Something new has popped up in the former home of Whisk From Scratch bakery and the Pine Island Fish Company in downtown Perham: Now, the space at 165 West Main Street houses a new KLN office space called Third Generation on Main Street.
Several KLN employees work out of the new office, which is open to the public for the sale of gift baskets full of company-made goods.
"We did this (built the new office) with the thought in mind that we're going to be expanding at KLN," said Tina Rasmussen, a company leader. "We hire and interview people every day. We're kind of exploding. We want room to grow."
KLN bought the building around May 2021 and remodeling was nearly done as of early March 2022. KLN's Megan Nelson said they wanted to create a warm, inviting and collaborative feel in the new space. With couches and plants, the entrance feels more like a living room than an office.
"This is kind of a hub for how we can better our company for our employees," Nelson said. "Lots of good creative thinking and things will happen here."
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There are five offices and four cubicles in the building, with a conference room in the back. The interior walls are primarily glass, contributing to the open environment, and were built with a DIRTT system, meaning they aren't permanent and can be moved at any time. Sarah Carlson, of Thiesen Design Studios, was instrumental in creating the glass offices, as well as the woodwork throughout the space.
The walls throughout feature inspirational quotes, including KLN's mission statement and quotes from the Broadway musical "Hamilton," of which the Nelson and Rasmussen families are big fans.
The building is opening during the first week of March. After that, people will be able to stop by and purchase KLN gift baskets, which have never been for sale to the general public before.
"People have wanted to buy the gift baskets, but they've just been (available as) gifts in the past," Rasmussen said.
"They'll still remain gifts to customers and businesses here, but people walking past can give this as a gift to an out-of-town family member," added Nelson.
There are two gift baskets available: one with KLN snack foods, for $30, and another with Tuffy's dog treats, for $20. Purchases are cash-only, and the money goes directly back into the community, toward various good causes.
"We have a rotating committee that meets once a month, of employees (who decide where the proceeds go)," Rasmussen said when asked what the funds go toward in the community. "We're constantly getting requests for donations, so employees get together and decide which donations will go where."
The funds get disbursed to community organizations, companies, individuals and families in need.
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"We want to be good people and give back," Rasmussen said.
While hours will likely expand in the future, Third Generation on Main is currently open to the public to purchase gift baskets Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
