Two new second hand shops open in the area
A fresh beginning for a sturdy barn near Rose City
by
Marlo Benning
Cindy Haffner has found a new use for the majestic
barn that sits on her property.
She isnít filling it up with farm animals, but rather has another use in mind. On May 16 she will be sharing her barn with others as the site of a consignment shop.
She and husband John have owned their farmstead just north of Rose City for the past four years. They raise registered Appaloosa horses and have also raised beef cattle in the past. She loves working with the horses and is responsible for the foaling part of the operation. It is more of a seasonal job, which brought about the idea to start her own business.
The reddish brown barn, built in the early 1930s, that they were mainly using for storage is in very good shape.
ìSo I said, ëYou know we should really do something with this old barníî, Haffner recalled.
Thatís when she devised a plan to clean it up and start a consignment shop within its rustic interior. She began fixing it up about a year ago. She pressure washed the ceiling and walls which more clearly revealed the authentic wood slats and boards.
The barn had been used for grain storage during the 80s and 90s, but still needed a good scrubbing down.
ìIt took at least 15 tanks of gas to get it clean,î Haffner said of the undertaking.
All new cement was poured last fall and the gutters were filled in. She has been busy since the weather has been turning warmer to put the final touches on the barn. Clever denim valances adorn each of the many windows that line the front and side of the structure and an old manure bucket carriage track remains and is decorated with lightsóKeeping in tune with the country aura of the property it sits upon and the shopís name of Country Consignments.
The 2000 square foot shop will be theme-based in its displays including separate areas for religious items, U.S.A., Christmas decor, safari decor, collectibles, outdoor/grilling and age/gender clothing areas to name a few. A fitting room will be available as well.
She wants to provide a non-cluttered atmosphere that is easy to shop in. Besides her used inventory, she will also have some new items for sale such as embroidered dish towels, birdhouses, jewelry and teddy bears.
She will accept most items with the exception of books, records, old electronics and upholstered furniture. Her consignment rates are 50/50.
The business is a good fit for Haffner with her previous work experience in sales, merchandise display and management. What she looks forward to the most is visiting with customers who seek out her rural store.
Because the barn is unheated at this time, she plans to be open from May through October. Her hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. To find the store, just follow County Road 18 north from Rose City for 1 1/4 miles.
Haffner will be awaiting your arrival with high hopes of fulfilling your shopping needs, whatever they may be. And if enough of you stop out, she would love to expand into the beautiful hayloft that is perched atop her shop.
Cindy
Haffner has put together ìthemeî sections throughout her new
consignment store for shopping ease. Above, she is touching up
the outdoor/grilling section which includes Rose City BBQís
products.
The
barn that will house Country Consignments was built in the
early 1930s. The business will open on Friday, May 16 just north
of Rose City.
Crazy Tree Thrift and Gift in Hewitt
by Karin L. Nauber
Itís still somewhat of a work in progress, but the Crazy Tree Thrift and Gift store has officially opened in Hewitt at the former Bits N Pieces location on Highway 210.
ìThe space was available and I saw a need for this in the community. Plus I really like thrift shopsótheyíre fun,î said Jenny Flanery, operator of the store.
The store will be open Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Flanery will operate on consignments and donations and will sell clothing of all sizes, books, dishes, knick knacks and ìstuff.î Donít come looking for electronics, however, because they wonít be selling any. But if you want gently used items for your baby, youíll have come to the right place.
She said they came up with the name ìCrazy Treeî one day when they were all sitting around at her momís cafÈ.
ìEveryone in the cafÈ was talking goofy and I wanted something that would stick in peopleís minds,î said Flannery.
Then they picked the paint colors.
ìThen we didnít know what to do with all the different colors. The kids had watched a movie ëMr. Magoriumís Wonder Emporium,í and we came up with the idea for the puzzle pieces,î she said. The pieces are an integral part of the theme of the store and are on the walls and floors.
The children helped paint, even little Gage, the Flaneryís youngest.
The bright, fresh colors in the store, coupled with the wide selection of items for sale, make the store a great place to shop.
Deanna Hall is a consignor at the store which opened on Thursday, May 8. She will also be working for Flanery when she needs a day off.
If you bring in items that are clean and gently used, you will get a much better consignment rate.
Call 218-924-2370 or better yet, stop in and see all that the Crazy Tree has to offer you.
Store
owner Jenny Flanery (left) and consignor/part-time employee
Deanna Hall went through some inventory on opening day.
The
storefront welcomes you to the newest shop in Hewitt.