The Spirit of Community in Delano is defined by the
Creativity, Resilience, and Community Investment of its people.
Borsch Building
Built in 1897
116 River St. N,
Built in 1897 at 116 River Street North, the John E. Borsch Building has housed more than a century of Delano businesses, beginning with T. B. Rader’s hardware and well supplies and later A. W. Wittman’s drug store. In 1921, Edward W. Keplinger purchased the building and moved his grocery business there, eventually opening Delano’s first Red & White store. After his death, his son Horace “Kep” Keplinger and wife Esther continued the business, expanding its produce operation—especially eggs—into an enterprise that eventually grew into Wrightco. Although the building was gutted by fire in 1932, it was rebuilt and continued serving Delano through a succession of businesses. Today, the historic storefront is home to Mainstreet Boutique, continuing the building’s long tradition as part of Delano’s River Street business district.
In 1897 John E. Borsch erected a solid brick store building, 25x85 feet, north of John Coolen’s Hardware store.
Sketch of Delano Businesses, Delano Eagle, 1898
T. B. Rader had his hardware and well supplies business in the building in 1898, and A.W. Wittman moved his drug store from Railroad Avenue to the John E. Borsch building in 1908. He remained there until 1921.
Keplinger’s
In February of 1920, Edward W. Keplinger and his son-in-law William Tarzwell moved with their families from Wisconsin to Delano. They bought the Delano Café, located on Bridge Avenue in the Brick Block building, from C. M. Peterson and took over the business.
Newell Kidder, E. W. Keplinger, Evelyn (Keplinger) Tarzwell, William Tarzwell, holding Irene Tarzwell, Joyce Keplinger, Goldie Keplinger, Francis Plotnik, Basil Tarzwell (standing in front)
Interior of the café and store.
1920 Ad.
In April of 1921 Keplinger bought the John E. Borsch building on River Street, and soon after moved the store there. He opened the first Red & White store in 1927, advertising the benefits of having the buying power of an international chain store system.
E.W. died in 1930, and his son Horace E. “Kep” Keplinger dropped out of college to succeed his father in operating the business, going into partnership with his mother in what was then known as Keplinger’s Grocery and Produce. Due to the depression, farmers were paying for their groceries with produce such as cream, poultry, and eggs.
1921 Ad.
In 1932 the store was gutted by fire. Horace E. Keplinger rebuilt the store, adding the produce department. That end of the business had phenomenal growth, especially with eggs, soon outstripping the original business in importance.
The Keplinger Food Store in Delano, located on River Street.
Keplinger’s , 1946
Interior of the store as pictured in the 1946 “Main Street”
The building was used by several different businesses over the ensuing years, alternating with being vacant.
In 2026, the building is the home of Mainstream Boutique, “a women’s clothing boutique” that is intentionally multi-generational.
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