This week’s Great Bend Chamber of Commerce Coffee was hosted by Washington Workspaces, 2317 Washington St., where MPire Properties CFO Alan Burton said there are commercial spaces available to lease.
“We own the entire building,” Burton said. The first tenant was artist/interior designer Deborah Rose, and now Aaron Raney has leased half of the building for his business, Iron Therapy.
Jason Mayers founded the MPire business in 2004. Today, its umbrella of operations includes Mpire Properties, MPire Realty, MPire Improvements, and Superior Self Storage.
MPire Properties has 422 units throughout Barton County and around 20 commercial spaces available in Great Bend.
Washington Workspaces is in the building that was occupied by ResCare for about 20 years.
“They no longer needed this large of a space,” Burton said. Now MPire properties is there, leasing individual office spaces. This can be a great option for someone wanting to start a business or someone who needs some overflow space. In the alternative, it could be the answer for someone looking to downsize.
“This gives you some flexible options to look at,” he said. A fixed monthly rent cost that covers utilities can keep overhead low.
The property is near 24th and Washington, making it a good location for a commercial presence.
There is also shop space available to lease.
Chamber members were invited to tour some of the offices, as well as Iron Therapy. Burton said there are a dozen spaces available, starting at $350 a month, utilities included. There are small offices, dual suites and a larger space, as well as a conference room. The shop space has two sites.
MPire Properties (mpireproperties.com) is located at 108 10th St. The telephone number is 620-236-3557. The same address houses the home improvements division that offers Pella windows and doors, as well as overhead door installation and repair. Mpire Realty Group (mpirerealtyks.com) is at 1317 Main; 620-792-4133. Superior Self Storage LLC has about 330 storage units at various locations; call 620-282-3074.
Deborah Rose
Rose used to own a furniture store in Kansas City. She is new to Great Bend.
“I’m a creative, if you need some ideas,” she said, adding she has been a marketing manager. Also, “if somebody wants to redo their house, then I’ll coordinate everything and pull it together.”
Iron Therapy
Aaron Raney said Iron Therapy recently moved to the Washington Street location and the Washington Workspaces staff were very helpful during the transition.
Raney said he is a leader in Great Bend for health and fitness. Services include personal trainers.
Great Bend Chamber announcements
• The Great Bend Tribune’s Women’s Expo will be Tuesday, Sept. 30, at the Great Bend Events Center.
• VFW Post 3111 at 504 Washington St. is streaming Panther football games on Friday, Oct. 3, and the Homecoming game on Oct. 10. Games are at 7 p.m. Admission is free; food is available for purchase at the bar.
• Ellinwood Hospital and Clinic’s Family Fall Festival/Chamber After Hours will be from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2. This is a joint After Hours for the Great Bend Chamber and the Ellinwood Chamber. There will be food and drink, activities and games. Enjoy food trucks, bounce houses, face painting, pumpkin painting, yard games, and raffle prizes.
• A free business webinar, Startup and Start Right, will be offered on Tuesday, Sept. 30, from noon to 1 p.m. online. The webinar untangles the business startup process and guides you through 10 essential steps. Sponsored by the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce. Find the link on the Chamber Calendar.
• Michelle Beran, Family and Community Wellness agent with the Cottonwood District of the K-State Research and Extension in Great Bend is now certified to offer free Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas (SHICK). Schedule an appointment for Medicare counseling by calling 620-793-1910. The 2025 Medicare annual enrollment period runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7.
• Beran introduced Ben Sims, who is in charge of 4-H Youth Development. For information on ways to volunteer for 4-H, call the Barton County office, 620-793-1910.
• Sandra Burton at Sandra Burton Massage will continue to offer free Relax and Learn mini-classes on Mondays and Tuesdays through October and some Saturday night holiday parties in November. Schedule a one-hour interactive class for up to 12 people. Pair up and share a fast and effective forearm and hand massage. For more information text 512-773-6927.
• Avast Ye Java is selling coffee subscriptions and its fall menu is out. Find the mobile coffee shop on Facebook or email avastyejava@gmail.com.
• The next Chamber Coffee will start at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2, at NexTech Wireless, 2827 10th St.
