Three Colfax women open business in Bloomer

By LeAnn R. Ralph

BLOOMER —  Three women from Colfax have opened a business in Bloomer called the Shabby Shed Boutique.

Elisha Rieck, Yvette Edwards and Lisa Bragg-Hurlburt have been running the store since July, although the Shabby Shed’s official grand opening is October 11 through October 13.

“Elisha got the idea going. She was a massage therapist, but then she suffered a neck injury and couldn’t do that kind of work anymore,” Bragg-Hurlburt said.

Elisha thought she needed to do something different and started crafting, she explained.

Through a networking organization called the Polka Dot Powerhouse, Elisha Rieck met the original owner of the Shabby Shed Boutique, Bragg-Hurlburt said.

The original owner of the Shabby Shed wanted to sell the business, and then Yvette Edwards decided to become a co-owner, she said.

According to the Polka Dot Powerhouse’s website, the organization’s goals are about “changing the world by connecting the dots.” The organization “is about surrounding yourself with the most positive, active, productive and collaborative people in the world.”

After Rieck and Edwards became partners, Bragg-Hurlburt started as a consignor at the Shabby Shed to sell her portraits and other craft work, such as holiday crafts.

“I started working at the shop, and I just loved it. After a while, I asked if I could be a co-owner, too,” she said.

“We are very busy. So far we’ve had a great reception in Bloomer. We’re really excited about the grand opening,” Bragg-Hurlburt said.

The Shabby Shed is described as a consignment store that features the work of local artisans, such as portraits, home decor, seasonal or holiday decorations, antiques, honey products, jewelry, make-up, clothing accents, knitwear, and cards.

People who live within an hour or two of Colfax or Bloomer produce all of the items at the Shabby Shed, Bragg-Hurlburt said.

“We have a lot of things that would be perfect for gifts or if you just want to indulge yourself a little bit,” she said.

The grand opening will feature a store-wide sale, refreshments and drawings for prizes, including gift certificates to the Shabby Shed.

The Shabby Shed will have extended store hours on Friday, October 11, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, October 12, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, October 13, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The store’s normal store hours are Wednesdays from noon to 4 p.m.; Thursdays from noon to 7 p.m.; Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m.

To find out more information about the Shabby Shed, visit the boutique’s Facebook page or visit the store’s blog at www.shabbyshedboutique.blogspot.com.