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.
| OUR HISTORY |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |