“It’s very eye opening how many long-standing businesses we have here in Kalona,” Kalona Area Chamber of Commerce Director Tonia Poole said the day before the Chamber’s Open House on March 28.  The event commemorated the organization’s 35th anniversary since incorporating in 1988.  

Local business leaders and community members turned out for the event, where they enjoyed donut holes from Golden Delight Bakery, cheese curds from Kalona Creamery, Cashew Crunch Corn from Henry and Viola Yoder, and coffee from Kalona Coffeehouse.  A slideshow highlighting 15-20 area businesses that have operated the longest provided entertainment, and t-shirts were available for sale.  Photographer Jaimy Ellis took professional photos of those who desired.

“We’re skimming the surface,” Poole said of the long-lived businesses represented in the slideshow.  “I would say there’s probably 30 of them if you just kept going.”

Some of Kalona’s oldest businesses include Kalona General Store, since 1883; The (Kalona) News, since 1891; Beatty-Peterseim Funeral Home, since 1917; Bontrager Tax, since 1938; Kalona Sales Barn, since 1947; Kalona Builders, since 1957; JW’s Foods, since 1973; JK Creative Wood, since 1981; and Stitch N Sew Cottage, since 1982.

“We’ve got some great roots here in Kalona,” Poole said.  “We’ve got business members that are dedicated to serving our community, and that’s pretty special.”

When asked if the Chamber has changed much over the years, Poole said, “In general, the foundation has always remained the same, that we want to support the community through the businesses. . . Healthy businesses create a healthy community.  We care about our neighbors and the families down the road, and our senior citizens, young and old, we care about them all.  If we can keep healthy businesses here in Kalona, that takes care of everybody else.”