MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)–A longtime insurance and financial services agency, is building on the foundation established by its forefathers.
Dostal & Kirk Insurance & Financial Services, with offices in Bucyrus, Galion, and Powell, has now opened a location in downtown Marion. The newly renovated building at 179 E. Center Street is a perfect fit with the firm’s business model, according to partner Mike Dostal.
“Each decision to expand into a new community is always a very strategic decision,” said Dostal, a third-generation owner. “We enjoy bringing our culture, community involvement, and vast product offerings into new markets to serve a whole new client base.”
The office, which opened January 1, is housed in a co-working space called Connect Coworx.
It features glass-enclosed offices, a private conference room, and access to a courtyard and outdoor seating at the rear of the building. An official ribbon cutting is set for Tuesday, March 19, beginning at 4:30 p.m., with an open house to follow.
The agency, however, has been serving clients in the Marion area since 2017 when it purchased Scharer Family Insurance, said Dostal’s partner, Logan Kirk. In 2019, the “Scharer” name was dropped. “We kept the name for a few years and then decided it made more sense to rebrand to Dostal & Kirk.”
The office is being managed by Marion native Evan Geyer, who joined Dostal & Kirk as an insurance advisor in 2020. “We just felt like it was a good cultural fit,” Kirk said. “We like the city center feel, the downtown vibe, in all three cities.
It’s been a dream come true.”
The agency’s insurance roots, however, go back to 1875, when John Schaber established the Auck-Dostal Agency in Bucyrus. Joseph Neff and Milton Lewis operated it after a merger until 1956, when John Dostal partnered with Neff to form the Neff-Dostal Agency.
Dostal’s son, David Dostal, joined the company in 1969. Another merger took place in 1995 when Neff-Dostal decided to unite with the Auck Agency in town – owned by David Auck – to form the Auck Dostal Agency.
David’s son, Mike Dostal, came on board in 2005.
Four years later, Auck Dostal merged with Kirk Insurance & Financial Services in Galion – established by Jeff Kirk – to form Dostal & Kirk Insurance & Financial Services.
The move made it the largest agency in Crawford County to offer a complete line of insurance and financial services.
The firm expanded once again in 2012 when it opened the Powell location. Logan Kirk, Jeff’s son, joined the firm in 2016 as an insurance advisor and became a partner in 2021. “Business has been good. We have developed our practice heavily on relationships,” he said.
The company, Kirk said, is unique because it specializes in more of a “wholistic” solution for both insurance needs and financial planning.
“Insurance can be commoditized, especially in this day and age. We’re focused on being true advisors and partners, and that bodes well with our clients.”
And down the road?
Dostal sees additional growth for the agency, especially along the Route 23 corridor from Columbus to Crawford County. “We are always open to mergers and acquisitions to expand our footprint. One of our top priorities is to find a producer or two in the Columbus area to join our team.”
Whether it’s property or casualty insurance, 401K plans, or custom investment strategies, Dostal & Kirk’s team believes in the importance of solid client relationships, Dostal said. “Our business model and the processes we have in place are well received by clients looking for professional advice to protect what matters most to them.”
“For all of life’s milestones.”