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Beltone reopens at new Austin location

Staff

Published Friday, November 14, 2008

You heard it right — Beltone has relocated and is now open at its new location on First Street Northwest.

The hearing aid and service center, whose relocation is part of the jail and justice center acquisition process, moved from 212 Fourth Ave. N.E. on Nov. 7 to the Donut Connection office building, where it opened for business the following day.

Demolition began on their former site Monday.

“We had to coordinate things in a reasonable way,” said Kurt Baumgartner, state licensed hearing specialist.

The interior is only Phase I of construction; the entire exterior of the office building will be renovated through the Main Street Project, with final approval pending.

Photo by Eric Johnson

Kurt Baumgartner with patient coordinators Kelly Flatgard and Linda Blom stand in the front area of their new store next to the Donut Connection Wednesday.

Beltone purchased the entire building; Donut Connection and Farmers Insurance — which also relocated from Second Street and Fourth Avenue Northeast — purchased their spaces from Beltone.

Baumgartner said they have prospects to lease the last available office space. The three offices stood vacant for about five years, he said.

“We were able to design everything,” he said, and the space is much bigger and quieter, which is crucial for his business. “Our main goal was to make sure our patient care was what they deserve.”

Beltone specializes in cleaning and checking all brands of hearing aids, hearing tests and new hearing aids. Staff have remained the same, with patient care coordinators Kelly Flatgard and Linda Blom.

Baumgartner also works in Albert Lea, Mason City, Iowa and Spring Valley, Minn. offices.

Born and raised in Austin, he went into the hearing business in 2003.

He was named “Specialist of the Year” in 2007 based on unit sales, average selling price, patient care and satisfaction.

Beltone is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Their phone number has not changed: 433-4327.

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