116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Kalona Creamery Shop and Deli to open Jan. 19
KALONA - The sounds of power saws, hammers and other power tools will cease early next month in a landmark building on Highway 1 in Kalona.
The opening of Kalona Creamery Shop and Deli on Jan. 19, originally scheduled for mid-December, has been delayed due to additional improvements to the building that previously housed Kalona Cheese House before it closed on Dec. 31, 2014.
Kalona Creamery is owned by Open Gates Business Development Corp., which purchased the former Twin County Dairy facility - more widely known as the Kalona Cheese Factory - in June 2015.
Kalona Creamery Shop will feature products made in Iowa including cheese curds, specialty meats and cheeses, and pastries. It also will offer made-daily soups, salads and sandwiches.
'We are excited to finish this phase of the project at Kalona Creamery,” said Mindy Seiffert, director of business development for Open Gates Group, in a news release. She said Open Gates Business Development, has been using the building for milk receiving and separation, primarily will focus on its production facility in 2017.
Kalona Cheese Factory was established in 1946 by a group of Amish and Mennonite farmers as a cooperative. The farmers hired Swiss immigrant John Roetlin Sr. to run the factory, which opened in 1947.
The Kalona Cheese Factory processed more than 1.2 million pounds of milk per day to make white cheddar cheese.
Twin County Dairy closed in September 2014. Ankeny-based Proliant Dairy Ingredients, which shared ownership of Kalona Cheese Factory with John and Joanne Roetlin of Kalona, said the closure followed 'significant change within the dairy industry.”
Gary Weihs, president of Proliant Dairy Ingredients, said advanced food safety, quality assurance requirements and more stringent environmental regulations would require a substantial capital investment. Kalona Cheese Factory employed about 50 people when it shut down.
The Kalona Cheese Factory and retail store were a fixture in the Washington County community and a tourist attraction. The location along Highway 1 allowed tourists to make a quick stop to purchase cheese.
l Comments: (319) 398-8366; george.ford@thegazette.com
Construction continue to Kalona Creamery Shop & Deli in Kalona, Iowa, on Tuesday, Dec.20, 2016. The Kalona Creamery Shop & Deli will open Jan. 19, 2017. Work will then shift to renovating the creamery which will open later in 2017. The location is the site of the former Kalona Cheese Factory. Much of the wood from the building has been reused and the shop will feature the original exposed brick. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Dave Vaughn grinds a piece of steel that will be used as part of a frame for a frosted window that will be installed at the Kalona Creamery Shop & Deli as construction continues in Kalona, Iowa, on Tuesday, Dec.20, 2016. The Kalona Creamery Shop & Deli will open Jan. 19, 2017. Work will then shift to renovating the creamery which will open later in 2017. The location is the site of the former Kalona Cheese Factory. Much of the wood from the building has been reused and the shop will feature the original exposed brick. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Kevin Baughman measures a display cabinet as construction continues at the Kalona Creamery Shop & Deli in Kalona, Iowa, on Tuesday, Dec.20, 2016. The Kalona Creamery Shop & Deli will open Jan. 19, 2017. Work will then shift to renovating the creamery which will open later in 2017. The location is the site of the former Kalona Cheese Factory. Much of the wood from the building has been reused and the shop will feature the original exposed brick. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Refridgerated display cases wait to be moved into position as Nathaniel Adams makes room for installing window trim around windows leading into the kitchen as construction continues at the Kalona Creamery Shop & Deli in Kalona, Iowa, on Tuesday, Dec.20, 2016. The Kalona Creamery Shop & Deli will open Jan. 19, 2017. Work will then shift to renovating the creamery which will open later in 2017. The location is the site of the former Kalona Cheese Factory. Much of the wood from the building has been reused and the shop will feature the original exposed brick. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Windows will be cut into the wall in the vestibule allowing visitors to see cheese-making operations as construction continues to Kalona Creamery Shop & Deli in Kalona, Iowa, on Tuesday, Dec.20, 2016. The Kalona Creamery Shop & Deli will open Jan. 19, 2017. Work will then shift to renovating the creamery which will open later in 2017. The location is the site of the former Kalona Cheese Factory. Much of the wood from the building has been reused and the shop will feature the original exposed brick. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
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