Root River Ag Services expands to Fountain page
Root River Market Coop provides for Houston
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First Southeast Bank completes remodel page
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Preston businesses anticipate veterans cemetery page
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Peterson eyes strategic plan
2013-2014 Community Progress Edition Business Anniversaries
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Arts Campus Initiatvie takes root in Lanesboro page 11
Celebrating a history of service pages
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Siskow Deli and more in Ostrander By Barb Jeffers barb@fillmorecountyjournal.com
Ryan Hoefs greets customers with a smile at Siskow Deli in Ostrander, Minn. Photo by Barb Jeffers
Rushford preps 43 project, looks long-term By K irsten Zoellner kirsten@fillmorecountyjournal.com
“This is not something we want to do. If we weren’t having utility problems, we wouldn’t do it.” That was the overall mood last fall of the impending state Highway 43 project scheduled to run through the heart of Rushford in 2014. Since September, following the results of a preliminary feasibility report by Otomo Engineering that detailed some of the potential $3.5 million project, the city has gradually coming to grips with what’s before them. The city was already painfully aware of the conditions of some of the utilities that lay under the stretch of roadway when news of the project trickled down from the state level. Many of the utility issues were brought to light by and worsened by flooding in 2007, including 1885 pipe works which are rapidly deteriorating and causing excessive inflow and infiltration to the system, as well as a series of 1959 pipes which are
also in poor condition. The project is expected to be massive. Upgraded utilities and completely reconstructed streets and sidewalks will be long-term positive for the city, but for a city still recovering, the impact seems staggering. The total cost of the project hovers just over $3.5 million with the city’s share at $1,695,858, including assessments. The estimated assessment costs are $337,142. The assessments are expected to be shared over 64 properties, with the properties to be determined as those with the most benefit. MnDOT will contribute $1.5 million to the project, but no more. Businesses have grown in the last seven years, with several new upstarts, but the potential effect the project could have some reeling. Already dealing with having to give up the city’s main thoroughfare for the duration of the project, the community is essentially at the mercy of the state is regards to alternative routes
and project standards. The length of the project schedule concerns many, but City Administrator Steve Sarvi has attempted to reassure the public and business owners that the city will do all it can to move the project along. Still, the city appears to be taking the project in stride and attempting to put as positive a spin on it as possible. In November, the city hired long-time marketing consultant Sally Ryman to assist the city with communication and marketing for the business community. Ryman has spent more than 30 years of her career with companies such as Minnesota Rural Electric Association, Land O’Lakes, Viafield, and Farmers Co-op Elevator in Rushford. “I’ve got an extensive background in getting people to work together better,” notes Ryman. “For the community, it’s a headache; an inconvenience. For businesses, this is their lifeblood. We need to work together See RUSHFORD Page 8
The city of Ostrander, Minn. is fortunate to have a new business in town. The business, owned by Amanda Siskow, opened on December 2, 2013 and has been the newest “hot spot” in town. The new combination business is called Siskow Deli and Blown Away Salon. A deli and salon in the same building may not be an ordinary combination but for Siskow it is extraordinary. She is happy to be working two careers that she loves and being able to do them in the same place. As if the deli and salon are not enough to stay busy, Siskow also has convenience items and
an area for consignments in the building. The deli offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast items include waffles, breakfast sandwiches, cinnamon rolls, cereal, muffins, and other favorite breakfast foods. Daily lunch specials have been “very popular,” said Siskow, with area residents enjoying the variety of noon meals that have been offered. Siskow stated that the lunch specials are mostly comfort food such as hot beef sandwiches, turkey with potatoes and gravy, goulash, and creamed chicken over biscuits to name a few of the lunches the deli has offered. Siskow said she serves approximately 20 lunches per day right See SISKOW DELI Page 10
Rack’s Bar and Grill contributes to local economy By Jackie Horsman jackie@fillmorecountyjournal.com
Steve and Karla Tart purchased their business in April 2013, but their vision had started way before that. For years the Tart family had been customers at Tootie’s, a bar and grill, in Spring Valley. Three of four years prior to buying the business from Tootie Foster, Steve and Karla had seriously considered the decision they ultimately made. Karla explained, “We went to Tootie’s after the kids’ games at Kingsland and we wanted to see it continue to be a place where you could bring your family.” The Tarts have done just that with a separate dining room area that closes at 9 p.m. with the understanding that children do not belong in a bar setting in the evening. Their vision was so strong the Tarts opened Rack’s for business on June 5, 2013, just a few short
months after purchasing the building. “All the contractors kept telling us there is no way we could be ready to open by then, but we kept saying yes we will and yes we can,” Steve chuckled as he reminisced. And they did. They opened with a completely remodeled bar and dining room. The feel of the restaurant is cozy and warm, very picturesque like a true Minnesota lodge. With all the work that went into the finished product, the Tarts are quick to give credit to their family and friends who helped with demolition and stood by them through reconstruction. Steve and Karla take pride in knowing they hired local building contractors and purchased building supplies locally as well. “I believe all of our contractors were from right here in Spring Valley with the exception of the plumber who See RACK’S Page 12