Businesses for sale; café may close
Staff writer
Several buildings in Marion’s downtown area and commercial park are up for sale or changing hands.
The owners of Silk Salon have put their building up for sale and are looking to relocate the salon and spa downtown.
Robin Miles said the building at 1240 Commercial Dr. is roomy and has been a good place to operate during her two years in Marion, but she wants to feel more “part of the town.”
“I would like to have a clothing boutique,” Miles said. “I’d like to be in town, where you see me. I just figured it would be easier to move me and my scissors.”
She also wants to participate in community events like downtown trick-or-treating downtown and Christmas.
Trace of Copper
A building that housed another retail business in the commercial park has been sold.
The Trace of Copper building, where Tracy Hett created metal scenes of rural Kansas before his death, has been sold, although his daughter, Allison, declined to say who bought the building.
Hett’s work was marketed at his workshop and at Kansas travel information centers and other locations. He died in July.
Café 256
A downtown Marion restaurant has cut back its hours and put the building up for sale after 11 months in business.
Café 256 announced last week that it will be open three days a week instead of five. Hours are now 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
Owners Tim and Barbara Melendy moved to Marion from Arizona and opened the business so they could live closer to their sons and Barbara’s sister in Wichita.
“We felt spiritually led here,” Barbara said.
Business has been slow and the price of supplies have been rising, Tim said.
Raising prices in July has not helped profits, he said. If business doesn’t pick up, Café 256 will close the doors.
“Right now we’re at the point we’re making a last ditch effort to see if we can keep it open,” he said. “If we can, we will keep it open.”
Many customers have been supportive, he said.
The Melendys have no plan what they might do if they close up shop. They haven’t even decided whether to remain in Marion.
“We really haven’t gotten that far with what we’re doing,” Tim said. “We’re going to wait and see what happens.”
Marion Wellness Center
Neighbors recently noticed fitness equipment being removed from a building that housed Marion Wellness Center at 110 E Main St.
The business was operated by Lori Lalouette Crawford. She could not be contacted to discuss the removal of equipment.
Building owner Timothy Wiens of Newton also could not be reached for comment.