By CRISTINA JANNEY
WILSON — Kansas Originals, after 37 years of selling arts, crafts, books, and Kansas-made food products, is facing the demolition of its building and supporters thought it might be the end of the store and its mission.
Although the building at exit 206 of Interstate 70 is still slated for demolition to make way for a new truck stop, Kansas Originals has found a new home.
The store will close its off-interstate location on Sept. 30 and open on Oct. 1 at 2519 Ave. E in downtown Wilson.
Marge Lawson, Kansas Orginals CEO, said the new location will have a smaller showroom, but the nonprofit will have off-site storage to make up some of the difference.
The new location will have the same events as the former, including tastings of Kansas wines and events to meet local artisans.
"We're going to make it even better," Lawson said.
The nonprofit that operates the store owns its building, but not the land on which it sits. The building is set to be demolished on Nov. 30, Lawson said.
The Kansas Originals board is also pursuing satellite shops. The nonprofit is exploring a partnership with travel centers along the interstate. The organization had a satellite shop in the Topeka travel center until the pandemic hit in 2020.
Consumers can order some products from the store's website, www.kansasoriginals.com. Lawson said the board is considering revamping its website and using it to promote more of the products available through the store.
However, she said because many of the crafts are handmade, inventory is limited.
The store will also likely add new signage to direct people from the interstate to the new store in Wilson.
Lawson, who was a co-founder of the Kansas Orginals, said she is thrilled the mission of the shop will continue.
She explained that mission in a letter to the Hays Post in May, "Our mission is to provide marketplaces for the work of Kansas artists, craftsmen and food producers, especially those who are 62 or over, low-income, disabled, minorities or women in business."
According to Post Rock Opportunities Foundation, which is the nonprofit that supports Kansas Originals, more than 1,000 corporations, businesses, and individuals have supported the nonprofit through grants, sponsorships and monetary donations since its founding.
The Smoky Hill Foundation, Merrill Foundation, Kansas Arts Commission and Dane G. Hansen Foundation are among the Kansas Originals' supporters, as well as the local artisans and craftspeople who donate their work to fundraisers.
Kansas Originals will join other tourist stops in Wilson, and Lawson said she hopes the store will draw more visitors to the community of about 800.
Wilson proudly promotes its Czech heritage, with the world's largest Czech egg and an annual After Harvest Czech Festival that was celebrated last weekend.
It is also the home of the historic Midland Railroad Hotel, and the community has rallied to create an outdoor entertainment venue from its former historic opera house, which burned in 2009.
That new venue will open later this month.
When the nonprofit was first notified of the developers' plans, Lawson said she was afraid Kansas Originals might be forced to close. Now, she's looking toward the future.
"Yes. I am happy," she said. "It's going to be challenging, but it gives us exciting new opportunities."
Kansas Originals has an active GoFundMe account to help with the transition. Click here to donate.
You can still visit the Kansas Originals location 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays at 233 Highway 232, Wilson, KS, 67490 until the store moves at the end of September.
For more information, email [email protected] or call 785-658-2602.