Known for their sweet corn, Klotz Corn Shack has been a stable local source for delicious corn and other fresh local produce for generations.
Beginning as a picnic table set up at the end of the driveway in 1976, the Klotz family started their business with simple intentions: servicing the community, and sharing their signature sweet corn. Fifty years later after expansions, time, and change, the Klotz family remains a defining presence of Garrett County, emulating family connection, and values of service and hard work.
The Klotz farm has been with the family for generations. Becky Hauser, a member of the Klotz family, daughter to Doug and Bonnie Klotz, spoke about her history, “[my parents]...they’d planted corn with my Grandpap Russell Klotz…”
Hauser explained how her grandfather and grandmother Thelma Klotz originally owned the farm, and it was then purchased by her parents, Doug and Bonnie Klotz.
In 1976, Doug and Bonnie Klotz — happily married and with their 1-year-old daughter Becky — set up their table under a large shade tree at the end of Klotz Road. Over the next years, the family expanded with more children, and a demand for more sweet corn.
“It was under a big oak tree at the end of the road… we would bag corn up and people would come by and we’d be sitting there selling corn…” Hauser recalled of her days helping her family sell corn at the table.
The family business was strong, and needed more space to expand for the demand they were receiving.
“They built a little pavilion just across our driveway… each year we would expand with pop-up tents, tables and produce…” Hauser explained. “Eventually in 2012 we moved to this building [the present building of Klotz Corn Shack] … so my mom and dad actually built this building… they have always owned it.”
Hauser explained how the building was previously constructed to be a rental for Cocomo’s Ice Cream, which went out of business in 2012. The family decided to move into the building for their business.
“My husband was a builder…” Bonnie Klotz, wife and owner said. “It was just a matter of being outside and you couldn’t display anything.”
After moving to the building in 2012, Klotz Corn Shack solidified its presence in Garrett County even more. Now with walls and a foundation, the family could find more ways to serve community members through the famous sweet corn, tomatoes, fall pumpkin patch, mums, and local maple syrup.
“My son does maple syrup that comes from the farm.” Bonnie Klotz said, adding another locally sourced product to the family’s line. Little Wood Choppers pure maple syrup – made by Tim Klotz – is on the corn shack shelves.
Doug and Bonnie Klotz owned and operated Klotz Corn Shack together until 2020 when the family experienced the loss of Doug Klotz – a pillar of his family– a father, husband, and farmer.
“He was a genius about everything growing stuff,…” Becky said. She honors her father’s memory through keeping up with the corn shack, and staying close to family.
“Everybody pitches in to help… kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, my aunt is here… she lives on the farm with mom [Bonnie Klotz].”
This is fully a family business, owned and operated that way for half a century. In celebrating the accomplishments, memories, and staple resources that Klotz Corn Shack brings to Garrett County, the importance of family, dedication, and honest work can be seen. Through hardship and loss, the Klotz family remains a pillar themselves to the county, keeping that sweet corn coming.
Article courtesy of The Garrett County Republican. Photo courtesy of Claudia Reynolds. Staff writer Claudia Reynolds can be reached at creynolds@wvnews.com
