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Crafts, antiques at the Cinnamon Shack

Louise Gehrt and Sherry Peterson turned their love of crafts and antiques into a business.

They opened the Cinnamon Shack this past Mother’s Day weekend and plan to have their seasonal shop open through November.

Next year’s season will be the same.

Located at N3202 State Highway 110, the business is on a three-acre parcel one block off of White Lake that Gehrt purchased several years ago.

Inside what was once a granary customers find crafts – some made by Gehrt and Peterson.

They continue to look for consigners of handcrafted items and also for vendors and artists.

Already the Cinnamon Shack has consigners bringing jewelry and wooden trains.

The two women became friends about 20 years ago when they lived on dairy farms next to each other.

Peterson, who is a parent’s aide in the Waupaca County Department of Health and Human Services, enjoys working on crafts during the winter.

Gehrt, who does in-home care and manages and apartment complex, is also crafty.

She envisions the property as being a place that welcomes artists – a place they may go to to work on their art or just relax – simply be placing a call to let them know.

While neither Peterson or Gehrt farms today, Gehrt says farming remains in her blood.

They want to preserve the history of the farm buildings and to transform the property into a unique country shop.

Antiques that they find at auctions and estate sales are inside the barn, and future plans include turning the milk house into their workshop and the gazebo into a coffee area.

“It’s like a piece of heaven here,” says Gehrt.

Even the outhouse is decorated, and they will have a Halloween trick or treat through the haunted Cinnamon Shack. Tour it the week before Halloween.

Gehrt said they offer many original, one-of-a-kind pieces and the prices on their items include sales tax.

Customers may purchase Hallmark cards for $1 each after they bought out a store in West Virginia.

Christmas items are 50 percent off, and those who bring this article into the Cinnamon Shack will receive 10 percent off their total purchase.

Gehrt said non-profit organizations may hold an event such as a brat fry on the property. To make such a plan, call 715-281-1200 or 715-250-3410.

Their crafty creations include flowers made out of aluminum cans, wooden sunflowers and birdhouses.

In addition to transforming the buildings, Gehrt also works at adding shrubs and flowers on the property.

When Gehrt first saw the parcel, it reminded her of her grandmother’s property.

“People would just stop in,” she said. “She made homemade bread. It was some of the best memories. I think that is why it has developed into this.”

For years, Gehrt thought about opening such a store, said Peterson.

Peterson said they have a little bit of everything, including new, handmade and antique items.

Gehrt said those who have antiques and other items and are interested in selling them may stop in to show them what they have.

“We do have clients looking for specific things,” she said. “We get them in, or we have them made. They go quickly. This is my passion. I don’t want it to be work. That’s why I’m taking it slow. Everybody’s been absolutely wonderful.”

The Cinnamon Shop is open from 11 a.m to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

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