Dralle’s Department Store in Greene still a thriving business

By Kelly Terpstra, kterpstra@charlescitypress.com

Customers still pass under the big green awning to enter Dralle’s Department Store.

Once inside, they’ll find mattresses, Hallmark cards, recliners, clocks and — once the weather warms up — fresh and juicy ribeye steaks.

Dralle’s is a department store and so much more.

Even during one of the coldest weeks northern Iowa has seen in recent memory, loyal customers braved the frigid winter weather to shop at one of Butler County’s most famous landmarks.

“My grandpa has been getting his overalls here for 75 years,” said a happy customer as she exited through the doors at Dralle’s, an institution in Greene since 1896.

That’s 123 years of being in business, if you’re counting.

Business is good at the corner of East Traer and South 2nd Street in Greene, where the family-run retail and department store has thrived, decade after decade.

Rick and Melinda Ritter recently took over complete ownership of the department store that specializes in furniture and floor coverings.

“That’s our bread and butter,” said Rick.

It’s a landmark and institution that’s still going strong.

“It is a true, old-time department store,” he said.

Rick first started working at Dralle’s as a carryout boy while still in high school in 1976. He became partner in 1999 with the most recent owners, Jeff and Pam Dralle.

Jeff is a third-generation owner of Dralle’s. His grandfather emigrated from Germany and joined the family business in 1913 when it was called Buchholz and Dralle’s. The name was changed to Dralle’s Department Store in 1966.

Don’t look for that name being changed anytime soon.

“People know Dralle’s — the big green awning on the corner,” said Rick. “To change that would be throwing away years of experience and knowledge.”

When discount chains made a significant dent into retail department stores in the 1970s, Dralle’s adapted and survived. When malls took over America a decade later and then Walmarts became as commonplace as McDonald’s, Dralle’s still pushed through and persevered.

“We just have good, quality people here that like to shop local,” said Rick. “We’ve got third- and fourth-generation shoppers. Their parents and grandparents brought them here when they were kids.”

Dralle’s continues to succeed despite the ever-changing market, including the influence of online sales.

One of the reasons is customer service.

“That’s part of our personal touch,” said Melinda, who helps with the bookkeeping and ordering.

“We’ve got to have friendliness and service to keep ‘em coming in,” said Rick. “You treat ‘em like family. If there’s a problem, we’re going to take care of it.”

Dralle’s stopped selling women’s clothes in 2001. Two years later in 2003 the full-service grocery store went away.

Rick, who was a floor installer for many years and also worked in the meat department, still sells 95-percent lean ground beef.

“We’ve got people say that when I quit making hamburger, they’re going to quit eating it. They just love our hamburger,” Rick said.

The two-story brick building that spans three store fronts also sells fabric and quilts, sewing machines, boots, suits, as well as candles and Willow Tree Angels — handcrafted figurines that Melinda says are big sellers.

“We get people coming from Waterloo to buy their jeans here because they can’t find them in Waterloo. Go figure,” said Rick. Others come from as far as Mason City.

“A lot of the younger generation have never had that personal touch, where they come in and we know ‘em by name,” said Rick.

Dralle’s does have a Facebook page and customers can look at items to be purchased on its website. The Ritters don’t advertise pricing online, but customers do inquire about merchandise through email or phone.

Rick said he has six employees who help out with the daily operation of the store. Jeff and Pam still work at the store as well.

A lot has changed in the world since the late 19th century, but there’s still plenty that stays the same — including the store’s name.

“You’ve got to do it, keep it going for the Dralle family and for us,” said Melinda.

“My grandmother had a ledger,” Melinda said. “She used to trade eggs and stuff for flour. My aunt still has that ledger. They traded here.”