Sharing Good News of Upcoming Activities
Thanks to a combined effort of the Fennimore Chamber through their matching grant challenge businesses, organizations, and individuals made donations to add a new two-sided digital message board to the Fennimore community sign located on the property of the Historical Railroad Society.
In recognition of this community project, a special ribbon cutting is planned by the Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce on Friday, January 8 starting at 2 p.m. The public and donors are invited to join us and help us celebrate this accomplishment.
The sign is owned by The City of Fennimore and the messages will be managed by the City Clerk’s office. Organizations should contact the office at 608-822-6119 or utilityclerk@fennimore.com if you have a community event to promote. One of the new benefits of the digital message board is the chance to promote multiple events on the scrolling message board.
I also want to recognize Sheldon Bartels who funded (in excess of $500) for new clockworks for one of the original clocks. As the chair of the Lincoln Avenue beautification committee, Margaret Sprague, also found donations to cover the installation of new pavers along the base; Pagel Services installed the pavers.
Please let me express my appreciation to all who made the sign project happen. I’m so glad to check this project off my list!
Finding Good in 2020 and Looking Forward to 2021
As we close the pages on 2020, a time we have all been looking forward to, it’s time to reflect back on the good in 2020 and start looking forward to 2021 for all of us living in the Fennimore area. During 2020 there were 27 changes in businesses from new startups, to relocations, to new owners to the expansion of jobs right here in Fennimore. I think you will agree Fennimore did hold their own despite COVID-19.
At Energizer (formerly Rayovac) Fennimore plant 58 NEW jobs were created IN 2020 Alone (a total of 69 jobs since Energizer took over Jan 2, 2019). It’s equivalent to adding a new industry with nearly 60 jobs! All of us in Economic Development is cheering!
Nearby at Frank Distributors added an additional 1680 sq. ft to the distribution center.
After COVID created a brief pause Fennimore Smiles re-opened with a rigid protocol for the safety of their staff and clients. Fennimore Smiles has three full-time Dentists’ along with an intern from the area and a potential future dentist in training.
Nearby EMC (Energy Management Consultants) has increased to 60 current employees.
Just north of the business park near the baseball complex, a group of local sports enthusiasts made an arrangement with the City of Fennimore to transform a storage shed (west of the City barn) into an athletic practice center for Fennimore youth. The project was coordinated by parents of athletes in the wrestling and baseball families. The 50×96 shed was gutted, re-roofed, fully spray foam insulated, bathrooms and showers added and transformed into a sports facility. Through the donations from local families, businesses, and people donating their time and talents, the facility is now fully turfed, has wrestling mats laid throughout during wrestling season, and baseball and softball equipment for the spring sports season including pitching machines, batting cages, and the ability to do infield drills. The building is available for local groups and organizations with supervision.
West of Bronson Blvd In the Business Park area formerly referred to as the Light Industrial Park other changes taking place included new owners at The Quilt Peddler, Amy Wells (from Platteville) and Jenifer Heisz (of Fennimore) are the new owners; Welcome!
The former Quick Shop Tire Shop was purchased by Tri-County Tire Service LLC, owned by Josh Nolt 608-379-0292 who also works with the Highland Tire business. During COVID Clinton Miller started a part-time business Miller Affordable Detailing – 608-391-2630 which he operated out of the Tri-County Tire Service building.
Jim’s Bldg Center (Hwy 18) added another 40 x 96 building to the NW corner of their business property.
Southwest Tech took out a building permit to do some remodeling on campus.
After months of research and product development Milkhaus Dairy – Lonnie & Rochelle Holthaus launched their new dairy products manufactured from milk from their rural Fennimore dairy farm. Many of their products were showcased during the Chamber’s Taste of Fennimore. Their products are centered around – A2 milk – producing curds and several varieties of cheese, fluid milk, and meat. Products are currently sold at Bender’s Foods, Speedy Mart, The Butcher Shop, and Sugar and Spice Bulk store and across SW Wisconsin and online.
At the beginning of 2020 FACC was off to a great start with ribbon cuttings starting with the new owners of
- Castle Rock Ridge LLC – Jolinda and Bob Waterman
- 29:11 & Me Boutique, 980 Lincoln Avenue, Megan & Chandler Linneman’s Grand Opening Jan 29 was standing room only; her second business is Megan’s Creative Creations – which is sign workshops – by appointment only.
- MQ Signs & Designs – Hwy 18 – Angie Monroe and family members offer a variety of handmade wood and cloth items, décor, holiday decorations, custom t-shirt orders, and all types of promotional materials. This fall Angie also offered weekend vendor space to other crafts and home-based businesses.
In February FACC held a ribbon-cutting for JMS Counseling/Southwest Counseling, 1160 Lincoln Avenue – Jennifer Schoepp purchased the building (Feb 17, 2020). She and Gina Trollop offer counseling at the new location. Jennifer’s ownership is under the name of JMS Counseling.
In early March a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at Fennimore Lashes – 770 Lincoln Avenue, Suite # 5, Amy Reynolds owner – open by appointment in Nelson II building.
On July 25 the Grand Opening of WISCO 608 BBQ & Saloon was held in Preston WI (12949 1st Street/the former Cheers II)– Chris & Susan Romine operate a BBQ business offering lunch specials, catering, and weekend events.
Dollar General, 640 Lincoln Avenue, opened in August. The new 70ft x 130 ft construction was built on the property formerly owned by Fennimore Lumber Center/Bill & Brenda Wood.
Rob Krantz held the Grand Opening of his new Krantz Auto Parts (Carquest) & Hardware Hank Hardware, located on the City’s North Lincoln Avenue, in October. The new store boasts three stores under one roof Carquest, Hardware Hank, and vehicle repair shop. Area residents were certainly happy to welcome a hardware store back to the community.
Fenway House Hotel & Banquet Hall – 1096 Lincoln Avenue became a chamber manner; both entities are currently managed by Renee Thomas and Sherry Kieler (part of the Family in Faith group).
Just Like Home – Linda & Carolyn closed a year ago…the store was reopened under new ownership just as the pandemic began.
Hydro Air Technologies – Derek & Emily Pospichal – 1120 12th Street leased Bartels bldg 608-341-8013.
Chow-Cow – online ordering business went online-created by FHS Grads – Jake Stoeffler & Evan Kuhne.
Gingrich Structures -1222 Lincoln Avenue – Issac Hersberger leased the Barry office building to use as a regional office.
Rustic Road Photography – 10622 Scenic Road – rural Fennimore – Tamara Nelson decided to turn her photography hobby into a commercial business and be active in FACC.
You may have noticed some new faces at Slack Real Estate Office – 525 Lincoln Avenue since Tim and Tyler Klaas assigned their licenses to the Slack Real Estate team; they intend to keep the Fennimore office open on a regular basis.
LPL Financial –Lori Barry is now affiliated with LPL Financial, she operates out of Community First Bank locations in SW Wisconsin.
Birthing Miracles/Pregnancy Services LLC – 1040 Jefferson Street – Joey Larson, Certified Mid-Wife opened her business next to Hometown Florist just a block east of Lincoln Avenue.
Stuart & Liz Abing – Rentals – purchased the former World of Variety storage buildings on 4th Street and are now leasing large storage space 608-732-3911.
Serenity Spa & Wellness – 770 Lincoln Avenue, Suite 5 – Darlene Carl has condensed her business into a smaller space. Former Canterbury Garden property has been rezoned as residential and is listed for sale.
Fennimore Kwik Trip manager reports their project is still on the docket for 2021. They estimate they will be in the new store by September 2021. Furthermore Kwik Trip has added many new menu items including “take-out meals”. Kwik Trip overall has purchased Kwik Stop locations and plan to hire more than 1,000 new jobs!
I’m running out of space…there is more Good News to Share about 2020. Watch the Focus on Fennimore column in the Fennimore Times in January as I highlight other projects and accomplishments that took place in 2020 by the great people of the area.
FACC Announces Taste Committee Meeting
FACC will hold their first planning meeting by zoom on January 6 at 5:15 p.m. to brainstorm ideas for the 2021 Taste of Fennimore. Anyone wishing to take part in the meeting should contact Linda Parrish to receive the link to join by zoom. Call 608-822-3599 or email promo@fennimore.com
Are You Interested in Serving Your Community?
Are you interested in serving in a leadership role for our community? If so, the deadline for nomination papers for the April spring elections is due no later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan 5th. In order to register as a candidate for the upcoming spring election stop by the Clerk’s Office and pick up the nomination papers. To qualify a candidate must have at least 20 signatures. The nomination papers/signatures must then be submitted by the close of the business day on Tuesday, January 5th. The term of office is two years and would begin in April 2021. Information concerning alderman district boundaries may be found on the map of the city wards page.
The final day for filing nomination papers is 5:00 p.m., on Tuesday, January 5th, 2021, in the office of the city clerk. For additional information, please contact City Clerk, Debi Heisner, 608-822-6119. Nominations papers are available by calling the City Clerk’s office during regular business hours which are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office is currently closed to the public so please call first for instructions on how to get your paperwork. The Clerk’s office will be open until 5 p.m. on January 5th, 2021.
Please note the City Clerk’s office will be closed Thursday, and Friday, December 31st, 2020, and January 1st, 2021.
Thank You!
This will be the last end of the year message and January Focus Blog I will be preparing to share as Promotions Coordinator for the City of Fennimore. My retirement from the City of Fennimore is effective Friday, January 29, 2021. It has been my pleasure to represent the City of Fennimore for going on 30 years. It’s been a lot of hard work from many people; great teamwork and many accomplishments we all should be proud of. It is with great pride I complete this stage in my life with great anticipation of what’s to come for me and my family.
Thanks for the memories my friends!