Beks is owned and operated
by Garry and Rebekah Vaught,
long time residents of Fulton.
Garry is a member of the Downtown
Fulton Revitalization Committee as well
as the Kingdom of Callaway Chamber of
Commerce. Beks is part of his vision for
a historical restoration and revitalization
of the downtown area.
Restoration of the building to much of
its historical elegance began months
ago. Along with their contractor,
Dimensions in Wood and Johnny
Hawkins, the Vaughts, their families,
and many of their friends participated
daily in hands-on restoration of the
building. Photos are posted on the
restoration website. To go there click
HERE
Beks opened it's doors for business for
the first time on the evening of
February 14, 2004. Opening Night
Photos can be seen HERE
by Garry and Rebekah Vaught,
long time residents of Fulton.
Garry is a member of the Downtown
Fulton Revitalization Committee as well
as the Kingdom of Callaway Chamber of
Commerce. Beks is part of his vision for
a historical restoration and revitalization
of the downtown area.
Restoration of the building to much of
its historical elegance began months
ago. Along with their contractor,
Dimensions in Wood and Johnny
Hawkins, the Vaughts, their families,
and many of their friends participated
daily in hands-on restoration of the
building. Photos are posted on the
restoration website. To go there click
HERE
Beks opened it's doors for business for
the first time on the evening of
February 14, 2004. Opening Night
Photos can be seen HERE
| Garry & Rebekah Vaught |
Much of the buildings unique character comes from the skill and creativity of its original architect. Its
three levels are masterfully tied together resulting in a feeling of continuity.
From the main level you can gaze up to the top floor through the large rectangular opening in the
original embossed tin ceiling. Directly above that the third floor ceiling holds a skylight. The antique
frame remains, but because of roof repairs, it no longer opens to the sky. Twinkle lights now replace
the stars.
The main staircase takes you to the mezzanine which is open with original spindled railing overlooking
the first floor, allowing a feeling of separation while still being connected.
The intricacies of the embossed tin ceiling are easily observable, being at eye level as you look out
over the main floor.
A second staircase takes you to the third floor where you can look down through that opening in its
floor, finding yourself reconnected with the activity below.
Walls on both the top and bottom levels have areas of plaster chipped away to reveal patches of the
aged brick beneath. The old wood floors remain throughout much of the building. As you spiral
through Beks, take a moment to reflect on the past and the people who, many years ago, walked the
same path.
three levels are masterfully tied together resulting in a feeling of continuity.
From the main level you can gaze up to the top floor through the large rectangular opening in the
original embossed tin ceiling. Directly above that the third floor ceiling holds a skylight. The antique
frame remains, but because of roof repairs, it no longer opens to the sky. Twinkle lights now replace
the stars.
The main staircase takes you to the mezzanine which is open with original spindled railing overlooking
the first floor, allowing a feeling of separation while still being connected.
The intricacies of the embossed tin ceiling are easily observable, being at eye level as you look out
over the main floor.
A second staircase takes you to the third floor where you can look down through that opening in its
floor, finding yourself reconnected with the activity below.
Walls on both the top and bottom levels have areas of plaster chipped away to reveal patches of the
aged brick beneath. The old wood floors remain throughout much of the building. As you spiral
through Beks, take a moment to reflect on the past and the people who, many years ago, walked the
same path.
| About Beks |
A Brief History of Beks:
This brick background is a photo of the actual antique brick in Beks' walls.
| Thank you to Nancy Lewis and Lori Dillon at the Kingdom of Callaway Chamber of Commerce for helping with some of the details of the history of the building. |
| The background on this website is a photo of the old brick that was revealed after chipping away plaster. The background beneath this text is a photo of one of the old plaster walls. |
| ~*~*~ |
| Old Meets New... Beks is a unique blend of old and new where Internet and espresso meet 1902 architecture. "Why would you want to be in a very modern building with a very modern technology when you could have modern technology in somewhat of a historical building? It gives more of a softness—a little better feel." --Garry Vaught (interview with Megan Murphy,KOMU) At Beks you can work on the Internet while looking out the window at old brick streets. . |
| Downtown Fulton... "I’m going to live the rest of my life in this town. You kind of look around the other rural downtown areas and see them sort of dilapidating. We want to stop that. Fulton is still in pretty good shape and we don’t ever want to see it go to that." "Rebekah and I thought; let’s get the youth, the young people back downtown. That brings a different mix, sort of a Columbia mix. That gives more progressive thought. With progressive thought comes new businesses that we’ve never seen around this area before." -- Garry Vaught (interview with Megan Murphy of KOMU TV.) . |
It was designed in 1902 by the renowned architect,
General M. F. Bell, and built on the site of the burned-
down Grand Opera House by James W. Pratt. He then
leased it to F.T. Montgomery, the son-in-law of
General Bell, to house the Montgomery-Bell Dry
Goods Store. Dry goods were sold on the first floor,
ladies dresses on the balcony and the top floor
housed the flooring sales. After F. T Montgomery’s
death the business was carried on by his son, Fred
Bell Montgomery, until 1956, when he moved his
business into a new building at 7th and Court.
The building was then leased to Delmar and Hazel
Sutterfield who started and operated Dora's Fashion
Shop. They named the business after their daughter,
Dorolene. The Kerns purchased the business in
1981. Following Mrs. Kern's death, the building was
leased by Betty Brennan and became Betty's Hallmark
until the Vauthts purchased it in 2004.
General M. F. Bell, and built on the site of the burned-
down Grand Opera House by James W. Pratt. He then
leased it to F.T. Montgomery, the son-in-law of
General Bell, to house the Montgomery-Bell Dry
Goods Store. Dry goods were sold on the first floor,
ladies dresses on the balcony and the top floor
housed the flooring sales. After F. T Montgomery’s
death the business was carried on by his son, Fred
Bell Montgomery, until 1956, when he moved his
business into a new building at 7th and Court.
The building was then leased to Delmar and Hazel
Sutterfield who started and operated Dora's Fashion
Shop. They named the business after their daughter,
Dorolene. The Kerns purchased the business in
1981. Following Mrs. Kern's death, the building was
leased by Betty Brennan and became Betty's Hallmark
until the Vauthts purchased it in 2004.
1910 Semi Annual "Clearance Sale"
The building at 511 Court Street has an amazingly short
list of occupants for its more than one hundred years of
existence.
list of occupants for its more than one hundred years of
existence.
| Montgomery-Bell Dry Goods Company March 6, 1915 |