Crosslake is growing and new businesses are coming to the city. This is the first in a series on commercial Crosslake. There are three commercial areas in the city - County Road 3, County Road 66 and Town Square.
Town Square is the newest retail center in Crosslake. New and just opened this spring is There's Room. Owner Sara Greeninger, a former buyer for a chain of retail stores in the Twin Cities, did her homework before opening There's Room.
She went back to school to earn a degree in business management at St. Scholastica through Central Lakes College and worked in a couple different stores learning about the area, the people, and all that the Brainerd lakes area has to offer.
"I knew I had more to learn about the area so I started a repping business and traveled all over northern Minnesota and Wisconsin, met some great people and really began formulating There's Room. In fact, I registered the name 'There's Room' knowing someday I would open a store," she said.
In January, she traveled to several shows around the country, finalizing the concept. There's Room takes pieces from many different decorating styles, including Modern, Asian, European, and, of course, Casual. Her theory is, if you like it, it will work in your home.
Take a good look at the store - the floor is stained concrete that makes a great background for the many area rugs and unusual tables, etc.
A corrugated steel base with a concrete counter makes an unusual but very attractive sales desk. An assortment of gears turns into a clock wall sculpture.
Being an environmentally conscious consumer, Greeninger tries to include as many recycled pieces and lines made in the United States as possible. She is using previously used bags for customers to take home their purchases. If a customer brings the bag back and makes another purchase, There's Room will give them 5 percent off.
Town Square anchoring stores are Lundrigans, Chocolate Ox and Rafferty's.
Lundrigans has been in Town Square for six years. Just like their stores in Nisswa and Walker, Lundrigans carries the brands you know and depend on, plus the latest fashions.
Rafferty's is the corner pizza parlor with a full menu, plus beverages. It's a grand place to have some carry-out and watch the Saturday night concerts at the Town Square gazebo.
Kuepers' Hearthroom will be opening soon. This will be a complete home design studio from architectural design and construction to designing the interior. The designers will help a customer with any one or all steps from concept to completion.
Totem Pole is a Nisswa tradition and the Town Square store has all the things you need for a summer at the lake - games for the kids, visors for mom, jewelry, clothing and a fun accessory.
Rustica opened in July 2004. A home furnishing store, you also will find the unusual, including artist designed tiles that are not repeated and become collectible. Rustica also has a design studio at the Northland Center in Nisswa. Watch for a special charitable event in August at the Town Square store.
Kristi and Joe Kraemer own the Lakes Area Gallery and Frame Shoppe. The shop is the place for custom framing, art and home dˇcor. You'll also find books, candles and clothing.
The Chocolate Ox is featuring dark chocolate-covered cherries - edible Fourth of July cherry bombs - as well as root beer floats, ice cream and candy from chocolate to jelly beans.
They also have a summer lemonade that all you need to do is add water and ice. There are 16 kinds of chocolates, chocolate by the pound, and a summer special - an ice cream happy hour featuring two-for-one cones Monday through Thursday.
Around the Edges and The Larson Group also are in Town Square.
Visit Town Square on a Saturday night and enjoy the concerts that start at 6:30 p.m. Several stores will be open and you can enjoy a concert, food and shopping.
