Local Legends and Rising Stars: 2025 Business Honors

In St. Cloud, Minnesota, a few businesses were recently celebrated for their achievements. The first was a bakery that started in 1998. Mike and DeNae Hiltner were introduced to Great Harvest Bread Company while on a trip to Montana. They learned about the franchise opportunity in Central Minnesota. They started with just six types of bread and one cookie. They expanded to eight breads, nine sweets, and a bunch of other goods. Catering was added in 2015. This is now a big part of their business. They often fill four or more large orders for sandwiches and salads each week. A funeral home was also honored. The Dingmann family has been in business since 1909. The family started a hardware store in Clear Lake, Minnesota. They offered funeral services in a chapel above the shop. The Tschumperlin family established one of St. Cloud’s earliest funeral homes in 1873. After World War II, Barney Williams took over. The Dingmann and Williams families merged in 2008. The funeral home is now Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Homes. The fifth generation of the Dingmann family is already involved in the business. This ensures that the tradition of service will continue for years to come. Modern Barnyard, a home decor and furniture store, was another business honored. The store opened in 2017. It started with 12 vendor booths, which accounted for about 10 percent of its retail space. In 2023, they completed a major expansion. They added 5, 000 square feet of retail, workshop, and storage space. This brought the store’s total footprint to 12, 000 square feet. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Modern Barnyard adapted by offering private shopping experiences. They expanded their online store and developed gift box packages. In late 2023, their busiest season was disrupted when a bridge closure in front of their store led to a 60 percent drop in sales. Despite this, Modern Barnyard has built a thriving business. It has become a regional destination for home decor and furniture. These businesses show how hard work and adaptability can lead to success. They also show how important it is to adapt to changes. The businesses had to adapt to changes in the market, changes in technology, and changes in the economy. They also had to adapt to changes in their communities. These businesses show how important it is to be resilient. They show how important it is to be able to bounce back from setbacks. They also show how important it is to be able to learn from mistakes. These businesses show how important it is to be able to adapt to changes. They show how important it is to be able to learn from mistakes. They also show how important it is to be able to adapt to changes.