Posted: 11/8/05
Caledonia Bakery has new owners
By Jane Palen
Managing Editor
One of Caledoniaís oldest businesses has a new owner.
Susan and Al Klug will take over the Caledonia Bakery on November 14. The Caledonia couple purchased the bakery from Annette Meyer, who has run the business since 1987.
A beautician by trade, Sue has worked in that field but has spent many years in the food industry, beginning at the old A & W Root Beer Stand when she was in high school in the early 1970s. She continued to work there off and on while attending school in Winona. She and Al spent several years running a dairy farm before selling the cows and moving into town. She worked for Joe and Pauline Hemmer at the bakery in the mid 1980s, helping customers at the counter and helping with the baking in the back. She remembers helping Joe Hemmer load up the station wagon with bakery treats which he delivered daily to La Crosse. The Hemmers were in the business for 40 years, and Sueís mother, Delores Heintz, worked for them for over 20 years. The Caledonia Bakery was established in 1923.
Sueís most recent job was head cook at St. Maryís School, a position she held for 15 years. Her last day of work there was November 4.
When she heard the bakery was for sale, Sue asked her husband what he thought about buying it.
ìHe was supportive from the start,î said Sue. They discussed it with each other and with Meyer and then made the decision to become business owners.
Sue will be the primary operator of the business and Al will continue to work at Glenn Rehbein Excavating in Blaine, Minnesota. Because his work takes him away from home during the summer when she is not working, Sue said she felt she needed more to keep her busy. Al will help during the winter months when he is laid off.
Because the bakery has built such an excellent reputation, the Klugs donít plan to make any changes right away. The bakery items and recipes will stay the same, as will the hours. They feel fortunate that the current employees have agreed to continue, and look forward to learning from them and from Annette, who has agreed to stay until the end of November.
ìAnnette has been very helpful in getting it started,î said Sue. ìWeíll take one day at a time and rely on the knowledge and experience of the staff.î
The Klugís children, Melisse (27), Kimberly (25) and Jason (23), will probably help out from time to time, Sue said.
Meyer, who is a widow, sold the bakery because she is getting remarried and will be moving to Waukon. She said she appreciates the support she has received through the years from her customers and employees.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com