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PEQUOT LAKES — While there's something to be said about knowing what you will find when you walk into a store, business owner Amy Larson knows variety is what will keep customers coming back.
"I don't necessarily carry the same thing all the time," Larson said. "I'm constantly switching things out and getting new and fresh stuff and up to date stuff. I do that a lot. Some things I carry that are very popular, like some of my signs that people find funny, but I do try to change out a lot of stuff."
Larson is the owner of Northern Edge Decor, a shop on Main Street in Pequot Lakes, where The Celtic Cottage stood for 25 years. Larson closed on the shop in February and opened in May.
She was partly inspired when she and her husband finished decorating their own home in Crosslake.
"I've always loved decorating," Larson said. 'I used to do a lot of door hangers myself and made signs and stuff like that at home, just for fun. But we just built a house and decorated with all kinds of stuff. Everybody who came in there said it could be in a magazine. I don't know, I guess with all of those compliments I just kind of decided it was time."
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The shop is full of decor that could fit in virtually any home or cabin in the lakes area. There are decorative boxes, seasonal candles and shelves, witty wall signs, rustic fabrics, as well as a small selection of dry foods like beer bread mix.
"I tried to do more rustic cabin feels because of the cabins around the area," Larson said. "I have nautical items. We carry some Bohemian chic items. I tried to do a bit of everything. I'm getting into more farmhouse style too."
Larson is currently the only employee. She hopes to grow to the point where she can hire.
"I'm starting up online," Larson said. "If it gets busier with my online store I'm hoping to be able to hire more help. Right now it's just me, especially now that it's not summer and it's slowed down a bit."
She hopes to stay open for winter, though she said a lot of local business owners have warned that January and February can get very slow. She hopes her online sales will supplement the physical store, especially during those months.
For the time being her store is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. The store is closed Sundays and Mondays.
Travis Grimler is a staff writer for the Pineandlakes Echo Journal weekly newspaper in Pequot Lakes/Pine River. He may be reached at 218-855-5853 or travis.grimler@pineandlakes.com.
