When remodeling, renovation and new construction is done at Kalona Auto, the corner of Highway 22 and 5th St. will be considerably brighter.

“It will be an all-steel NAPA building with their colors of blue, yellow and a little grey,” explained owner Lynn Helmuth. The Kalona firm is now a NAPA auto parts dealer, but that isn’t the entire reason for the change.

There are structural problems with the existing building that dates to approximately 1950, as well as a need for more front parking space. Construction of a new facility will see the building moved north, providing for 32 feet in the front that will become Kalona Auto’s parking lot.

“All of the cars (that are for sale) will be moved across the street,” said Helmuth, explaining that the former Razor’s Edge building will be razed to provide additional space for the used car business operated by Helmuth’s brother, John.

In addition, the new building will go 50 feet to the east and also will have two stories.

“We will have the shop (for auto repairs) and the parts department,” said Helmuth, exactly as the business has had. Except, with NAPA, “we will be with the largest auto parts supplier in the nation.”

Construction will get underway “in about a week” and will be done by Chris Schlabach Construction, said Helmuth. Completion is expected by late winter, he added.

Besides the change in shape, color and size, the new store will have an overhang on the front, very much in keeping with most other Kalona businesses.

There will be a grand opening for the new facility,” but we can’t set that just yet,” said Helmuth.

One of the interesting aspects is that construction will proceed in segments, permitting business to run as usual.

However, it will mean moving the entire parts inventory three times.

“But NAPA will do that,” he said.

The building started as a car dealership, most probably as the Kalona Motor and Implement Company, selling DeSoto and Plymouth vehicles and Minneapolis-Moline and Ferguson farm equipment.

Besides Helmuth, Kalona Auto employs nine others: Ethel Helmuth (Lynn’s wife), their sons Loren, Eldon and Ellis and son-in-law Alvin Kramer, nephews Elwyn Stutzman and David Helmuth and Justin Plank and Kenny Miller.

The move, noted Helmuth, is also a reflection of the amount of business Kalona Auto does.

“We really do need the space.”