Back to business

You can't keep a good store down for too long.

After a fire destroyed the long-standing business Osceola Farm & Home Sunday, it seemed the questions on everybody's lips were, "What's going to happen next? Are they going to rebuild?"

Osceola Farm & Home is owned by brothers Jeff and Patrick Edwards. The supply store in Osceola has been in the family since the 1970s.

In a letter to the Osceola Sentinel-Tribune, Jeff Edwards said, "It's a great comfort to know that we have the support of our community, and we are inspired to rebuild as quickly as possible so we can once again have the privilege of serving the greater southern Iowa community."

No injuries were reported with the fire, which is fortunate since the blaze was severe enough to have eight area fire departments respond to the call for mutual aid.

The farm and home building, which also housed a tire shop, was considered a total loss after the fire.

As of this time, the cause of the fire is still unknown. However, the fire will continue to be under investigation by Osceola Fire Department, Osceola Police Department and the State Fire Marshall.

Edwards said work is being done to find retail space to provide the basic items they were known for to the community. It may be a smaller space with limited products, but down the road, a larger store is being planned to replace the old one.

Edwards added, he wanted to give a big thank-you to the community for their continued support.

"We don't have final answers yet on the cause of the fire or the amount of the loss, but we are focused on getting back in business as quickly as we can for your sake and ours," Edwards said.