A’ROR’N Days guests encouraged to take a look around
Change is constant in the business world, and that’s been visibly apparent in Aurora during the past year with a number of start-ups and expansion projects reflecting the community’s progressive mindset.
With A’ROR’N Days expected to draw hundreds of guests and returning alumni to town this week, it’s a good time to recap some of the more visible changes on the business front during the past year. What follows is a recap of some of the developments highlighted on the ANR’s weekly business page, with this summary focused entirely on changes in the community of Aurora.
Just a week ago, work began on a site north of Highway 34 on the west edge of Aurora for what will soon be a new Dollar General Market, opening perhaps as early as December. A parcel of land owned by the Luthy family for many years was sold recently to First Link LLC, a development company based in Pittsburgh, Penn. That company confirmed plans to build a new store, while also continuing to operate the existing Dollar General on Highway 14, which opened here in 2000.
In late May, an Illinois-based company known as a retailer of professional agronomic services and manufacturer of specialty ag products announced plans to plant its flag in Aurora. BRANDT will break ground in July on a 100,000 sq. ft. facility expected to open for production in the third quarter of 2024, creating 15-20 full-time jobs on the front end, with the potential to eventually grow to 30-40 full-time and seasonal jobs.
The facility will be built on the ADC’s Mission Critical site, located on the east side of Highway 14 near the “Welcome to Aurora” sign. The ADC board is now focused on recruiting other business and industry to the site.
Several eateries opened or changed hands during the past year as well.
Most recently, husband and wife co-owners Rogelio and Angie Caloca introduced Wok ‘N Roll in the former Chuck’s Drive-In facility, offering Chinese cuisine to the community. The Calocas have been in the restaurant business more than 20 years and also own and operate the Mexcellant Grill food truck.
In early April, The Leadership Center expanded its reach and mission by reopening a downtown coffee shop as a venue which now offers far more than beverages and entrees. The well-known eatery at 1117 M St. is operating as The Leadership Center at Espressions, offering coffee, community and more.
“Espressions will be just an extension of what we do at The Leadership Center, where we create moments that matter,” explained Maile Ilac Boeder, TLC’s executive director. “We really, really want this to be a place where people create, find and belong to community.”
At the beginning of the year, Sara Johnson, founder of Coasters Coffee Co., transferred her business to long-time employee Kandi Slocum in order to focus on her massage therapy business. The Coasters menu, under Slocum’s ownership, features baked goods made in-house including scones, muffins, cookies, cinnamon rolls and more.
Out toward I-80, Friesen Ford completed construction on a 12,000 sq. ft. expansion toward the northwest corner of the property which now serves as a warehouse for a full line of Ford parts.
“We have 14 routes a day that go out anywhere from McCook to Ogallala, plus we go to Valentine every day but Friday,” owner Jason Friesen said, citing locations that cover a 300-mile radius around Aurora.
A building on the south side of the downtown square has a new purpose as of November, changing the interior look and layout of the structure as well as the lives of international guests spending time in Aurora while being trained to drive big-rig trucks in America. Debuting officially as The Office, the building at 1206 L St, (known to locals as the long-time location of the Treetops Cafe) is designed to create a multi-functional space as a truck driving training center, as well as a rentable office location similar to a WeWork concept popular in larger cities.
“It will be a membership-based office rental,” explained Todd Vettel, who purchased the building along with his father David and brothers Tim and Trevor as owners of International Workforce Services, another new local business launched in 2022. “The notion was that the IWS use of it would be limited, so we would have additional space in The Office that we could rent out for events, maybe as an Airbnb or having people go directly to our website.”
In October, two local families who launched new landscaping businesses the previous spring announced plans to merge their operations into one venture, now called Lincoln Creek Landscape & Designs. Kyle and Carrie Peterson opened their new business in May 2022, launching Lincoln Creek Family Ventures LLC as a garden and landscaping provider from their rural home northeast of Aurora on 14 Road. Meanwhile, Ian Mertlik, a native of Blair who moved to Aurora last year and married local native Logan (Ohlson) Mertlik, launched INM Design last spring, utilizing his degree from UNL in landscape architecture after a two-year stint with Olsson & Associates. After working together on a couple of different projects, the two families realized they would both benefit by working together in a way that simultaneously increased their resources, expertise and capacity for growth.
Ten months after opening the doors at their new Tri-Fit business venture on K Street, owners Amy and Nick Owens announced major plans in October to add staff and class offerings to include more yoga and high-energy kickboxing. The expanded list of services has also prompted a move to a larger space, just one door south from Suite A to Suite B at 1218 K St.
There is a new title company on the block, opening its newly-renovated doors in July to those who wish to sell property with a bit more security. Charter Title & Escrow, part of a branch of statewide title and escrow services, opened on the downtown square, later in the year changing its name and affiliation to Omni Title.
Trin Jensen Photography was also on the move this year, in more ways than one. The Aurora-based photographer relocated to the downtown square in July, having operated from her home the past several years. She is frequently on location, taking wedding and portrait photos all over the nation and sometimes even on foreign soil.
Phil Esslinger knew in his heart he wanted to own his own business someday, and that day came in November when the Bertrand native opened Esslinger Physical Therapy on L Street, just east of downtown Aurora. A majority of the former Masonic Lodge facility was left open, where a large aquatic therapy pool was installed that now serves as the anchor piece of an open area featuring a work-out area covered with field turf, exercise bikes and a variety of equipment.
Later that month, Carlee Hawkins opened Hawkins PT and Lymphedema, LLC in the same building, offering clients help in solving pain related to lymphedema and women’s pelvic issues.
Madi Berthelsen also opened a new business in November, Revitalize Spa, located within The Leadership Center. Having worked in the field for six years, she stated that she was excited to share her expertise to the sore bodies of Hamilton County.
It’s been a busy year on several fronts, and with $3.6 million worth of building permits issued since Jan. 1 the list of new and expanding businesses continues to grow.