It’s that time again; time to avoid the mall, back away from your laptop shopping cart, and step into your small town businesses. This Saturday, November 25 is the seventh annual Small Business Saturday and it’s the local equivalent to the frenzy of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, rallying communities to support their brick and mortar stores. Although the most visible part of … [Read more...]
WIT Boyz expands business in Chatfield
Chris Musty and Luke Thieke opened WIT Boyz in 2010, a heavy equipment and semi service/sales company. Their business has flourished over the last seven years as they’ve served the local farming and trucking community. In addition to servicing semis, farm equipment, trailers, etc, WIT Boyz, a fully staffed, full-service mechanic shop, also offers DOT inspections and has … [Read more...]
Fit Express and Active PT partner in Preston
“The partnership increases business for both companies,” Fit Express owner Linda Mathison said. “If someone comes in that I’m not comfortable helping, I can refer them to Active PT and vice versa.” In the beginning of October, Fit Express and Active PT moved into the same building to operate side by side. Mathison knew that she wanted to expand Fit Express in Preston and so … [Read more...]
Paul Bucher elected to F & M Community Bank Board
Daniel M. Christianson, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of F & M Community Bank, Preston, Minn., would like to announce a recent addition to the bank’s Board of Directors. Paul Bucher, an attorney with the Dunlap & Seeger firm in Rochester, was elected to the board in July. Paul is a lifelong resident of Southeastern Minnesota. He attended Rochester … [Read more...]
Farmers Coop Elevator and Farmers Win Cooperative courting merger idea
Some big changes may be happening in the near future for long-time area business Farmers Coop Elevator. Finding itself in between general managers, the board of directors announced in May that it would begin investigating the option of a possible merger with a neighboring cooperative. Six cooperatives were looked at and met with. This past summer, after two joint meetings … [Read more...]
New digs for JuliaClaire Consignment and Variety Store in Preston
Dave and Nancy Gardner, proprietors of the popular JuliaClaire of Preston, are making a big move… right next door. But it is, indeed, a big move for them. No longer renting, they are the owners of their new domain. The couple purchased the former “Uncommon Charm” building at 152 Main Street. It took a year and a half to finalize the deal and the new owners are so grateful to … [Read more...]
Balancing act
When it comes to working women juggling their careers and family, Judy Christian, owner of Stumpy’s Restaurant and Bar of Rushford, Minn., has a few words of advice. “You gotta make time for both,” states Christian, and showing her children what hard work is has also given them a chance to spend time together as a family. Christian purchased Stumpy’s Restaurant and Bar from … [Read more...]
Harstad becomes Chatfield’s first female firefighter
Jill Harstad has always had a burning desire to become a firefighter, and recently that passion for helping others became a reality. Harstad, 35, grew up in Lanesboro, Minn., and graduated from Lanesboro High School in 2000. After marrying her husband, Andy and moving to Chatfield, she set her sights on becoming a firefighter with the Chatfield Fire Department. When asked … [Read more...]
Julie Kulsrud runs authentic Mexican restaurant in Fountain
When Julie Kuslrud opened Los Gables in 2006, she had plenty of experience as a waitress, having worked as one at various restaurants for most of her adult life. However, running her own restaurant was a whole new ball game. On top of that learning curve, she also knew nothing about Mexican food. “I didn’t know an enchilada from a burrito,” she said, laughing. So why did … [Read more...]
Burdey’s Cafe owner passionate about building customer relationships
Rushford native Kristin Burdey always had a soft spot for the idea of owning a little eatery, but never really gave the concept any detailed planning. Instead she dove into work for a franchise restaurant and excelled in her position. Throughout her time there, she saw little things she would do differently if she ever owned her own place. “I met my husband in the restaurant … [Read more...]