Posted: 1/18/05
Spring Grove is bursting with new businesses
by Jane Palen
Managing Editor
If you believe that small towns are fading away, you havenít visited Spring Grove lately.
For a town of just over 1,300 residents, Spring Grove boasts a thriving business community along its Main Street many larger towns would envy.
In 2004, six new businesses opened on Main Street. Two of the businesses, Otterness Auto Center and Spring Grove Collision Center, were the offshoots of a single business previously owned by Jerry Ladsten. Solie Flowers was opened in the Solie Services building following the departure of a previous flower business. The Spring Grove Fitness Center opened in the new Spring Grove Telephone building, and is an entirely new business to the town. The ìAbout a Buckî store opened at the end of the year, as did the new ìArtistic Creations.î
Spring Grove Collision Center
Eric Ostern had plenty of experience as a body man before purchasing Ladsten Auto Body at 223 West Main and renaming it Spring Grove Collision Center . He worked for Ladsten since 1986, and when the opportunity to buy the business arose, he asked himself, ìIf I donít buy it, who will?î
He said he had no reservations at all about starting in business in a small town.
ìI wasnít scared of buying it at all,î he said. He knew that as long as there are deer, winters, and bad drivers, there will always be customers. The firm does body and frame work, painting and some detailing. Customers can get a loaner car if they need it, and can drop off vehicles after hours, too.
The spray-bake system Ostern uses results in an even finish and is environmentally friendly. Itís also healthier for the person who is doing the spraying.
Ostern has a full-time employee, Don Chapel, who has worked for the body shop since the fall of 1991. Another employee, Bill Amunrud, works part-time.
Ostern likes doing business in a small town. ìItís nice when you know everyone who comes in the door,î he said.
Spring Grove Fitness Center
In the beautiful new Spring Grove Telephone building, a modern and well-equipped fitness center offers residents an opportunity to improve their physical well-being.
The manager of the fitness center is Shawn Bloyer, a new Spring Grove resident who has an undergraduate degree in exercise science with an emphasis on athletic training. He is also a certified athletic trainer and is a masterís degree candidate for sports administration. Bloyer reports that since opening in November, membership numbers are higher than expected.
Members of the fitness center can work out on elliptical or step machines, recumbent bicycles, treadmills or a universal trainer, which offers several fitness activities. Members may also choose a ìPACEî program, a hydraulic circuit training system which can be completed in about 30 minutes. The fitness center serves adults of all ages and fitness levels, and the price of a membership includes a consultation with Bloyer to set up an individual program. Some members are looking for a cardiovascular workout, while others are mainly concerned with shaping and toning.
The Spring Grove Fitness Center is open 24-hours a day. A private shower is located in each restroom.
The development of the SGFC was the indirect result of the building project undertaken by the Spring Grove Telephone Cooperative. Manager Craig Otterness explained that the cooperative was looking for ways to reach out to the community, and this was one of the needs that telephone customers brought up in a survey.
ìWeíre community-based and concerned about the health of the area,î said Otterness. ìThe community has received us very well.î
As a telephone cooperative, Spring Grove Telephone Association has a role as a leader in the community. The association is made up of everyone with a Spring Grove telephone number. Members have not had a rate increase since 1991, and received up to 35 percent of what they pay for phone service returned to them in the form of capital credits.
ìIf the telephone company is strong and profits, it helps the customers,î said Otterness.
The building also houses the Spring Grove Public Library. The association offered a space to the library for much less than it was going to cost to renovate the former library in the city park. A meeting space which is available to the public is also part of the new 17,000 sq. ft. building.
Otterness said that the members of the Spring Grove Telephone Association are fortunate to have a forward-thinking board that considers all the needs of the community.
About a Buck
Just before the end of 2004, another business opened its doors at 111 West Main Street in Spring Grove.
ìAbout a Buckî is owned by Tom Witt, who also operates Wittís Pharmacy on Main Street, and Rick Carlson. The manager of the store is Rich Hall. The store opened its doors on December 30.
Many years ago, the former Solbergís Grocery occupied the site, and in the 1950s it was a cafe. But donít let its long history fool youóthe inside of the store has been completely redone and appears brand-new. J.C. Nerstad was responsible for the interior renovation.
Itís hard to begin to name all the items available at the About a Buck store, but the prices are easy to remember: everything is $1. Or, in some cases, items are two for $1, three for $1, and so on. pet supplies, sewing notions, greeting cards, food, toys, cosmetics, candles, paper plates and napkins, cleaning supplies, seasonal items, craft supplies, clothing and hardware are a few of the areas covered.
ìWe have something for all ages,î said Hall. ìWe donít leave anyone behind.î
All in all, there are between 1,500 and 1,800 different items in the 2,500 sq. ft. store, and a total inventory of between 40,000 and 50,000 items.
ìThere is some depth to the items we carry,î Hall pointed out. Many new items are added daily, and the needs and wants of the community are always considered.
ìOne of our goals is to have quality items,î said Hall. ìWe will continue to work with our vendors to find the best quality for the price.î
The store has one full-time and three to four part-time employees. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays.
There are plans to open a similar store in Caledonia in conjunction with the Wittís Pharmacy here.
Otterness Auto Center
Itís been about a year since Al Otterness purchased the former Spring Grove Auto Center. He worked for Jerry Ladsten for 10 years, and making the transition from employee to owner wasnít difficult.
ìHe was ready to get out and I was ready to get in,î said Al. The only difference now, he said, is that he doesnít get paid vacation.
Alís wife, Monica, said that the fact that it was a solid, well-established business helped make the decision an easy one. One of their concerns was that there wouldnít be additional hours that would take time away from their family, which includes six children ages 4 to 16. The oldest, Jake, helps his dad in the shop, located at 130 East Main.
Because he was the mechanic for so many years, the change wasnít a big one for his customers. They were used to dealing with Al, and trusted him.
With the increased technical nature of cars, fewer people do their own repair work or even change their own oil. Otterness Auto Center has equipment for pinpointing mechanical problems and can do almost any type of service including transmission and engine replacement, brakes, exhaust, alignment and air conditioning work. He continues to attend classes to learn more in the ever-expanding field of auto mechanics.
Helping keep the business running smoothly is office manager Kristi Storlie. She has a lot of experience and is able to assist customers and schedule repair work efficiently.
ìItís a bonus to the business to have someone good in the office so I can work on the cars,î he said.
Having worked in a larger shop in the Denver area, Al appreciates the small town atmosphere. He enjoys having loyal customers who understand when he needs to close for a family vacation.
ìItís been a good career,î he said.
ìWe hope to be here a long time,î added Monica.
Artistic Creations
Further down on Main Street, Artistic Creations offers a variety of hand-made items and gift items. Larry Wolfs opened his doors at 145 West Main in mid-December.
ìIíve always been a builder,î said Larry, who described himself as a ìjack of all trades.î
ìThis is a combination of my stuff and other peopleís stuff.î
Larry makes book shelves, tables, chairs, wall decor and other items that would be right at home in a northwoods cabin or rustic home. He often uses log siding for his creations, and uses stencils of bears and pine trees to add decoration. He and a friend have another business building utility sheds from log siding. He said he used to do iron work for gardens until cheap imports took most of that market.
Other items at Artistic Creations include quilts, baskets, small furniture, and candles made by the Amish, clocks from La Crosse Clock Company and wood working from local artist Owen Vaaler.
ìIt takes people to come and seeî what the store offers, said Larry. He is currently open 2:30-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 am. to 5 p. m. Saturday. Those hours may be changing for the winter months, he noted.
Solie Flowers
Jan Solie is another new business in town, operating Solie Flowers out of the Solie Service Center, 118 West Main. She sells green and blooming plants and fresh arrangements. Jan had experience working at another florist shop, and opened her business when the need arose in Spring Grove. Due to some remodeling at the flower shop, she was unable to be interviewed for this article, but can be reached at 498-5569.
Caledonia Argus
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