Miller Financial Group, Inc., provides financial solutions and personal service to retirees, pre-retirees, and those individuals affected by company layoffs, plant closings or company mergers requiring them to make decisions regarding the distribution of their company retirement plans. Recently the Miller Group opened a new office at 2923 west Highway 50, after doing a total renovation of the previous building. Here, we hear from owner Richard Miller about the move, renovation and owning a business in Emporia. Q. How long have you been in business in Emporia? A. “My wife, Colleen, and I both grew up in Western Kansas. In Ford and Edwards Counties. I was actually encouraged to come to Emporia State University by two gentlemen who I worked for during a high school work-study program at the Edwards County Hospital. Both the hospital administrator and the business manager graduated from Emporia State and thought it would be a good fit so we headed to Emporia in 1978 and have been here ever since. Colleen and I both completed our business degrees and graduated from Emporia State in 1982. I worked my way through college by working at a body shop and towing company fixing and painting cars, writing estimates and running the tow trucks on nights and weekends. Colleen worked at the University in the admissions office and then for Columbia Savings. In November of 1985 Colleen and I started what is today known as Miller Financial Group, Inc. We started out in the back bedroom of a 14 x 70 mobile home with no clients and we were pretty green behind the ears. Our business has grown over the years primarily by taking care of our
clients and from referrals. Our client’s investable assets range from a few thousand dollars to over $8 million. The economic climate has caused people to take a hard look at their investment portfolios. For some of our clients the investment objectives have changed to preserving and protecting their assets. We take a very personal approach in working with our clients and tailor our decisions to their specific situation.” Q. Why did you decide to renovate the location of your new office? A. “Our new office is located at 2923 West Highway 50, in what most folks probably remember as the old Western Sizzler steak house. We originally purchased the property as an addition to our investment in commercial property in Emporia. We purchased the building knowing that it was on a major roadway with a good traffic count, a large parking lot and a good location. We figured that with all the changes planned for the realignment of Highway 50, the Kansas Turnpike and west entrance into the city this would be a great opportunity to showcase our company and the services we offer. For three years we made several changes to the property including a new roof and windows along with completely removing all the old restaurant equipment and gutting the inside down to the studs in hopes that we could attract a tenant or even a buyer for the building. After three years sitting idle, I decided it was time to make the move and to renovate the property as our new headquarters for Miller Financial Group, Inc.” Q. What motivated you? A. “Actually there were several motivating factors. First, was the fact that we needed to find a use for the building and since no one else seemed to have a plan or a vision for the property I decided to carry on with the expansion and relocation of Miller Financial Group to our new location. We really liked the highway frontage, increased visibility, increased traffic counts and the convenient parking. Second, for several years we had a dream of having a log home. After several conversations with our builder, he said Kansas was really not the place to build a log home so we thought this may be the opportunity to take advantage of the large rooms and vaulted ceilings and just line the inside of the new office with logs and big timbers and give it that feeling of being in a lodge. We all like the outdoors and like to hunt big game so this was the perfect opportunity to have a very open, relaxing, atmosphere to have in a working environment. It really is a lot of fun to get up and go to work and our clients love the look and feel as soon as they come through the door. Third, we have a vision of adding some new services to compliment our financial services practice. This includes offering Trust Services, which will be provided through the “Private Trust Company.” LPL Financial, our broker dealer owns a National Bank that gives our clients access to these trust services. Most of our clients already have trusts in place and are looking for local representation to help carry out the terms set forth. Fourth, the demographics of our country are aging, namely the baby boomers. These people make up a large percentage of our client base. This market is going to continue to grow and we serve these people to a large extent in our financial planning process. I wanted to be on the front side of this wave of growth that is coming so we decided to make a major investment into the new headquarters for Miller Financial Group and Emporia, Kansas. Fifth, we wanted to have the capacity to bring our clients and potential new clients together for financial workshops and seminars where we can help educate and share ideas that will be beneficial to them and their families. In our new facility we now have two conference rooms where we can bring larger groups together. We just completed our first two seminars and they were a great hit. Finally, our plans are long-term. We have worked for years to build a relationship with our clients. We know them, their children and grandchildren so it makes sense that we have a facility to bring our clients and their families together for family meetings to plan and strategize in succession planning, investment management, insurance, wealth distribution and trust services.” Q. What did you have to do for renovation? A. “We started the whole process by removing all the old restaurant equipment that was still here. We removed the old fire suppression system in the kitchen area and several old walk-in freezers and coolers. Once the inside had been gutted, we put on a new roof and replaced all the exterior windows to get the property sealed up and secure. At that point we did some interior floor work and removed of all the old heating and air units. Then we waited for a possible tenant or a buyer that would see potential with this location. During that three year time frame, we really only had one serious tenant for consideration and that was for a new Kidney Dialysis Center. All the plans were drawn up, drawings of the facility looked great and then right before the lease was completed the company we were dealing with was purchased by another publicly traded company. At that point the process basically stopped and we were left empty handed when they decided not to proceed with the treatment center.” Q. How long did the process take? A. “Once we made the commitment to the renovation for our new headquarters the renovation took right at a year to complete. The logs and knotty pine were shipped in from Michigan. All of the interior log work was by hand and was completed by Dale Miller, his son Alan Miller and Mark Garber from the Waverly area. No we are not related, but they are clients and friends. We are extremely pleased with the quality of craftsmanship and care they took when putting the timbers and log siding in place. As the inside was coming together the next step was to change the exterior look. We went with a native stone from our client Bob Bell who has a rock quarry in Chase County. This stone completely changed the look of the building, and we really like it.” Q. What do you like about living and having a business in Emporia? A. We have enjoyed Emporia and the surrounding communities for a number of reasons. We believe Emporia is a great place to raise a family. You have the University here, one of our sons is currently attending ESU now, go HORNETS. My wife loves basketball so she watches those Lady Hornets and as ESU Alumni we feel the education we received here has really helped us in building a successful business. Colleen and I have raised three children while living in Emporia. Dr. Wright our family doctor delivered all three of them and having a local hospital is a great asset to our community. Our youngest daughter just graduated from high school and will be leaving for college this summer. Our oldest son attended the Flint Hills Technical College and is now living here in Emporia. We also have family in Wichita and Kansas City, so it makes it nice that we can go see them or they can come here to Emporia, making it real convenient for us to get together. We both have other family members who are graduates of ESU and so the University has really played a big part in our lives and the community we live in. Emporia is just a nice place to live and work, the people are friendly and the midwestern values show through when we have an opportunity to work with our clients. As teenagers in 1978 coming from a small town and a farm in Western Kansas, Emporia seemed like such a big city, with stop lights, interstate highways, multiple exits to the city and two rivers, now it just seems like home. Miller Financial Group is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. They can be reached at (620) 343-2180.
Owner of Emporia’s The Help Desk, Bobby Thompson graduated from ESU, moved away for five years, and decided to come back to Emporia to start his own business when his wife Kerri, also an ESU grad, completed dental school and was ready to start her own dental practice. The Thompsons liked that they had roots in Emporia and were close to family. “I like the feel of a smaller town rather than a larger city,” Bobby said. “It really gives you a chance to get to know families here.” Bobby looked forward to coming back to Emporia and opening his own business downtown. He said that one thing that made the experience great was the tremendous support he got from Emporia organizations. Bobby said that Flint Hills Technical College, the Emporia Main Street Association and the Emporia Chamber were very supportive and a huge help in getting his new business running. He said for that reason alone he would recommend Emporia as a place for entrepreneurs, not to mention the quality of life available in the Emporia community. “There are lots of resources available for new businesses here,” he said. The Help Desk, located at 717 Commercial St., is a retail store and offers computer and network support for business and residential customers. The retail store carries computer gifts and accessories and a wide range of electronic toys. Some of the technical services The Help Desk offers include virus removal, hard drive data retrieval and repairs for desktop and laptop computers. They also custom build desktop computers, can meet a variety of price ranges and offer service on site and in store. The Help Desk is open Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. -7 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. For questions, call (620) 343-3300.
Emporia is the first city in Kansas to have a Pizza Ranch – a new restaurant owned and operated by Rich & Linda Avery. The restaurant, which opened in December, offers pizza, chicken, sides and both an afternoon and an evening buffet and salad bar. The Avery’s decided to open a Pizza Ranch franchise in Emporia because they liked the size of the community and thought the Pizza Ranch concept would be a good fit, Rich said. “Emporia is definitely a good-sized community. We came from a town of 3,000 in South Dakota, so it’s nice having all the goods and services you could need right there in your own community,” Rich said. “We’re very happy with what Emporia has to offer – all without having to travel.” The Avery’s have owned and operated numerous Pizza Ranch franchises in different cities over the last nine years. “We like that it is a small company with lots of freedom for an independent owner and operator. It’s a flexible company with a strong franchise for support.” Rich said he especially liked that they were able to hire local contractors and vendors to help out the local economy. And that’s not the only way Pizza Ranch helps out the Emporia community. Pizza Ranch actively gives back to local organizations such as ESU and church groups by hosting and contributing to various fundraising endeavors. Rich said that Emporia has a lot of polite and friendly people and that he was overwhelmed with how many welcomes he got being new to town. “Customer service and high food quality are number one at Pizza Ranch. We want to give 100% excellent customer service,” Rich said.
Over the last one-hundred-plus years, the Emporia Gazette newspaper has played an important role in the life of the City of Emporia. Pulitzer prize winning and family owned since 1895, when William Allen White bought the newspaper, the publication has been recognized nationally and is known for its legacy of community journalism. Today the newspaper is still published by the White family, and community involvement and teamwork are still a high priority. Fourth generation publisher Christopher White Walker works side-by-side with his wife at the paper, much like his parents, grandparents and great grandparents before him. The Emporia Gazette has played a vital role in providing news and more to the Emporia community and beyond, expanding its reach even more with the online version, launched in 1996. From starting, participating and building community events, to supporting local organizations, and helping beautify neighborhoods, the Emporia Gazette is truly part of the Emporia community. “We try and help the community however we can,” said Walker “It goes back to William Allen White being a community booster and his belief in supporting the community.” Walker said part of the Gazette’s role is to be the conscience of the community; to tell the good and the bad, in a kind, caring way. “We want to make Emporia the best we can,” Walker said.
Another entity that helps keep consumers entertained and informed is Emporia Radio Stations. With mormats from which to choose, Emporia Radio Stations are serving the Emporia community and beyond. Emporia Radore than 100 local newscasts a week and three listening fio Stations include KVOE-AM 1400, Country 101.7 and Mix 104.9 FM. This year, KVOE-AM 1400 celebrates its 70th anniversary of broadcasting after first going on the air as KTSW in 1939. Emporia Radio Stations broadcast news, sports, and music, along with several hosted shows throughout the day. They also offer live severe weather coverage 24/7. Stations also air live sports coverage for area high schools and Emporia State University, and feature frequent interviews with local newsmakers. They also do a lot when it comes to community support and sponsorships. “Community involvement is at the top of our list. Service to the community is what we believe in; that and getting results for our clients,” Manger Ron Thomas said. “Our goal in the Emporia community is to be supportive and stay active in community events,” Thomas said. “Were involved with hundreds of events throughout the year through sponsorship and coverage.”
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.
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.
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.”