It’s a bit of a family affair at the Farmstand General Store in Mortlach, but the four entrepreneurial owners involved in the homey boutique are more than happy to be sharing their space with one another.
The Farmstand is located on the main drag of the small town, occupying a century-old heritage site that was once an Anglican church but now features a pair of local businesses spicing up the local shopping scene.
“We were just looking for a little something extra to do in town, and she had a love for clothing, I have a love for home decor and so we amalgamated the two ideas,” said Angela Molde, who co-owns the boutique with neighbour Noelle Bossence.
The Farmstand is one of several interesting shopping and cuisine destinations in Mortlach, and Molde and Bossence have gone out of their way to carry products from local Saskatchewan makers.
The Farmstand carries plenty of different home decor and other items, including pottery handcrafted by ClayChic Ceramics in Caronport, organic coffee roasted near Regina from Duck Mountain Coffee Roasting Company, and soy candles from Match Candle Co. in Swift Current.
The store even carries honey from hometown supplier The Honey BuZzz Apiary in Mortlach.
“There’s a little bit of something that could suit anyone really,” said Molde.
Almost everything else in the store is sourced from Canada, said Molde, and the Farmstand is set apart as the only shop in town currently carrying clothing.
The Farmstand had customers in the door from the minute they opened on their anniversary day, showing off the support they’ve seen from the community.Molde and Bossence recently celebrated one year in business at the Farmstand, as well as one year in partnership with the church’s original inhabitants — Painted Brush Creations, owned by mother-daughter duo Dolores and Lindsey Unger.
Painted Brush has called the space home for about three years, said the Ungers, and they were more than happy to welcome the new boutique into their studio and storefront space for a beneficial collaboration.
“It was just us with our painting and workshops in here, but [Molde and Bossence] approached us and were looking for a space,” said Dolores, who first began the business doing workshops in her home several years ago and let it grow from there.
And collaboration is certainly the right term. With the tall vaulted ceiling and large windows of the church, the store is open and airy and filled to the brim with charming mismatched furniture completely refinished by Painted Brush and displaying all the different items curated by the Farmstand.
“The two businesses complement each other so well, they really do,” said Lindsey. “They definitely brought the charm, and nothing really competes with each other, it just compliments so well.”
In addition to selling their refinished furniture and custom signs at the store, Painted Brush is also happy to offer advice for at-home DIY projects and they stock the supplies needed, including paints, transfers, brushes and stamps.
Their signature product is Toronto company Fusion Mineral Paint, which features a built-in topcoat, and they also just stocked the new Milk Paint line over the weekend.
The Ungers also offers workshops for curated sign projects or furniture refinishing tips, and they even recently opened another store space in their home base of Swift Current.
“We’re excited about that, but this one definitely has the charm, there’s no question,” said Dolores.
“People come in for a can of paint and then they get looking, and they grab a scrunchie or try on some clothes, or vice versa,” said Lindsey.
The Farmstand General Store and Painted Brush Creations are located in a century-old church, dedicated as a heritage site in the town of Mortlach.Molde and Bossense agreed that since opening their doors, they have seen nothing but support from not only the local community but from visitors hailing from all over.
“I think we add a little something that makes new people come to Mortlach to see everything else we have to offer,” said Molde.
The Farmstand is definitely one of the reasons the small town has become a day-trip destination, said the pair, alongside all the other interesting stops that attract new visitors to Mortlach.
“It's something for people to do, and it’s nice to have a few different places to go, like Little Red [Market Cafe] and other different restaurants. It gives people a day out on a Saturday, or whatever,” added Bossence. “People come out from Regina and Moose Jaw [when they] want something to do, to get out of the city and go somewhere for the day.”
Both The Farmstand General Store and Painted Brush Creations are feeling confident in their continued success, and are looking forward to seeing more new faces dropping by to check out their unique space and locally made products.
The Farmstand General Store and Painted Brush Creations are both located at 213 Rose Street in Mortlach, Sask.
To keep up with the Farmstand General Store, visit their Facebook page for regular updates on products and hours.
To contact Painted Brush Creations about booking a workshop, check out their Facebook page or email them at [email protected].
