Spring Valley EDA News
Kiwanis Club of Spring Valley to host annual Love Lights a Tree, November 26th.
The Kiwanis Club of Spring Valley is having their annual Love Lights a Tree event 5:00 p.m., Sunday, November 26, 2023, at the corner of Grant St. and N. Broadway. New this year is an invitation to the community from First English Lutheran Church to view a large collection of nativity scenes at the church from 5:00– 7:00 p.m. There will also be music, Christmas goodies and hot beverages at the church for everyone.
Love Lights a Tree is a remembrance for families who have lost loved ones to cancer and other end of life diseases and a fund raiser for families who are currently experiencing life altering issues. Funds are raised by community members donating $10.00 for one person remembered or $25.00 for three people remembered. Luminaries are provided for each person designated. Memorial contributions can be dropped off or mailed to a Spring Valley church or to the Kiwanis Club of Spring Valley, P.O. Box 133, Spring Valley, MN 55975, by November 20, 2023. Checks are to be made out to Love Lights a Tree and include in or on the envelope a list of honorees.
If you live in the greater Spring Valley area and are in need of some financial support for yourself or others dealing with illness or other life altering issues you are encouraged to notify the Spring Valley Ministerial Association or a Kiwanis Club member.
Spring Valley Area Chamber of Commerce and Kingsland Public Schools to Host Career Expo November 21st
The Spring Valley Area Chamber of Commerce and Kingsland Public Schools will host a Spring Valley Area Career Expo on Tuesday, November 21st, at the Kingsland Highschool gymnasium from 1:00-3:00 p.m. for students, and from 4:00–8:00 p.m. to allow the general public to attend. This event coincides with the Parent/Teacher Conference night at Kingsland Public Schools.
The Spring Valley Area Career Expo organizers are seeking local and area businesses interested in showcasing their products and services to the public, promoting immediate job openings, and sharing information about future career opportunities!
There is no fee to exhibit for businesses and organizations.
LEARN MORE AND REGISTER HERE
Things are abuzz at The Broadway Hive, Spring Valley
Original article published in the Mower County Independent, Thursday, October 12, 2023, Reprinted with permission and gratitude.
By Gretchen Mensink Lovejoy
What’s the October buzz in Spring Valley?
It’s the Hive, baby.
Jenn Slifka’s opened a place to shop, create and bee happy—because why not, once one already owns three other businesses? The hum of each is getting into individual rhythms, so once those were established–Chateau de Chic Salon, Chic by Chateau Boutique, and Stellar 181, the taproom and restaurant she co-operates with her husband, Alex—it became time to use the building that they own across the street, the former Hop and Barrel Brewery in what was previously the Phil Sheldon Plumbing and Heating building, and prior to that, the True Value and Coast to Coast hardware stores.
Jenn related, in between giving haircuts and checking on things happening in the boutique next door, that “it is a collaboration of a lot of fun things in one building.” She expounded, “We have a home décor section, a retro/vintage section, and a shared art space for classes and community members to use. Our goal is to allow it to be open to people who want to come in and craft or do artwork, but also host a variety of classes, such as painting, potting, pottery, macrame, whatever people want to do. It is a huge building, so we tried to incorporate a lot of fun ideas that we feel Spring Valley is lacking… home décor, thrift store, antique store, vintage shop, consignment shop, art gallery, slight museum feel, art space, event space, shopping, et cetera. Sarah Kohn will be running it along with myself. Our hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 10 to 6, and open later the nights we have classes or events.”
The Broadway Hive opened during the September Wednesdays on Broadway farmers’ market, and so far, there has “been a lot of good feedback.” Slifka and Kohn will be available for a longer exchange in the coming weeks, so more information on what the October buzz is in Spring Valley will be forthcoming in an upcoming issue of the Mower County Independent. Meanwhile, curious individuals are encouraged to stop in on the corner of Broadway and Jefferson streets or log onto Facebook to find the Broadway Hive and what’s inside.
Courtesy of the Mower County Independent, 135 E Main St. LeRoy, MN 55951, (507)-324-5325
Ody’s Country Meats adds second location
Photo Courtesy of the Mower County Independent, 135 E Main St. LeRoy, MN 55951, (507)-324-5325
Kolling’s new venture is safe, versatile…fun!
Original article published in the Mower County Independent, Thursday, September 25, 2023. Reprinted with permission and gratitude.
By Gretchen Mensink Lovejoy
What’s Matt got?
A swingset for the ages.
“They are for all ages. They have many options for baby swings all the way up to two-person swings for adults so they can sit and hang out right there with their kids or grandkids,” said Spring Valley business owner Matt Kolling, pointing out that the swingsets that he now sells on his lot behind Racks Bar & Grill, just off County Road 8, are not just for the littlest jungle gym junkies.
He has long been part of his family’s businesses, including Valley Home Improvement, and has since developed his own ventures. This one just happened to evolve from his own kiddos growing into their jungle gym backyard adventure years and the accompanying terrible tangle of playset parts and the patience it requires to pick out what’s most versatile, safest and fun.
“I was looking for another product offering, and I remembered how hard it was to find a quality swingset when our kids were younger. I thought it would be a good fit with some of the other areas of our business. I think there is a big need in the surrounding area. Besides buying kits that need to be assembled, there are not many–if any–local options available that can be delivered, assembled and ready to use the same day.”
Kolling stated that he “did extensive research” before investing in playground equipment to sell to other people. “We wanted something that was top quality that was also reasonably priced. We chose to go with Adventure World because they had some great designs, topnotch quality and were a more affordable option than the other ones we researched. They also have a great online designer option where you can create your own custom swingset. They are 100% maintenance-free. With so many customers looking for maintenance-free options in every other area, I figured swingsets would be no different. No one wants to spend a weekend staining a swingset every couple of years to make it look good. There is no exposed wood, no exposed fasteners to catch a leg on, so they are extremely safe as well.”
He’s certain that “parents will love how safe and sturdy the playsets are…the quality of construction, the 20-year warranty…no maintenance, and the fact that they can be delivered and installed in your yard.” Also, he said, “The color schemes are really nice and they look super sharp sitting in someone’s yard.”
Kolling has long owned the plot on which the new playset business now stands, and with that addition, he also chose to build a new structure on the parcel for various uses. “The new building is multi-use. It is extra storage for the lumberyard; a place to assemble the playsets; and also, a shop for our equipment. We do have room on that property. With storage complexes becoming more popular, we could build multiple buildings there that could be purchased or rented. People could run a business out of theirs, use it for storage, a shop, man cave… many options. Not everyone has the space where they live, or maybe zoning won’t allow them to build. So, it is an affordable way for someone that would like some extra space for a multitude of options.”
For those who’d like a multitude of options for their play spaces, Kolling feels confident that he’s made the right choice in becoming a sales outlet for Adventure World swingsets and is looking forward to seeing babies, parents and grandparents playing outside together on the very same jungle gym.
For more information on Kolling’s new business addition, stop by the lot on County Road 8 or call 507-259-6464.
Courtesy of the Mower County Independent, 135 E Main St. LeRoy, MN 55951, (507)-324-5325
