Staff writer
A business that repairs, replaces and retrofits sliding doors for farm buildings is preparing to set up shop in Marion and expects to employ about 10 during its first year in business.
Marion city council members agreed Monday to sell the former Arlie’s building at 828 Roosevelt St. to John and Amy Minor, owners of Power Track Sliding Door Systems of Kansas.
The couple offered $269,238 for the building. Under the terms of the lease/purchase agreement, the Minors will pay $1,619 per month from June 1 through April 2021, then a balloon payment of $160,438 in May 2021 to complete the purchase, although the couple can pay off the building at any time during the lease period.
Minor anticipates a June 15 opening.
“Marion will be our central location but we have satellites in other areas,” Minor said.
The Minors will operate two other businesses out of the same Marion location.
They are in the process of purchasing Lawrence-based Heartland Perma-Column, which produces precast concrete columns for use in construction of pole barns and residential decks, providing an alternative to putting wood in the ground.
The third business, yet to be named, will be a metal building component and accessories distribution center of parts for any brand or type of metal buildings.
This is the fourth year the Minors have operated Power Track, starting in York, Nebraska.
While the Minors were looking for a new location so as to have space to add the distribution business, a business associate tipped John Minor off to the possibility of available space in Marion. Minor spoke with city administrator Roger Holter and the Minors found an agreeable building at an agreeable price.
Amy Minor, a Kansas native, said she considers Marion a match made in heaven.
The Minors plan to live in Marion and are looking for a house.
“June 15 is the start date for everything,” Minor said. “I’m kind of an all-or-nothing kind of guy, so don’t be shocked if it’s before that.”