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### Deep Dive into Top Tank: Topeka's Entrepreneurship Initiative

Top Tank was a one-time entrepreneurship competition launched in Topeka, Kansas, in 2017, designed to spark business growth and revitalization in the downtown area. Modeled after the popular TV show *Shark Tank*, it aimed to attract innovative business ideas by offering substantial financial backing in exchange for equity stakes. The project was spearheaded by a group of prominent local business leaders who sought to highlight Topeka's potential as an affordable, accessible hub for entrepreneurs, countering perceptions of economic stagnation. Below, I'll break down its origins, structure, key events, outcomes for participants, and why it ultimately concluded without repetition, along with any relevant updates through 2026.

#### Origins and Goals

The idea for Top Tank emerged from informal discussions among six Topeka businessmen who wanted to showcase positive developments in the city, such as downtown improvements, public-private partnerships, and educational investments like the East Topeka Learning Center. They emphasized Topeka's advantages: low cost of living, minimal traffic, proximity to larger markets (e.g., Kansas City), and support from organizations like GO Topeka and 712 Innovations. The focus was on filling downtown storefronts with retail, food, or service-based businesses to enhance quality of life and draw regional attention.<grok:render card_id="3b4818" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">

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The organizers were:

- **Brent Boles**: Managing partner of Schendel Lawn & Landscape (also co-owner of SPIN! Pizza).

- **John Dicus**: Chairman, president, and CEO of Capitol Federal Savings Bank.

- **Cody Foster**: Co-founder of Advisors Excel.

- **Jim Klausman**: President and CEO of Midwest Health Inc.

- **Mark Ruelle**: President and CEO of Westar Energy.

- **Greg Schwerdt**: President of Schwerdt Design Group.

Five of them (Boles, Dicus, Foster, Klausman, and Ruelle) pooled personal funds to create a $100,000 prize pot, while Schwerdt contributed pro bono design services to help finalists refine their proposals.<grok:render card_id="c36043" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">

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</grok:render> The group partnered with *The Topeka Capital-Journal* for promotion, viewing it as a way to celebrate local talent and encourage business ownership.<grok:render card_id="4af99f" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">

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The initiative officially launched on June 18, 2017, with a dedicated website (toptanktopeka.com, now defunct) for submissions. Entries were due by August 31, 2017, and organizers hoped to draw applicants from beyond Topeka, including nearby cities like Wichita, Omaha, and Des Moines.<grok:render card_id="96fd90" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">

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#### Competition Structure and Timeline

- **Applications**: 59 proposals were submitted, exceeding organizers' expectations. Ideas spanned restaurants, museums, retail, and more.<grok:render card_id="97f07c" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">

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- **Narrowing Process**: A selection committee reduced entries to 20 semi-finalists by early November 2017. These applicants visited Topeka for in-person discussions and tours to learn about local opportunities.<grok:render card_id="4e3760" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">

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</grok:render> By December 2017, it was further narrowed to 10 finalists.<grok:render card_id="950a98" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">

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- **Final Preparations**: The 10 finalists received donated design support from local firms (coordinated by Schwerdt) to polish their pitches.<grok:render card_id="5498d8" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">

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</grok:render> The competition culminated in a public symposium on February 17, 2018, at the Topeka Performing Arts Center, featuring a keynote speaker and community involvement.<grok:render card_id="ee15d3" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">

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The finalists and their concepts were:

- 2 Scoops Saloon (ice cream parlor) – Allyson Shove-Chard.

- A La Carrot (health food store/restaurant).

- aDRONEaline Racing (indoor drone racing facility).

- Chatterhouse Coffee Shop.

- Confectionary Disasters (likely dessert-focused).

- G's Cheesecake and More (cheesecake bakery with breakfast and sandwiches) – George Kearse.

- Local Fox Clothing Store.

- Restaurant Collective (restaurant incubator).

- Solitaire Spa and Barbery (spa and barber services).

- The Brew Bank (self-serve craft beer taproom) – Ryan Cavanaugh, Dusty Snethen, and Melissa Snethen.<grok:render card_id="5ffca5" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">

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#### Winners and Immediate Outcomes

In a surprise twist at the finale, the investors awarded two prizes instead of one, citing the high quality of all pitches.<grok:render card_id="e223ae" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">

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- **First Place: The Brew Bank** ($100,000) – A innovative taproom with 20 digital self-pour taps (10 for Kansas microbrews, 10 national, plus wine), emphasizing community gatherings in large shared spaces. The founders (who already ran video production companies) highlighted beer's role in fostering connections.<grok:render card_id="207cd2" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">

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- **Second Place: G's Cheesecake and More** ($50,000) – A bakery specializing in fresh cheesecakes, with additional breakfast items and open-face sandwiches. Kearse aimed to make it a destination spot, inspired by iconic eateries in other cities.<grok:render card_id="42d155" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">

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The event was hailed as a success for generating buzz, with organizers noting it taught lessons about entrepreneurship barriers in Kansas.<grok:render card_id="db6207" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">

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#### Long-Term Outcomes and Participant Updates

By November 2019, five of the 10 finalists had successfully opened businesses, demonstrating some lasting impact despite the challenges of starting retail ventures.<grok:render card_id="c40957" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">

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</grok:render> However, not all thrived long-term, reflecting broader economic pressures like the COVID-19 pandemic and downtown foot traffic issues.

- **The Brew Bank**: Opened at 822 S. Kansas Ave. in a historic building. The win provided credibility for additional loans.<grok:render card_id="10a172" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">

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</grok:render> It became a popular craft beer spot, praised in 2023 for its innovative self-serve model and community focus.<grok:render card_id="7d2e35" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">

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</grok:render> Unfortunately, it closed in November 2024 due to lingering post-pandemic financial strains, including reduced patronage and rising costs. Owners held a "bar-age sale" to liquidate merchandise.<grok:render card_id="3c80d8" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">

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</grok:render> As of 2026, the space remains vacant, per local restaurant roundups.<grok:render card_id="97cee3" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">

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- **G's Cheesecake and More**: Opened at 821 SW 21st St. (near downtown). It offered seasonal cheesecakes, custom orders, and catering.<grok:render card_id="e70909" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">

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</grok:render> Hit hard by the pandemic, it announced a temporary closure in May 2022 but reopened after resolving a property seizure by the Kansas Department of Revenue (likely tax-related).<grok:render card_id="a09d78" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">

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</grok:render> However, it appears to have closed permanently sometime after, with Yelp and Tripadvisor listing it as closed by early 2026, and no recent activity on its social media.<grok:render card_id="28e958" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">

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- **Other Notable Finalists**:

  - **2 Scoops Saloon**: The Chards pivoted to open Fire And Ice Distillery, which was celebrated in a 2018 Top Tank Facebook post.<grok:render card_id="cbf298" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">

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</grok:render> Limited updates available, but it may still operate as a distillery.

  - Information on the remaining finalists (e.g., A La Carrot, aDRONEaline) is sparse; some likely opened briefly but aren't prominently active in 2026 searches, aligning with the post's note on struggling establishments.

Overall, while Top Tank injected energy and funding, many ventures faced sustainability issues, echoing the X post's skepticism about long-term benefits amid a landscape of business closures.

#### The End of Top Tank and Legacy

Top Tank was conceived as a standalone event and did not repeat.<grok:render card_id="78069e" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">

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</grok:render> Organizers expressed openness to similar initiatives but shifted focus elsewhere. Its Facebook page went dormant after 2018, with no posts since.<grok:render card_id="18b529" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">

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</grok:render> No scandals or corruption were uncovered in research—despite the X post's title implying exposure; it seems more a critique of unfulfilled visions than wrongdoing. Searches for "Top Tank Topeka corruption" yielded only general Topeka allegations unrelated to the project.<grok:render card_id="df1005" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">

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Who ultimately benefited? The organizers achieved their goal of promoting Topeka's entrepreneurial spirit and downtown potential, potentially boosting their own community profiles.<grok:render card_id="667434" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">

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</grok:render> Participants gained exposure and funding, leading to at least temporary business launches. However, with winners like Brew Bank and G's closing, the long-term economic impact appears limited, prompting the post's inquiry into sustained success.

A spiritual successor emerged in 2025: "The Lion's Den," a Shark Tank-style pitch competition held October 23, 2025, in Topeka. It offered training, exposure, and two $10,000 prizes for young entrepreneurs and innovative ventures, organized during Global Entrepreneurship Week.<grok:render card_id="7cf06b" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">

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</grok:render> This suggests ongoing interest in similar efforts, but under new branding. As of January 2026, no outcomes from Lion's Den are detailed in available sources.

Henry McClure  
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