Businesses


	Roots mean a lot to Jesse Shaver. Shaver is a third generation owner of Cliff’s Super Service, a family owned business that has been in Emporia for more than 70 years. “I raised my children here and lived here all my life. I continued my family’s business here and have lots of family history in Emporia.” Cliff’s Super Service, located at 115 E 5th Street in downtown Emporia, provides complete quality automotive repair and wrecker service. Cliff’s is ASE certified and specializes in preventive maintenance for new and older vehicles, which can include anything from routine maintenance, to repairs, to tire work. “We have a high degree of family integrity,” Shaver said. “We pride ourselves on our quality service and taking care of our customers as honestly and fairly as we can – that’s what keeps them coming back.” Cliff’s Super Service has been an Emporia Chamber member for more than 50 years. “I like the small big town aura of Emporia and I look forward to growth. Adding businesses and competition will give more choices to the region. We're situated in a place that would be hard to make mistakes that kept us from growing. We’ve got good schools, good city government, and a great location near major highways. “I’m a family guy,” Shaver said. “I get satisfaction after helping a customer with a challenging or stressful car problem, I like helping them solve their problem and making them smile.”


	Mel Scheller moved to Emporia in 1980, and liked it so much he started his lawn and landscape business here. He and his family, including son, Mike, who works with Mel in the family business, think Emporia is a great place to live, with the perfect size and atmosphere.


	This new restaurant, owned by Amanda and Alex Johnston, opened in October 2007 in the newly renovated Kress Center building at 702 Commercial in downtown Emporia. Amanda Johnston got the idea to open her own bakery and cafe from her experience working in another sandwich shop in Emporia before it closed. She took that basis for the menu and the fabulous homemade bread recipe and decided to go into the food business on her own, with the urging of her dad. “He helped talk me in to it,” she said. “People really missed the homemade bread,” Amanda said. “I knew there was a demand for this.” The bakery and café offers made-from-scratch breads, cookies, cinnamon rolls, fresh sliced deli cheese, and Fanestil meats, along with several sandwich options, soups, salads and other cold breakfast items. “We offer a quality product, friendly service, and a great location, centrally located downtown,” Amanda said. Amanda, who was born and raised in Emporia, decided to come back and start her business here. “I’ve lived here all my life except for a stint in a larger city in Kansas. There was too much traffic. Emporia is special because you can get to know everyone. It is such a supportive community.” She said she appreciates how encouraging the Emporia community has been of her in her new business endeavor and looks forward to the future growth of her business.


	Brian Rausch’s family likes Emporia because of its location. It’s close to Wichita and Kansas City but offers the perfect size to come home to. Brian has great job and enjoys living and working in Emporia. “It offers the best of both worlds.”