The nurses I worked with were really passionate about their city.  A city that produces dog food, licorice, turkeys, cheese, and potato chips and smells - depending on the day - like a combo of random sorts.  The employees of the hospital donated their own money to help build the new one coming.  The owner of one of the large factories has donated to the schools when closings seemed eminent.  And when one of the factories faced likely shutdown, 25 of the blue-collared employees pooled their money together to keep it going and have grown it like crazy. 


So I wandered downtown and came across - by no exaggeration, seriously - the most awesome thrift/antique boutique store I have literally ever been to!  Arranged by color, and prices that make you smile in delight the entire visit, it's like an Etsy store for vintage exploded.  You know how long it takes to find that perfect salt and pepper shaker at an antique shop?  This one has at least a dozen to drool over!


So go to Perham.  Check out the store, In With the Old.


As I checked out with my salt and pepper shaker, I shared with one of the owners how we're thinking of opening our own shop.  She was totally stoked...and inspired me to keep pursuing it..."even though winter sucks for business, it's worth it" she said.




Creative, vintage displays of a vast array of homemade to higher profile gifts decked the walls.


I only post this not great photo below to show you a great idea for burlap coffee sacks - thick pillows for sitting on!


But one of the shop's main squeezes is the awesome selection of wine and beer brewing supplies!  Plus for every 10 kits you buy you get one free - and she keeps track of your punch card for you;)  Win.  We, again, talked of owning small businesses...she didn't take a day off for a year and finally this January (almost a year after opening) she hired her first employee...and loves it all!  She said..."good luck with your store!" as I left...and that inspired a whole lotta goodness inside me!



Point:  I loved being inspired by a true community.  It inspires me to continue on the ideal to build it here regardless of the turnover of friends moving away - or staying!

I am so inspired, also, by regular, average joe's just doing it.  Taking a risk and following their folly in the small business world.  And who haven't become so cynical about the hardships of it to discourage you from it!  {I should've known this about nursing with all the "happy" nurses who told me to avoid it!}  Honesty, encouragement, and creative idea sharing are beautiful.

So...want to move to Perham with me??



xoxo