Issuu

LEGACY businesses of Mandan

THE FALL ISSUE | VOLUME 4 ISSUE 2

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LETTER

After another full summer in Mandan, I find that fall gives us a chance to slow down, reflect on a busy spring and summer, and appreciate the people and places that make Mandan feel like home. The year 2026 has been filled with celebrations connecting America’s 250th anniversary with the traditions that define our community. Mandan’s long-standing traditions are made possible by local businesses, many of which have become legacy businesses themselves. In this fall edition of Mandan Magazine, we’re celebrating those familiar names that have served generations of families, supported countless community causes, sponsored decades of Mandan events and helped shape the community we know today. These businesses are more than the products they sell or the services they provide. They are places where many of us had our first job, tagged along with our parents, met friends, fixed our first car or stopped on the way home. They are woven into our everyday lives and often become part of our family traditions without us even realizing it. Running a business for five years is an accomplishment. Running one for 30, 50, 75 or even more than 100 years requires resilience, reinvention and an incredible amount of trust from the community. These businesses have navigated changing industries, new technology, economic challenges and generations of customers. Yet through all that change, they have remained familiar places where people know your name and greet you with a handshake. In this issue, you’ll read about businesses that started with a simple idea, an electric branding iron, a family recipe, a single motorhome or a small neighborhood shop, and grew into Mandan institutions. You’ll also meet owners who made the intentional choice to preserve a trusted name because they understood the history, reputation and community pride attached to it. As Mandan continues to grow, these legacy businesses remind me that progress does not mean forgetting where we came from. In fact, I believe growth is strongest when it is built on a solid foundation. Mandan’s foundation has always been its hardworking people, local businesses and fierce community pride. Through my work with the Mandan Progress Organization, I have seen firsthand how often these businesses step forward to support our community. They sponsor our events, invest in new ideas, support local organizations and quietly help their neighbors when help is needed. Their impact reaches far beyond their storefronts. I hope you enjoy getting to know the people behind these familiar names and learning more about the stories that built them. More importantly, I hope this edition encourages you to stop in, say hello and continue supporting the businesses that have supported Mandan for generations. Their legacy is part of our story and thanks to them, Mandan still feels like Mandan. Matt Schanandore Executive Director Mandan Progress Organization

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LEGACY MEMBERS $1,000 701 Cycle and Sport 701 Venue / Chucker’s Sports Bar Dakota Kustomz, LLC Stage Stop Saloon & Grill Stantec Consulting Services Inc. The Innovation Barn Weigel Funeral Home PREMIERE MEMBERS $500 Bismarck-Mandan Convention & Visitors Bureau CHI St. Alexius Health Edgewood Mandan HIT, Inc Interstate Engineering Lewis & Clark Development Group Mandan Road Races LLC Mandan Rodeo Days Sanford Health Spartan Solutions Group LLC TransTrash Udderly Amazing Treats & Eats LLC Vantage View Decks Vision Source Walmart Supercenter #2033 EXCELLENCE MEMBERS $250 Bangers Only Fireworks LLC Basin Electric Power Bravera Bank Dane Carlson Agency LLC - American Family Insurance First International Bank & Trust Funatix Entertainment LLC Knife River Corporation- ND Division La Cantina Mandan Athletic Boosters Midco National Day Calendar North Dakota Art Project Open Road Honda Security First Agency of North Dakota Silver Dollar Bar The Poppy Creative The Title Team Twinkle Exterior Lighting, LLC ENTRY MEMBERS $125 701 Cornhole Company Action Motor Sports Advanced Business Methods AE2S AID, Inc. Al Fitterer Architect PC AnyLeaks Balancing Goat Coffee Co Barney’s Tesoro/ Red Trail Baymont Inn & Suites Bennigan’s Big Stick Cigar Lounge

Bismarck Magazine Bismarck State College (BSC) Bismarck Title Company Bismarck-Mandan Chamber EDC BNI Coal Bobcat of Mandan Bullinger Tree Service Burian & Associates Butcher Block Meats Capital Credit Union Cappuccino on Collins Captain Jack’s Liquor Land (Coborn’s) City of Mandan Cloverdale Foods Coal Country Coffee Company Comfort Inn & Suites Copper Dog Cafe Corral Sales RV Superstore Dacotah Mandan Lions Club Dacotah Speedway Dairy Queen Dakota Caulking Das Mountain DaWise Perry and Mandan Crematory Doll’s Studios Tattoo & Piercing Edward Jones - Rick Kuhn Edward Jones- Vanessa Martell Every Eye Express Yourself Salon Eyecare Professionals Family Fare/Spartan Nash Family Wellness Farm Credit Services Feil Orthodontics Fettig Millwork First Community Credit Union FOMO 10/40 Creamery Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park Gate City Bank Goodhart & Associates, PC Gramma Brauns Stores Inc.DBA: Grandpa’s Grill House Grand Junction Subs Gunscher’s Auto Repair Plus Gusaas Signs Harlow’s School Bus Service Heritage Exteriors Hirsch Floral & Gifts Hopfauf Custom Builders. Huck Financial Huntington Books Hyundai of Mandan/ Bismarck Motor Company Ideal Image Dentistry iGear Independent Land Survey and Engineering INSight Partners Johnson’s Wrecking Jordan Kleinjan Agency, LLC Ameri-

can Family Insurance KAT & Company Keller Carpentry LLC Keller Insurance Services. Kelsch, Ruff, Kranda, Nagle & Ludwig Kids in Motion Pediatric Therapy Kirkwood Bank and Trust KLJ L&H Branding Irons Lakewood Marina LLC Larson’s Tattooing Leingang Chiropractic & Wellness Leingang Home Center. Liberty Tax Service Lillis Electric Lincoln Repair Little Caesars Pizza Lords-n-Ladies Loyal AVS LLC LPT Images M&H Gas M&W Beef Packers Inc. Main Street Drive Thru Liquor Mandan Auto Glass Mandan Eagles Mandan Lions Mandan Moose Lodge Mandan Parks & Rec. Mandan Public School District. Mandan Regional Airport Mandan Tire Center McDonald’s Metro Area Ambulance Midway Lanes MOJO 107.5/Big Rig 105.9 Moore Engineering Moritz Sport and Marine Morton County Morton Mandan Public Library. Musicians Association NAPA Auto Parts ND Assoc of Rural Electric Coop. Newman Signs Nightlife Entertainment NISC North Country Inn North Dakota Tourism Northern Plains Plumbing, Heating & Air Northern Trophy Northwest Tire Mandan Ohms Cafe Old 10 Bar & Grill Old Town Tavern/Scapegoat Bar Open Water Marine Pahlke Steel, Inc. Papa Murphy’s Pizza Pegasus Illuminations LLC Pizza Ranch Quadrasight Software Quality Home Furniture

Railway Credit Union Red Top Recovery Reds 3D Printing Revive Law Group Riverwood RV & Auto RJR Maintenance & Management Safe Ship Schaff Estate & Life Planning Group Schlosser Excavating Schwan Buick GMC Cadillac Scotty’s Drive-In Shop Suzy B Sign Pro Signature Events, LLC Simes Graphic Designs Spiffy Biffs State Farm Insurance- Heather Fried State Farm Insurance- Rod Skytland Superpumper #41 The Medicine Shoppe The Paddle Trap The Post Events Titan Machinery TP Motel Travitude Tri Energy Cenex United Printing Venue Twenty5 Western Products Zander Body Shop INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS Paulette Bullinger Jim & Loah Clement Lee Fleischer Mike Hanson Donna Hartze Ryan Heinsohn Donovan Kruger Laurie Leingang Rachael Preusse Dennis Rohr Matt & Amy Schanandore Kari Schmidt Julie Skaret Andrew Stromme Andrea Travnicek Del Wetsch Andrew Zachmeier

*memberships as of August 14th

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LEGA

busi

ACY

inesses of Mandan The fabric of a community is woven through

Passing down the business from generation to

time and made up of the people who live there

generation is another beautiful part of a legacy

and the places they create. As America celebrates

business. Kids work there when they are young,

its 250th birthday, we reflect on the communities

take over from their parents, then pass the work

that make up its diverse landscape and the

to their own children. Generational ownership

people and places found there. Mandan, officially

instills a deep sense of pride which ensures the

founded in 1879, has seen many changes over

business and its traditions will continue for

its 147 years, but one thing that has remained

the next generation. “You have to trust that the

the same is the fierce pride and ingenuity of the

community will continue these traditions, and I

people who make the city home.

think that’s what’s special about Mandan,” says Matt. “There is always someone willing to take

Whether you have lived in Mandan your whole

the torch and continue.” With people willing to

life, or left and came back, there are certain

work hard to preserve their family’s or business’s

businesses in Mandan that are institutions.

legacy, the foundation of Mandan is firmly

Their names and facades anchor the town

established with traditions, people, and places

and evoke familiarity, comfort, and pride.

that future generations can build on.

“Communities are always building, changing, and growing, and with all that change, having

Now, get to know some of the many legacy

legacy businesses adds consistency and comfort,”

businesses that make Mandan, Mandan. From

says Matt Schanandore, executive director for

iconic diners to long trusted repair shops, these

the Mandan Progress Organization (MPO).

are some of the most recognizable names and

“You see these businesses in the old black and

locations in Mandan thanks to their dedication

white photos and you think, they are still around

to the community and the importance they hold

today.” While change is a sign of a growing

in our memories and traditions.

community, longstanding businesses are a sign of a community’s loyalty and kinship.

“For 150 years we have recorded the history in that community.”

1907

Morton County News Journal Jill Friesz, owner/publisher of GS Publishing LLC which owns the Morton County News Journal GS Publishing owns the Morton County News Journal, Carson Press, Grant County News, Adams County Record, Hettinger County Herald, Billings County Pioneer, and Golden Valley News “For me, print is what I want to keep going. We have a digital and online presence, but print is what I want to succeed.”

“Robyn Thiel used to own the New Salem Journal, and she reached out, and said I want to get out of the newspaper business, and I want you to buy the paper. At that point, I already had six, so I thought I do not need another paper, especially this one because it’s a whole different market, but she wore me down, and I said I will keep the newspaper going.”

“We’re the historians of our communities.”

1919

Kelsch Ruff Kranda Nagle & Ludwig Law Firm 103 Collins Ave, Mandan Open Since 1919 “My great-grandfather had the private practice. He was a Morton County judge and slowly transitioned into the firm we have today. I’m the fourth generation.” - Alex Kelsch, Partner

“The reputation built up over the generations of attorneys who have come through is something that all of us here today strive to continue and push forward.”

“I’ve been at this store for 42 years. I started in 1981.”

1940s M&H Gas 322 E Main St, Mandan Open Since the 1940s Kevin Junker, regional manager

The company M&H (Miller & Holmes) first started as a butter, cheese, eggs, fruit and produce wholesaler back in 1896. The first M&H Gas Station opened in 1931.

“When the business started, it was just on the corner on Third and Main. It was just a small station. Gradually, they bought different businesses on the block.” M&H Gas in Mandan first opened as only a gas station. Over time, they added a car wash and convenience store to this location.

“I’m proud to be a part of the organization. We feel it’s a big responsibility.”

1945

Fraternal Order of Eagles 1400 Collins Ave, Mandan Open since 1945 Dean Berger, gaming manager Paula Zander, general manager

The Fraternal Order of Eagles in Mandan, ND is influential in promoting community wellbeing, and it provides a space for members to gather, engage in social activities, and contribute to charitable efforts that improve local and national communities.

“Ohm’s has always been a staple.”

1947

Ohm’s Cafe 808 W Main St, Mandan Open since 1947 Casey Keller and Taylor McMonagle, owners

“Ohm’s has been here since 1947. It will be almost 35 years ago when my grandparents purchased it.” - Casey Keller

“The way my grandma ran it is how I wanted to do it. We’re very hands on. We both work here five days a week. We are the managers, owners, and anything else that needs to be done. I cook the line every day. Taylor runs the bar and serves and all that.” - Casey Keller

1948

Mandan Moose Lodge #425 111 11th Ave NE, Mandan Open since 1948 Pam Dawson, acting administrator

“The kids grow up here and then they become members when they turn 21, and then they bring their kids.”

“It’s a second home for our members.”

“Just for our members, we do envelope draws on Monday nights where you get a ticket and whoever’s ticket gets drawn, we pull an envelope from a box we have, and there’s 52 different prizes in there. One of them is a jackpot of $500. Once that goes, we reset it.”

1952

Bullinger Tree Service 4101 33rd Ave NW, Mandan Open since 1952 Helen Bullinger, office manager and co-owner, and Leonard Bullinger, co-owner Leonard Bullinger took over the business in 1989 from his father who started the company in 1952. Helen joined later as co-owner and office manager. Now, as Leonard and Helen approach retirement, his son has started working with him, as well as many of their grandchildren. “We like to hear from our customers that when we come in to do the work, they know we are going to do it the way it needs to be done.” - Helen Bullinger

“I’m really proud to be a third generation company.

Leonard Bullinger, Sr.

“In the summer, we have grandchildren who are working, and to see them come in is really fun. They are understanding how the business works and what you have to put into a business to get it to work. Even if [our grandkids] don’t stay with the business, we have passed on the ability to manage a business and keep moving forward.” - Helen Bullinger

1953 L&H Manufacturing 410 6th St SE, Mandan Open since 1953 Tim Helbling, co-owner

“My dad was… really involved in the community, and that’s got the rest of us really involved.”

“We have really strong ties to the community.”

“My grandfather invented the electric branding iron… he was out on different farms, watching people brand, and thought, there’s got to be a better way to do this with electricity coming to all the farms, so he invented the electric branding iron. Then, my dad took off with that and started going all over the country to various county fairs. It took off from there and it’s been going strong ever since.”

1954

Hirsch Floral 211 W Main St A, Mandan Open Since 1954 Al Kuntz and Linda Kuntz, owners Hirsch Floral opened in 1954. Al Kuntz took over in 2007 as the store’s third owner.

“The people are the greatest part. You get to do weddings and funerals and graduations and proms.”

“You hear all the time from customers, I have been coming here for 60 years, and now their kids are coming and buying from us.” - Al Kuntz

1956

Weigel Funeral and Cremation Service 309 4th Ave NW, Mandan Open since 1956 Thomas Weigel, retired funeral director “The building was built in 1904 for Hiram Lyon, an early pioneer in this area who opened a bank. It still has original woodwork and stained glass windows.”

“It’s been fun to maintain the historical aspect of this.”

“It was a private home until 1956 when it was bought and turned into a funeral home.”

“It’s been fun to maintain the historical aspect of this.”

“I bought it in 1972, and then I sold it in the early 90s to a funeral acquisition company.”

1968

Corral Sales RV Superstore 617 6th Ave SE, Mandan Open since 1968 Tim Helbling, general manager and co-owner of Corral Sales “My grandfather wanted a motorhome and he looked around the area and didn’t see anything he liked, so he reached out, bought one, and brought it back. He found out that he had other people that he knew that wanted one, so he sold that one, bought a couple more. My dad looked at it and said, hey, there’s no real good dealerships in the area, so he went out and bought a few of them, and started selling them, and that’s where it grew from there.”

“The average time is 29 years that [our employees] have been with the company.”

“It’s really cool. I work with six of my brothers and sisters every day between the two businesses and we have nephews and nieces and we all work together and get along just fine.”

“My sisters and my brother-in-law were here when it started and are still here today.”

1974

“I love owning Zander’s because we are helping out the community. We sponsor Mandan sports teams. We try to help out as much as we can.”

Zander Body Shop 200 7th Ave SW, Mandan Open since 1974 Ryan Fode, owner

“Fred Zander Sr. worked at Corwin Churchill Motors in Bismarck. He was a body shop manager there for years, and then in 1974, he bought Vince’s Body Shop which is still a part of this shop. Then, in 1983, he tore down Vince’s house, and added onto the shop. Then, in ‘96 or ‘97 is when he purchased the quonset… and added onto the other side of the shop.”

“I worked here in 2001 for about 5-6 years, then I went to Ressler Chevrolet for about ten years as the body shop manager, then I have been back here ever since. Brad retired about 5-6 years ago, but Brad’s older brother Fred Jr. is still working here.”

1982

Dairy Queen Grill & Chill 1000 E Main St, Mandan Open since 1982 Sam Mettler and Lacey Mettler, owners Sam and Lacey Mettler purchased Dairy Queen Mandan from Mike Wieland August of 2025. Mike had owned it for 25 years. “We really wanted to do some of the same things that [Mike] was doing to make it feel like a community store… We donate to different local charities or sports teams if they ask.” - Lacey Mettler

“We have a lot of high school staff that come from Mandan High, and we love to be able to support the growth of our kids through that.” - Sam Mettler “[We] make sure our employees feel the family connection and that we appreciate them.” - Lacey Mettler

“He gave us the opportunity to take over a great legacy from him.”

“I didn’t grow up in Mandan, but Lacey worked at this Dairy Queen in high school, and just to be able to continue that legacy for other kids coming through and being a staple in Mandan is a big thing.” - Sam Mettler

1990

Butcher Block Meats 108 W Main St, Mandan Open since 1990 Braeden Kraft, co-owner and Dan Kraft, retired (father and son duo) Dan Kraft first opened Butcher Block Meats in 1990. In 1998, he brought on a partner, Brian Masseth (not pictured). After several years of working together, Dan retired at the end of 2025, and his son Braeden came on as a new co-owner in January 2026.

“I want to say thank you. I’ve gotten to know so many people over the years. It’s kind of like Cheers where you walk in and you know everybody by name, and it’s been really cool to see decades of peoples’ lives go by. I’m very grateful.” - Braeden Kraft

“I never thought we’d get the support and customer loyalty that we have. It’s unreal.”

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