Insurance agency gets new offices

0 Comments | La Crosse Tribune, Jan 04, 1999

After scrapping his plan to move into the former St. Dominic's Monastery, American Benefit Ltd. owner John Molstad has moved his insurance agency into the former Firstlogic Inc. building at 4439 Mormon Coulee Road.

Molstad bought the former Firstlogic building Nov. 30, and his insurance business moved there last week. He's put his old building at 2945 S. 21st Place up for sale.

American Benefit, which began in 1968, sells health and life insurance and has more than 40 employees. "We just outgrew this place," Molstad says of the old location, which has about 6,700 square feet of space.

"I'm only going to use part of it," Molstad says of the new building, which has about 36,000 square feet of space. "I'm going to rent out the rest." His company probably will use about 15,000 square feet of space. Lovejoy Child Care Center rents part of the building, and Molstad hopes to get more tenants.

Molstad says he has extensively remodeled the building. Firstlogic moved out of it in phases, from mid-1997 to last summer, as it moved into the former G. Heileman Brewing Co. headquarters building at 100 Harborview Plaza.

In 1997, Molstad purchased the former monastery at 3000 South Ave., where he planned to move his business. But he recently sold the building to Riverfront Inc., which announced plans to consolidate its offices and sheltered workshop there.

Sharon Emery has opened Broken Wheel at 16859 S. First St. in downtown Galesville.

The Holmen woman opened the store Dec. 1, and says it carries casual Western clothing, boots and shoes; jewelry and gifts. Her husband, Dennis, owns a masonry contracting business and bought and remodeled the building.

The Emerys operated Broken Wheel Western Store in Holmen from 1981 until about five years ago, Sharon says. She missed the business and says she has more time now that the Emery children have grown up. She and her daughter, Denny Rae Emery, show horses in competitions.

Emery has been experimenting with her store hours, and recommends that shoppers call ahead. The phone number is (608) 582-4214.

Brady's T.T.T. Taxidermy has opened at 19824 E. Gale Ave. in downtown Galesville. Owner Doug Brady says the initials stand for training, talent and technique. He says he has 15 years of related experience, and completed a six-week course at the American Institute of Taxidermy in Woodruff, Wis., a year ago. He was a construction worker until he was injured three years ago.

"It's always been a lifelong dream of mine, ever since I was a little kid," Brady says of starting a taxidermy business. Brady, who says he is a state-and federally licensed taxidermist, also creates art such as mandelas and carved antlers.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The store is closed on Saturday and Sunday, except during deer season. The phone number is (608) 582-4946 or toll-free at 1-877-888-3006.