Our parents, Karl and Clarice Krautter, purchased the existing Collins Jewelers in 1959, and renamed it to K & C Jeweler’s. Clarice had worked for the previous owners for a number of years, and convinced Karl to take a chance and invest in their own business.

With only a High School education, they were able to build a successful business based upon high quality product lines, a genuine love for the community, and an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect for their many patrons, who became loyal customers and friends.

We hope that many of you remember our parents from those years the way that we do: Clarice’s outgoing personality and welcoming smile, and Karl’s low-key, quick-witted style.

We would also like to acknowledge and thank Freda Grueser for her many years of service to our family, she was a loyal part of K & C Jeweler’s almost from the beginning.

Sadly, Karl passed away in December of 1988, leaving Clarice and Freda on their own, and our family with a decision to make. We decided that we wanted to stay in business, and hired Terry Farrar to take over the watch repair, ring-sizing, etc. that Karl had always handled. Terry proved to be a good fit, and he gradually took on more and more responsibility. 

In 1997, Clarice and Freda both decided to retire, and Terry accepted the job of store manager. He soon began making changes that were necessary to keep the business vital and competitive. We also hired Paige Cleek, whose bubbly personality and artistic flair gave the business a new look, and a new life. Terry hired several other sales staff, all of whom were very nice, friendly, and did a great job in the store.

Early in 2006, Kim and I decided to invest our time and resources into a new business idea that we believed could compete with the big-box stores, and would offer something unique to local residents. Thus began the transformation from K & C Jeweler’s, Inc. to Food for Thought Community Market.

Kim has spent the last several years working with natural health practitioners, studying natural remedies and health supplements while living in Lancaster, Ohio. She left her job at Health in Hand in order to be in Meigs County, devoting her time to care-giving.

I am currently employed with the State of Ohio as an Information Technology Manager and am having much more fun with this, our first business venture.

Text by Keith Krautter