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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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
Chris and I purchased the farm site at 11181 Highway 27
East as an investment property in the spring of 2004. Our
intent was to put up a Morton building for storage and a
work shop. We thought the farmhouse could be rented
out. Through out the summer, as we began to clean up
the property, paint a few rooms in the house and lay out
the plans for the shed, we started to see the potential for
other possibilities on the small acreage.
East as an investment property in the spring of 2004. Our
intent was to put up a Morton building for storage and a
work shop. We thought the farmhouse could be rented
out. Through out the summer, as we began to clean up
the property, paint a few rooms in the house and lay out
the plans for the shed, we started to see the potential for
other possibilities on the small acreage.