Posted Wednesday, July 6, 2011 --- 6:45 a.m.

A local business is doing it's part to help other area businesses succeed! The Lafayette County General Store in Belmont is a non-profit store with one goal: to promote products born and bred in southwestern Wisconsin.

It's a little country store located just off of Highway 151 in Belmont.

“We represent most of the cheese companies in the area,”

Ken Harwood is the general manager of the Lafayette County General Store.

“Well, I think the first thing everyone says is 'wow we didn't know you had so many things that are local!”

They solely sell products made in this section of the state.

“We feature beer, cheese, wine, meat, art and it's all made here. What we wanted to do is tell the stories of the businesses in southwest Wisconsin. So everything in here is manufactured within 50 to 75 miles within the store,” said Harwood.

“The hot mustard right in front of my sells pretty well,”

Scott Wilson works at the store. He says business has grown in the three months they've been open and most people are pleasantly surprised when they step inside.

“I hear people say 'wow, I didn't know this was made right here in town!” said Wilson.

“It's solely for the area. The company is not out to make money, we are just trying to promote the area,” explained Wilson.

“I don't know why this happens, but we can't keep Martha's Hot Mustard on the shelves,” said Harwood.

Harwood says the store is a boost to the local economy and it let's other potential small business owners know that they can do it too.

“There are success stories that we want to use to encourage other people to do these same things in southwest Wisconsin,”

The Lafayette County General Store is open everyday from 10 am to 7 pm.

It's located at 327 Stone Hill Ave., Belmont, WI 53510

Phone: 608-616-0532
web site: futurelafayette.com/store
email: store@futurelafayette.com