Birch, a family business offering feminine fashion, vintage treasures, home decor, body products and more, opens today in Lake Nebagamon's Village Corner building, 6869 Lake Ave. The storefront last housed a bakery and cafe.
Co-owners Britta Smith and her mother, Sara Martinson, tucked in the newest find - a 1950s-era ice bucket - Friday as they ticked off the days to opening.
"Everything in the store makes me happy," Smith said. "It's just kind of a selection of everything I love and my mom loves and I think there's something for everyone here."
Since they leased the space in February, Birch has been a family project.
Smith brings an eye for fashion and new items, many of which she found on Etsy. The boutique carries Savannah Bee body products, Lucky Feather inspirational jewelry and Natural Life products as well as handbags, candles, baby onesies, pillows, coasters and more.
ADVERTISEMENT
Visitors will find women's clothing in sizes XS to 3X, in styles that fit real body types. Spring pastels, colorful scarves and accessories lined the racks Friday.
Martinson and her husband, Bill, who live in Brule, add their passion for vintage items to the boutique.
"My mom and dad have auctioned my whole life," Smith said, spending their weekends, and some evenings, hunting vintage finds.
Birch gives them a new outlet for the items they find and restore. A walk through the shop offered a trip to the past, from classic dish patterns and planters to working lamps and radios. Folks should see something different every time they stop by.
"The vintage items are unique and typically we don't get the same item twice," Smith said.
The family support doesn't stop there. Smith's 15-year-old niece designed the logo for Birch; her sister helped set the shop up. Her father also served as handyman and carpenter, turning salvaged wood from a cabin into a dressing room, counter base and wall.
Neighbor businesses have welcomed the boutique to the village.
"I know Patti really well from Patti's Dockside," Smith said. "She's been really supportive. Lake Life Products next door, they've been great. They did all my vinyl for the windows. They're doing the signs."
ADVERTISEMENT
Neighbor businesses Country Cottage Hair Designs and TAC Tax and Accounting Service have accepted packages for the new business when Smith and Martinson weren't there.
"The ladies at the post office are excited," Martinson said, pointing at the building across the street.
So are the more than 400 people following the Birch Facebook page.
Martinson, a retired LPN, said she'll be putting in more hours at the boutique than she did at her previous job. Her biggest concern right now is learning to run the cash register.
"We're very ready," said Smith, who works part time at Essentia Health. "I hope that this helps build Nebagamon and makes it more of a day destination, not just a place for the cabin and summer people, but year-round."
Birch will be open seven days a week - 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. For more information, visit the Birch Facebook page.
