Vierstraetes taking over Dalager’s store
New owners, same name.
After 35 years, Chuck and Linda Dalager will turn over the keys to their gas and grocery business on North Madison Street to Jeff and Erica Vierstraete of Minneota on Jan. 1.
“We wanted to clear some things up now with this announcement,” said Chuck. “A lot of people have been hearing rumors that aren't true.”
“Some people have told us they heard we are selling and the building will be used for storage. Or we've heard they won't be selling pizza here anymore. Things like that. But none of it is true. Everything is going to stay the same as it's been.”
Even the name of the business, “Dalager’s”, will remain.
“We want to keep the name,” said Erica Vierstraete.
“We have no plans to change it later either.”
The Vierstraetes have been getting acclimated to their new business by working with the Dalagers in recent weeks. “We’re been working with the Dalagers on Sundays for about a month now,” said Erica.
“They’ve been working with us on ordering and a lot of other things.” The Vierstraetes first looked into purchasing the gas and grocery store from the Dalagers in August after hearing a rumor that the store was up for sale. Not long after that, the Dalagers officially put the business up for sale.
The Vierstraetes felt the time was right for them to own their own business and soon the two groups agreed on the sale.
“We’re excited and nervous,” Erica said.
Jeff Viersteraete currently is a truck driver for Viessman’s Trucking, while Erica works for Vishay Hi Rel Systems in Marshall.
They have two children; Mackenzie, 15; and Austin, 14.
From Dec. 26-31, the Dalagers' final week in business, they will have door prizes, drawings and refreshments for customers as a show of appreciation for all the support they have received over the years they were in business.
“One of the things we will give away is a free movie rental a week for a year,” said Chuck Dalager.
“We haven't finalized everything else yet.”
It’s also a chance for customers to show their appreciation to the Dalagers for their years of service to the community.