KEYESER — The shelves are once again fully stocked with cans of soup and vegetables, packets of instant potatoes and tuna, boxes of crackers and packs of candy cigarettes.
The fan belts really aren’t for sale at Gilbertson’s General Store but serve as a reminder of the past when the store sold auto and tractor parts, hardware and grain and seed. The store is now more focused on groceries, candy, specialty foods, gifts and its bar in the back.
People are also reading…
Rachel Munz and her husband, David, have reopened Gilbertson’s General Store in Keyeser in southern Columbia County. The store, a few miles northeast of DeForest and founded in 1894 but which closed in October 2024, features a mix of staples, specialty foods, gifts and cold bottles of beer at its bar. The vintage Coca-Cola sign above the front counter is still used to hold paper bags.
Gilbertson’s General Store is a throwback but filled with charm in the hamlet of Keyeser in southern Columbia County. Co-owner Dave Munz, seen here, and wife, Rachel, have plans to add a sweets bakery in the back room of the historic building and rent out the upstairs apartment for additional revenue.
A vintage coffee grinder is one of the many historic items at Gilbertson’s General Store. Dave and Rachel Munz also hope to repair a more than 100-year-old scale that is off by a half pound at the front counter. The hardwood floors were revealed earlier this year when the couple removed six layers of linoleum.
Dave Munz prepares to put up an American flag on the front of Gilbertson’s General Store. The business first opened in 1894, the same year Coca-Cola was first bottled, the Hershey Chocolate Company was founded and when Grover Cleveland was president.
D.B. Gilbertson, who founded Gilbertson’s General Store in 1894, still has his photograph displayed in the store. The business closed in October 2024 but reopened in June after being purchased by Rachel and Dave Munz, the first owners not to be related to the Gilbertson family.
The original wood floors at Gilbertson’s General Store were revealed after the removal of several layers of linoleum.
Photos: Gilbertson's General Store finds a future
Rachel Munz, co-owner of Gilbertson’s General Store in Keyeser, Wis., views the store’s mix of food staples and vintage items that occupy antique shelves at the business Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Gilbertson’s General Store co-owner Dave Munz carries items from the business in Keyeser, Wis. Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Gilbertson’s General Store owners Dave and Rachel Munz converse near the bar area of the business in Keyeser, Wis. Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Gilbertson’s General Store co-owner Dave Munz places an American flag outside the business in Keyeser, Wis. Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
A photograph of Gilbertson’s General Store founder D.B. Gilbertson is displayed inside the business in Keyeser, Wis. Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
A display of fan belts share a wall inside Gilbertson’s General Store in Keyeser, Wis. Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Candies and nuts are displayed in an antique cigar case at Gilbertson’s General Store in Keyeser, Wis. Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Limburger cheese offerings share a cooler inside Gilbertson’s General Store in Keyeser, Wis. Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Rachel Munz, co-owner of Gilbertson’s General Store in Keyeser, Wis., converses with visitors inside the business Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Gilbertson’s General Store co-owner Dave Munz works inside the business in Keyeser, Wis. Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
The original wood floors at Gilbertson’s General Store were revealed after the removal of several layers of linoleum.
Seasonal decorations share window space at Gilbertson’s General Store in Keyeser, Wis. Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
An antique scale is displayed at Gilbertson’s General Store in Keyeser, Wis. Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Rachel Munz, co-owner of Gilbertson’s General Store in Keyeser, Wis. views an antique cooler at the business Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
A photograph of Gilbertson’s General Store founder D.B. Gilbertson is displayed inside the business in Keyeser, Wis. Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. Pictured is the store’s new co-owner, Dave Munz. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
