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History
One of the first questions customers
often ask when they arrive at
Crooked Willow is, "What is the
history of this place?" Several
former occupants of the house have
come in to reminisce and tell me of
their memories of the farm. I have
even been fortunate to receive an
article that was written about the
farm and published in the
Minneapolis Sunday Tribune Picture
Magazine in 1955.
One of the first questions customers
often ask when they arrive at
Crooked Willow is, "What is the
history of this place?" Several
former occupants of the house have
come in to reminisce and tell me of
their memories of the farm. I have
even been fortunate to receive an
article that was written about the
farm and published in the
Minneapolis Sunday Tribune Picture
Magazine in 1955.
I began to imagine that the house and granary
could be fixed up and redecorated to become a
showcase for the antiques we had collected over
the years. Eventually I shared my ideas with Chris
and we decided to renovate the existing buildings
and create a quaint gift and antique shop in this
charming country setting.
could be fixed up and redecorated to become a
showcase for the antiques we had collected over
the years. Eventually I shared my ideas with Chris
and we decided to renovate the existing buildings
and create a quaint gift and antique shop in this
charming country setting.
Chris' Dad started calling the farm "Crooked Willow" after the curiously bent willow tree
growing gracefully in the front yard. The business now had a name.
The original farm house was built in the 1930's and a kitchen and garage were added in
the 80's. There were beautiful hardwood floors in the oldest part of the house - but
character was needed. With my vision and plans guiding the way, frequent trips to
various Twin Cities salvage and antique shops provided many, one of a kind
architectural gems. My method was to find the piece and then figure out how to
incorporate it into the redesign of the main house. The tin ceiling, built in cupboards and
antique lighting are the results of our salvage searches.
growing gracefully in the front yard. The business now had a name.
The original farm house was built in the 1930's and a kitchen and garage were added in
the 80's. There were beautiful hardwood floors in the oldest part of the house - but
character was needed. With my vision and plans guiding the way, frequent trips to
various Twin Cities salvage and antique shops provided many, one of a kind
architectural gems. My method was to find the piece and then figure out how to
incorporate it into the redesign of the main house. The tin ceiling, built in cupboards and
antique lighting are the results of our salvage searches.
The granary, which is now known as the Summer Kitchen,
was rebuilt from the inside out. Insulation and new siding
were added to the outside, while keeping the original
wood on the interior walls to create a warm cottage
atmosphere. A custom built screen door, stone floor and
vintage radiators complete the look.
was rebuilt from the inside out. Insulation and new siding
were added to the outside, while keeping the original
wood on the interior walls to create a warm cottage
atmosphere. A custom built screen door, stone floor and
vintage radiators complete the look.
Crooked Willow opened to the public on May 2, 2006. The
shop is managed by my life long friend, Rhonda Pooler.
With much hard work and dedication we hope we have
created an inviting shopping experience in this picturesque
rural atmosphere.
shop is managed by my life long friend, Rhonda Pooler.
With much hard work and dedication we hope we have
created an inviting shopping experience in this picturesque
rural atmosphere.
The work that has been done at Crooked Willow has been a labor of love. I have had
the privilege of working with many wonderful people on this project. The support and
encouragement of my husband, family and friends have meant everything to me. I
hope that when you come to visit us at Crooked Willow, you will enjoy the experience!
Terri Anderson
the privilege of working with many wonderful people on this project. The support and
encouragement of my husband, family and friends have meant everything to me. I
hope that when you come to visit us at Crooked Willow, you will enjoy the experience!
Terri Anderson
