Business apparently closed but lease in limbo

By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Visitors to Central Perma-Column on N. Roosevelt St. on Tuesday would have found a locked, darkened building.

Coupled with action taken at Marion city council meeting Monday, it’s possible the business has ceased operations in Marion.

Council members gave city attorney Susan Robson permission to file any legal documents she deemed necessary to protect the city’s interests in the building, leased by John and Amy Minor. The action followed a 10-minute executive session.

Robson, as well as city administrator Roger Holter, declined to confirm the status of the business. Robson did say she expects to file court documents in the matter by Friday.

A sign on the door gives phone numbers for Central Perma-Column, Power Track Sliding Door Systems, and a Salina number to call for deliveries or pickups. When phoned, the Perma-Column number went to a voice mailbox that is full and cannot accept messages. The Power Track number reached a recording stating the number is no longer in operation. A message left at the Salina number did not result in a returned call.

John and Amy Minor leased the building two years ago with a 10-year lease purchase agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, the business would pay $1,619 per month from June 1, 2016 through April 2021, then a balloon payment of $160,438 in May 2021 to complete the purchase of the building for $269,238.

The Minor originally operated the business as Power Track Sliding Door Systems of Kansas and later added Central Plains Perma-Column to their services.

At the time, the Minors said they planned to move to Marion.

The building originally housed Arlie’s Paint, Body, and Glass, now Arlie’s Collision Specialists at 130 W. Main.

Arlie’s began operating in the building in July 2008 and vacated in August 2012.

From August of 2013 to late 2014, it housed Skywalkers Trampoline and Tumbling Academy. Owner Don Carter said in early 2015 that heating costs and insufficient heat in the building had driven away business.