Local Businesses Provide Great Shopping Opportunities

By Jolene Bell
Staff writer
thehutchinsoncollegian@gmail.com

Have you ever wondered what to do on a lazy Saturday, free from work and school demanding your time?

Many people could take a look around Hutchinson and dismiss it as a nowhere town with nothing to do. But if you look hard enough, there is more to Hutchinson than TJ Maxx, Hobby Lobby, and going to Wichita for more options. There is plenty to offer in terms of outdoor and indoor entertainment – you just have to know where to look.

On the corner of 17th and Monroe sits a shop that opened in December called Plant & Pottery Co. Owned by a creator of many talents, Mary Basgall, who has a vibrant spirit along with a passion for her shop. Walking in, you are greeted with upbeat pop music matching the entire space’s vibe. Every floor tile, bookshelf, and corner is filled with luscious greenery fit for newbie plant parents and long time veterans.

Basgall has accumulated a grand collection of plants that you would be hard pressed to find at a big box store. Each plant is handled with care from weekly waterings to monthly trimmings.

If you are a newbie, Basgall is willing to walk you through each question you have when purchasing from her.

Walking deeper into the store is where you will really find the hidden gold in the form of pottery. She offers a variety of options from wheel classes, already fired pieces, or hand building. Getting your hands dirty in creation is something Basgall enjoys and would love to share that passion with everyone. With the store still getting its legs under it, Basgall has plans for several classes and lessons for adults and children alike, so keep an eye out for new events. Starting Saturday, Plant and Pottery Co. will be open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and then 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays. They will not be open on Sundays.

At 122 W. 4th Avenue sits a building whose metal door is covered in stickers that should be an attraction all in itself. Through the door is where most of the goodies lie, close to 5,000 records and CD’s waiting for you to search for your favorite artist.

If you are lucky when you visit you will have an intriguing conversation with the store’s owner, Lucas Soltow. A man of many words, after speaking with him for five minutes, it is easy to see his passion for music bleeding through each album cover.

Permanent Records was originally opened in June 2023, and for the past two years, has been a go-to destination for music lovers. If you are leery about leaving your house for whatever reason, do not fret, Soltow has an even grander solution for you. Head over to www.permanentrecordsks.com where you can shop for 10s of thousands of records to suit your tastes. Order online, pick it up in store, then enjoy it at home.

What makes Soltow a unique store owner is not his outward friendliness or his major collection, it is the reason he started the business in the first place. Lucas and his wife, Davina Jamison, have a 19-year old son who has autism. As his son was approaching the end of high school, there was a rude awakening in how to have his son work. Seeking help from the government’s placement system, his son was placed on a waiting list with no defined time frame for when he could be accepted into the workforce. This did not sit well with Lucas and his wife, but they felt inspired by another dad struggling with the same situation in Texas who ended up opening a car wash for his son and their friends who struggle with things like autism. Soltow opened Permanent Records creating a safe, patient environment for all employees along with his son to help support themselves. The store is open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. they are not open on Sundays and Mondays.

Shop local is a phrase best used when dealing with such fantastic shop owners all over the city of Hutchinson who are eager to guide you to something you will love. And as always for something free and indoors stop at our local library, they always have something going on. But remember, they are closed on Sundays.

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