Galena Canning Company

 

Store Name Galena Canning Company
Superior Attention to Detail and Community ServiceBusiness Type Food and Beverage Stores

NAICS Code 445

Location 106 S. Main, Galena, IL 61036

Nearby Businesses Poopsies, Fried Green Tomatoes

Owner/Manager Ivo Puidak

Special Store Activities Bakery and Coffee Shop; view kitchen while sauces are made; product tasting throughout the day

Year Opened 1992

Website http://www.galenacanning.com/

Phone 815-777-2882

E-mail

Community Profile Galena, Illinois, (Population: 3,460; 10 mile radius population: 14,576) located in the north western corner of Illinois, is a popular tourist destination known for its history, historical architecture, as well as its ski and golf resorts. Downtown Galena is home to a fully restored vibrant 1800s downtown, with 85% of the structures in the city listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Galena is approximately 20 minutes southeast of Dubuque Iowa and 3 hours west of Chicago.

Products Sold & Niche Developed

Galena Canning Company produces diverse lines of over 350 old fashioned canned and sauce items, including: Salsas, Pasta Sauces, BBQ Sauces, Chili, Relishes, Pickles, Hot Sauces, Mustards, Jams & Jellies, Fruit Butters, Syrups, Toppings, Flavored Oils and Vinegars. Among the sauces Chef Ivo produces is 100% natural hot “Blasting Sauce” which was won a number of national and international awards. All of the sauces are produced in the store’s kitchen, and features daily sampling of a wide variety of Chef Ivo’s famous products.

Market Segments Served

Galena Canning Company draws a diverse range of patrons. Drawing hundreds to thousands of customers each day, it said that everyone that comes to Galena visits the Canning Company.

Contributions to the Business Community

After all of the local bakeries closed due to competition with large retailers, Galena Canning Company moved to a larger location in the downtown to add a small bakery. The bakery also offers coffee throughout the day, which has become very popular. Galena County Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Chamber of Commerce use Chef Ivo’s products as promotions, as it is one of the few products still produced locally. Galena Canning Company does 20 – 30 festivals around the county each year, brining along promotional materials for the City of Galena. As a very active member of the Downtown Business Organization, Chef Ivo helped to organize Galena’s first art festival in 2008.

In 2006 Galena Canning Company purchased, moved into, and began to renovate the historic Americana Hotel. Built in 1842, the three-story hotel is located in the very center of the downtown and has been fully restored. Following the restoration, businesses significantly improved, as many other downtown businesses encouraged their patrons to check out the Canning Company. Business has increased 400%, and the biggest challenge is keeping up. “If it’s not the absolute best product we can make – we don’t make it.”

The second the third floors are used for the Canning Company offices and space for operating a very strong internet store. The Canning Company opens early and stays open late to maintain a larger downtown draw throughout the day, and is working with the Business Association to promote extended hours for all establishments. “As long as there are people – we’re open.” It is common that people are waiting outside in the morning when the business opens at 8am, and around until 11 at night. The bakery element is a large draw, especially in the morning and evening hours.

“#1 priority is quality products, #2 is customer service – that’s key.” – Chef Ivo

Review by: Joshua Clements, UW Extension CCED