The store dates its origin to 1883 when Civil War veteran,
Isaac Edmondson took over what was the town's
first general store (established in 1879, the year Kalona was created).
Isaac's son was the owner at the time of the two-story wooden frame building which was
completely destroyed by fire July 17, 1906 when the entire west block of 5th St. burned.
Besides the building, the store lost its entire $2,000 inventory,
a fortune in 1906 when a good wage was $12 a week.
Undaunted, Edmondson surveyed the debris at dawn July 18,
making immediate plans to rebuild-in brick.When Logan Edmondsom died in 1923,
ownership went to his daughter and son-in-law Nita and Ervin Reif who later changed the
name to Edmondson-Reif and then simply Reif. Logan Reif,
who took over in the 1930s, expanded the merchandise line,
making Reif's a "junior department store.”
It was Logan Reif who guided the store through the Great Depression, trading merchandise
for eggs and cheese that went to the store's grocery section, keeping hours as late as
midnight to accommodate rural families, extending credit for bills that often were less than
$1, and kept pace with the town's changing needs.By 1974, Steve Reif had taken over the
business as Reif’s Family Center and was later joined in business with daughter Nancy
Roth, who is Isaac Edmondson's great-great-great granddaughter.
The store was once again seriously damaged by fire.
The general store did not reopen until 2007 when new owners Susan and David Finley
opened the doors to the business that you see today. Still maintaining the spirit of a general
store with hometown customer service and a wide array of products. The Finleys welcome
you to come in , browse the store, and experience the American tradition of a real general
store.
Isaac Edmondson took over what was the town's
first general store (established in 1879, the year Kalona was created).
Isaac's son was the owner at the time of the two-story wooden frame building which was
completely destroyed by fire July 17, 1906 when the entire west block of 5th St. burned.
Besides the building, the store lost its entire $2,000 inventory,
a fortune in 1906 when a good wage was $12 a week.
Undaunted, Edmondson surveyed the debris at dawn July 18,
making immediate plans to rebuild-in brick.When Logan Edmondsom died in 1923,
ownership went to his daughter and son-in-law Nita and Ervin Reif who later changed the
name to Edmondson-Reif and then simply Reif. Logan Reif,
who took over in the 1930s, expanded the merchandise line,
making Reif's a "junior department store.”
It was Logan Reif who guided the store through the Great Depression, trading merchandise
for eggs and cheese that went to the store's grocery section, keeping hours as late as
midnight to accommodate rural families, extending credit for bills that often were less than
$1, and kept pace with the town's changing needs.By 1974, Steve Reif had taken over the
business as Reif’s Family Center and was later joined in business with daughter Nancy
Roth, who is Isaac Edmondson's great-great-great granddaughter.
The store was once again seriously damaged by fire.
The general store did not reopen until 2007 when new owners Susan and David Finley
opened the doors to the business that you see today. Still maintaining the spirit of a general
store with hometown customer service and a wide array of products. The Finleys welcome
you to come in , browse the store, and experience the American tradition of a real general
store.
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