Business - Hastings Journal

2024 Hastings Chamber of Commerce Award winners to be honored at the 2025 Annual Meeting & Awards Dinner Jan. 23 are (from left) Educator of the Year Katie Matzek, Dugarel’s as Business of the Year and Volunteer of the Year Debbie Grimm.

The Hastings Chamber of Commerce has announced the award winners who will be honored at the 2025 Annual Meeting & Awards Dinner. Th event will be held Thursday, Jan. 23 at the Wexford at Emerald … more

1/1/25

Hastings Bierstube Celebrates 62 years

The Hastings Bierstube is kicking off its 62nd anniversary celebration with a week-long party, packed with exciting prizes, food specials and entertainment. The festivities begin Tuesday and run … more

By Bruce Karnick | 12/13/24

Hastings Flower Co., located at 3500 Cannon St. opened its doors several weeks ago and recently held their ribbon cutting ceremony with a packed house of Chamber Ambassadors, family and friends.

Hastings Welcomes New Flower Shop: Hastings Flower Co. Opens Its Doors

HASTINGS, MN — The floral scene in Hastings just got a little brighter. After 14 years of running a flower business from her farm south of town, Vickie Schweich has officially brought her … more

By Bruce Karnick | 12/12/24

Dick Greiner came home from the Vietnam War and began a barber career that spanned more than five decades. He credits his success to the support of his wife Sandy and the trust of the Hastings community.

After more than 50 years, Greiner is hanging up the clippers

Back when Dick Greiner looked to start his own barbershop in the 1980s, there were more than 3,500 license applications for small town barbershops. 40 years later, that number dwindled to less than … more

By Bruce Karnick | 12/5/24

Johnson Jewelers has been serving the Hastings community since 1985.

Johnson Jewelers to close after 40 years

After nearly 40 years of service, R. L. Johnson Jewelers will be closing their doors for the final time on Dec. 24, 2024. Since 1985, Johnson Jewelers has been a staple of the Hastings business … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 12/4/24

Kick off season of small business with Small Business Saturday

Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice in President Biden’s Cabinet for America’s more than 34 million small businesses, … more

11/27/24

Daniel Robers and Shawna Nelson (both center with the scissors) are surrounded by other local business owners, City of Hastings employees and chamber ambassadors for the grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new Edward Jones financial management space at 218 Second Street East in Hastings.

Edward Jones, Daniel Roberts settle into new downtown office

The Roberts branch of Edward Jones has been part of the downtown landscape for nearly two decades. Daniel Roberts took over the branch from his father four years ago which was located at 201 Second … more

By Bruce Karnick | 11/14/24

The folks at Barks & Rec did a great job laying out their new space in Hastings. The setup inside both sets of garages is very similar. There are several fenced in play spaces inside and out with the indoor space being climate controlled when needed. The space outside has turf and inside has heated rubber flooring that covers the play space and the kennels.

Doggy Daycare comes to Hastings, introducing Barks & Rec

Barks & Rec is a doggy daycare and boarding service located just north of Hastings at 12260 Margo Ave. S., the same building as Rio Grooming School and Salon. Barks & Rec owners Kirk and … more

By Bruce Karnick | 10/17/24

Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors joined Lowe’s Auto and Truck Repair for their grand opening and ribbon cutting at 3000 Lightbourn Court in the Hastings Industrial Park. (L to R) Amy Sutton, Kristy Barse, Abby Meyers, Gregg Lowe, Kim Lowe, Mayor Mary Fasbender and Alex Menke.

Lowe’s Auto and Truck Repair comes to Industrial Court

Gregg Lowe (pronounced Lau) ran a part time repair shop out of his property in Cottage Grove for over 25 years. That was until he met and married his wife Kim in 2022. Kim had a home built in … more

By Bruce Karnick | 10/17/24

Tippy’s Corner Store opens downtown

The newest face to the downtown business community opened at 217 Ramsey St. and to those familiar with the owners of downtown businesses, it isn’t in fact, a new face. David “Tippy” … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 10/2/24

Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors and City of Hastings staff joined Chad Smurawa of Simply Secure Storage for their ribbon cutting at their new MEGA storage facility at 2489 Spiral Blvd. The storage facility features large storage spaces that will fit even some of the largest RVs. Pictured (from left) are Abby Meyers, Jessica Dodge, Todd Seeman, Chad Smurawa, Jeff Carter, Alex Menke and Kelly Carter.

Simply Secure Storage opens second location on Spiral Blvd

Storage centers have been popping up all around the area, but none quite like the second location for Simply Secure Storage at 2489 Spiral Blvd. The newest location of storage in Hastings boasts a … more

By Bruce Karnick | 9/26/24

Pub 55 re-opens under new ownership

Pub 55 has a new owner, new menu and a new look at the corner of Bahls Drive and South Frontage Road. Photo by Bruce Karnick Randy Cooper of Eagan is not new to restaurant ownership, having … more

By Bruce Karnick | 8/29/24

The view from above as the Spin Doctors were finishing their portion of the Rivertown Days concerts in downtown Hastings. The riverfront provides the perfect backdrop for the carnival rides and midway games.

Days to remember!

The 45th annual Hastings Rivertown Days took place last weekend featuring carnival rides, craft fairs, events across the community and live music with Saturday headliner the Spin Doctors. While the … more

By Graham P. Johnson and Bruce Karnick | 7/25/24

The staff at Rio Grooming School and Salon with members of the Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce gathered for the ribbon cutting celebrating the 24-hour self-serve dog washes located at the Rio campus.

Rio Grooming School and Salon ‘finally’ holds ribbon cutting

Rio Grooming School and Salon at 12260 Margo Avenue South has finally held their ribbon cutting ceremony for their self-wash stations located outside of their Grooming School and Salon. … more

By Bruce Karnick | 6/19/24

Hastings YMCA Open House Sunday

The Hastings YMCA will hold a Community Open House on Sunday, April 21 from 1-3 p.m. The event is free and for all ages. For the younger visitors, there will be a gaga pit, bounce house, face … more

4/18/24

Radke & Mohrhauser welcomed to new home

The Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau welcomed the Radke & Mohrhauser Accounting firm to their new building at 1945 31st St. E. with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, … more

2/7/24

Hearts for Hastings: Sharing love and giving back

Edina Realty of Hastings invites the community to a heartwarming event that combines the spirit of Valentine’s Day with a meaningful cause. “Hearts for Hastings” is set to make a … more

1/17/24

Hastings Reads events set

Hastings Reads 2024 is set to kick off this February, with a month filled with fantastic and free activities for all ages. This year’s theme is “It’s Going to be Okay,” and … more

1/17/24

Kristy Barse, president of the Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau (pictured at right) surprised Kyle Kreuser in his Hastings Middle School classroom with his family last week to let him know he is being honored as the 2023 Educator of the Year.

Chamber award winners to be honored at annual dinner

The Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau is excited to announce the 2023 community award winners! Members of the community had the opportunity to nominate one business, volunteer … more

1/10/24

The 25th running of the Hastings Gobble Gait is off! More than 3000 runners plus fans lined Second Street East to kick of the Thanksgiving Day celebrations by raising money for Hastings Family Service. A keen eye should be able to spot the top three male finishers.

Gobble Gait, Holiday Hoopla kick off holiday fun in Hastings

A fun Thanksgiving Day run has turned into a dream come true for Hastings Family Service and the community. Thursday morning is the 26 th annual Hastings Gobble Gait. Through last year, the … more

Staff Report | 11/22/23