A new business officially opened its doors in Hamilton a little over a month ago, with hopes of serving the Hamilton community by providing a grocery and general merchandise store and detailing shop, as well as organizing monthly farmers’ markets.
99 Line Ranch, LLC, doing business as 99 Line Ranch Trading Co. and RevHaus Ceramic & Detailing Co., officially opened its doors at 22 East Main Street in Hamilton with a grand opening on July 18.
Owned and operated by Brandon and Rachel Schmale, 99 Line Ranch Trading Co. was created to fill a need the couple saw in their community. “We saw a gap here in Hamilton that was created a few years ago when the town lost the place where people could quickly pick up grocery items,” the Schmales stated. “We felt it was time to fill that gap and bring the convenience back to the community,” they continued.
The name 99 Line Ranch has special meaning to the couple, as well as historic value. Hamilton and Janesville once had a railroad line that ran along where Kansas Highway 99 is now. Because the Schmale family’s home and business properties sit on either side of Highway 99, the couple felt the name was a perfect and natural fit. “It is broad enough to grow with us but also be a memorable, distinctive name and brand.
Today, 99 Line Ranch Trading Co. carries everyday essentials including milk, bread, butter, cheese, a variety of grocery items, pet supplies, and personal hygiene products. The store also offers farm-fresh eggs from the family’s own flock. The Schmales are working to expand the store’s selection of Kansas-grown and Kansas-made products and hope to partner with area farmers and producers to offer locally grown produce and other regional goods when available.
The business is also currently working through the process of becoming an approved SNAP/EBT retailer, which would allow more families in the community to shop at the store using their benefits.
Over the next six to 12 months, they plan to expand the store to include bagged ice, bulk poultry feed, and an upland dog supply section geared toward hunting and working dogs. The business also operates a poultry program, offering live chickens and hatching eggs when available.
Community events are another important part of the business. The 99 Line Ranch Farmers Market will provide an opportunity for residents, farmers, makers, and small businesses to connect. The first Farmers Market was held Saturday, Aug. 8, from 9 a.m. to noon. Farmers Markets are planned for the second Saturday of each month from April through October, alongside extended Saturday store hours.
The business also hosts Cars & Coffee on the third Saturday of each month. The first Cars & Coffee event was held in conjunction with the grand opening on July 18.
For the Schmales, opening a business in Hamilton is also a continuation of their family’s connection to the community. Brandon grew up in the Greenwood and Butler County area and has longstanding family ties to Hamilton, with extended family still living in the area. Many community members knew his mother, Terresa Jardot. Brandon moved to Salina in 2007, where he met Rachel. The couple returned to the area in 2013 and purchased their Hamilton home in October of that year.
They were married on April 12, 2014. When they married, Brandon chose to take Rachel’s last name. Rachel’s father had played an important fatherly role in Brandon’s life, and carrying on the Schmale family name was meaningful to both of them, particularly because Rachel has no brothers. The couple now has three children, McKenzie, 11; Jamison, 6 and Briley, 3. All three were born in Emporia and brought home to Hamilton. “They have only known Hamilton as home,” the Schmales said.
Both Brandon and Rachel brought previous business experience into their new venture. Brandon previously transported campers across the country and operated his own trucking company. While the work was manageable when the couple had their first child, they eventually decided that trucking was no longer the right fit as their family grew. Rachel owned and operated a home daycare for more than five years. She currently works as a self-employed independent contractor with CallBoss, answering calls and assisting customers on behalf of service-based businesses, including HVAC, plumbing, lawn care, and similar companies.
RevHaus Ceramic & Detailing Co.
Located in the back of the building is the couple’s second business, RevHaus Ceramic & Detailing Co., a vehicle cleaning and detailing operation.
RevHaus offers basic vehicle cleaning and full detailing services. Appointments can be scheduled by phone, email or Facebook.
Contact Information
99 Line Ranch Trading Co. is open Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. and open the second Saturday of the month during April-October from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. The monthly farmers market is held on the second Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. On the third Saturday of each month, the business hosts “Cars & Coffee” from 9-11 a.m.
For more information, call 620-437-6420, email [email protected] or [email protected] or find the “99 Line Ranch” or “RevHaus Ceramic & Detailing Co.” Facebook pages.
