Wadena dealership has new owners

John and Lisa Kallevig purchased the former Dondelinger auto dealership property in Wadena and plan to move their business to the 5.5-acre property.

The Kallevigs' business - Kal's Inc. - is about two blocks away. The move in the neighborhood, while not far, will greatly increase Kal's space.

Kal's has a long history in the area. The business started with John Kallevig's father in 1975. John and Lisa Kallevig purchased the business three years ago. They offer used cars, have a rental yard, sell appliances and do motor sports.

Kallevig said moving to the former Dondelinger property means going from about 4,000 square feet of space to a 24,338-square-foot building. The Kallevigs worked with Close-Converse in purchasing the property.

Kal's Inc. employs five and includes Kal's Kars, Kal's Rental, Kal's Motor Sports and Kal's Little Home Store. Two staff members have been with the company for decades - one since 1976 and another since 1984. Kallevig said there is a strength in having good people working for you for a long time so that returning customers see a familiar face.

Kal's Kars has used, mainly domestic vehicles. Kallevig said he tries to stay in the price range of $10,000 and less for cars and $15,000 and less for trucks.

"I'm a strong believer in you buy what you believe in," Kallevig said of his inventory. The rental side of the business includes equipment - trailers, Bobcats and mini-excavators and power trowels for cement work. The appliance store has new dishwashers, refrigerators and stoves - mainly Amana and Frigidaire. The motor sports section has used equipment - such as four-wheelers - with online sales to destinations in Canada and out-of-state.

Kallevig worked for his father during his school years and when he was 29 years old he bought the building and has added motor sports. Kal's is slowly moving to the new business site. Kallevig said he'd like to sell the original property following the move.

As for the business climate in Wadena, Kallevig described it as fairly good last year although it was down about 5 percent from the year before. He said a strong spring and summer in 2009 slowed in the fall.

"I think that's one thing that helps us, the price range we sell is more affordable," Kallevig said.

Recently, Kallevig has been working to buy vehicles that are $5,000 and less and Kal's Kars has about 45 vehicles in that price range now.

Kallevig said his faith, his family and his business are the main factors in his life and the most important is doing God's work.

With the transition, about 35 vehicles are at the former Wadena GM site. The goal is to be completed moved there by March 1.

Tom Sampson, president of Tom's TV Inc. and Audio Video Technical Services, reported Tom's TV, Brainerd, was chosen as a Crestron authorized dealer. Crestron is a leading manufacturer of advanced control and automation systems offering integrated solutions to control audio, video, computer, IP and environmental systems.

Grand View Lodge reported Deacon's Lodge Golf Course will open for its 10th full season in April. Grand View manages the day-to-day operations of Deacon's Lodge. The resort has three other public courses - The Pines, The Preserve and the Garden Course. Deacon's Lodge was designed by Arnold Palmer and named to 2009 GolfWeek's Best Courses You Can Play.

Healthy Blends opened at 107 N.E. Sixth Street in Little Falls with owners Rich and Laurie Sieben. The business offers 30 flavors of protein/vitamin shakes, supplements and body scanning along with weight loss challenges.

Ripley 1 Stop, a convenience store/gas station, opened across from Camp Ripley's main gates at 21586 Grouse Road. The business is owned by Drew Neupert and Dave Rahn. The Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce reports Neupert owns a store in Holdingford and Rahn owns stores in Freeport, Grey Eagle and Bowlus along with a Melrose oil and propane business.

The Ripley 1 Stop has groceries, ice, gas and off-sale and includes breakfast pizza, biscuits, lunch and hot deli.

RENEE RICHARDSON, senior reporter, may be reached at renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5852.