Sheldon, Iowa — Several downtown business properties in Sheldon have been sold.
The properties are on the south side of the 300 block of 9th Street.
Corey Elgersma, with ISB Services in Sheldon, tells us ISB recently represented the Lane family in the transfer of the five buildings. He tells us the Lane family had owned the buildings for over 120 years since H.C. Lane built them in 1901.
According to Elgersma, Whitehouse Properties LLC, a real estate investment company owned by Kyle and Charlotte Kunkel of Le Mars, Iowa has purchased 324 and 326 9th Street in Sheldon from the Lane family. He says, “The Kunkels are no stranger to renovating historic buildings. In 2020, they completed the historic preservation of the 1907 White House Bathing Palace in Le Mars.” He says the Kunkels are currently renovating a historic building in the Groth Block of Remsen.
Elgersma tells us the Kunkels plan to repair and renovate the historic building to create retail space along with upper-level apartments. He says the real estate transfer closed at the end of March and the restoration work will take over a year to complete. While the property has two numbers, it has been one retail property for many years. It’s the old Wolff building, where Rockman Clothing used to be a number of years ago. JDL Kreations was another recent tenant.
Elgersma says Jodean Properties, LLC, a real estate investment company owned by Brian Klein of Primghar, Iowa has purchased the other four properties. That would be 312, 314, 320, and 322 9th Street, the home of Travel World, Blossom & Bride Boutique, Sweet Puddle Jumpers, and the United Pentecostal Church, respectively.
He tells us Klein’s plan for the buildings is to repair and improve them to “…freshen them up and shine with the rest of Sheldon’s downtown retailers.” He says the current businesses and tenants will all remain in their locations. According to Elgersma, there are some upper-level apartments and there are thoughts to look into some grants for the renovation of them as well in time. The real estate transfer closed on March 31st.
