Featured in the photo are Julie Loge, Jacqui and Marv Dikken and Matt Dikken, at the store for the Business After Hours celebration on Tuesday, Feb. 10.

Long-time downtown business Dikken’s Decorating is celebrating a big milestone. The store has been in business for 50 years.

The name has changed a few times, and so has the location, but has remained in the ownership of the family for half a century now.

The opening day for the first version was on Dec. 17, 1975, and the ribbon cutting was on Feb. 13, 1976, exactly 50 years ago.

Back when it first opened it was called ‘The Work Shop’ and it was located at 120 N. Main Street. It was owned and operated by Marvin and Jacqui Dikken. Marvin’s area of the store had paint, paint supplies and wallpaper, while Jacqui’s part had macrame, cross stitching and other craft supplies.

They expanded into the building next door, and by 1995 they had outgrown even the two building space and moved to their current location at 109 South Main Street.

The Work Shop was renamed to Dikken’s Furniture and Decorating. The new space allowed for more display of furniture, flooring, gifts and home decor.

Last summer the name of the business was changed again to officially become Dikken’s Decorating. The furniture had become a challenge.

In January 2001, the business was honored as the Blue Earth Business of the Year.

On Tuesday, Feb. 10, Dikken’s Decorating celebrated with a special Business After Hours event.