Metal Supermarkets to open new store in Olathe

Metal Supermarkets, the world’s largest supplier of small-quantity metals, will open its newest store at 1713 E. 123rd Street in Olathe, Kan. on Monday, September 14, 2020.

Located right next to I-35, the new Olathe store is near major thoroughfares and situated between bustling retail developments and booming industrial businesses. 

Metal Supermarkets Kansas City (Olathe) offers customers instant access to any metal, cut-to-size and ready fast, with no minimum order quantity.

“Our newest location helps extend our footprint throughout the Midwest and it will be the first store in the state of Kansas,” said Stephen Schober, president and CEO of Metal Supermarkets.

Metal Supermarkets serves a wide variety of businesses customers across various industries, including tool and die shops, manufacturers, maintenance managers, fabricators, machine shops, contractors, construction companies, military, education and other government departments; as well as hobbyists, artists and homeowners.

Metal Supermarkets stocks a diverse selection of metal types including hot-rolled steel, cold-rolled steel, stainless steel and aluminum in a wide variety of shapes including bar, tube, sheet, plate and more. The new store also offers value-added services such as production saw-cutting, shearing and same-day delivery.

The new store will be owned by Leith Winsor, who was born and raised in the Kansas City area. After decades of experience in B2B and B2C sales roles, Winsor is adapting his skills to the franchise ownership, focusing his efforts on providing world-class customer service to area businesses and consumers purchasing metal.

“Even with the impact of the pandemic, the industrial manufacturing and metalworking industries in Kansas City haven’t slowed down. We are eager to help local businesses and customers get the metal products they need, when they need them,” said Winsor.

Partners on the building remodel included Manning Construction and Integrated Electric.  Olsson Engineering performed the engineering and architectural inspections. 

The new store will be open Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m; and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Customers in the Kansas City area can call 913-289-0021 or email olathe@metalsupermarkets.com to contact Metal Supermarkets and place an order.

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About Metal Supermarkets: Metal Supermarkets, known worldwide as The Convenience Stores for Metal, is the world’s largest small-quantity metal supplier with more than 95 brick-and-mortar stores across the US, Canada and United Kingdom. It sells a wide variety of metals including Aluminum, Hot-Rolled Steel, Cold-Rolled Steel, Stainless Steel, Alloy Steel, Galvanized Steel, Tool Steel, Brass, Bronze and Copper. Metal Supermarkets offers value-added services such as Production Cutting, Shearing, Punching and more. Its staff are highly specialized and assists customers in finding the metal they need. The franchise owners and their staff are metal experts and have been providing quality customer service and products since 1985.

What does a Kansas City CRE comeback look like to you?

This week's MWM Broker Spotlight features Logan Rose, who shares his positive perspective, energetic drive and contagious determination as an associate, industrial properties for NAI Heartland.

RT (Rachel Treanor): What does a Kansas City CRE comeback look like to you?

LR (Logan Rose): This year has been a unique challenge for everyone and a year most people would like to forget. Kansas City is full of hard-working and resilient people that can see light at the end of the tunnel. Getting through tough times can open doors to new opportunities.

RT: What was your lightbulb moment to get into commercial real estate?

LR: I came into the CRE world directly out of college, while interviewing and getting a better understanding of what industrial brokerage is all about, I thought my personality traits aligned with what it takes. Having the chance to be a part of a successful industrial team while simultaneously expanding my own brokerage career was appealing to me. I grew up in a commercial construction family, so I was fortunate to have basic knowledge of industrial buildings and their functionality.

RT: Who is your mentor and why?

LR: Russ Pearson and Nathan Anderson at NAI Heartland have served as great mentors to me.  They have taught me the dedication, effort and the attention to detail it requires to be successful in our industry. I continue to learn from them every day – they are excellent teachers.

RT: Who do you mentor?

LR: I mentor my clients on the sales and leasing process and figuring out their true needs in a space. For some of my clients, this is their first-time leasing or purchasing a property and they might have a general idea of what they want, but it’s my job to work out the details and find them a space that will aid in their success.

RT: What gets you excited to get to work every day?

LR: The opportunity to expand my business on a daily basis keeps me excited and motivated. You get out what you put in. Trying to get a little better each day will eventually get me to where I want to be. 

RT: How do you keep your skills sharp in this competitive climate?

LR: The CRE world is certainly a competitive profession. Knowing other young brokers are also trying to advance their careers keeps me motivated to constantly improve and not stay stagnant. Trying to stick to a detailed schedule and plan keeps me sharp.

RT: What deal do you wish for in your future portfolio?

LR: I wouldn’t say I have a specific deal in mind; I’m more interested in continuing to increase the number of transactions I take on. Every deal is different and there is always something you can take away to keep in your tool belt for future use.

RT: What leads do you look for?

LR: My primary areas of focus are Landlord and Tenant representation with regard to leasing, property acquisition and disposition of flex/industrial properties in the KC Metro. I am always looking to make new connections with anyone involved in the CRE world.

RT: How can prospects contact you for more information?

LR: Contact me by email at lrose@nai-heartland.com or by phone at 913-890-2013.

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Staying true to MetroWire Media’s focus on all things commercial real estate, we have added a new, feature column: MWM's BROKER SPOTLIGHT.

The goal is to provide our readers with direct insight to Kansas City’s brightest, up-and-coming CRE professionals.

Discover the true brains behind the build - including their professional focus, career paths, future plans, goals and more.

Know a broker, developer or other KC CRE pro who deserves to be featured in the MWM Spotlight? Please send details to kcnews@metrowiremedia.com.

Westside Flats boutique-style living draws in residents

Westside Flats, one of the latest multifamily additions to KC’s premier downtown, westside neighborhood seems to be a hit with tenants - if its steady-climbing occupancy numbers are any indication.

The EPC Real Estate Group development, which includes 29 high-end apartments that sit above a secure, structured parking garage at the SW corner of 17th and Madison, and four townhomes just to the south, has seamlessly integrated into the existing community, while providing a very “boutique” feel.  

Amenities include an expansive rooftop patio with downtown skyline views, 24 hr-fitness center, streetside patio with communal indoor/outdoor fireplace, secured/covered parking and high-end finishes throughout all units. 

Perhaps the best amenity of all is the convenience of walking only 100 yards to KC staples such as Blue Bird Bistro, The Westside Local, Chez Elle Creperie, Goat Hill Coffee, Los Alamos Market Y Cocina or Fervere. 

“Westside Flats has been such a fun and unique property to be involved in. Nestled in the most perfect location that allows our residents to support local, within a neighborhood just blocks from downtown Kansas City,” said Nicole Yates, market specialist for EPC Real Estate Group.

Another 5-minute walk to the east will put you at a First Friday event in the Crossroads or Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts for a show. 

“The project has been a huge success thus far as we saw immediate demand. Kansas City recognizes the unique lifestyle opportunity at Westside Flats, and consequently we now have a limited number of units remaining. We expect these to go quick,” added Yates.

The multifamily development opened this spring and EPC anticipates it to reach full capacity later this year.

“It has been exciting to see this one come together. With ongoing input/support from the city, neighborhood, and design team (Klover Architects), this has been a true collaborative effort that’s resulted in a great project that we are all extremely proud of,” said Austin Bradley, VP of development for EPC.

DBIA panel of leaders shares lessons learned

The final session of the Regional DBIA Virtual Conference Week wrapped up last week, featuring a panel of local leaders who shared lessons learned over their careers.

Panelists included Maria Maffry, principal with BNIM; Andy Heitmann, vice president & operations manager with Turner Construction; Robert D. Regnier, executive chairman and CEO of Bank of Blue Valley; Dave Harrison, president of VanTrust Real Estate; and Mike Orth, executive vice president with Black & Veatch.

Here are the key take-ways from the panel discussion:

1.    Forge Your Own Path

Your career consumes more than 40+ hours of your week. Find something you enjoy. Don’t be afraid to forge your own path.

Robert Reigner talked about the opportunity to work for his dad developing Johnson County, but instead he chose to take a job in banking. His boss mentored him to find out what made him happy.

“Look for people and companies you respect. Promoting from within is important. When you find that, apply yourself and show them what you can do. I started my career as a safe deposit box clerk and left an executive officer," Reigner said.

“Working hard can be a head scratcher when people become billionaires by creating an app, but don’t underestimate hard work. Work hard, work smart and take risks early," Dave Harrison said.

2.    Find Opportunities from Within

Learn and understand your company’s why. From there, your personal skills and creativity can help you provide value to your organization in a unique way.

Maria Maffry joined BNIM in its infancy and was fortunate to know B, N, I and M. This early involvement gave her a special connection with the company’s purpose and culture.

“Thirty years ago, (a) chief business development officer did not exist. Let alone a non-architect leading in that way. The company allowed me to grow and explore. I was able to find opportunities in my organization and craft my role around that. As the firm grew, I was able to grow,” Maffry said.

“COVID has really challenged company culture. We’re all getting really good at Zoom calls, but it takes a toll on culture and collaboration," Harrison said.

The more we empower people to bring their unique skills to the table the more growth we can expect. Those people looking for opportunities to grow within the organization are people we can groom as our replacements.

3.    Failure Is Part Of Innovation

People don’t like to talk about failure. As an industry, we’re usually conservative when it comes to risk, but failure is natural and important.

“I had a boss move on to start another office. As a result, I was thrown into a project. It was probably too early, but I had a great safety net. I learned a valuable lesson to surround myself with a strong team. Lean in to discomfort and always be learning,” Mike Orth said. 

“Early on it’s easy to be a sponge. There is a point in your career where you think you know everything. That’s where adversity finds you. But that is a learning opportunity – it humbles you. How you react to it tells you a lot about yourself," said Andy Heitmann.

It’s important as leaders to be humble and vulnerable. We all have something to learn.

In closing, the panel was asked to address the importance of civic involvement in their careers. Each panelist noted how it contributed to their professional and personal growth and helped them see the needs in their community.

“Do your best to the leave the world better than you found it," said Reigner.

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The next KC-DBIA event is the Annual Golf Tourney on Sept. 16, 2020 at Shoal Creek Golf Course in Kansas City, Mo.