The Stringtown Grocery in Kalona, Iowa has no web page. When I posted about it on my blog, it became one of the most frequent hits from search engines looking for the address, hours of operation and other information about the store. As a public service, I created a page for the store.
Why should people in Iowa City care about Stringtown Grocery? It is a small, retail store that specializes in bulk foods and local items... and in keeping the cost low. An occasional trip to Stringtown is a way of getting out in the country side and who doesn't need that from time to time?
From seeds and onion sets in the spring to locally harvested apples in the fall, the produce follows the season and helps us appreciate the cycles of nature.
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The store carries items you might not normally think of, like dried chervil for soups and a number of different kinds of wheat flour. My favorite is bulk oatmeal for making granola, but they also sell ready to eat granola at a premium price.
There is a host of locally produced items available, from the typical fare of pies and pastry, to canned goods like apple butter and preserves, to hand-made noodles and pasta.The shelves reflect the industry of the community.
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So get away for the supermarkets for a change and get the full Iowa City experience by making a trip to Kalona and the Stringtown Grocery.
Here is their address and hours:
Stringtown Grocery
2266 540th Street, Kalona, Iowa
Hours of Operation
Closed Sunday and Tuesday.
Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri – 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
SAT – 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
~Paul Deaton is a native Iowan and regular contributor to Patch.com. He lives in rural Iowa. E-mail Paul Deaton here.