Follow Us

Current Poll

Now that not wearing your seatbelt is a primary charge, will that change whether or not you will wear a seat belt?
 
bizcarddirectorybutton
Romance with nostalgic Rutlader PDF Print E-mail
News - Community News
Written by Doug Carder   
Wednesday, 21 January 2009 09:00
RUTLADER — Anglers tumble upon this sleepy village of 11 when Metcalf Road runs out of real estate at Middle Creek State Fishing Lake south of Louisburg.

Southeast Kansas shoppers traveling north to Kansas City on U.S. Highway 69 pass within a half mile of one of Miami County’s largest antique stores when they whiz by the 335th Street exit.

Despite their low profile, Rutlader merchants have quietly built a solid clientele at the corner of Metcalf Road and 335th Street. Linda Evans, proprietor of Rutlader Antiques & Trading Co., said business was going well until Rutlader Furniture recently announced it is quitting business.

“I’ve had friends say they were sorry to hear I was going out of business,” Evans said. “I told them we’re not going out of business. People think Rutlader Furniture is all that’s down here, and that’s just not true.”

Connie Cleek, who rents booth space for her antiques and other pieces in Evans’ shop, said she’s experienced the same response.

“I’ve had people ask me what am I going to do with all my stuff,” Cleek said. “I told them I’m not going anywhere.”

The two women, sitting near a glowing space heater on a recent frigid day, reiterated the furniture store’s departure is not sounding the death knell for Rutlader.
“There are a lot of businesses down here that people just don’t know about,” Evans said.

Cleek nodded in agreement as she looked around the cavernous store lined with every type of antique piece and knickknack imaginable.

“People going by on (U.S.) 69 probably would like to stop and look around an antique store because you can get just about any gift you are looking for. They just don’t know we’re here.”

The store is not allowed to put up a billboard on the recently expanded U.S. 69 because the state has designated it a scenic highway.

The two women looked up to see Bill Harris come through the front door, toting the day’s mail. Harris and his wife, Brenda, purchased the 23.5-acre Rutlader Outpost complex from Jim Rutlader in three phases, beginning in 1998.

Harris began ticking off a list of businesses occupying the seven buildings that make up the complex. They include two woodworking businesses owned by Mark Skuban and Tom McCuiston, a landscaping business owned by the Olson brothers, Evans’ Rutlader Antiques, and Tammy Crandell’s natural health products outlet in the back of Evans’ warehouse-sized store.

The complex also is home to David Welch’s Lunar Mini-Golf Inc. enterprise.

“He has glow-in-the-dark miniature golf courses in malls from California to the East Coast,” Harris said. “The company makes the courses and stores them here.”

Pickin’ and a prayin’

Rutlader’s community center also houses Outpost Cowboy Church. Pastor Carl Garrett, son of a Baptist preacher and Baptist minister himself for many years, sat on a stool in Evans’ shop talking with her, Cleek and Harris. Donning his cowboy hat and leather vest, Garrett says he enjoys playing the guitar as part of the country band performing during Cowboy Church services. The informal worship service takes place at 7 p.m. every Tuesday. Fellowship time, including coffee and dessert, follows the service.

“All are welcome. Boots and hats are optional,” Garrett said.

Rutlader also is home to the Middle Creek Theatre, which opened in March 2001 and brings in top country music acts from around the U.S.

“I like to say we are a little Branson but a lot more reasonable,” Harris said.

After a winter hiatus, the theater will reopen March 14 with Main Street Opry from Osage Beach, Mo., and feature country shows every Saturday night.

Jimmy Fortune of the Statler Brothers will perform June 20, and the Harrises are currently negotiating with Marty Robbins Jr., Joe Diffie, Ricky Skaggs and Noel Haggard, son of legendary country great Merle Haggard. Those acts have yet to be confirmed, but Harris said he’s confident the 2009 schedule will be filled with quality entertainment.

Middle Creek Theatre also houses the Kansas Country Music Hall of Fame. The first inductee, Martina McBride in 2007, is a native of Kansas. Other inductees include Johnny Western, who appeared in 52 Western movies and wrote the song, “Have Gun, Will Travel,” Marlena Adkison, a disc jockey at a Topeka country radio station for more than 30 years, and popular country performer Little Jimmy Dickens of Nashville. To be inducted, the performer or disc jockey must have a tie to Kansas.

During the winter break, Harris said the theater stage will be expanded. He said 90 percent of the regular seat holders have already made reservations for the upcoming season.

RVs welcome

A 72-site RV park is located behind the building complex. The spaces feature full hook-ups, laundry, storm shelter and showers. The park hosts several rallies during the year, and groups have already started booking reservations for 2009.

“I’m pretty pleased with how the theater and RV park are doing. We did about the same business in 2008 as the year before, and it could have been worse given the state of the economy and how high gas prices were last summer,” Harris said.

Harris chuckles when he thinks about the number of people who stop to take a picture of the Rutlader, Population 11 sign in front of the complex. He said perhaps the town had a population of 11 back in the 1960s. But today, Bill and Brenda Harris and Jim Rutlader, who is in his 80s and still lives in a house on the property, are the only permanent residents.

“When people ask about the sign, I tell them it’s me, my wife, Jim Rutlader and the eight people buried out back in Rutlader Cemetery.”

Harris said he’s pleased all the buildings in Rutlader are occupied, except for the space opening up when the furniture store leaves. Most business strips in Louisburg cannot boast the same occupancy rate.

Harris said he will look for another tenant that fits well with the rest of the complex.

“I will do everything I can to make them be successful,” he said.

Evans and Cleek said they would like to see the city of Louisburg, six miles north of Rutlader on Metcalf, put up some signs directing traffic to businesses in Louisburg and Rutlader.

“These small businesses are what keep our community going,” Evans said. “We have a lot to offer.” 
Trackback(0)
Comments (0)add comment
feedSubscribe to this comment's feed

Write comment
You must be logged in to post a comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet.

busy
< Prev   Next >
 

Quick Job Search