Progress Guide

Progress 2016

Small business is vital to Perham’s big picture

Perham celebrates another banner year School referendum’s impact on economy Tuffy’s opens facility expansion Perham’s Top 10 employers Mom-and-pop shops help Perham thrive

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Progress 2016: Perham celebrates another ‘banner year’

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Progress Guide › 2016

Contents

8

› THE BIG PICTURE

16

24

› SMALL BUSINESSES

Perham celebrates another banner year

Mom-and-pop shops help Perham thrive

Perham celebrates ‘amazing year’ ................. 8 Economic development director says 2015 was ‘perhaps the biggest year’ ever for the city

Tuffy’s opens $70 million facility expansion ........... 16 Top 10 Perham employers ....................... 20

Passage of school referendum will have long-reaching impact on Perham’s economy ......................... 12

Small business is a big deal in Perham ..... 24 Karvonen’s ..................... 28 Second Chance Boutique......................... 34 JH Signs/Toy Box Motorsports ................... 40 The Backyard ................. 52 Edward Jones ................ 60 Fitness First ................... 64

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4 » Progress Guide 2016: Small business is vital to Perham’s big picture

Please contact me with your legislative issues.

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Progress 2016: Perham celebrates another ‘banner year’

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EDITOR'S NOTE

› WELCOME

DEBBIE IRMEN EDITOR

Over the past year, some of those businesses have moved to a new location, or expanded the goods they offer, remodeling their store to make room for new products, or building from the ground up. These business owners are in some cases building on a legacy, offering something that has never been offered to Perham residents, or at least not like it’s being offered today.

What we see in the backbone of the community are owners and CEOs who strive to improve the lives of all of us, as well as keep their business strong and relevant. As you walk down Main Street, few storefronts are empty – a sign of an energetic business

The medium to small shops that offer services and products and gifts and so much more, are where we all head to when we need such goods.

Not everyone can work in a large business setting, so the businesses which hire anywhere from several to a couple dozen people make up those who we chat with, seek assistance from and more than likely, they are people we know, maybe they are even a relative.

Even if we don’t know them, they are friendly and courteous and knowledgeable about that which they offer in their stores.

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community – a place where people want to linger and shop.

It’s surprising the number of store owners who are young, willing to bet against the odds that they can sustain a business that meets the needs of Perham residents. And they have done so because of their work ethic, research and effort expended to thrive.

We applaud those business owners, young or mature, those who are building on a legacy or those who are building on their dreams on the pages of this Progress Guide.

They are the true grit of any community and certainly give structure and character to Perham.

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Progress 2016: Perham celebrates another ‘banner year’

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THE BIG PICTURE

PERHAM CELEBRATES

‘AMAZING YEAR’ Economic development director says 2015 was ‘perhaps the biggest year’ ever for the city

I

n Perham’s recent history, every year that’s gone by has been a big one — sometimes even recordbreaking — in terms of growth and progress.

Last year was no exception.

In fact, 2015 “was perhaps the biggest year that Perham’s ever had,” according to Chuck Johnson, the city’s economic development director.

Johnson has held his post for the past 13 years, he said, and in that time, some “just astounding” things have happened in town. But this past year takes the cake.

Between a handful of large city projects, several commercial developments, and voter approval of a new high school, he said it was “a banner year.”

CITY PROJECTS PAVE THE WAY FOR CONTINUED GROWTH

Perham’s Public Works Department opened a new $2.3 million facility in 2015, and a long-awaited renovation began at the library. There were also major improvements made to the city’s natural gas supply, to the tune of $1.5 million.

Plus, the city and school district completed a Safe Routes to School project.

But the largest city project of the year was the 3rd Avenue SE reconstruction project.

BY MARIE JOHNSON From early May to early November, this main corridor connecting downtown Perham to Highway 10 was torn up as crews rebuilt the street and upgraded some seriously aging infrastructure underneath.

It was a summer of detours and traffic hassles in town, but in the end, by all accounts, it was worth it.

“Based on the feedback we received, it’s been very positive,” said City Manager Kelcey Klemm of the public’s reaction to the finished project. “People like the street lights, and the crosswalks.”

The project called for decorative street lighting, sidewalks on both sides of the street, brick-styled crosswalks and clearer, more defined road striping.

The new street lights are wired to allow for lighted holiday decorations.

The overall design along 3rd Avenue, Klemm said, is intended to be aesthetically-pleasing as well as businessfriendly and safer for pedestrians.

“Business owners on 3rd Avenue benefit, but I think Main Street owners benefit, too,” Klemm said of the reconstruction. “People come in off Highway 10, and this makes it inviting and encourages them to make the drive into downtown. That was part of our goal, to make people curious about what our downtown looks like.”

8 » Progress 2016: Perham celebrates another ‘banner year’

It all fits in with the long-term vision that city leaders have for 3rd Avenue.

That vision isn’t well-defined or terribly detailed at this point, Klemm said, but “for many years it’s been the plan to start converting that area from more of a residential use to a more commercial use.”

The corridor is currently a mix of residential homes and small businesses. It’s zoned ‘service commercial,’ to encourage more smaller commercial developments in the future. With businesses like Goose Gang and Overland Insurance building along 3rd Avenue in recent years, “We’ve really seen some good progress there,” according to Klemm. “That’s really the intent. It’s been great.”

The nearly $5.5 million project made significant upgrades to streets, water service, curb and gutter and lighting improvements, not only along 3rd Avenue but also along Fox Street and portions of 4th Street SE, 3rd Streets SW and SE, and 2nd Avenue SE. Construction went well and ran on schedule, Klemm said, with no major challenges or snags. He said the project was nearly complete by the end of 2015, with just a few “clean-up items” left to do in the spring, “to make sure everything looks good.”

THE BIG PICTURE

Left: A worker with Decorative Pavement Marking of Plymouth, Minn., stamps aggregate-reinforced plastic to set a grid pattern along a new crosswalk in Perham. Right: Harland Johnson walks a stamping machine to the crosswalk. Once the aggregate-reinforced plastic sheet is laid, it is heated and stamped.

COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS

Another major factor in Perham’s success over the year was commercial and industrial growth.

This is a “big deal” category in terms of progress, said Chuck Johnson, and while industry plays a huge role in the town’s economy, “the smaller commercial district is a big factor,” as well.

There were plenty of industrial projects last year that should bring increased business to town, Johnson said, not the least of which was the $70 million expansion at Tuffy’s Pet Foods.

The 180,000-square-foot expansion doubles capacity at the manufacturing facility and improves quality control over the products.

KLN Family Brands, the parent company of Tuffy’s, shared other significant news last year, too, announcing that Charlie Nelson would be stepping up as President of the company, filling the big shoes left by his father, Kenny Nelson, who will remain active as CEO. KLN also sold its snack foods branch of the family business, Barrel O’ Fun, to Ohio-based company, Shearer’s Foods.

Shearer’s has said it will keep Barrel O’ Fun based in Perham, with the same local management and employees.

KLN leaders said the sale came at the right time, and that Shearer’s was “the right partner.”

“Everybody I’ve talked to about that says it will be a good deal,” said Johnson of the sale. “Kenny and KLN have been tremendous owners of that facility, and now every message out there is that the Shearers will be tremendous owners, as well, who will make that company grow even more.”

It all added up to one big year for KLN, but KLN wasn’t the only business in Perham to celebrate growth and change in 2015. Throughout town, there were multiple stories of companies expanding, moving, partnering and progressing.

Pizza Ranch announced that it had purchased the old Dean’s grocery building at the corner of 3rd Avenue SE and Coney Street, for example, and would be renovating that building into a bigger restaurant and office space.

Construction on that was well underway by the end of the year.

Downtown, SASS Salon opened in its

new location on Main Street, Refreshing Designs partnered with Karvonen’s Furniture and took over the old Station House Restaurant building, and Second Chance Boutique started operating out of the old Greenspire building, among other developments.

Disgruntled Brewing, an up-and-coming brewery slated to open on the northeast side of town, received its federal liquor license, Advanced Wall Systems worked on an 18,000-square-foot addition, a new Edward Jones office opened in town, and the list goes on.

“There’s a whole list of commercial projects that are indicative of the fact that it’s a very robust community,” said Johnson.

INVESTMENT IN SCHOOLS

Another major sign of continued progress in Perham was the passage of the Perham-Dent School District referendum. Proponents celebrated a major win in November after voters narrowly approved the use of $45.3 million to build a new high school, expand the middle and elementary schools, and make other improvements to school facilities.

Progress 2016: Perham celebrates another ‘banner year’

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THE BIG PICTURE

Top: Perham’s new city bus garage.

Bottom: Renovations began at the Perham library in 2015.

City leaders heralded the ‘yes’ vote, calling it a necessary and worthy longterm investment — not just in education, but also in the community as a whole.

Shortly after the votes were tallied, school board member Sue Von Ruden summed up the feelings of many when she said, “The community came together, were well-informed and the majority agreed it was the right thing to do. It’s huge for the community, and not just for Perham, but the larger community — Richville, Dent, Ottertail. It’s best for the students. I’m so excited for the kids.”

In addition to the obvious benefits to the school district and its staff and students, the new and upgraded facilities are also likely to have a positive impact on the business sector and overall economy of Perham.

For one thing, Johnson said new school facilities will make it easier for businesses in town to recruit high-level employees.

“When somebody’s thinking about moving to a town, they’re looking at those schools,” he said. “That school system is an important thing. Our school system is a great school system, but the high school had become a hindrance to that, and now it won’t be.”

The current high school is 100 years old, and school leaders have said it no longer meets the district’s needs. Other school buildings require upgrades and the addition of more space to accommodate a growing student body.

“Now you’re going to have good facilities from top to bottom,” Johnson said.

He added that, if the referendum wouldn’t have passed, “I couldn’t sit here and say 2015 was the best year Perham’s ever had. But when you look at all the projects that have taken place... it really was a banner year.”

“The last five years have been amazing, and to think that 2015 has exceeded that, it becomes a ‘holy cow!’ moment.” ■

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Perham-Dent School of Champions Welcomes You

A PROGRESSIVE DISTRICT HEART OF THE LAKES ELEMENTARY Superior Instruction DESIGNATED A CELEBRATION ELIGIBLE SCHOOL 2015-2016

■ Exemplary staff dedicated to creating a nurturing and child-centered environment ■ Small group, whole group, and 1-1 instruction matched to student needs ■ Intensive focus on success in reading, writing, and mathematics ■ Technology integration across the curriculum with SMART Boards, iPads, and Chromebooks ■ GATE and Enrichment Programming ■ Perham Area Children’s Choir

PRAIRIE WIND MIDDLE SCHOOL Creating Possibilities in a Safe, Fun, Caring Environment.

‘‘

I feel very fortunate attended Perham Public to have since I was a young boy, Schools. Ever my to become a doctor. The dream was PHS provided me a well educators at -rounded, solid education that prepared me & medical school. I was for college pursue my passion for scieninspired to for others. Who knew that ce and caring I would one day become a surgeon and home to Perham? Than come back k you to all of the educators who cont growing knowledge and ributed to my encourag in achieving my dream. ed me

- BRETT GLAWE, MD 2000 GRAD

■ Facilities: each grade has its own house in which to learn, live, and grow ■ Exploratory Spanish, art, industrial technology, computer ■ A music program teaching band, choir, keyboarding, and guitar ■ Day treatment for students needing mental health therapy as part of academic instruction ■ A competent, skilled staff dedicated to the uniqueness of middle school students COCURRICULAR ACTIVITIES ■ A 3 night, 4 day environmental education experience deep in the A Community that Creates a “School of Champions”!

Superior National Forest each year in December ■ Offering over 30 Varsity Athletic, Fine Arts and Co-Curricular Programs for our students.

PERHAM HIGH SCHOOL Preparation for Adult Life ■ 8 Straight State Championships in Gymnastics 2004-2011.

■ Learning trips to such places as Carnegie Hall & Puerto Rico, Mexico ■ State Champions in Boys Cross Country 2006, 2007, 2010, 2012 & 2013 with 14 straight ■ AP, College and Tech Prep courses that are reducing costs of future college tuition State Meet appearances ■ PHS Reach Program - providing students opportunities for success and accountability ■ State Champions in Girls Cross Country in 2015 with 13 straight State Meet appearances ■ Project i ENGAGE - Project i Engage is a learning initiative that has been developed ■ National Coaches Association National Champions in Girls Cross Country in 2015 and in to help support the mission in education at District 549 Boys Cross Country 2012 & 2013 OUR TECHNOLOGY LEARNING INITIATIVE INCORPORATES FOCUSED STRATEGIES, TO ■ State Champions in Boys Basketball 2011. State Runners-Up in Baseball 2013 MEET THE 21ST CENTURY NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS ■ A perennial top public school in the Minnesota State High School League’s Challenge ■ Career & College Readiness - Pathways and Certificate program that is preparing Cup for excellence in athletics and arts & 2008 Challenge Cup Champions students for the future. 1:1 guided transition plans for each student.

■ 2 National Coaches of the Year - Dave Cresap (Boys Basketball) & Jeff Morris (Cross ■ Educational relationships with local business partners. Transforming the learning for Country) students with support and instruction with professionals in the field.

■ Top-level Speech Program boasting 6 state champions in its history ■ PHS offers opportunities for excellence and success in programs normally found in large, PERHAM AREA LEARNING CENTER suburban schools, such as Science Research, Robotics, and Knowledge Bowl

A Different Delivery

■ Offering students a full range of seat based and independent study courses

‘‘

When I was at Perham Hi I took every gh School, opportunity involved in I could to be a variety of areas. Althou running expe gh my rie out, I was als nces with my team stand o lucky enou gh to compe with an awes te ome crew in part of the ba sp nd and choir eech and be . I was able to new things in the electi try ves offered, as get college as we experience in AP and co ll courses that llege pr career at ND epared me for a succes sful SU. I’m foreve r grateful fo people and r the experiences at Perham Hi School that gh helped shap e me. Most learned how of all, I to set goals and perseve reach them. re to That lesson has always stu with me and ck will serve m e well as I pu my goal of m rsue aking the Ol ympic Trials in the steep final lechase this year. Thanks for all your su pport, Perham again !

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y life from s affected m c Schools ha ions. The Perham Publi y career ambit rham m to s itie Pe activ of r cts ula ric pe as cu extra rding d overall rewa d passion I have today. discipline an ive an dr e th ch team, e ee m Sp am Schools gave t in the Perh at I did or involvemen e college th th Without my en os , and ch have rld. For that I never would te speech wo eful.” the collegia at o gr int r d ve re re te fo en e, I am so much mor SON,

‘‘

RISTEN - ALLISON CH DUATE RA G 2014

PERHAM AREA COMMUNITY EDUCATION

Enriching Community Lifelong Learning ■ Providing the community with a variety of comprehensive and engaging learning opportunities for all ages

MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER

Coming Soon to Perham-Dent Public Schools ■ After a passed school bond referendum in 2015, we are moving forward with the following building projects.

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Progress 2016: Perham celebrates another ‘banner year’

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THE BIG PICTURE

PASSAGE OF SCHOOL REFERENDUM WILL HAVE LONGREACHING IMPACT ON PERHAM’S ECONOMY M

uch like the Perham Health project a couple of years ago, Perham can expect to see a financial impact from the school building project that is moving forward now.

Although all phases of the building will be subject to the bid process, it is highly likely that a number of local contractors will be used throughout the project.

“The general contractors won’t be local,” according to Mitch Anderson, superintendent for Perham-Dent schools. “But they may choose subcontractors for plumbing and electrical for the smaller parts of the project,” he said, adding that the general contractors and school officials will be working together closely to finalize those subcontractors.

BY DEBBIE IRMEN It’s difficult, he said, to know exactly how much impact the new high school will have in the short-term because as of press time, the school plan is still in the early planning stages, but he has no doubt it will be significant, he said.

In keeping with using local contractors as much as possible, the architect chosen was BHH Architects of Perham.

Anthony Stoll, principal architect and Chad Bormann, project manager, worked with the initial committee to plan the building project, and have been busy behind the scenes taking soil borings and doing other pre-construction work at Prairie Wind Middle School and Heart of the Lakes Elementary School.

The borings are necessary to determine the building load the soil can carry.

12 » Progress 2016: Perham celebrates another ‘banner year’

The contractors and the workers, whether local or out-of-town, will contribute to the local economy in purchases of gas, hotel rooms and other amenities, said Chuck Johnson, Perham Economic Director.

Sale of school bonds could also impact local investment entities, Anderson said.

But more than the immediate boon to Perham is the long-term impact, he said.

With the new hospital, and the base of industries in Perham, recruitment of doctors, teachers and workers is critical to the success of these entities. So having a school that is current and relevant is a factor in the hiring process. All the amenities make up the full package that determines if people will make Perham

THE BIG PICTURE

Student excitement was high at Heart of the Lakes Elementary School as they celebrated the passing of the school referendum.

Seniors and teachers led the kids in a rousing rendition of the ‘Cha Cha Slide’ just before school let out for the Thanksgiving holiday break.

their home, he said.

People moving to the community to put down roots impacts the overall growth in this area, and when people are looking to relocate to Perham for work, one of the first places people look is at the schools.

“We provide a good education,” Anderson said, “but the physical space has been kind of a black eye in that respect. (The new school) will pay off for us in the future.”

Johnson echoed Anderson’s comments.

“The school is way up at the top of the list,” Johnson said. “I can sell the Perham package – I can brag about the jobs, lifestyle, amenities, healthcare, everything, except for the school. It’s not in the quality of the education offered, but the building itself.”

It’s very good for the long-term potential for Perham, Johnson said, that these kids come through the

educational system because they are the next generation of Perham residents.

Anderson cited Lake Park-Audubon as an example of the kind of longterm impact that Perham could see.

That school is already adding onto its elementary school because of their growth, he said.

Anderson agreed that with the new health care facility, the industry, a strong small business base and now the approval of a new school, the potential

Progress 2016: Perham celebrates another ‘banner year’

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THE BIG PICTURE for growth becomes much like the movie theme from “Field of Dreams”: If you build it, they will come.

The educational model of incorporating skills necessary to work at Perham’s businesses, such as Kitmaster and Swan Machines, or KLN Family Brands divisions, at the high school level will also play a key role in the long-term economy of Perham, Anderson said.

“Bringing local industries into the schools allows Perham to create a situation in which (students) can continue from school into a job that is good for them,” he said. “Everyone comes out ahead.” ■ Mitch Anderson, Perham-Dent School District Superintendent, left, and Nate Rooney, school board member, go over referendum vote totals while school board chairwoman Sue Von Ruden watches.

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Closing the Achievement Gap 3.5% district-wide growth in math was experienced in 2015 in the percentage of free/reduced students’ proficiency. This indicates that continued progress is possible and very probable. Reading results indicate significant growth of 7.5% in the number of free/reduced students’ reading proficiency.

College and Career Ready by Graduation Of the 2015 graduating class of 53, 94.3 % of students achieved our college and career readiness goals. 20 students were enrolled in a 2 year college, 18 enrolled in a 4 year college, 2 entered the military, and 10 entered the workforce. We implemented a 9th grade

orientation focused on high school. All 9th and 11th graders take part in required career courses. Through coursework, students take several interest inventories and self-assessments, explore post high school options, have the option to do job shadowing, participate in college representative and military visits and have the opportunity for on campus college visits. In addition, each 11th grader takes the ASVAB and the ACT. Finally, each senior has an individual meeting with the counselor and their parents. Persistence and focus on this goal continues to deliver the desired results.

All Students Graduate New York Mills graduation rates continue to be over 90% with a five year average graduation rate of 93.59%. This is especially great news when compared to the average state rate. The 2014 Minnesota average state graduation rate was 81.2%.

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THE BIG PICTURE

Since its humble beginnings in 1964, Tuffy’s Pet Foods has grown from its original 3,000-square-foot building – an old potato warehouse – to today’s 700,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility.

TUFFY’S OPENS

70 MILLION

$

FACILITY EXPANSION I

t was undoubtedly the biggest project of the year in Perham, and some have said it’s the biggest project the city’s ever seen, in terms of the dollar amount: Tuffy’s Pet Foods’ $70 million facility upgrade and expansion.

After a couple years of planning and construction, the new 180,000-squarefoot production plant and warehouse expansion was unveiled at a grand

BY MARIE JOHNSON

opening ceremony in August. Company and city leaders were present for the big event, as was U.S. Congressman Collin Peterson and salespeople and distributors from around the world.

Designed with food safety, quality and efficiency in mind, the new plant increases the capacity for pet food production by 50 percent, and leaves room for even more growth in years to come.

16 » Progress 2016: Perham celebrates another ‘banner year’

In an email to the Focus, the team at Tuffy’s said business has been growing at such a strong rate in recent years that, without this expansion, the former facility would have soon reached maximum capacity.

“The project has been exciting, to say the least,” the email stated. “Having ownership committed to this level of reinvestment offers a strong level of job security

THE BIG PICTURE

MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT

At the grand opening ceremony of the new expansion at Tuffy’s, in August, were company leaders, left to right: Chase and Tina Rasmussen, Kenny and Kim Nelson and Charlie and Megan Nelson.

The project has been exciting, to say the least. — The team at Tuffy’s and a solid future for our team members.

We are fortunate to have what is handsdown the most committed and most talented manufacturing team in the industry.

Putting them into a state-of-the-art facility is integral to our continued success.”

More room 180,000 square feet of new production and warehouse space, with room to grow More safety features Segregated traffic and airflows, combined with a design specifically managed to prevent opportunities for contamination, place Tuffy’s in a position to meet or exceed current regulatory mandates, as well as potential new requirements coming out of the Food Safety Modernization Act and other regulatory bodies More efficient The expansion increased efficiency through: • The installation of the latest in extrusion and drying equipment • More efficient product handling and moving equipment • A new focus on longer product runs • A new ability to store and even mix products through a series of integrated storage bins • A new ability to handle more primary ingredients on-site and to utilize them in a more timely fashion

Tuffy’s has been a linchpin of Perham since 1964, when Darrel ‘Tuffy’ Nelson (the father of Kenny Nelson, who is now CEO of the company) started making dry dog and cat food kibble in an old 3,000-square-foot potato warehouse.

Today, thanks to additions over the years, the facility comprises more than 700,000 square feet.

Tuffy’s produces products for its own national brand offerings such as Nutri Source and Natural Planet, as well as

Left: Inside the new production plant area, the control system for finished product bins leads into the packaging line. Right: A product transport line leads to an automated packaging/baling area. Some finished product bins are shown in the background.

The open spacious area seen here will allow for additional expansion as Tuffy’s grows in the future.

Progress 2016: Perham celebrates another ‘banner year’

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17

THE BIG PICTURE numerous co-manufactured products.

This latest expansion shows a continued investment in and commitment to Tuffy’s by its parent company, KLN Family Brands, and places both the company and Perham in a position to continue to foster employment growth well into the future — a sure sign of progress for all involved.

As demand continues to increase and Tuffy’s continues to grow, “the opportunity for the creation of new and additional jobs is very real,” according to the team’s email.

That growth is already evident as the new facility fulfills its promise, helping to “solidify relationships with current business partners” and attracting “a great deal of attention from prospective new customers,” according to the email.

“The high quality offerings, consistent products, and features and benefits

offered by our products allow us to gain strong market share nationwide.”

Looking ahead, the long-term prospects for Tuffy’s are solid. The company’s branded products continue to grow in the national marketplace at a very strong rate, and the food safety and efficiency

offered by the new facility are big selling points for co-packers. Company leaders say opportunities to engage new business are constantly in the works.

As KLN President Charlie Nelson said at the expansion’s grand opening, “Our future is bright.” ■

An overhead view of the new Tuffy’s extrusion plant.

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20 » Progress 2016: Perham celebrates another ‘banner year’

THE BIG PICTURE

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Progress 2016: Perham celebrates another ‘banner year’

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THE BIG PICTURE

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SMALL BUSINESS

IS A BIG DEAL IN PERHAM

Mom-and-pop shops are key to the city’s retail atmosphere, economic well-being

BY MARIE JOHNSON

2016: Mom-and-pop 2016: Mom-and-pop shops help shops Perham help Perham thrive thrive 24 » Progress Guide

SMALL BUSINESS Robust.

Bustling.

Healthy.

Vibrant.

What do these words all have in common?

They’ve all been used, again and again, to describe Perham’s retail sector, particularly the downtown area.

As anyone who takes a drive down Main Street on any given weekday or Saturday can plainly see, small business is alive and well in Perham. The downtown area boasts a lively, welcoming atmosphere, with cheery storefronts, well-populated sidewalks, full parking spots and remarkably few vacant buildings.

Unfortunately, some small-town Main Streets in America today are more like modern-day ghost towns, with dilapidated buildings, empty lots and very little consumer activity — even as, in some cases, the residential and manufacturing sectors in those communities continue to swell. It’s a struggle faced by a growing number of small towns — downtowns just aren’t the ‘hubs’ of their communities as they once were, and storefronts are shuttering because of it.

Not so in Perham.

Stories are commonly told of small businesses falling victim to big box stores, malls, highway bypasses and online shopping, but the mom-and-pop shops of Perham seem somehow protected from those threats, going about their day-to-day business with confidence in their continued success.

Perham’s small business sector is not the only one around that’s still managing to hold its head above water, of course, but the obvious health of its downtown does stand in stark contrast to the popular notion that small town downtowns are dying.

So how do they do it? What is it that sets Perham’s small businesses

apart from their other small-town peers? What is it that makes this town’s small businesses unique?

The answer, according to the town’s best expert on the subject, is threefold. When interviewed for this story in December, the Director of Perham’s Economic Development Authority, Chuck Johnson, attributed the success of Perham’s small businesses to three things:

1. A ROBUST JOB BASE.

Thanks to a business community that’s very healthy overall — not only the small commercial sector but also the large industrial sector and everything in between — “There are basically 4,400 jobs that exist in Perham,” Johnson explained.

That’s well above the town’s population of 3,087 people.

“Those jobs are constantly importing money, and that constantly refreshes the money supply in Perham,” he continued. “There’s just a constant supply of new money… So that’s a feeder system that most towns don’t have.”

The job base in Perham has grown significantly in recent years, up 14.2 percent between 2010 and 2014, according to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. About a third of those jobs are embedded in the small business sector.

2. SUMMER TOURISM.

An influx of warm-weather visitors to the Lakes Area — from seasonal ‘lake house’ residents to tourists staying at local resorts, campgrounds and hotels — makes the summertime the best time of the year for just about every small business in town, revenue-wise. People need to shop, eat, and buy gas while they’re here, and Perham business owners are happy to provide those services.

“Our lakes provide a summer ‘bump,’” said Johnson. “That’s no

secret… There are more people around here in the summer than in the winter, and a lot of those people have family come and stay with them; so it’s not just the homeowners themselves, but a lot of visitors that are also involved.”

“So,” according to Johnson, “the lakes are another feeder system.”

3. AN ACTIVE, COOPERATIVE RETAIL COMMUNITY.

This one, Johnson said, “really separates Perham from other communities.”

Rather than each shop working on its own to market to and attract customers, the various small businesses of Perham work together to promote the area and draw in crowds.

“There’s a very strong feeling of, ‘We’re in this together; let’s work together, let’s create and promote together to get people to town. We’ll compete for these people once they’re in town, but let’s work together to get them here,’” Johnson said. “The whole retail community benefits from that.”

The annual Perham Christmas promotion is a good example, with a majority of small businesses in town participating. In 2015, a whopping 83 businesses came together to take part in the community-wide promotion, offering customers incentives for making purchases at Perham stores.

Such efforts increase public awareness of what Perham has to offer, and helps draw in visitors who might not otherwise think to come to such a small town to do their shopping.

Denise Schornack, owner of Nadine’s Ladies Fashions and a leading organizer of the Christmas promotion, describes it as “a win-win for the community.” As she told the Focus in November, “Perham is one of those diamonds in the rough that really realizes that if we can get people into town, it’s good for all of us.”

Progress Progress Guide 2016: Mom-and-pop shops help Perham thrive »

25

SMALL BUSINESS

The streets of downtown Perham overflow with shoppers for community-wide sales promotions such as Crazy Days, pictured here. Vibrant storefronts and a bustling atmosphere define the small business sector in Perham, which contributes significantly to the overall economic success of the community.

Large manufacturers in town — like Barrel O’ Fun, Tuffy’s, Industrial Finishing Services, Kit Masters and a few others — get the lion’s share of attention when it comes to Perham’s economic success, frequently making headlines and serving as the meat of conversations between city and business leaders.

Tourism, too, gets a fair share of

press and discussion for its contribution.

The small business sector often gets overshadowed by these two economic giants, but if the overall economy was a three-legged stool, small businesses would be the third leg holding it up, and that position should not be overlooked or understated.

“There’s no doubt that small business

is a significant contributor to the overall economy,” Johnson wrote in an email to the Focus. “The overall package of large employers, tourism, and robust commercial/small business creates a robust overall economy.”

“And,” he added, “it seems as though it has attained a level of being self-sustaining, whereby the whole package of sectors feeds itself.” ■

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Progress 2016: Mom-and-pop shops help Perham thrive

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SMALL BUSINESS

BUILDING ON A LEGACY NEXT GENERATION OF KARVONEN’S TAKES OVER, ADDS TO COMPANY

by Debbie Irmen

A

90-year legacy might seem daunting shoes to fill for some, but Aaron Karvonen has no regrets about taking over the family business.

Started by his great-grandfather, Yalmer in 1926, Aaron bought the home furnishings business from his father, John, in May 2015. He had decided after his first month at Carlson School of Business at the University of Minnesota that he wanted to control his own destiny, and looked at taking over the store from his dad.

“I wanted to see the fruits of my work on a quick time frame,” he said, relaxing on a couch in the store recently.

“I really see decisions making a positive impact in the community.”

He expediated his education, finishing a five-year program in three, he said, working summers at the store and burning the road between Minneapolis and Perham every weekend while in school.

Structure follows strategy is his mantra and having a strategy as his map, structure will provide the impetus for change, he said.

“There hasn’t been a lot of change in 90 years,” he said. “There has been more change in six months than in the last 90 years. The way we do things is different, but all in good ways. We are keeping the best (of the old) while modernizing how we do business.”

Aaron is quick to say his approach to running the business is different from his father’s but he plans to build upon the care his dad took in keeping the business open, keeping the familiar, but also introducing new trends.

“It’s about helping people,” he said.

“We want people to come home and love it. It’s heartwarming the number of people who think of Karvonen as part

Aaron Karvonen, the fourth generation of Karvonens to run the home furnishing business in Perham, purchased the family company in May, Refreshing Designs in June and the former Station House building on First and Main in October, which is where the design business is located.

of their home. We become a part of the family.”

Some changes at the store may be due in part to new ways of doing business, but Aaron also looks at buying trends, what is selling, and what is not; as well as creating a whole-home

approach to help people find their style and the furniture that will reflect their own look for their home. With a line of great furniture names as a foundation, he has also added some new brands to offer people a variety of styles and price ranges to fit every budget.

Danielle Glorvigen, on the ladder, along with Leann Feldt and Jennifer Moore, are designers at Refreshing Designs. They help people find a style for their home that they can love.

28 » Progress 2016: Mom-and-pop shops help Perham thrive

SMALL BUSINESS

Aaron Karvonen, left, and Danielle Glorvigen talk about the new location of Refreshing Designs prior to its opening Jan. 13.

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“We want to get to know a person, know their style, what they like,” Aaron said. “We want to take the time to get to know you and choose the best products for your home.”

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offers a different style than Karvonen’s.

The store is at the corner of First and Main streets “It’s a mesh of styles,” Aaron said, “from modern to urban chic to a rustic style.”

A feather in the cap of the Karvonen Group, is the partnership with a new line of home décor, Magnolia Home

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With barely a month of ownership under his belt and in keeping with his whole-home approach, the Karvonen Group, the company’s corporate entity, purchased Refreshing Designs in June from Danielle Glorvigen, a professional home designer. She has 10 years of design experience helping people find their style and creating a home look they can love. The business employs two

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Progress 2016: Mom-and-pop shops help Perham thrive »

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SMALL BUSINESS

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Progress 2016: Mom-and-pop shops help Perham thrive »

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SMALL BUSINESS

company is one of an exclusive 250 dealers in the United States chosen to display the line.

“It’s a good thing for a small town,” Danielle said, “and it fits into Refreshing Designs’ look.”

The showroom at Refreshing Designs will feature a “live” kitchen, complete with cabinets, countertops, appliances, flooring, hardware and lighting, to offer ideas to people looking to upgrade or renovate their kitchen, and a small room designated as the “man cave.” Various areas of the showroom will focus on lighting, flooring and pieces to enhance the look of a room.

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“More space allows us to have more samples on hand,” she said, “from as many local vendors as possible. It also allows us to have more of a retail selection.” There is already a synergy with local businesses, making the team effort to help people realize their dream space easier from start to finish, Aaron added.

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the home, Aaron said.

Danielle and the team of designers, which includes Leann Feldt and Jennifer Moore, expects to work with people in their home, which is where they prefer to learn about individual style and it allows them complete measurements. The designers will be able to assist homeowners with anything from a day makeover to consulting on a new home build.

“We will work with customers to design their space, whether it’s big or small,” said Danielle.

A new exterior is planned for the Refreshing Designs building this spring, according to Aaron. ■

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Ask about

33

HONE

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SMALL BUSINESS

SECOND CHANCE BOUTIQUE UPGRADES TO BIGGER BUILDING

by Tom Hintgen

Trisha Kawlewski, owner of Second Chance Boutique, which sells women’s and men’s used clothing, has moved from 211 West Main to the old Greenspire building on East Main Street.

The new facility is located two blocks to the west and across from Perham City Hall.

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34 » Progress 2016: Mom-and-pop shops help Perham thrive

YOUR ELECTRICITY ISN’T SOMETHING WE TAKE LIGHTLY. You might not think about it, but the electricity your co-op provides is more essential to life than ever before. At Lake Region Electric Cooperative, you have a dedicated team working for you.

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TENDER HEARTS HOME CARE Let us care for you 407 Carlund Parkway New York Mills

YEARS OF SERVICE

15

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LAKES FAMILY EYECARE

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17

YEARS OF SERVICE

YEARS OF SERVICE

JH SIGNS & DESIGNS, INC.

Dr. Raeanna Tisdell-Covington DVM

Justin Helmke

905 Jenny Ave. Perham, MN 56573 218-346-PETS (7387) Toll Free 1-866-483-7387 www.allcreaturesperham.com

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18

YEARS OF SERVICE

J&L NUTRITIONAL CONSULTING From The Field … To The Table

134 1st Ave. So. Perham

41357 460th Street Perham 218-346-7446 218-346-7406 fax www.jhsigns.com

18

YEARS OF SERVICE

105 9th Ave NE Perham

218-346-7969 Office 218-346-648 001362737r1

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Progress 2016: Mom-and-pop shops help Perham thrive

»

35

SMALL BUSINESS “We’ll continue to purchase and sell second-hand women’s, men’s and kids’ clothing,” said Kawlewski.

They also will purchase and sell second-hand shoes, jewelry, purses and accessories.

Kawlewski has operated her business since March 2015.

We continue to urge people to bring in gently used, upscale clothing for us to go through,” she said. “We’ll offer a check on the spot or give a seller 10 percent more for an instore credit.”

More than 400 people have sold items to Second Chance Boutique since the business opened.

Facebook is a big boost to her business, said Kawlewski, who has two employees who assist her in the store. Also helping her are her mother and sister.

As a young business owner, the 2014 Perham High School graduate said she’s working to attract younger customers to her store, along with middle-aged and older area residents.

“I’ve enjoyed every minute of this business, and I think I’ve pretty well handled related challenges that always go along with starting a new business,” said Kawlewski.

On her Facebook page, Kawlewski reminds people that if they are bringing in clothing, they need to make sure it is all clean.

“We are up to more than 1,000 Facebook likes,” she pointed out. “We want people to keep spreading the news

about us, especially with the move to our new location on the west side of the Greenspire building.”

Sneak peaks of the new shop are being posted on Facebook.

Perham Economic Development Director Chuck Johnson praises the developers of the Greenspire building for their remodeling efforts. He also commends them for attracting Second Chance Boutique and other businesses to the complex. ■

18

YEARS OF SERVICE

PERHAM TRUCK SERVICE

43589 Fort Thunder Road Perham

218-346-7376

19

YEARS OF SERVICE

COLDWELL BANKER PREFERRED PARTNERS 138 W. Main St., Perham 218-346-7672 26 N. Broadway, Pelican Rapids 217-863-8723 www.MNLakePartners.com

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38 » Progress 2016: Mom-and-pop shops help Perham thrive

19

YEARS OF SERVICE

PERHAM AUTO REPAIR Fort Thunder Road Perham

19

19

YEARS OF SERVICE

YEARS OF SERVICE

VERGAS 66 GAS & CONVENIENCE

VISIONS GLASS AUTO AND HOME

Located across from the Fire Hall

507 East Main Street Perham

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218-342-3663

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PHIL’S PLUMBING Countywide Plumbing Service

218-346-4875

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20

YEARS OF SERVICE

Specializing in New Home Plumbing Repairs • Remodeling • Water Softeners and a Complete Line of Fixtures 218-346-5977 “PLUMB CRAZY!”

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YEARS OF SERVICE

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Everything you need from the In-Home Repair Experts!

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21

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21

YEARS OF SERVICE

21

YEARS OF SERVICE

ANDY PETTOW CONSTRUCTION

BARRY MARTHALER RENOVATIONS LLC.

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Progress 2016: Mom-and-pop shops help Perham thrive

»

39

SMALL BUSINESS

Justin Helmke stands in the showroom of Toy Box Motorsports, a dealership for Harley Davidsons and other recreational toys, which he operates with his partner, Bill Schaleben Jr. The business opened Dec. 1, 2015, a few miles west of Perham just off of Hwy 10.

SIGNS AND CYCLES HELMKE WORKS IN SIGNAGE, OPENS HARLEY DEALERSHIP

T

he shop is almost his first home according to Justin Helmke, who owns and operates JH Signs and Designs, as well as Toy Box Motorsports and Lakes Advertising, a billboard company.

Mostly because he loves his work.

“This business, it’s a fun job,” he said.

21

YEARS OF SERVICE

GEMSTONE MASONRY OPERATING COMPANY, INC. Concrete • Excavation • Masonry Laser Screeded Concrete Todd Rodeman Frazee

21

YEARS OF SERVICE

JANUSZEWSKI ELECTRIC 37211 South Little McDonald Drive Perham

218-346-6006

218-334-3274 001363755r1

40 » Progress 2016: Mom-and-pop shops help Perham thrive

001365245r1

He started working for a sign company after graduating from Perham High School in 1992 and finished college at Detroit Lakes Technical College. He worked in Minneapolis for several sign companies.

“I learned the ins and outs of the sign business there, and came up here every weekend,” he said.

So it wasn’t a stretch for the Vergas native to open his own sign company just minutes from Perham, off Hwy 10.

22

22

YEARS OF SERVICE

36 years in the heating business 216 West Main Street Ottertail, MN 56571 218-367-3300 www.allseasonsottertail.com

YEARS OF SERVICE

NORTHWOODS ELECTRICAL & CONTROL SYSTEMS

ALL SEASONS HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING LLC

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by Debbie Irmen

616 Pinewood Lane Perham

218-346-7763 001364059r1

SERVICE FOOD MARKET Serving You Best!

Best Quality Produce, Bakery, Meat and Deli Departments Certified Angus Beef Brand 250 East Main Street, Perham 218-346-7800 001366752r1

23

24

YEARS OF SERVICE

24

YEARS OF SERVICE

• Lawn Sprinklers • Start Ups • Sales and Service • Professional Design and Installation • Complete Line of Inventory • Commercial and Residential - Lic. #TS01383 Free Estimates 218-346-3890 Serving the Entire Lakes Area Since 1992

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YEARS OF SERVICE

GUARDIAN CROP INSURANCE

AQUA LAWN, INC.

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109 Coney Street West Perham

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23

YEARS OF SERVICE

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DEAN’S

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CULTURAL CENTER IN NEW YORK MILLS

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25

www.ucbankmn.com

YEARS OF SERVICE

YEARS OF SERVICE

OK TIRE STORES

PELOQUIN LAW OFFICE, PA

Your Neighborhood Professionals.

STEVE PELOQUIN AMY JENSON

Hwy. 10 & 78 Next to Perham Oasis Perham 218-346-7100

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432 3rd Ave. SE, Perham 218-346-6900 15 N. Main, New York Mills 218-385-3100 602 Pleasant Ave., Park Rapids 218-237-2200

Progress 2016: Mom-and-pop shops help Perham thrive

»

001366974r1

Free pre-approvals

41

SMALL BUSINESS “It was nice coming home,” Helmke said of returning to his boyhood stomping grounds.

When he worked in Minneapolis, one of his jobs was working for Dave Eckel. He started doing fun, creative work on racecars, custom painted helmets and motorcycles and got to know people in the business of pinstriping. He found he enjoyed it.

“I guess that was my motivation,” he said of wanting to start a sign business.

He and his staff of five work on signs of all kinds, he said, including vehicle wraps and lettering, as well as service signs as needed. Though winter is a bit slower — the company does less field work during the colder months — there is still a call to make changes to signs or logos or replace bulbs in lighted signs, he said, adding it still goes all year long.

He also keeps busy with his newly opened business, Toy Box Motorsports. Having always had toys such as motorcycles, snowmobiles and fourwheelers, it was a natural fit to want to tinker with them, he said.

While tinkering with his hobby, he worked with a fellow who bought parts, and he just started doing more and more himself.

Andrea Criag, who works with Justin Helmke at JH Signs and Designs, cleans a truck panel in preparation for the lettering phase of the process.

It’s due time that you checked out the Perham Area Public Library!

Free Wi-Fi Free public computer use

900 W. Main • Perham, MN 225 2nd Ave. NE • Perham 218-346-4892 www.perhamlibrary.org 1922-2016 Greg Schmitz

Tim Schmitz

Gary Kurtz

Julius Aho

218-346-3900 • 866-964-3906 42 » Progress 2016: Mom-and-pop shops help Perham thrive

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SEE OUR TOTAL INVENTORY AT

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Free downloadable eBooks and Audiobooks available Free weekly story time for children find us on Facebook under Perham Area Public Library

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A trusted name for over 95 years!

26

YEARS OF SERVICE

BREITENFELDT GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE BROKERAGE 949 Market Street Perham 218-346-2290 Toll-free 1-877-732-9800 mnmedicareplans.com

26

YEARS OF SERVICE

26

YEARS OF SERVICE

NEW HORIZONS REALTY OF PERHAM, INC.

SUPER 8 MOTEL & RV CAMPGROUND

Building a Name You Can Trust!

Chad Anderson, Broker/Owner

106 Jake Street SE Perham

423 W. Main Street Perham 218-346-7767 www.perhamrealestate.ocm Email: horizons@eot.com

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27

YEARS OF SERVICE

BEN HOLZER UNLIMITED Independent Water Systems Water Treatment Systems, Reverse Osmosis, Bottled Water, Softener Salt Perham 218-346-6445 www.BenHolzerUnlimited.com

218-346-7888

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001363749r1

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r i a p e R

• Auto • Light Truck • Diesel All Makes and Models Rated #1 Repair Shop in the Perham Area!

218-346-3346

27

YEARS OF SERVICE

CARQUEST AUTO PARTS

28

YEARS OF SERVICE

OTTERTAIL CABINET COMPANY

Your Hometown Drugstore

Solid Waste: (218) 998-4898

For the Finest in Custom Cabinetry.

Battle Lake, Betha, Frazee, Henning, Menahga, New York Mills, Ottertail, Park Rapids, Wadena

Recycling Center: (218) 736-4400

Locally owned and operated

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29

YEARS OF SERVICE

OTTER TAIL COUNTY RECYCLING

SEIP DRUG

659 W. Main St.

29

YEARS OF SERVICE

001366009r1

630 W. Main, Perham • hometownrepair@hotmail.com

001365311r1

Household Hazardous Waste Facility: (218) 736-2161

94 Lake Avenue South P.O. Box 35 Ottertail Mike Sanders 218-367-2224 Bruce Johnson 218-346-2331

001363121r1

Progress 2016: Mom-and-pop shops help Perham thrive

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43

SMALL BUSINESS

Workers at JH Signs and Designs work on a variety of signs, including neon signs, from all over the state.

29

YEARS OF SERVICE

29

YEARS OF SERVICE

STEVE’S SANITATION, INC.

WEST CENTRAL INITIATIVE

Commercial & Residential Garbage & Roll-Off Service

Your regional community foundation serving West Central Minnesota.

P.O. Box 318 Fergus Falls Toll Free: 1-800-735-2239 www.wcif.org Facebook: westcentralinitiative

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44 » Progress 2016: Mom-and-pop shops help Perham thrive

001366854r1

30

YEARS OF SERVICE

30

YEARS OF SERVICE

AT THE WINDOW

BEKKERUS • SCHOTT • HELMEKE • DECONCINI • JOHNSON LTD.

Commercial & Residential Window Coverings Specialist

Certified Public Accountants

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30

30

YEARS OF SERVICE

PERHAM RESOURCE RECOVER FACILITY

OVERLAND INSURANCE AGENCY

Prairie Lakes

Serving the Perham area for 45 years.

Municipal Waste Authority 201 6th Ave. NE

255 3rd Avenue SE Perham

Perham, MN

218-346-6250

218-346-4404

Representing multiple property and casualty insurance carriers.

001362084r1

The

Bases Covered Time! for a Good

Weekly

YEARS OF SERVICE

BLUFFTON OIL COMPANY

AREA TRAVEL 650 Third Ave. SE, Perham, MN

Serving the community over 75 years. Bulk fuel, Shell motor oil and tires.

Toll Free: 1-800-626-3801 Phone: 218-346-3933 areatravel@msn.com

101 Prospect St. Bluffton 218-385-2595

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OUTDOOR PATIO & BAR NOW OPEN!

Daily Happy Hour Specials

Has A

33

YEARS OF SERVICE

001366735r1

Dll Yoouur gout ls!

Specia

32

YEARS OF SERVICE

On/Off Sale

Friday Chicken & Ribs

ay Thursd M 5-10 P ht!

Nig Burger rgers!

Bu $1.50

Saturday Prime Rib

Pool, Darts and Much More!

104 N 1ST AVE. DENT, MN 56528 • 218-758-8000

34

34

YEARS OF SERVICE

YEARS OF SERVICE

THRIFTY WHITE PHARMACY & GIFTS

223 West Main Perham

125 1st Ave So Perham

218.346-6370 PerhamOfficeSupplyandGifts@arvig.net www.PerhamOfficeSupplyandGifts.com

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PERHAM OFFICE SUPPLY COPY CENTER & GIFT SHOP

218-346-4840

36

YEARS OF SERVICE

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36

YEARS OF SERVICE

DEAN’S APPLIANCE AND REFRIGERATION SERVICE

DENT LIONS

Residential Repair Over 36 Years Experience

We Serve for Now and in the Future

Perham

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Progress 2016: Mom-and-pop shops help Perham thrive

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»

45

SMALL BUSINESS All his partner, Bill Schaleben Jr., does is buy damaged toys, including Harley Davidson motorcycles, with slight damage, he said. Helmke will sometimes make the necessary repairs, sometimes not, and then sell them from the showroom.

“We sort of peck away at them if it’s an easy fix,” Helmke said. But some people, he found, are looking for a “project” to do themselves.

“If they come in and like (a cycle) and are looking for a winter project, they will fix it themselves,” he said.

Helmke is clear that Toy Box Motorsports is a dealership, not a retail store for parts or accessories, or even a repair shop, though he may do some repair work in order to sell the vehicle. With Harley Davidson retail and repair shops in Alexandria, Brainerd, Fargo and the Perham area, he figures people are close enough to those stores if they want more than a motorcycle or need work done. And Harley Davidson is very strict on its licensing, he added.

He has no trouble selling the motorcycles because he just doesn’t get too attached to any of them, like some people might, he said, though he is rather fond of his personal cycle, a pink custom bagger. He likes its uniqueness and doesn’t expect it to sell too quickly.

Dan Mattfeld, who works with Justin Helmke at JH Signs and Designs, is weeding the vinyl, or trimming the excess off, leaving the sign lettering in place.

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46 » Progress 2016: Mom-and-pop shops help Perham thrive

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New York Mills, MN

CHILDREN’S CORNER LEARNING CENTER Now Accepting Applications!

Monday-Friday, 6:30 am - 5:45 pm Children’s Corner is a full day child care center for ages 6 weeks to school age. Our Mission is to give each child a warm environment that encourages the development of socialization skills, independence, and a positive self-image.

Children’s Corner Perham 322 - 6th Ave. S.W. Children’s Corner Fergus Falls 120 W. Everett Ave.

And Our Newest Center Children’s Corner Pelican Rapids 119 N. Broadway

Baby Corner 1122 Mill St. S., Fergus Falls

NOW OPEN

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650 3R D AV E. S.E., S U I T E 6 • P E R H AM, M N C A L L 218-346-6860 F O R A P P O I N T M E N T R E V I V E S A LO N S PA @ A RV I G.N E T S A R A C R O O K A N D M I S S Y LU B I T Z, CO  O W N E R S

DESTINATION SUPER

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Baby Corner North (Infant & Toddler Care) 621 Springen Ave. N., Fergus Falls

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PHIL’S PLUMBING COUNTYWIDE PLUMBING SERVICE

Close to Lakes, Golf, Restaurants and Shops Amenities & Services: Accessible Facilities • Hotel Info and Services Meeting and Event Facilities • Safety & Security Technology Services • Transportation and Parking

hotel Count on Super 8 Perham ce. ien to provide value and conven

MASTER PLUMBER - LICS. & BONDED

SPECIALIZING IN NEW HOME PLUMBING REPAIRS • REMODELING WATER SOFTENERS & A COMPLETE LINE OF FIXTURES

218-346-5977 License #060339PM

SUPER 8 PERHAM

106 Jake St SE, NE, Perham 218-346-7888

46414 390TH STREET, PERHAM, MN 56573 001366467r1

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SMALL BUSINESS “It’s all custom,” he said. “It’s going to take the right person who likes a pink motorcycle to buy it.”

Another looker in the showroom is a two-tone turquoise-and-white Harley Davidson Road King.

“I love that one, too,” he said. “I love the twotone; it’s a classic, very old-school.”

One might think each cycle comes with a story, but Helmke said they don’t really hear the stories.

Once a bike has been rebuilt, the motorcycles are inspected by the Minnesota Department of Transportation to ensure stolen parts weren’t used and that the bike wasn’t put back together in an unsafe way.

“If there is enough damage, they need to be inspected,” he said.

Of course, it doesn’t take much to total a motorcycle, Helmke said. Lay a motorcycle down and it’s “pretty much totaled.”

He and his partner find bikes online, by attending auctions and through other dealers, he said, as well as through insurance companies. Presently, there are about 25 cycles available in the showroom.

With hundreds of bikes going through at auction, he said, it can be like the roll of the dice to find a good vehicle. But like auto dealers who have online tools to learn the history of the vehicles, Helmke also has such resources. Mostly, the damage on a motorcycle is visible and he can generally tell if a bike is less than desirable, he said.

“If the frame is bent, but the motor is good, we may buy it for the motor and throw the rest,” he said.

Though he has gone as far as Texas and Pennsylvania to purchase bikes, “it is so hard to get them shipped up here, so we do a lot locally,” he said.

Finding the time to ride can be difficult, Helmke said, with his business enterprises keeping him pretty busy.

“But I ride all I can, which isn’t a lot,” he said. ■

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This two-tone Harley Davidson Road King is one of Justin Helmke’s favorite cycles, though he admits he doesn’t get too attached to the cycles.

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KALEVA APARTMENTS

NORTHERN IRRIGATION CONTRACTORS INC.

NADINE’S LADIES FASHIONS

Affordable housing for seniors and those with disabilities

45214 County Road 80 E Perham

145 West Main Perham

New York Mills, MN

218-346-7246

218-385-3273 Kaleva@schuettcares.com www.schuettcares.com

Lindsay Zimmatic John Deere • Stihl • Jonsered

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PERHAM STEEL & WELDING 644 West Main Perham

218-346-2615

218-346-2030 001364754r1

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39

WALT SEIFERT CONSTRUCTION

BHH PARTNERS PLANNERS/ARCHITECTS

Residential & Commercial (General Contracting Work New & Remodeling Construction)

Anthony J. Stoll, AIA, Principal Architect

43932 Mosquito Heights Road Perham 218-346-7062

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Minnesota 218-346-4505 Colorado 970-453-6880 or 970-513-1000 www.bhhpartners.com

001366353r1

YEARS OF SERVICE

CRANE JOHNSON LUMBER CO.

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GARY WAGENMAN CONSTRUCTION Residential - Commercial Concrete - Poured Walls All Types of Construction

620 East Main Perham

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218-346-5555 www.cranejohnson.com

40416 Cty Hwy 34 Perham 218-758-2757 or 218-346-6756 001364345r1

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Visit The Backyard, Leader in Pet products and supplies!

Shop for you as well! We bring your favorite pet products to The Backyard.

• New Bird feeders and • Leader in pet food and supplies! accessories aisle • Great selection of all natural meats and cheese

• Expanded bird feed and suet selection BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

105 9th Ave NE Perham, MN 56573 218-346-7487 Hours M-F 7:30-5:30 • Sat. 8-noon

• Get your seeds for the upcoming gardening and planting season • Handmade Pizzas, Pot pies, and more!

New Warehouse & Bean Treatment Facility

Check us out on the web at: www.thebackyardperham.com www.facebook.com/visitTheBackyard • www.twitter.com @TheBackyard_MN

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HAPPEL LAW OFICE

JC ELECTRIC

LAKELAND VETERINARY CLINIC

Dennis W. Happel

“Call us for your electrical needs.”

Wellness & Medical Center W.M. Rose, DVM

615 Pinewood Lane Perham

44344 County Hwy 8 Perham

100 2nd Ave SW Perham 218-346-5300

218-346-5560 001366980r1

RAE’S SHOES

132 West Main Street Perham

218-346-2605

218-346-6550 001363889r1

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SMALL BUSINESS Justin Helmke makes some light repairs to the cycles he and his partner buy, but often they leave it for the buyer, who may be looking for a project to work on.

We Service All Brands 218-367-3300 24/7 Emergency Service

All Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning has solutions and experience to tackle just about any cooling or heating project.

We specializes in: New Construction, Remodeling, Residential and Commercial. www.allseasonsottertail.com

Custom Builders Now Offering Drafting & Design Trusted

Providing all your construction needs for 21 years!

From Start to finish!

Call Today for a Free Estimate!

All Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning LLC 216 West Main Street | Ottertail, MN 56571 218-367-3300

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50 Âť Progress 2016: Mom-and-pop shops help Perham thrive

218.346.2679 License #BC039418

98 7th Ave NE • Perham, MN 56573

www.pettowconstruction.com

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Happy Snacking!

See us for all your vending needs.

♥ Skilled Nursing Care ♥ Ventilator Patients ♥ IV Therapy ♥ Physical, Occupational, Speech Therapy ♥ Respiratory Therapy ♥ Respite Care ♥ Frazee Assisted Living ♥ Vergas Assisted Living

FULL SERVICE VENDING COFFEE SERVICES MICRO-MARKETS

“Where People Help People By Caring Above & Beyond"

www.FrazeeCareCenter.com 219 West Maple Ave., Frazee, MN

105 6th Ave. SE, Perham 346-2985 1-877-929-2100 snacksplusvending@gmail.com

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(218) 334-4501

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Live Here. Do Business Here. progressiveperham.com The Most Jobs.

Help for Businesses.

Pound for pound, Perham offers more jobs than many communities similar or larger in size, and offers a great quality of lakeside life with big city amenities.

Local tax incentives and business services can help you achieve dreams of business ownership in a town with a great quality of life and midwestern work ethic.

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“This is where so many people choose to vacation and I am lucky enough to live where I also vacation.”

– Sue Huebsch Owner of Wild Goose

The City of Perham • 218-346-9798 • www.cityofperham.com Progress 2016: Mom-and-pop shops help Perham thrive

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SMALL BUSINESS

J & L Nutritional Consulting added on during 2015. This is the new seed warehouse that was purchased, next to The Backyard retail store in Perham.

THE BACKYARD EXPANDS WITH COMPLETION OF NEW SEED WAREHOUSE

by Jason Groth

T

he year 2015 meant expansion for J & L Nutritional Consulting and The Backyard in Perham.

The company recently purchased three new plots and built a new building for housing seed.

“The Backyard is a branch off of J & L Nutritional Consulting, which is a

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livestock business. We service livestock nutrition and livestock feed,” owner Joseph Doll said. “We are contracted through six other mills. That started out in the late ‘90s and one thing led to another and we expanded. We built this building five years ago.”

Those mills are located in Mahnomen, Henning, Fergus Falls, Barnesville, Fertile and Stewart, Minn.

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J & L Nutritional Consulting has since expanded with the addition of The Backyard retail store, which opened up five years ago.

J & L Nutritional Consulting is a family owned business of Joseph and Lori Doll. The Dolls have worked closely with Mike Butenhoff for 15 years and Joseph Doll said they work a lot alike.

YEARS OF SERVICE

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FINN CREEK MUSEUM

KING KOIN LAUNDRY

NAPA AUTO PARTS & SERVICE CENTER

GOODMAN’S SUPER MARKET

121 East Main Perham

105 Jake Street SE Perham

Grocery Store • Deli • Bakery

New York Mills

218-346-7557 TOLL FREE: 877-346-7557 napaofperham@arvig.net

218-385-2233 www.finncreek.com 001366158r1

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001363927r1

105 E Main St Vergas 218-342-2401 001362726r1

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HAMANN FAMILY DENTISTRY

YEARS OF SERVICE

KEN TERVOLA CONSTRUCTION

HUBER ELECTRIC

Conveniently located downtown 43922 Mosquito Heights Road Perham

200 1st Ave. South Perham 218-346-4775 www.hamannfamilydentistry.com

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Building Your Dreams #BC005441 New York Mills

218-385-2862

800-892-8548 www.marconet.com

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HOMES, INC. Of Detroit Lakes

MARCO, INC. Finding the right technology is powerful. Our performance-driven approach empowers customers and communities to work smarter.

218-346-3916

001362208r1

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001366950r1

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Authorized Dynamic Homes Dealer 516 E. Main St. • Detroit Lakes, MN 218-849-8984 www.anderson-homes-inc.com Tues-Sat 8am–5pm or by appointment

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Todd Rue Sales Representative todd@anderson-homes-inc.com

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STAEBLER FINANCIAL GROUP

JIM KYTTA CONSTRUCTION

DEAN’S COUNTRY MARKET

PROFESSIONAL AGRONOMY SERVICES

The Key to Your Success

Jim Kytta Lic. #BC001138

New York Mills: Monday-Friday 8am-8pm; Saturday 8am-6pm; Sunday 9am-6pm Phone 218-385-2765 Perham: Monday-Sunday 7am-11pm Phone 218-346-6750

725 East Main Street Perham 218-346-2355

610 3rd Avenue S.E. Perham

59209 County Hwy 56 New York Mills

218-346-2211 staeblerfinancialgroupltd.com 001367798r1

218-385-3296 001365280r1

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220 Bottemiller Drive Wadena 218-631-7261 001365972r1

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SMALL BUSINESS “I have been doing livestock nutrition for quite a few years,” Doll said.

“I used to work with Hubbard Milling Company out of Mankato and I went on my own. When I went on my own, there was a need. Perham Grain and Feed was getting out of business and we were getting stronger and stronger. We took on the seed business as we continued to grow, strictly because we wanted to have a little bit of an input in what these livestock and dairy farmers were planting. The end result is feed.”

Doll said they continued to excel by providing resources and technology that was missing to dairy farmers in the area.

The success continues to build with the addition of the retail store, which is run by their sons, Tyler and Taylor.

They opened The Backyard because they had to have someone on site and Tyler was there. After a few years, Taylor came back from college and he showed an interest in working at the

Taylor, Tyler, Lori and Joseph Doll are pictured at the counter of The Backyard, located in Perham’s industrial park.

store, as well.

Joseph informed Taylor that he needed to help generate some revenue because there wasn’t enough. They ran a report on the demographics of the pets in the area and decided to open up a consumer pet store.

Dent

“That has taken off really well. People treat their pets real well, sometimes as good as their kids,” Joseph said. “Our knowledge, where we come from and having a veterinarian on staff part time, we have been able to tap into that market pretty well.”

A season of reflection.

Making a Adifference. time for thanks.

Right here. Every day.

MONUMENT

llc

201 Birch Street, Dent, MN Located in the Dent Community Center

Call 218-758-6805

Perham • 346-1300 800-908-BANK (2265) Bremer.com Member FDIC. © 2015 Bremer Financial Corporation. All rights reserved.

54 » Progress 2016: Mom-and-pop shops help Perham thrive

MoneyMatters.indd 1

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LOCALLY OWNED

At Bremer Bank, we believe it takes an experienced team with the commitment to make a difference. It takes the drive to build close relationships with our clients so we can identify solutions to meet their specific needs. And it takes the desire to do everything possible to enhance our client’s financial health. But most of all, it takes working together. Because ultimately, when our individual and business clients are successful, we’re successful, and our whole community is healthier.

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Winter Hours: 1:00-5:00 Monday-Friday Saturday: 11:00-3:00 Summer Hours: 9:00-5:00 Monday-Friday Appointments available anytime

3/3/15 10:54 AM

Gary Honer Saw and Tool SMALL ENGINE REPAIR

34684 State Hwy 108 • Dent, Mn 56528

218-758-2182

Do you need a part or warranty work for a machine or engine?

WE CARRY PARTS FOR: Briggs-Stratton Tanaka Kohler Dolmar Honda McCulloch LCT Engines Pow-R-Kraft MTD Worx Troy-Bilt Champion Poulan Campbell-Husfeld Honeywell Brute Murray Oregon

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Smith Family Dentistry

Jon Staebler is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., Member SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Sagemark Consulting, a division of Lincoln Financial Advisors, a registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. CRN-1396001-011916

Staebler Financial Group

For a Lifetime of Healthy Smiles

218.346.7700

CLU, LUTCF staeblerf inancialgroupltd.com

Dave Smith

General and Cosmetic Dentistry

135 Third Street NE

New Patients Welcome!

001367457r1

smithfamilydentistryMN.com dentalps@arvig.net Dr.

Jon R. Staebler,

Perham, MN

610 3rd Ave. SE - Perham, MN 56573 ph. 218-346-2211 - fax: 218-346-2221 Jon.Staebler@LFG.com Progress 2016: Mom-and-pop shops help Perham thrive

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55

SMALL BUSINESS Joseph wasn’t surprised at the success of the pet portion of The Backyard.

He stated that when they jump into something, they make sure they see it through.

What may have been a hindrance at first has turned into a benefit. The Backyard is located in the industrial park and not downtown Perham.

“It’s become a destination,” Joseph said. “We are getting a lot of traffic through the store every day now.”

They have been able to reach out to several different groups of pet owners with a K-9 balancer product they created.

“We have our own K-9 balancer product that was designed by me, our microbiologist and our veterinarian,” Joseph said. “We were able to tap into that market with some mushers in Alaska and some hunting dogs. That product has really brought us into the pet industry. We have been able to talk to some people that we wouldn’t have been able to without that product.”

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FRAZEE CARE CENTER COMPLEX

The growth has been aided by Tyler and Taylor’s work with their website.

That has allowed them to become national with their product. Joseph said Tyler takes care of the technology aspect and the seed, while Taylor focuses on the pet store.

“They will do well. They have a unique store. The pet industry will get

better,” Joseph said. “These guys are getting more and more all the time.

It’s amazing how many brands of dog foods that there are. They call it raw dog food, frozen and refrigerated and I can’t believe how much of that we are selling.

It’s getting more and more and more.”

He added that it’s not just the dogs and cats that they work with but also

The front entryway to The Backyard, which is part of J & L Nutritional Consulting, is located in the Northeast Industrial Park in Perham.

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MIDWEST MINNESOTA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORP. Capital. Innovation. Success.

219 W. Maple Avenue Frazee

119 Graystone Plaza #100 Detroit Lakes

218-334-4501

218-847-3191 www.mmcdc.com 001366412r1

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001366756r1

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GARY HONER SAW & TOOL

RICHTER’S MENS WEAR

Small Engine Repair TROY-BILT DEALER

Big & Tall Tuxedo Rental

34684 State Hwy 108 Dent

137 W. Main Perham

218-758-2182

218-346-5575 001363744r1

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DAN’S SHOE & CANVAS REPAIR

HISTORY, ARTS & CULTURAL ASSOCIATION

512 East Main Perham

Beginning with the EOT Historical Society HACA now includes In Their Own Words Veterans Museum History Museum EOT and Pioneer Village

218-346-2609 001362638r1

51

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www.historyartsculture.com

YEARS OF SERVICE

52

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ZITZOW ELECTRIC

MARLO MOTORS

All your electrical needs 24 hours a day

Marlo & Paul Sonnenberg

Vergas 218-342-2871

001366985r1

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1/4 mile south of Hwy 10 on Hwy 78 Perham 218-346-5888 visit us @ www.marlomotors.com 001369550r1

Community meal every Wednesday from 5:00-6:30 pm. Everyone is welcome 001364273r1

Sundays at New Creation Lutheran Church Children’s Church for ages 3yrs-1st grade Sunday School/Yield to the Word ages 2nd-6th grade at 9:15am First Word (Adult Bible Study) 9:30am Worship 10:00 am Sunday worship services are on at 5:00pm on Channel 14

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LYNN THOMPSON INSURANCE

BRETZ HARDWARE CO.

Life, Health, Group, Medicare, Long Term Care, Disability

Perham’s oldest complete hardware

32025 Finch Circle Dent

Perham

295 Coney St. West Perham, MN 56573 218-346-7203 garden@newcreationperham.org www.newcreationperham.org

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EAST OTTER TAIL SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT 801 Jenny Avenue, Suite 2 Perham

218-346-4760 001364336r1

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ESSER PLUMBING AND HEATING 542 West Main Street Perham 877-882-4822 www.perhamplumbing.com

218-346-2050 www.eotswcd.org

218-758-3333 001366957r1

Pastor Randy Freund

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SMALL BUSINESS pets such as goats and llamas, and local hobby farms.

“It’s fun and intriguing. You learn a lot about animals and how close people come to their animals,” Joseph said.

“They are part of the family. Perham is a growing community. We have a lot of people in the summertime. Bird seed is big, as well.”

They purchased three lots and just built a 60-by-120-square-foot facility, which will be used for storing seed. It will house soybean seed, corn seed, alfalfa seed and small grain seeds, and is also set up to treat seed.

“That is a big step that we made this year. We were renting a facility from down the street, now we don’t have to do that,” Joseph said. “We can concentrate and have it all in one location with two different facilities. It will be nice, we keep it separated and it will be easier.”

As of January, they were in the selling portion of the season, finding out what the farmers need and want for the

upcoming season. After finding that out, they try to match up the seed for that.

“Right now, it’s a lot of preparation and selling of the seed,” Joseph said.

“April becomes a busy month. In March and April we do a lot of treating. It’s sun up to sun down and that’s the way it is.

It’s a busy time of the year.”

He said their knowledge of livestock has transferred into the pet world.

“Our store is based on the farmer. It’s based off of agriculture. Because we are here we have to be open all the time,” he said. “We have taken that knowledge and background and extended it into consumer products, which will be the dogs, cats, llamas, goats and everything else. It has worked well.”

It’s a field that has always interested Joseph since he was a young kid growing up on a dairy farm. He never thought his two boys would be joining him. He said he would have never bet on it.

“Now, Tyler has a tremendous interest in it and he runs the seed department,”

he said. “Taylor runs the pet part. I’m pretty proud. They are getting good at it. Taylor takes a lot of pride in what he does. Tyler takes a lot of pride in it and they are getting it figured out. We have some great employees. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Mike Butenhoff, he runs the western part.”

Joseph said it can be challenging working with his family but the benefits are tremendous.

“They all know what we have to do.

We are family but we keep our perspective of what we are doing with work separate,” he said. “I try to take favoritism out of it with all of our employees.

We work together, we play together, get paid together but we all have to work together for it.”

The Backyard is open MondayFriday from 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and 8 a.m.-noon on Saturday. It is located in the Northeast Industrial Park in Perham. For more information, visit www.thebackyardperham.com ■

Every Home Has a Story.

Coldwell Banker Preferred Partners continues to be among the top companies in the Minnesota Lakes Region & Lakes Country Multiple Listing Service. Call us today and join a growing field of satisfied buyers and sellers.

Where will you land? It all begins with an idea and a phone call.

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Pelican Rapids Office

AREA TRAVEL 650 Third Ave. SE, Perham Toll Free: 1-800-626-3801 Phone: 218-346-3933 areatravel@msn.com

26 North Broadway P.O. Box 623 Pelican Rapids, MN 56572 218-863-8723

Perham Office

138 W. Main Street, Suite D P.O. Box 286 Perham, MN 56573 218-346-7672

You’re on Your Way!

www.MNLakePartners.com

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

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58 » Progress 2016: Mom-and-pop shops help Perham thrive

Schoeneberger Funeral Home

Serving the Perham community since 1881.

Thrift Store Hours: Mon-Fri 10:00 - 5:30 Sat 9:00 - 1:00

254 3rd Ave. SW, Perham, MN

(218) 346-5175 Read Obituaries and post personal tributes on www.SchoenebergerFuneralHome.com

· Great Shopping · Affordable Prices · Clothing · Household · Home Decor · Donations Wanted · We Recycle

Steve Sheets

802 JENNY AVE • PERHAM • 346-2131

Funeral Director & Local Owner

Come Worship with us

218-342-2871 VERGAS

We are celebrating 150 years of serving the community.

St. Lawrence Catholic Church Rush Lake - 46404 County Highway 14 Perham, MN 56573 218-346-7729

Funeral Director

ELECTRIC

Catholic Church in Ottertail County!

Sunday Mass is held in our outdoor chapel under the pines, from Memorial Day to Labor Day (weather permitting)

Hans Larson

ZITZOW

at The Oldest

ALL YOUR ELECTRICAL NEEDS 24 HOURS A DAY

001364370r1

MASS TIMES: Wednesday 8:30 am Friday 8:30 am Saturday 6:00 pm Sunday 10:30 am

001362107r1

001366561r1

Donation Hours: Mon-Fri 9:30 - 2:00 or call for appointment All proceeds directly benefit our programs.

• Local Monument Sales • Pre-Need Funeral Plans Available

CHECK WITH JEFF! • RESIDENTIAL, FARM, COTTAGE & COMMERCIAL WIRING • ELECTRIC HEAT INSTALLATION

Celebrating 51 years in business!

FREE ESTIMATES

Progress 2016: Mom-and-pop shops help Perham thrive

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SMALL BUSINESS

EDWARD JONES TO OPEN OFFICE NEAR DEAN’S COUNTRY MARKET

by Tom Hintgen

I

n February, Edward Jones Financial Advisor Phil Gilbert will be conducting business in a new building south of Dean’s Country Market, just east of Lakes Family Eyecare in Perham.

Gilbert has worked at the Edward Jones office on 3rd Street Southeast in Perham.

“I’m looking forward to the change, and working from an ideal location,” said Gilbert. “The overall goal, of course, is to work in a location that best serves the needs of Edward Jones clients.”

The new building, consisting of 2,500 square feet of space, is owned by Dennis Happel and Dean Simpson.

Gilbert will use close to half of the facility, renting the office space from Happel and Simpson. The building owners say the other half of the new structure is available for rent, as well.

“We know that Phil and Edward Jones will be a good tenant and that our facility is a good location for an Edward Jones office,” said Happel.

On Jan. 8 Gilbert paid a visit to his future home, taking a look at how the final touches to the new facility were coming along. He visited with Craig Neseth of Winkels Carpet. Neseth’s company is working in conjunction with project manager Matthew Malone.

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PINE SHELTER VETERINARY HOSPITAL

Phil Gilbert’s new Edward Jones office is located just east of Lakes Family Eyecare and south of Dean’s Country Market in Perham.

Gilbert, along with his wife, Beth, and children Elena, 16, and Ava, 12, moved to Minnesota from Georgia in 2014. His mother, a retiree, resides in her hometown of Detroit Lakes.

“I grew up in Tennessee but spent every summer at my grandparents’ resort, Riverside Place Resort, on the south side of Lake Melissa,” said

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65

Gilbert. “Needless to say, I came to love this area of Minnesota.”

He spent 25 years of his adult life residing in Georgia, working for AT&T in management before joining Edward Jones in 2014.

Edward Jones has its headquarters in St. Louis. There are more than 11,000 offices spread across all 50 states.

YEARS OF SERVICE

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GORDY’S GREENHOUSE

ANDERSON HOMES, INC. OF DETROIT LAKES

ARVIG

46608 575th Avenue New York Mills

516 E. Main St. Detoit Lakes

Phone, Television, Internet, Security, Computer Repair

218-837-5396

218-849-8984 www.anderson-homes-inc.com

888-992-7844 arvig.com

670 3rd Avenue S.E. Perham

218-346-2120 001364352r1

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Kelvin Rudolph, D.V.M.

66

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HEMMELGARN BUILDERS INC.

75

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CENTRAL MINNESOTA CREDIT UNION

Richard Winkels, Owner

Centered on you.

218-346-1300

145 2nd Avenue S.E. Perham

106 Judd Street Perham, MN

24-Hour Banking 1-800-908-BANK

218-346-2924

888.330.8482 mycmcu.org

801 Market St. Perham

202 Fox Run Perham 218-346-2377

77

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WINKEL’S CARPET CENTER

BREMER

License #BC003628

YEARS OF SERVICE

bremer.com 001365345r1

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Improve your health.

Thrifty White Pharmacy is committed to supporting Script Your Future, and providing a high level of patient care to improve health outcomes

The National consumers League launched a new public education campaign, Script Your Future, to raise awareness among patients about the consequences of not taking medication as directed.

In support of this campaign, Thrifty White is offering our Synchronized Prescription refill service. It is a convenient, new way to have all your prescriptions filled on the same day. It’s easy and it’s free! See your pharmacist today!

Simplify your life

Synchronized Prescription Refill Service

310 Main Street Bluffton, MN 218-385-2608 Fr. Aaron Kuhn

All your prescriptions ready for you on the same day.

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A Family of Employee Owners Serving You Employee Owned

and Gifts

125 First Ave. S. Perham, MN 218-346-4840 1-800-395-4868

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®

Mass times: Sunday: 10:30 am Wednesday: 8:00 am Office hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:00 am - 3:30 pm email: sjc428@arvig.net 001363870r1

MONDAY-FRIDAY: 9AM-6PM • SATURDAY: 9AM-5PM • SUNDAY: CLOSED

77

YEARS OF SERVICE

79

YEARS OF SERVICE

79

YEARS OF SERVICE

81

YEARS OF SERVICE

MAIN STREET EXPRESS

BAUCK BUSING LTD

LAKE REGION ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

ANDERSON BUS & COACH COMPANY

Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

7 Days A Week

Serving the Perham/Dent School District since 1937

1401 So. Broadway Pelican Rapids

Party Bus, Limo Bus, Motor Coach & School Bus Charter

205 East Main Perham

Fort Thunder Road Perham

800-552-7658

Frazee

218-346-2210

www.lrec.coop 218-346-4599

218-334-3171 www.andersonbus.com

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I grew up in Tennessee but spent every summer… on the south side of Lake Melissa. Needless to say, I came to love this area of Minnesota. — Phil Gilbert “We at Edward Jones take pride in delivering personalized service and developing longterm relationships with serious long-term investors in their communities. We’re like a small company,” said Gilbert. “That’s one reason each Edward Jones financial advisor works in his or her own branch office location.”

To that end, he looks forward to working with Edward Jones investors in the new building. ■

Edward Jones advisor Phil Gilbert looks forward to continuing to develop long-term relationships from his new office in Perham.

Serving Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Alexandria, Wadena, Park Rapids, Mahnomen, Glyndon and all points in between!

THE LEADER IN SERVICE, PRICE AND QUALITY!

Budget Blinds offers a wid window t

For more information, stop in or give us a call today.

Schedule your FREE in-h

<1-000-000-0000>

Solar shades

NEW YORK MILLS: Mon -Fri 8am-8pm; Sat 8am-6pm; Sun 9am-6pm Phone 385-2765

Shop for your home in your home.

Shop for your home COMPLIMENTARY C O N S U LTAT I O N DEAN’S in your Callhome. today for your Free Country Market PERHAM: Mon -Sun 7am-11pm • Phone 346-6750

FOOD STAMPS AND WIC COUPONS WELCOME HERE

NEW YORK MILLS AND PERHAM www.deanscountrymarket.com

Shop for your home in your home.

Serving East Otter Tail County Over 43 Years

62 » Progress 2016: Mom-and-pop shops help Perham thrive

www.budgetblinds.com

Budget Blinds offers a wide window tr

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Schedule your FREE in-ho

<Selected Signature Serie <1-000-000-0000> |

<1-000-00 or visit us online at w

Custom wood shutters

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*Offer not valid with a estimate only. Offer good independently owned a trademark of Budget Blind <Offer valid through ____

WE BRING THE variety of energy-saving Budget Blinds offers a wide <Selected Signature Series Franchise Opportunities Available. Call 1-800-420-5374 or visit w SHOWROOM TO YOU! All rights reserved. Participating franchises only. Each franchise is window treatments. trademark of Budget Blinds, Inc. and a Home Franchise Concepts

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or visit us online at ww <1-000-000-0000> | BUDGETBLINDS.COM

in-home consultation

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Hosting a get together, graduation or family reunion? Let Dean’s Country Market take care of the food. Dean’s now offers a full catering service. From setup, service to cleanup, Dean’s will do it all.

Roman shades

218-844-7052

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COMPLIMENTARY C O N S<Selected U LTAT I OSeries N Window Budget Blinds Treatments>* offers a wide variety of energy-sav Signature 001362010r1

ASK ABOUT OUR “NO QUESTIONS ASKED” GUARANTEE ®

Curtains & drapes

Franchise Opportunities Available. Call 1-800-420-5374 or visit ww All rights reserved. Participating franchises only. Each franchise is in trademark of Budget Blinds, Inc. and a Home Franchise Concepts b

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window treatments.

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*Offer not valid with any other offers. Offer good at time of initial

24th Annual

Great American

Many things have things change, changed since some things Farmers & stay the Farmers & Merchants Merchants same: The State Bank first started friendly faces Celebrating 100 Years serving the who are here 1916-2016 financial needs of to help answer our community in your questions; The 1916. And although dedication to support our local farmers, businesses ist L and consumers; And our o D o T 2016 ey in IR Agreat rates. desire to see NYM and the & - Put Minon t si po N o m . de t Banking surrounding area grow onve nienba g, C in y jo nk En Inte rnet or nings.

M obile & ents, open Sat. m and thrive! e-st at em et hing New - Try Sileom posit.

M ob de e H ome MFHA fix-up emodel th s, /R ld ui B uc tion loan rate constr Low loan s.

-

s ge t e H oliday Ac count, Save for th a H oliday

Think-Off

INCOME INEQUALITY THREATENS DEMOCRACY Agree or Disagree?

The Cultural Center encourages everyone regardless of age or background to participate. Submit an essay explaining your position in 750 words or less by April 1, 2016 for a chance to win one of four $500 cash prizes and a trip to New York Mills for the live debate.

Check Out Mobile Deposit!

Saturday, June 11, 2016, 7:00 pm New York Mills School Auditorium Reception following at the Cultural Center

tle with Save a lit in N ovem be r. re warded

Essays can be submitted online at think-off.org by email to info@think-off.org by mail to THINK-OFF, Cultural Center, P.O. Box 246 New York Mills, MN 56567

www.fmbanknym.com

WE’RE THERE WITH YOU. . .EVERY STEP OF THE WAY!

BUSINESS HOURS LOBBY: 8:30am - 4:30pm M-F

PHONE NUMBERS: 218-385-2300 TELEPHONE 218-385-9303 FAX WALKUP & DRIVEUP: 8am - 5pm M-F 8:30 - 11:30 am SAT

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ADDRESS: 11 NORTH WALKER P O BOX 278 NEW YORK MILLS, MN 56567

Brought to you by the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center.

Tickets $12 in advance or $15 at the door.

Buy online at Brown Paper Tickets or call the Center at 218-385-3339.

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Celebrating 40 Years in Perham We are proud to be a part of this great community.

If you are looking for a part for your car, truck or trailer, stop in at NAPA Auto Parts!

• Auto Tune-Ups & Batteries • Tires & Tire Rotation • Oil Changes • Exceptional Customer Service • Auto Parts & Accessories

Stop in or call today to make an appointment

218.346.7557 • Toll Free: 877.346.7557

& SERVICE CENTER

Get The Good Stuff & The Good Service.

105 Jake Street SE, Perham, MN 56573

www.napaofperham.com or connect with Facebook or email napaofperham@arvig.net 001363921r1

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SMALL BUSINESS

FITNESS FIRST CELEBRATES ITS FIRST FULL YEAR WITH EXPANSION

by Jason Groth

“G

et fit and do life!” is the focus of Fitness First, according to owner Marie Hanson.

Hanson started Fitness First last year and in that short time, the business has outgrown its space.

Hanson focuses on one-on-one personal training as well as small group training. It didn’t take long for Fitness

First to outgrow its original location at 235 West Main Street in Perham.

“What has happened with the small groups is that we can only take four people per group,” Hanson said. “People want to bring their friends and we don’t have room. We are limiting ourselves over there.”

When she first opened Fitness First, Hanson never anticipated the need to expand so quickly. The business has

been open a year, yet the clients have forced the need for expansion.

“The clients drive me. They are the ones that want to bring their friends, their husbands, their girlfriends and their neighbors. They are the ones that have made me have to expand,” Hanson said.

“They are my motivators. They are the ones that are going ‘we need more room.’

They have made Fitness First what it is, not me. It’s the clients that drive it.”

Business is booming for Fitness First’s Marie Hanson. She is pictured at the new location of Fitness First, located in the old dance studio at 201 First Avenue SE in Perham.

83

YEARS OF SERVICE

HANSON’S PLUMBING & HEATING, INC. Perham 218-346-2422 Vergas 218-342-2422 www.hansonplumbing.com 001366210r1

90

YEARS OF SERVICE

KARVONEN’S Family owned and operated for four generations 151 W Main Perham 218.346.2040 karvonens.com

64 » Progress 2016: Mom-and-pop shops help Perham thrive

93

YEARS OF SERVICE

VAUGHN’S AUTO AND MARINE CO.

PERHAM AREA PUBLIC LIBRARY

Used Cars & Trucks Lund Boats Mercury Motors

Librarian: Susan Heusser-Ladwig 225 2nd Avenue NE Perham

New York Mills 218-385-2855 001366813r1

94

YEARS OF SERVICE

218-346-4892 001366360r1

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95

YEARS OF SERVICE

96

YEARS OF SERVICE

SACRED HEART CHURCH

SCHMITZ MOTORS

36963 State Highway 108 Dent

Serving the area since 1920

218-758-2700 218-758-3861 Fax sacredheart@arvig.net

FARMERS & MERCHANTS STATE BANK AND INSURANCE AGENCY

900 West Main Street Perham 218-346-3900 www.schmitzmotor.com

218-385-2300 www.FMBankNYM.com

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TENDER HEARTS

104

YEARS OF SERVICE

UNITED COMMUNITY BANK COMMUNITY MINDED JUST LIKE YOU

11 North Walker New York Mills

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New York Mills

100

YEARS OF SERVICE

218-346-5700 www.ucbankmn.com

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Serving the community for over 40 years!

HOME CARE

PCA Choice, Homemaking, Respite Care • Private Pay • Medical Assistance • LTC Insurance • U Care • SCHS • Medica • Blue Cross/Blue Plus

The Lakeland Vet Team delivers exceptional care and results the first time.

tndhrt@arvig.net

Kerri Steinbach, Owner Sandy Barthel, Office Manager Not pictured: Terry Nelson, RN

Prevention & Chronic Ear Diagnostic/Treatment Advanced Orthopedic Procedures Laser Surger/Procedures and Laser Declaw Dental Health - Complete Care & Restoration Digital X-Ray • Vaccinations EMERGENCY/Grooming • Safe Boarding Dr. Wm. M. Rose

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218-385-3466

LAKELAND VETERINARY CLINIC & SURGICAL CENTER North Highway 8 • Perham, MN www.lakelandvetclinic.com Office Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-5:30pm • Sat. 8am-11am

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106

YEARS OF SERVICE

106

YEARS OF SERVICE

PERHAM/OTTERTAIL AREA • 218-346-6550

107

YEARS OF SERVICE

114

YEARS OF SERVICE

HOLY CROSS CHURCH

ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN SCHOOL

OTTER TAIL POWER COMPANY

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH

– Since 1910 –

Founded in 1910 Turning today’s learners into tomorrow’s leaders

216 South Cascade Fergus Falls

Fr. Aaron Kuhn Mass: Sunday 10:30 am Wednesday 8:00 am

Butler

500 6th Avenue SW Perham 218-385-2201

218-346-2300 001365240r1

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310 Main Street • Bluffton, MN 1-800-257-4044 www.otpco.com

218-385-2608 sjc428@arvig.net 001366679r1

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SMALL BUSINESS

Space was an issue for Fitness First at its old location, in the picture. With encouragement from their clients, Fitness First will be moving to its new location, the former dance studio, in downtown Perham.

YOUR ONE STOP SHOP FOR ALL AUTOMOTIVE NEEDS Locally owned and operated.

659 W Main St. Perham, MN

218-346-3448

Mon-Fri 8:00-5:30 Sat 8:00-12:00 001366746r1

66 » Progress 2016: Mom-and-pop shops help Perham thrive

Visit us for all your home improvement projects • • • •

Plumbing Electrical Paint & Supplies Lighting

• • • •

Lawn & Garden • Animal Health Tools • Pet Supplies Rental Department • And Many Other Farm Supplies Homeowner Projects

945 Market Street • Perham 218-346-6275

www.truevalue.com/marksfleetsupply O P E N S E V E N D AY S A W E E K

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Fitness First will be moving to the former dance studio located on 201 First Avenue Southeast in Perham.

The move was something that Fitness First fell into. Hanson was looking around but nothing caught her eye. The space at the old dance studio was opening up, and Hanson was approached about the space.

Fitness First plans on expanding its services, with potential for Yoga classes, Zumba classes and a massage therapist.

Many of the potential expanded services have come from the requests of the clients.

Fitness First hopes to be able to expand the size of the groups that come in for personal training with the move to the new building, while potentially providing different opportunities.

“We are going to do some different stuff that we couldn’t do over there because we didn’t have the room,” Hanson said. “We have to keep it fun. There are things that we talk about that we want to do but we were so limited because of space.”

Now Servicing the Lakes Area!

NEW LOCATION IN OTTERTAIL! 45055 HWY. 54, OTTERTAIL, MN

OUR EXPERIENCE

• 39 Years of On-the-

• Divorce/Family • Wills & Estate Planning • Business Succession • Business/Corporate Law • Real Estate Planning • Criminal Defense • Civil Litigation • Adoption • Child Custody 218-346-6900 432 3rd Avenue SE Perham, Mn 56573

Farm Service Experience

• WE COME TO YOU!

STEVE PELOQUIN

• • AMY JENSON

Ottertail, MN

218-385-3100 15 N. Main New York Mills, Mn 56567

218-237-2200 602 Pleasant Avenue Park Rapids, Mn 56470

Scotty 701.361.9339 Jason 701.306.3071

Servicing Farmers, Trucking Companies, businesses & Independents Competitive Prices & Great Service!

We Buy from Several Manufacturers to Ensure a Variety of Options for you!

Kindred, ND Jeremy 701.730.3833

New & Used Tractor, Truck & Automotive Tires - Firestone, Goodyear, Michel, BKT’s, Alliance Bandage Truck Retreads - New & Used Rims & Hardware

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Otter Otter Tail Tail County County

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Gets Results For You

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Perham Perham Resource Resource Recovery Recovery Facility Facility

Recycling Recycling Canisters Canisters Paperboard Paperboardnow nowaccepted acceptedwith withnewsprint! newsprint!

Paperboard Paperboardcan canbe beplaced placedininthe thenewsprint newsprintarea areaofofthe the recycling recyclingcanisters. canisters.Aluminum Aluminum&&tin tincans, cans,glass, glass,plastic plastic bottles bottles(#1 (#1&&#2 #2only), only),newsprint, newsprint,offi office cepaper, paper,magamagazines, zines,and andcorrugated corrugatedcardboard cardboardstill stillaccepted. accepted.

Please Pleasebreak breakdown downyour yourboxes! boxes!

Richville Richville– –Post PostOffi Officece

Dent Dent– –Sacred SacredHeart HeartChurch Churchonon New NewYork YorkMills Mills– –City CityUtility UtilityBuilding Building Highway Highway108 108 ononCounty CountyRoad Road8484next nexttotoLund LundBoats Boats Ottertail Ottertail– –Carr’s Carr’sLake LakeCounty County Bluffton Bluffton– –Tom’s Tom’sBody BodyShop Shoponon Supermarket SupermarketononHighway Highway7878 Highway Highway1010 Vergas Vergas– –Behind BehindGoodman’s Goodman’s Rush RushLake Lake– –Rush RushLake LakeLoop, Loop,offoffofof Supermarket Supermarket Highway Highway7878south southofofMid-Central Mid-CentralIceIce 218-998-4898 218-998-4898 www.co.ottertail.mn.us/solidwaste www.co.ottertail.mn.us/solidwaste

218-346-4404 218-346-4404 201 2016th 6thAve. Ave.NE NE Perham, Perham,MN MN

001361941r1 001361941r1

Perham Perham– –Next Nexttotothe theResource Resource Recovery RecoveryFacility Facility

Energy Energyrecovery recoveryisismuch muchmore morethan thanjust justburning burning garbage. garbage.Learn Learnmore moreabout aboutwaste-to-energy waste-to-energyrecovery. recovery.

Tours Toursand andpresentations presentationsare areavailable availablefor forsmall smalland and large largegroups. groups.We Weencourage encourageschools schoolstotoset setup uptourstoursgive giveus usaacall callor orstop stopby bytotoset setup upaatour. tour.

www.co.ottertail.mn.us/prairielakes www.co.ottertail.mn.us/prairielakes Progress 2016: Mom-and-pop shops help Perham thrive

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67

SMALL BUSINESS Along with the potential classes, Hanson mentioned she will be bringing in battle ropes and sandbags as well as the traditional things clients were able to work with at Fitness First.

Another aspect that the new building will offer for Fitness First will be a small kitchen area. Hanson stresses the need for good nutrition and she said it will give her the opportunity to showcase what she talks about, allowing the clients to see and hear her message on nutrition.

There were many different factors that drove the need for Fitness First to expand and move to its new location.

One of the main factors was Hanson was working nonstop from 4 a.m. until 7 p.m., working with one individual per hour.

Fitness First expanded to a group setting, which helped with the client load during the day; however the lack of space prevented her from expanding the group.

Fitness First created the group idea more out of necessity, which provided several benefits to the client.

Not only has Hanson helped people with their physical well-being, Fitness First has helped people meet others.

She recently put a group of three people together and they have formed an instant bond.

“They are the best of friends,” Hanson said. “They didn’t know each other from day one. They do 5K races together, get together and ride bike and work out on their own on the weekends together. It’s amazing how they have

114

YEARS OF SERVICE

PERHAM HEALTH 1000 Coney Street W Perham 218-347-4500 www.perhamhealth.org

Marie Hanson is pictured at the new location of Fitness First.

become such great friends.”

Several of Hanson’s clients have had the opportunity to see the new space and, according to Hanson, they have said it is an improvement and was much needed for Fitness First.

“I don’t feel that I’m an owner of Fitness First. The clients own Fitness First,” Hanson said. “I do what they want me to do and I tell them that. I’m a new business owner.”

In more ways than one, the clients have found ways to give back to Hanson for her efforts. In fact, they are helping with the moving of the equipment from the old location to the new location.

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YEARS OF SERVICE

131

“We are not sitting here trying to figure out how we are going to do this. The clients are pushing this,” Hanson said.

“We aren’t going to ask our clients to do it, they are telling us to tell them what time and we will do it for you. That’s not normal. The behind the scenes work is done by the clients. This is their place, not mine.”

Along with Hanson, there is a male personal trainer on staff, as well, for people who prefer to work out with a male.

For more information on Fitness First, email fitnessfirst@mail.com or call 218-298-0598. ■

YEARS OF SERVICE

133

YEARS OF SERVICE

ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH

PERHAM-DENT PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Worship: 10 a.m.

Sunday School: 9 a.m.

progressive curriculum + proven results = student success

49658 County Highway 53, Perham, MN 56573 346-4302 www.stjohnsperham.org

Perham

253 2nd St. S.W. Perham

218-346-4501 www.perham.k12.mn.us

218-346-6190

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ST. HENRY’S AREA SCHOOL

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135

YEARS OF SERVICE

135

YEARS OF SERVICE

139

CITY OF PERHAM

SCHOENEBERGER FUNERAL HOME

APOSTOLIC LUTHERAN CHURCH

City Offices: 125 2nd Ave N.E. Perham

Steve Sheets, Local Owner and Director Hans Larson, Funeral Director

Since 1877 Nicholas Kandoll, Pastor

254 3rd Ave. S.W. Perham

New York Mills

218-346-4455 www.cityofperham.com

YEARS OF SERVICE

ST. HENRY’S CATHOLIC CHURCH 234 2nd Ave. SW Perham

218-346-4240

218-385-2166

218-346-5175

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141

YEARS OF SERVICE

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Amy Cory

Ben Geyer

Jackie Rehm

Jay Olson

Jenna Anderson

Jodie Trites

Joleen Miller

Kayla Hendrickson

Lois Moe

Mitch Krog

Nate Seip

Trent Anderson

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Always At Your Service

Your Hometown Drugstore Battle Lake 218-864-5261 Henning 218-583-2773 Ottertail 218-367-2196 Bertha 218-924-2124 Menahga 218-564-4655 Park Rapids 218-237-5848 Frazee 218-334-3070 New York Mills 218-385-3360 Wadena 218-632-5440

141

YEARS OF SERVICE

142

YEARS OF SERVICE

150

YEARS OF SERVICE

ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH

NEW YORK MILLS PUBLIC SCHOOLS

ST. LAWRENCE CATHOLIC CHURCH

The church has served the area since 1875.

School first opened in 1874.

“Come learn with us”

RUSH LAKE

500 6th Avenue SW Perham

New York Mills 218-385-2553 www.NYMills.k12.mn.us

218-346-2300 001366761r1

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150

+ YEARS OF SERVICE

BNSF RAILWAY Playing a vital role in building and sustaining the nation’s economy.

2.5 miles on Hwy 14, East of Hwy. 78 218-346-7729 The Oldest Catholic Church in Ottertail County.

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800-795-2673 www.bnsf.com 001362258r1

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69

SMALL BUSINESS

While it looks empty in this photo, the place will soon be filled with equipment and people working out. This new area will provide members with more room to work out and will meet the needs of the customers at Fitness First.

TDS

Tactical Defense Systems

BRIAN E. NELSON

Leading supplier of lumber and building materials to contractors in the Dakotas, Minnesota, and surrounding areas

One of MNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Original CC Instructors Learn from the Best

CLASSES HELD MONTHLY

620 East Main, Perham 218-346-5555 www.cranejohnson.com

Minnesota & Utah Permit to Carry Classes

218-346-7723 htmnlson@arvig.net

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70 Âť Progress 2016: Mom-and-pop shops help Perham thrive

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Est. 1883 - Celebrating Over 130 Years

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Progress 2016: Mom-and-pop shops help Perham thrive

Âť

71

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