New Bricelyn business opens

Ron and Valerie St. Martin recently opened Von’s Household Goods and Computer Repair in Bricelyn.

When Ron and Valerie St. Martin moved to Bricelyn five years ago, one of the primary reasons was their desire to live in a small town and enjoy the simpler lifestyle which accompanied being in a smaller community.

But, they also wanted to become part of the fabric of the city. So, while Valerie has already been the manager at the Bricelyn Swimming Pool for five years, the couple also decided to open a store in Bricelyn which would lessen the need for people to leave town to buy things they were looking for.

“It’s ironic,” Valerie mentions. “We opened our store so people did not have to drive to Albert Lea to find certain items and now we have people from Albert Lea coming to Bricelyn to shop for things.”

The store is called Von’s Household Goods and Computer Repair. They offer a variety of items from toys for kids, clothes, tools, and weed whips to lawn mowers.

In addition to the storefront, the couple also operates an Ebay store under vbro4090.

“One of the hottest items right now is our hardware,” Valerie says.

Indeed, the store, which is located across the street from City Hall, has a large selection of door pulls, hinges, knobs and hooks – all priced at $1 per piece.

“We will buy items when stores close or when stores replace inventory with the newest year’s model,” Valerie explains. “We are able to offer those things for sale at a very reduced price.”

And if the store doesn’t have an item, Valerie will find it and order it for no extra charge.

While Valerie is in charge of sales, Ron is the computer repair guy. He also will fix any kind of cell phone.

“The young kids keep me busy putting new screens on their phones,” he says with a smile. “Seems like they break quite often.”

He enjoys working on computers and formerly owned a store in Albert Lea called Captain Ron’s Computers.

“I also operated a computer shop in Ellendale,” he notes.

He will custom build computers for gaming or any other needs a person may have. Ron is also able to repair laptops and tablets and scan the computers for, and remove, viruses to restore the machines so they are running at their best.

He was born and raised in Faribault and worked as a diesel mechanic at TA Trails in Albert Lea and then at Albert Lea Tractor.

“The owner of Albert Lea Tractor also had me set up a computer program for keeping track of his parts,” he mentions. “So, he kind of got a two-for-one deal.”

Valerie is a native of Albert Lea who became an accountant and spent some time in the Twin Cities.

“I had my own business and I loved doing taxes,” she comments.

However, an accident 21 years ago forced her to make a change in her life.

“I was rear-ended by a drunken driver,” she shares. “I have four herniated disks and I could no longer sit at a desk for an extended period of time.”

The couple met in Albert Lea 11 years ago.

Then, six years ago, another accident changed their lives.

“We were riding motorcycle with Val riding with me on my bike,” Ron shares. “A pregnant woman who was having a medical emergency pulled out in front of us. It was not her fault, just an unfortunate situation.”

A friend witnessed the accident and picked up the bike and got it off the road and took the couple home.

“Ron wasn’t going to go to the hospital,” Valerie says. “Then, I held up my bloody, mangled hand and said I wasn’t going to go either.”

Ron changed his mind and the couple got medical help.

He ended up with spinal stenosis, which is a narrowing of the spaces within your spine, and can put pressure on the nerves that travel through the spine.

“I was forced to retire as a mechanic,” Ron remarks.

But even though both Ron and Valerie have had to deal with issues from their accidents, they both remain upbeat and positive.

“We’re here. We have much to be thankful for,” Ron says.

When they made the decision to try small-town living five years ago, they checked out Bricelyn.

“We found a house, fell in love with it and restored it,” Ron explains.

And then they became part of the town.

“There is something special about knowing your neighbors, the people who live around you,” Ron comments. “You do not get that in the larger cities.”

It is also a town where Ron can spend time working on his classic cars – when he has time.

“I have a 1952 MG TD and an Austin Healey,” he notes. “I have always loved the little two-seaters and enjoy driving the MG in the annual parade in town.”

Now, they are part of the Bricelyn business community which has also seen a new repair shop/gas station and a motorcycle shop recently open.

The couple plan to begin hosting a flea market the first Saturday of every month beginning July 2.

“We own the open lot to the north of the building and will charge people $5 if they want to have a place to sell their items,” Valerie explains.

The store’s hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. They are also open on Saturdays beginning at 10 a.m. with a closing time of 2 p.m.

People can also call the store at 507-320-8737.

“We still have some work to do on the building,” Valerie says. “We want to repaint the exterior and get a sign put up. But, we are very happy to be here in this community.”