in the back of the building.
Work will be done in stages, with the front of the building being updated first " and the hope is, that phase will be done by the Good Ol Days," said Brita Rygmyr, store manager for the family business.
Good Ol Days is an annual event held in downtown Fort Scott. This year the first day of the event is May 30, according to the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Website, www.fortscott.com/chamber.php.
The new building was purchased by Larry and Beth Nuss of L & B Enterprises and will be rented to the Rygmyrs.
The Nusses also purchased and then sold the Rygmyrs the building where the restaurant is currently located. Because of the good business relationship between the two couples, the Nusses have purcahsed the building next door to assist the Rygmyrs in expanding.
"We have a lot of faith in the Rygmyrs, we've enjoyed the relationship we've had with them and we want to have an interest in the community. We are hoping the downtown remains a vital part of the community," Beth Nuss said. "We've been amazed at their work ethic and what they put into the business. Enterpreneurship--it's refreshing to see that."
"We are really thankful to Larry and Beth for making it possible for us to do this. Start up is so expensive. And we are thankful to the community for the support."
Tom Rygmyr arrives at the store every day at 5 a.m. to make the dough and set up the salad bar. Sheila Rygmyr works weekends and both she and daughter, Brita Rygmyr, do the bookwork for the business.
"I'm also the buyer. I do a little bit of everything," Sheila Rygmyr said.
The Rygmyrs' niche in Fort Scott is that they are family owned and make the majority of their offerings from scratch, Sheila Rygmyr said.
Beth Nuss added, "Their success is relative to the product they produce."
"When you are downtown, it's like family. It's nice to work with these other people. We each have to help each other to keep going, to keep the downtown alive," Sheila Rygmyr said.