After a damaging fire last spring, a local business established more than 50 years ago will soon have a face lift.
Darrel Wilmsmeyer, owner of Kingdom Feed Services, said repairs are being made while they simultaneously add more retail space.
"We had a fire May 1 that burnt our building pretty bad," he said. "We've been wanting to add on. We figured while we clean up the mess we would expand and make it more accessible."
The two big projects under way are the repairs to the roof and the construction of new space in front of the store.
"The whole roof has to come off," he added. "(The addition) is 40 feet by 40 feet. We're making the retail area about 50 percent bigger."
Wilmsmeyer originally planned to finish the improvements some time in September. The weather, however, has delayed the work, he said.
"I'm shooting for Oct. 15," he said. "The weather hasn't been cooperating with us too well. Work's backed up more than I want it. It slowed down the concrete guys more than it did the construction guys."
The added retail space will allow for a ground-level entrance, whereas originally patrons were required to walk up steps to get in the building. With more space, Wilmsmeyer said, customer demand will also be better met.
"We'll have a lot more of the same products," he added. "We're also going to try to find new items, too. We'll have a little more rental equipment, and stock a few more boots."
The store has been around for more than half a century, Wilmsmeyer said.
"The store has been around since, I believe, 1957," he said. "I've worked here since 1993 and bought the store in 2012."
The addition is the first major remodel since 2004, when a porch was added across the front of the building.
"We still get people who call and ask 'Are y'all open yet?'" he added. "A lot of people think we're closed, but we hadn't closed at all. (After the fire), we were opened the next day."
After the fire, Wilmsmeyer added, people from the community stepped up to offer help.
"We had a lot of people call to offer help," he said. "We have a lot of loyal customers and support from the community. Several other business owners, as well, offered to help with the fire. We appreciate the support."
Christy Moore, who works at the store, said during construction, there is less business traffic than expected.
"It's been slow," she said. "I think it's because people aren't sure if we're open or not."
The weather has also put a significant strain on construction workers, Moore said. The wait for the new addition, however, will be worth the final product.
"It will be helpful," she said. "There will be more room and easier access for everyone."
Kingdom Feed Service is at 2110 N. Bluff St. and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. The store is closed Sundays.
