The Business Beat provides news on new hires, services and announcements from the business community.
Barbwire Barbecue has joined DoorDash and Uber Eats, allowing customers to have food delivered to their door.
Co-owner Jason Musick said partnering with the delivery services will allow Barbwire Barbecue to provide more options for the community and expand their demographic.
“Sometimes time is money for families, and being able to order their food and know that it’s coming, they can then focus on homework or whatever they have going on,” Musick said. “So, I think it is a good benefit.”
But because third-party delivery services are new to Eudora, finding drivers to deliver customer orders has been difficult. Most drivers come from Lawrence, but the drive isn’t worth it for some people, Musick said.
“A lot of DoorDash people won’t even touch some orders because they don’t really make any money on them,” Musick said. “So it’s kind of a Catch-22 situation.”
However, Musick believes finding drivers will be easier once more businesses in Eudora partner with third-party delivery services.
For those who want to order food and pick it up themselves, Barbwire Barbecue also takes online orders through its website.
Local dentist office expands staff
Dentist Brianne Koester is the newest addition to John H. Hay DDS Inc., providing the community with family-owned dental care.
Originally from Hoisington, Kansas, Koester graduated from the University of Kansas with a history degree. After joining AmeriCorps and being placed in a dental public health facility, she fell in love with practicing patient-first dentistry.
Hay and Koester have known each other since 2008, when Hay started volunteering at a clinic where Koester was working. She shadowed Hay before going to dental school, and they kept in touch.
For Hay, one of the main reasons they clicked was because they share similar ideologies when it comes to dental care.
“The idea that someone I know has the same philosophy of patient-first treatment and also wants to be an independent, locally owned business person, I think that’s so cool,” Hay said.
Adding another doctor to his practice was an easy decision because of the benefits it has for the community, Hay said.
“This expansion will provide more available health care appointment hours,” Hay said. “It’s also going to provide an increase in oral health services. Any time a business expands into your community, it’s generally good for the community.”
Koester is excited to join the team and practice dental care the way she has always intended.
“I couldn’t have had a better mentor,” Koester said. “I’m just excited to be able to provide health care the way that I want to without corporate breathing down on your neck, because that is what’s best for the patient.”
Cox joins Stephens Real Estate
Meagan Cox, a licensed Realtor, joined Stephens Real Estate in Lawrence in December. Since then, she has flipped houses and helped people find homes in the Douglas County area.
Growing up in Eudora has given Cox a unique perspective because she is now able to help those looking for houses in the midst of Panasonic changes.
“I think it’s beneficial to help people whether they’re coming for Panasonic or whether they’re coming from out of state looking for a small town,” Cox said. “I just think that I am able to educate not only Eudora, but surrounding areas.”
Cox said the tight-knit community feeling she grew up around in Eudora has followed her to Lawrence.
Cox was inspired by her husband Lewis, a contractor, to pursue real estate. Right now, Cox is working on selling a house that they flipped in Topeka.
“He built the house with subcontractors from the ground up,” Cox said. “So now it’s just going to be the next step of me putting the sign in the yard.”
Before becoming a licensed Realtor, Cox operated her own meal prepping company called Mae’s Meals. The company is no longer running since Cox shifted her career toward Stephens Real Estate.
Reach reporter Camryn Robbinson with more business news at [email protected].
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