While the regular cafeteria will no longer be available, visitors at St. Rose Ambulatory & Surgery Center will still have access to food and drink.

Great Bend Coffee (GBC) is opening its second location in the main lobby at St. Rose, beginning Monday. St. Rose Ambulatory & Surgery Center is the new name for Central Kansas Medical Center, effective today.

"Equipment and stock have been moved in and another staff person has been hired. We are excited and ready to go," said Paul Wagner, who co-owns GBC with his wife, Barb. "Opening just three weeks after the decision was made has been a daunting task but St. Rose has been amazing – putting together cabinets, work tops, plumbing and electrical. It’s been just a great landlord to work with."

Paul will manage the St. Rose GBC, while Barb will stay on as manager of the downtown location. Hours will be 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, but the daily hours could be adjusted if necessary.

The new location will include oven-baked pizza and sandwiches, salads, wraps, soups and desserts. A few more breakfast items than the normal muffins and scones are also being planned.

"We already feel welcome in the St. Rose community," Paul said. "This opportunity was just too good for us to pass up. We have initial ideas about how to operate but our business model is based upon listening and adapting to customers’ needs. We could end up with a very different menu down the line."

During the preparation, people stopped in to chat and express their thanks for the Wagners’ willingness to come to St. Rose.

"We are humbled by this and very grateful," Paul said. "Business people don’t always get such a warm reception, yet it is the same reception we received from Great Bend residents when we started the downtown store two-and-a-half years ago. We feel very blessed to be in this position."

An invitation letter was sent to several community businesses and GBC responded with a letter of interest and possible menu. After GBC was chosen, William Coomer, St. Rose director of facilities services, helped facilitate the process.

"He has been an amazing person to work with; he has great vision and a warm and caring spirit," Paul said. "We are thankful for his daily help in getting this project together.

"We invite everyone to stop in and visit our new location," Paul added. "St. Rose is a fantastic organization, with an amazing medical staff and support staff. Barb and I are happy to be a new addition to the family."