ATLAS of Rock County and Redeemed Remnants, the ATLAS-sponsored thrift shop, plan to soon be under one roof in the former Luverne Kawasaki building. (That’s the former Bargain Center for you old-timers, the former Kenny’s Super Valu for you really old-timers.)
The planned move has been the worst-kept secret in Rock County for about four months.
Real estate negotiations require a level of secrecy until they are final, but “secrecy” and small towns don’t exactly mix.
The ATLAS Board, of which I am the current chairperson, began negotiating for the purchase of the Kawasaki building late last summer. Our offer on the Kawasaki building was contingent on the sale of our Redeemed Remnants building on Main Street, which was contingent on the buyer getting financing, which was contingent on the inspection results. All of which was to occur under utmost small-town secrecy.
While living under this cloud of secrecy, board members found it entertaining to field questions like, “You aren’t going to raise the prices at Redeemed Remnants to pay for your big, new, fancy building, are you?”
What are we supposed to say? “What building? I don’t know what you’re talking about. You must have us confused with some other potential buyer of a big, fancy building.” (ATLAS is a Christian mentoring organization, so lying is not an option.)
We did our best to remain tight-lipped while ordering inspections of roofs, plumbing, HVAC systems, and holding meetings in the old Kawasaki parking lot. (What are they doing over there?)
We started calling it “The ATLAS Ministry Center” and began looking for tenants to fill some of the extra office spaces. (You know, just in case ATLAS would somehow have some extra office space – or not.)
Finally, on Jan. 21 the secrecy ended. The papers were signed and filed. Tony Gacke and his crew began turning a former motorcycle shop into a ministry center.
Tens of thousands of dollars began pouring into ATLAS to support the building purchase and remodel. (Funny how “building fund” donations began arriving even before we’d made an official announcement …)
Many people over the years have said that ATLAS is one of the best-kept secrets in Rock County. Along with giving us more space, we’re hoping our new building will solve that problem, too.
Thanks for your support.