LP offers a mix of retail and industrial businesses
Residents of Lester Prairie have the convenience of a local retail and services industry that fits their needs. Many of the services and goods needed can be found in the quaint downtown area, with larger industries located along the outskirts of town.
Two new businesses came to town in 2012. Home Run Propane delivers propane cylinders for grilling or camping, and Na-Na’s Unforgettable Treasures offers collectible gifts. Full Throttle Services, a truck, tractor, and auto repair shop moved into Lester Prairie in 2011.
Another recent addition to Lester Prairie’s retail sector is Thread and Thimble, an embroidery and alteration shop located downtown on Juniper Street. Another retail gift store in Lester Prairie is The Prairie Gift Shop, located on Central Avenue.
For home and garden needs, visit Angvall Hardware & Mercantile, located on Central Avenue, or Holasek Flower Power Garden Center (formerly Holasek and Sons Greenhouse).
For convenient food, fuel, and beverages, visit Schmidty’s gas station, located on Babcock Avenue, and Big Don’s Carthedral, located on Central Avenue. Sharing a building with Schmidty’s is the Prairie Liquor Cabinet.
Big Don’s Carthedral also provides full service auto body repair. Other auto repair shops conveniently located in or near Lester Prairie include Andy’s Body Shop, Coachwerks, Jerry’s Transmission Service, Andre’s Foreign Parts, and Lester Prairie Engine.
The Prairie Market, located on Juniper Street, is a locally-owned-and-operated store offering a full line of groceries, including fresh meat. Garbers’ Meats, across the street, is also a place to purchase quality meat products.
The Central Cafe is a great place to have breakfast or lunch.Other great places to eat, or enjoy a night on the town, are the Dodge House or One Eyed Willy’s.
Housing options
There are plenty of places to call home in Lester Prairie. Potential residents can choose from apartments, single-family homes, and townhomes.
Prairie Ridge is an affordable development near the southeast edge of town along McLeod County Road 9, and East Park Estates is another nearby development, offering both single-family homes and townhomes.
Apartment options include Hickory Apartments, Mallak Apartments, Meadow Lane Apartments, Pineview Apartments, Prairie Manor, Lincoln Apartments, Intown Apartments, Intown South Apartments, Tesch Apartments, and Country Meadows. There is also a trailer court located on Second Avenue South, as well as two four-plexes owned by the Housing Redevelopment Authority.
Health services
The Lester Prairie Medical Clinic, located at 1024 Central Ave., is a satellite office of Glencoe Regional Health Services. The clinic has nine exam rooms, an open nursing station, and a minor procedure room. Appointments to see a provider at the Lester Prairie Clinic can be made by calling the GRHS direct appointment line at (320) 864-7816, or toll free 800-869-3116.
For chiropractic care, people can go to Lester Prairie Chiropractic Clinic, located in downtown Lester Prairie at 32 Juniper St. N.
For physical fitness, residents enjoy America’s Fitness Center at 518 Central Ave.
The dental office of Dr. Sarah Heuer is also located downtown, at 20 Juniper St. N.
Nearby hospitals include Glencoe Regional Health Services in Glencoe, Hutchinson Health in Hutchinson, and Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia.
For massage therapy, people can go to Beyond Relaxation on Juniper Street.
Health insurance is offered by Jilek Insurance Agency, located at 500 Central Ave.
Industries
Rite Way Manufacturing is the local choice for welding and fabrication. A division of the company (Rite Way Laser Engraving) offers customized engraving for cake pans, trophies, wood gifts, and more.
Worldwide Dispensers specializes in manufacturing high quality precision moulding and custom design solutions. The company has two locations, one on Second Avenue South in Lester Prairie, and one in London, England.
Lester Building Systems is the largest dealer-based manufacturer of post frame buildings in the US, and is located at 1111 Second Ave. S.
Poly Foam, Inc., 116 Pine St. S., is a leading supplier of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) products.
Integrity Tool, another successful industry in town, is located at 129 Pine St. S.
Engelke Machining is a machine shop located at 17734 Co. Rd. 9.
LPBA promotes local business
Established in 1995, the Lester Prairie Business Association’s primary goal is to promote a strong business community in Lester Prairie. The association works with community leaders to promote and recruit new business, and provides a forum for business owners to voice concerns and ideas.
The organization sponsors the Lester Prairie Holiday Celebration the first Friday in December, and runs a food stand during the city-wide garage sale day. It also sponsors a business welcome packet for new residents, and donates money to other organizations in the community. Every March, the association has helped collect food for the McLeod County Emergency Food Shelf in a competition with other business associations and chambers of commerce in McLeod County. Drop off sites are available in town.
The association is working on various projects to help promote local businesses.
It meets as needed throughout the year.
For more information, or for the location of the next meeting, contact association President Troy Feltmann at (320) 485-2535, or visit the group’s website, www.hjorgs.com/lpba.
Other board members include Jeff Engen, treasurer; and Mike McNulty, vice president.
