(KNSI) – Three members of central Minnesota’s business community are getting recognized with one of the region’s most prominent honors, the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce awards.
St. Cloud Area Chamber
The 2025 Small Business of the Year Owners are Great Harvest Bread Company’s Mike and DeNae Hiltner. According to the chamber, the couple first came across the concept in 1998 in Montana. They later learned of a franchise opportunity locally. The Hiltners bought land in Waite Park and gave the building its distinctive barn and silo appearance. They opened in January of 2000. On the rare occasion that they bake a surplus, it’s donated to area nonprofits such as Poor Clare Monastery in Sauk Rapids and Anna Marie’s Alliance Domestic Abuse Shelter.
The Business Central Mark of Excellence: Family-Owned Business of the Year goes to the Williams
St. Cloud Area Chamber
Dingmann Family Funeral Homes. The chamber says Doug Jr. and Deb Dingmann are fourth-generation owners with a staff of 35 and over 150 years of history. The legacy dates back to 1909 when John Dingmann had a hardware store in Clear Lake that offered funeral services in a chapel above the shop. Meanwhile, the Tschumperlin family established one of St. Cloud’s earliest funeral homes in 1873. Barney Williams bought the funeral homes after World War II, and two family-run operations merged in 2008, forming Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Homes.
Beyond the business, the Dingmanns are involved in the community. Doug spent 25 years as a Sauk Rapids volunteer firefighter and a supporter of the Knights of Columbus, church groups, and other local organizations. They also assist families who are unable to afford funeral services.
The Entrepreneurial Success Award went to Modern Barnyard owners Jim Beck and John Malikowski. They came up with the idea while watching the HGTV show Flea Market Flip, where the cast would search and refurbish antique furniture. In 2017, the place opened its doors on County Road 75. As
St. Cloud Area Chamber
business grew, the partners considered opening a second location but ultimately decided to expand their space. In 2023, they completed a major expansion, adding 5,000 square feet of retail, workshop, and storage space, bringing the store’s total footprint to 12,000 square feet. They also renovated and expanded their parking lot.
They support several local organizations, including the American Cancer Society, INDY Foundation, Anna Marie’s Alliance, and the Tri-County Humane Society.
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