Featuring Our Own:
(Chamber A -Z) Long Prairie ACE Hardware
Article written by Taylor Lunemann (Thank you for sharing.)
Address: 820 Commerce Rd, Long Prairie, MN 56347
Phone: (320) 732-2185 HOURS: Monday 7:30AM–8PM Tuesday 7:30AM–8PM Wednesday 7:30AM–8PM Thursday 7:30AM–8PM Friday 7:30AM–8PM Saturday 7:30AM–5:30PM Sunday 10AM–3PM 
Gus & Rocqulyn Gustafson- owners
Nearly everyone has heard the catchy jingle of Ace Hardware: “Ace is the place with the helpful hardware folks!” Anyone who has entered the store has learned there is truth behind that slogan.
The Ace Hardware store in Long Prairie has been proudly serving its customers since 1978, when Glade and Linnea Phelps purchased the old Gambles store. It operated as a Hardware Hank until making the transition to Ace Hardware in 1991. The Phelps’ daughter, Rocqulyn (Gustafson), better known as Rocqui, joined the family business after graduating with a Business Management degree from St. Cloud State University in 1985. The family has owned and operated both the Long Prairie and Alexandria locations for nearly five decades.
While Ace Hardware is nationally known, it is a dealer-owned cooperative buying group. Each store buys a small part of the company and the company then works for the stores. This means your neighborhood store is owned and operated by your neighbors and they have the freedom to stock what they want and run their store the way they want.
Rocqui helped run the stores until her father passed in 2009. She oversaw a major transition of computerization of all the stores in 1993 to aid in ordering.
But the main draw of the local Ace Hardware is the familiar and helpful faces ready to greet customers and help them in any way they can. The Long Prairie store has been blessed to have several long-time employees mastering their craft in customer service.
“Having employees helping people find what they need or helping them figure out how to do their project and what they need for their project is what really keeps us relevant in today’s society,” noted Rocqui.
Ona Reinbold managed the store from when it opened in 1978 to 1990. Jeff Dinkel then managed it from 1990 until he retired in 2017. He continued to work part-time until August 2018.
Deborah Casey, Debi Rousselange, Dawn Butkowski
Rocqui Gustafson, Dave Sobotka Debi Rousselange began her employment in Long Prairie on Oct. 4, 1993, and took over as manager in February 2017.
“I appreciate all of our employees because you can’t run a business without them,” Rocqui said. “You depend on them to open up and close, ordering & organizing of the merchandise, giving good advice to the customers, really everything.” In addition to their excellent customer service, Ace Hardware offers a wide range of products and services. Paint is very popular in Long Prairie, with Rocqui noting they sell more at that location than in Alexandria. They also offer services like: window repair, keys, transponder keys, chainsaw sharpening, glass cutting and installation, screen cutting and installation, and rent carpet cleaners. Their annual spring greenhouse filled with various plants and flowers is also a popular product offered in Long Prairie.
The product lines are also often changing, with new products and inventory being added. For example, Long Prairie just brought in electrical Stihl products to offer customers yet another choice in power tools. Rocqui noted that customers can ask for different things and if there is enough demand for it and it’s available, they will work to get that stocked as well.
The Ace Hardware store in Long Prairie has been around for decades, and the staff will continue to provide their products and top notch customer service for years to come. “I really appreciate the community and totally appreciate the customer base and the businesses over here that support our store,” Rocqui said. “We wouldn’t be here without them.”
Ace Hardware - Long Prairie - At a Glance
1978 - Glade and Linnea Phelps purchased an old Gambles and changed it to Hardware Hank, Ona Reinbold took over as manager at store opening 1985 - Rocqui joined her parents in helping run their Alexandria, Long Prairie, and Glenwood locations 1990 - Jeff Dinkel took over as manager in Long Prairie 1991 - Changed cooperatives from Hardware Hank to Ace Hardware 1993 - Computerized all the stores 2017 - Debi Rousselange took over as manager in Long Prairie 
Debi Rousselange, Rocqui Gustafson, Dawn Butkowski,
Deborah Casey, Dave Sobotka 
- Places to stay
- Places to eat -Specialty shops - Things to do 
History of Long Prairie
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Chamber Director: Luan Thomas-Brunkhorst Chamber Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9am - 3pm Please contact me at (320) 732-2514. chamber@longprairie.org I am in and out of the office a lot, so please call before coming or take your chances. Location: @ the LP Library 42 3rd Street North (click on red for google map) Thought of the day
"Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go." Unknown Education, Schools and Community Ed WebsitesSenior Center ActivitiesUpcoming Chamber & Community Events
REPEATED EVENTS/ SERVICES:
CentraCare Farmers Market- DONE for the season Thorson’s Farmers Market REMINDER - ONLY Wednesdays & Saturday - 9 am - 3 pm, Long Prairie, Hwy 71 south next to Super 8, across from Coborns 
ZUMBA RANCHERA
DATES: Every Friday Please join us @ the Vitality Wellness Center for the next session of Zumba Ranchera which will be Fridays at 6PM! And don't forget this is free! TIME: 6:00—7:00 pm (come whenever you can!) LOCATION: Vitality Wellness Fitness Studio INSTRUCTORS: Ruby and Rafaela Orozco COST: FREE!! Everyone is welcome to try out this Mexican Zumba class that will raise your heart rate, get you in shape, and leave you in a good mood! Everyone is welcome—no experience needed! Instruction will be in English and Spanish. 320-732-7234 vitalitywellness@centracare.com ccvitalitywellness.com Rainbow Rider- FREE rides within the City limits
CentraCare Health-Long Prairie now offers free rides to the clinic, hospital, nursing home from your Long Prairie home within the city limits. ***Call the Rainbow Rider at 1-800-450-7770 to schedule a ride. It’s best to schedule your ride two days before your visit.
**EXTENDED HOURS- Rainbow Rider now available in Long Prairie (city limits)
Mon-Fri until 5:30 p.m. Rides must be scheduled by calling dispatch at 800-450-7770 prior to 5:00 p.m. 
Long Prairie Senior Center - 320 732-2282
Manager: Jodi Dixon Email: lpseniorcenter@gmail.com 50-3RD ST NE They are open Monday-Friday 10am - 3pm. They have many daily activities. See calendar below.
1,000 Books before Kindergarten starts in Long Prairie!
Enjoy a fun program encouraging reading and early literacy skills. Stop by the library to sign up! For ages birth through kindergarten. Sponsored by the Long Prairie Public Library. OCTOBER
FREE Home Energy Analysis NOW until 10/31 Contact us to schedule! 877-334-2675 SaveEnergy@mnpower.com Long Prairie DRIVE-IN UPCOMING SCHEDULE: (2nd features pending) Oct 18,19 * ADDAMS FAMILY October 19 * TRUNK-or-TREAT Halloween Bash and PUMPLIN CARVING contest 🎃🎃 CLICK and JOIN event page for updates: https://www.facebook.com/events/729640174125964/ JOKER & MALEFICENT pending weather in October TICK-TOCK … ONLY 10 DAYS LEFT (5 weekends) Tapping Workshop Tuesday, October 15, 2019 Long Prairie Senior Center 50 3rd St N, Long Prairie, MN 56347 1:30 p.m $15 Workshop Fee In this 1-hour workshop, you’ll learn how a simple breathing exercise and the Emotional Freedom Technique (also known as Tapping) can quickly and easily release pain, stress, restore and enhance your health. Tapping is based on Chinese acupressure and modern psychology which can give immediate relief and anyone - adults, teens, and children - can benefit from such a boost. Presenter: Lydia Smith-Lenardson Writer, Editor, Beauty, Health and Wellness Coach passion4living01@gmail.com Tel: (951) 567-3192 About Me: LinkedIn/in/passion4living Facebook.com/Passion4Living twitter.com/passion4living Disclaimer: All information provided is for educational purposes only and to complement your medical care. It is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, or replace any treatment you are receiving. Remembrance Ceremony October is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. For anyone who has experienced or been touched by a pregnancy or infant loss, you are invited to join with others in remembering our children. October 15, 2019 @ Lake Beauty Bible Camp (east of Long Prairie on HWY 27- follow signs) 6:50pm Candle Lighting 7pm My Plate for My Family- Eat healthy see below Every third Wednesday starting October 16th 6-7pm @ the CentraCare Vitality Wellness Conference room Register NOW- see details on attached PDF
Tracing Your Roots
Sat, October 19, 10am – 12pm Great River Regional Library, 42 3rd St N, Long Prairie, MN 56347, USA (map) Tracing Your Roots with Steve Barthel This presentation will focus on how to use FamilySearch.org, highlighting Family Tree, FamilySearch Wiki, the Catalog, and more Ancestry.com, which is a premium website available at no cost at family history centers, will be touched on. Also, key websites, designed for Minnesota researchers, will be included. For adults and teens. A Legacy event. Saturday, Oct. 19 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon Siama’s Congo Mon, October 21, 6pm – 7pm Great River Regional Library, 42 3rd St N, Long Prairie, MN 56347, USA (map) Siama’s Congo When Siama is joined by Dallas Johnson their harmonies are inspiring and their joy is contagious as they perform and encourage everyone to sing along. Siama and Dallas tell stories of life in Africa and encourage everyone to use their imagination to transport them to DR Congo. This sunny and joyful performance will leave everyone feeling energized and happy. For all ages. A Legacy event. Monday, Oct. 21 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Good Morning Breakfast Thursday, October 24, 2019 from 7:30-8:30 Hosted by: Cornerstone Pines Location: 19180 281st Ave Grey Eagle Non-profit: Pregnancy Resource Center A light breakfast and coffee will be offered, along with a drawing for door prizes. CentraCare Blood Drive
CentraCare – Long Prairie is hosting an American Red Cross blood drive from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. October 24 within the Fitness Studio of Vitality Wellness, located at 50 CentraCare Drive, Long Prairie. To make an appointment, or to learn more, call 1-800-RED CROSS (733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org enter Sponsor Code: Long Prairie Community. To make a blood donation, you must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health on the day of donation. Rotary Rose Sales 2019 October 24 (9am-5pm) October 25 (9am-12pm) $17.00 Picked up at Custer Floral $20.00 Delivered (Delivery within 1 mile of Long Prairie) ORDER your roses NOW! Pre-purchase at Central MN Credit Union Todd County Realty MN National Bank Long Prairie Rotary members Long Prairie Chamber Orchestra FALL Concert Bach to Bachiavelli October 26, 2019 @7:30pm at the LPGE secondary School. Free will donation Refreshments after the event
Sprout: Growers & Makers Marketplace
Market Dates: 2019 October 26 November 16 December 14 Time: 10am-3pm Location: 609 13th Ave NE Door 8, Little Falls, MN Indoor market with local food, art and entertainment SPROUT FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/SproutMN8/%E2%80%8B SPROUT WEBSITE https://www.sproutmn.com/ Trick or Treat Downtown & HWY 71 and more October 31 from 3-5pm Trunk or Treat @ the First Baptist Church October 31 5-7pm NOVEMBER
SAVE THE DATE: LPGE Career Fair: see attachment Register now or later! Deadline: October 23, 2019 http://bit.ly/2GfkP6J
Community Listening Session with Judges & Court Staff
Hosted by: Minnesota's Seventh Judicial District Minnesota Supreme Court Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019 6:00 p.m.to 8:00 p.m. Long Prairie-Grey Eagle Secondary School 510 9th St. NE Long Prairie, MN 56347 - Have informal discussions with judges and court officials - Talk about your justice system - Share ideas about improving your courts Help the court understand your experience
MORE CALENDAR EVENTS: Click - Events Calendar
Welcome New 2019 Chamber Members !
Benning Printing& Publishing Inc. (September) Todd County Chaplaincy (June) Peas in a Pod (June) Lake Country Lawn Care LLC (May) Jeff Berg Financial (April) Countryside Restaurant (March) East West Realty (March) Lake Osakis Resort (March) Prairie Pharmacy (February) Todd Wadena Electric Cooperative (January) Reynolds Baptist Church (January) Long Prairie Midwives NEW Ownership (January) Thank you, also, to all of you who have renewed your membership! We appreciate you and could not do this without you! NEW- Small Business Consultants Listing! Peas in a Pod (June) Lydia Smith-Lenardson- Passion 4 Living Counseling (May) Nancy Leasman- artist (March) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Community GardenWant More Information on Community Gardens? Call City Hall 320 732-2167 Follow this link for photos and more information about the Community Gardens.
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Click on the Made in Minnesota photo to learn more about products and suppliers who are right here in Minnesota!
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