Stamp That: Your Most Efficient Printing and Shipping in Town!

After college, Alicia Blankenfeld wasn’t exactly planning on being the owner of the popular Total Choice Shipping & Printing store in Grinnell. Instead, she landed herself a job at the Boone Chamber of Commerce, where she spent time meeting local business owners.

“One of them was a shipping store owner, and we quickly became friends,” shares Blankenfeld with today’s Chamber Ambassadors. After Blankenfeld moved back to Grinnell to start her family, her friend let her know there was talk about opening a shipping store in town. “They wondered if I would be the one to do it,” she recalls.

Blankenfeld was aware she was brand-new to the printing industry. But that didn’t stop her from roping in her husband, Cory Blankenfeld. “Even though he had never bought a postage stamp, much less been to the post office, we were in!” she laughs.

Now over 22 years into the business, you can refer to the Blankenfelds as your local shipping and printing experts. Following the retirement of long-time employee Lori Versendaal last fall, they hired a new team made up of local Grinnell High School and Grinnell College students, and full-time retail sales associate Sarah Schroeder. Schroder, who is now entering her 4th month working at Total Choice, says she loves working with the Grinnell community. “So far, so good!” she laughs.

What she thinks is most surprising about working at Total Choice? “The Christmas season! I realized I love sending happiness all over the place.”

Together, Total Choice is your local powerhouse. They produce professional posters and can print almost anything in any size — stickers, brochures, business cards, name tags, and more (they even printed designs onto golf balls and glassware). If you ask, they can also print your mobile pictures or create personalized note pads and banners for your celebrations and events. Their in-house graphic designer, Keegan Strovers, can produce designs and carry out production jobs smoothly. With their advanced equipment, the team can print nearly anything and produce most work directly in-house.

“Everything we do here has been self-taught, but we’ve had wonderful mentors through the years, including the Latimers.” If you think only a large city is capable of your shipping and printing needs, think again!

If you enter Total Choice today, you might also notice their brand-new self-service kiosk, designed with your Amazon returns in mind! Additionally, Total Choice is a service hub for UPS and FedEx, meaning you can pay to send packages anywhere around the world!

During the Sweet Stroll on Friday, February 6, Total Choice will be open until 8 PM! This year, Total Choice will offer chocolate and beverage samples, as well as premade Valentine’s and canvas painting kits available for purchase. Plus, stop in to build a “grab bag” with assorted Valentine’s Day trinkets and a treat. If you’re not here for the Sweet Stroll, not to worry — Total Choice can create personalized canvases, print your couple photos, Valentine’s Day stickers, and even love letters!

Visit Total Choice (800 4th Ave in Grinnell) from 8 AM-6 PM Monday through Friday and 9 AM-1 PM on Saturday, or call them at 641-236-7447. “We are pretty adaptable, and we love fun projects,” says Blankenfeld. “Any ideas you might have, send them our way!”

Chamber Ambassadors from left to right:

• Jennifer McAlexander — JM Consulting & Hawkeye Lock & Security
• Fran Conn
• Claire Burch — Temp Associates Grinnell
• Desiree Strayer — German Plumbing Heating and Cooling
• Matt Karjahlati — REMAX Partners Realty- Grinnell
• Bri Gaunt — Community 1st Credit Union
• Nicolle Donnelly — Poweshiek Insurance Agency
• Cory Blankenfeld — Total Choice Shipping & Printing
• Sarah Schroeder — Total Choice Shipping & Printing
• Keegan Strovers — Total Choice Shipping & Printing
• Alicia Blankenfeld — Total Choice Shipping & Printing
• Dan McCue — McCue & Associates LLC - American Family Insurance
• Donna Fischer — UnityPoint Health - Grinnell Regional Medical Center
• Donnette Ellis — Grinnell College Community Connections & Grinnell College
• Trent Arment — MCG - Mahaska Communication Group
• Rachel Arsenault — Ramsey-Weeks Inc. Real Estate
• Yesenia Mozo — Grinnell Chamber
• Monica St. Angelo — Grinnell Area Arts Council
• Nikki Armstead — Grinnell Chamber
• Becky Broadston — Country Inn & Suites by Radisson
• Not pictured: Blake Pearson — Converge Chiropractic PLLC