Hometown Kitchen and Bath coming to Minneota

Another new business is coming soon to Minneota. Hometown Kitchen and Bath, owned and operated by Nadine Kor, is scheduled to open on Jan. 30 in the former library building on the corner of First and North Jefferson Streets.

Kor is a 1980 graduate of Minneota who has over 32 years of experience in interior design. “I was interested in going to school for interior design since I was in ninth grade,” she said.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to own a store like this.” Hometown Kitchen and Bath will specialize in cabinetry, countertops, carpet, tile showers and backsplashes, hard-surfaced flooring, custom window treatments and much more.

Kor, who previously worked at Floor to Ceiling in Marshall, is leasing the building from ADOM.

Since the library relocated two years ago, a fair portion of the renovation of the building, including the installation of new windows and spray foam insulation had already been completed by the time Kor agreed to the lease.

Workers have already put up new sheet rock, and taped, textured and painted. New flooring is currently being put down in the business. And new lighting will also be installed.

“I’m going to have several areas of display flooring so customers can see what types we offer,” explained Kor.

“There will be about 10 or 11 different areas.” Sample racks still need to be put in and merchandise still needs to be shipped to the store.

Hometown Kitchen and Bath, a name Kor came up with to reflect her Minneota upbringing, is a retail store, but products will be ordered for each particular project.

The business will also allow customers to come in, browse at the numerous displays, and place an order with Kor.

“We will have a lot of samples to show,” she said.

“We will have samples for flooring, carpet, clip-together vinyl, ceramic tile, stain colors, and countertop samples of laminate, Corian, quartz and granite. We will also have a cabinet selection area.”

Computerized kitchen and bath design services will also be available. "We will be able to help with product selection and color choices for the entire home," Kor said.

And for those interested, Kor can come to your home to do any measuring.

“I will measure for carpet or wood flooring or whatever they need,” she said. “And I will calculate the cost for them and then line up the installers.”

Kor and her husband will co-own the store, but Nadine will run the business.

Dennis will also help out when needed with deliveries and other things. The couple has three grown children; daughter Lindsy Gratz of Ivanhoe, and sons A.J. of Clear Lake, SD; and Collin of Dawson.

They also have four grandchildren, with a fifth one on the way.

The building’s main room is 45’ by 21’, with a 13’ by 13’ back room, as well as a small storage room and a bathroom.

“Minneota in general needs more businesses like this,” said Kor, about Hometown Kitchen and Bath.

“I had seen that the building was available and I thought about it for some time before I decided to pursue it."

This marks the third new business to open on the west side of North Jefferson Street in the last year, following Nate and Cari Pohlen's “Fit 24” and Shirley Gladis' “This and That Recreated” businesses; both recently opening in former Ufkin Furniture and Appliance buildings.

Another business, “Randy’s Woodworking Shop”, is expected to open soon in another of the former Ufkin buildings.

And in just a few days, Minneota will have another new store in town at 101 North Jefferson Street.

“I’m really excited to get started,” Kor said.