New, moved, closed, and purchased

By Lori EhdeIn 2003, 15 new businesses (not counting home-based offices) opened in Luverne, and 11 closed, according to unofficial sources.Information gathered from the LEDA office, Luverne Area Chamber of Commerce and local advertising sales people resulted in the following lists.New businesses in 2003:
Ace Hardware opened in the former Glen’s Food Center building on Lincoln Street in October.
American Family Insurance district office moved into the Frakes Realty building on Main Street in December.
Brothers Central Vacuum opened in the east side of the Shear Reflections building on Main Street in June.
Dr. Mark Bierma opened Cornerstone Dental on Freeman Ave. in July after Dr. Bill Bollinger retired.
Kathy Jarchow opened her clothing business, Gabe’s, in the former Cook’s Clothing building on Main Street in March.
Magnolia native Kim Von Tersch and her family opened Grapevines in October after buying the Main Street business from Curt Laudon who retired from his gifts and collectibles business.
Jeff Ernst (son-in-law of Bob Zinnel) opened Identity Sports, an online sports marketing company, on East Main Street and shares half of the building with Bob Martin of Cellular Advantage, which opened in December.
Kawasaki, an ATV company, committed to the Bargain Center space on Maple Street downtown. It hasn’t yet opened, though.
Dr. Jeff Priebe left town to do business in Brandon, S.D., but returned in 2003 to open Blue Mound Chiropractic in the former Estensen Company building on Main Street next to Tollefson Publishing.
Ramsgate Insurance operates out of the office space in the Creeger building next to Brandenburg Gallery.
New Dawn, a non-profit agency that works with disabled individuals, also opened a management office in the Creeger building in October.
Earl Hanson and Jim Sonntag opened Blue Mound Insurance and Financial Services on Main Street in March.
Suzy Lewison opened Four Seasons Massage in April.
Jeff Stewart opened another massage business, Total Relaxation, in May.
Mary Aukes, former Hair Ltd. owner, opened Salon JaRiah on East Main Street in July.Luverne closings in 2003 include:
Jubilee Foods
Cook’s Clothing
Netbriefings
Bargain Center
Harvey’s Trading Post
Laudon Gifts and Collectibles
Bollinger Dental Office
Luverne Bodyworks
JC Penney Catalog Store
Rock County Auto Glass Same places, new faces
Rock County Co-op Oil merged with Farmers Union Co-op Oil.
Cory and Lisa Schneekloth bought Luverne Lanes Bowling Alley from John and Ahne Serie in June.
Cary K. Schroeder took over as manager of Edward Jones Investment Services.
Mike Cleveringa and Brad Witt are now owners of FGL Commodity Services.
Diane Elbers purchased the Hair Ltd. business from Mary Aukes.New homes for existing businesses
Meulebroek Taubert and Company moved to the brick building on South Freeman (the old Tri-State Building) where Dr. Terry Poe also operates his chiropractic business.
F&L Management moved from that same brick building to an office on North Cedar.
The Chamber office moved to the Brandenburg Gallery on East Main St.
County Extension moved to the Senior Citizens building on Lincoln and Spring Streets.
Heartland Express moved to the Family Services building on Roundwind Road.