Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
1980

Ora and Dean FUGATE own and operate Kellerton Oil Co., a Phillips 66 service station and Goodyear tire business in Kellerton.

Ora got his start in the oil station business in 1929 at a station in Ellston. He moved to Kellerton in 1930 where he operated a restaurant and cabin operation for a little over a year before moving to the Kellerton Oil Co. present location.

He and his brother bought the station in 1944 and in 1964 Ora bought his brother's share in the business. Son Dean joined the station in 1944.

Phillips 66 projects and Goodyear tires have been sold by the station for 30 years. An addition to the station was build in 1960 to provide for more service area.

Tank wagon service and on the farm tire fixing service are two features. of the business, according to the FUGATES.

Charles HARTMAN has been the owner of the insurance agency located in Kellerton for the past 2 1/2 years.

The agency for formerly (sic) the ALLEN Insurance agency for over 20 years.

All lines of insurancea re handled by the independent agent.

HARTMAN is also an agency manager in leon. Decatur Insurance Services is the new name for the business.

Since the O'DELLS bought the former Brooks Food Store in Kellerton a little over a year ago a good deal of progress has been part of the story of the Tradin' Post, the new name for the store on the town's main street.

Remodeling was done to provide new ceilings, new floor, bathroom, rewiring, new coolers and paneling for the store.

As well as groceries, the store features carryout beer, a line of clothing, Century welders and supplies, jewelry -- a selection like the general stores of the past.<>As time goes on, the Tradin' Post plans to expand its line of clothing and possibly expand its floor space as well.

It will be twenty years in March that Perry WOOLLUMS has served Kellerton and Ringgold County with television sales and service.

The shop on Kellerton's main street just received a new front, the latest in progress for the firm that handles a complete line of RCA television and stereos. Comex Fm 2-way radios are also sold by the WOOLLUMSES.

WOOLLUMS and his wife run the business that started on Kellerton's main street, was moved to the family garage, then to a new building that burned in 1971 and then back to its spot on main street.

"We service what we sell," WOOLLUMS said about the service side of the business that also keeps him busy.

Expanding the business to include home and business computers as the market grows may be a future step for the firm.

In business in Kellerton since 1960, Kellerton Hardware offers Maytag Appliances and a variety of plumbing and heating services.

Chester MUNYON is the owner of the business that handles a number of types of heating and air conditioning systems. A Longwood furnace that burnes 5-foot logs has been a popular item in recent years.

Backhoe and trenching service is also available as part of the firm's plumbing operation. Four employees are part of the business.

MUNYON also owns the Kellerton car wash.

Mr. and Mrs. DOYLE KONOPASEK are owners and operators of the Kellerton Locker.

Custom slaughter, processing and curing are handled by the firm which has been owned by the KONOPASEKS since 1968.

In addition 250 frozen food lockers are a part of the operation in Kellerton's business district.

Janice SIMPSON and sons Randy and Tim run S&S Feed and Seed, located in the railroad right of way in Kellerton.

The business was started in a small building uptown in the fall of 1977 but soon outgrew its quarters and moved to the former Quentin ANDERSON fertilizer building where it is today. Improvements in the area have provided a loading area and easy access to the building.

The business was continued after D. C. SIMPSON died in October 1979 and has continued to grow, Janice SIMPSON said.

Cooper feeds and Jacques seed are featured by the business.

Seven years ago Allen and Lila RICHARDS opened a gift shop along Highway 2 between Kellerton and Mount Ayr.

From that beginning the store has grown into a new building and offers a wide varity of gift ideas and craft items.

Two years ago a larger building was built and the store expanded next door to its former place, which became the Village Bakery and Coffee Shoppe.

Lilac's Gift Shop features silk flowers and arrangements, wood items, cut glass, original wall decor, figurines, cards and craft items. Another area of service is in providing wedding rental supplies and silk flowers and other accessories for weddings.

A fairly recent innovation was to have brides able to select wedding tables of gift suggestions for those shopping for wedding gifts.

Expansion in the future will include offering an even more complete line of wedding accessories and rental supplies, according to Mrs. RICHARDS.

Phyllis GROSE is the owner of the Village Bakery and Coffee Shoppe next door to Lilac's Gift Shop between Kellerton and Mount Ayr on Highway 2.

The shop is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 Monday through Saturday offering coffee shoppe menu of sandwiches, soups and salad.

Pasteries, sweet rolls, donuts, birthday cakes and wedding cakes are featured items from the bakery there and wedding catering is growing in its importance to the firm.

Making fancy candies and suckers has been a new items for the store. Chocolate molding classes have been taught free leading up to Christmas this year.

Candy making and baking supplies are available at the store. Expansion of candymaking and growth of wedding and reception catering are planned for the future.

A full line of Amana food products are also sold by the business.

  Submission by Mike Avitt, May of 2012