DAVID AND MICHELLE (DeCock) Van Engen can see beyond the crumbling mortar, the moisture damage, the buckling floor boards, the teal paint.
Just barely into major renovation of an historic 1892 bank building and former long-time bakery in downtown Lamberton, this Burnsville couple is thoughtfully and methodically working toward their summer 2013 goal of opening Seven Sisters Coffee.
Even the name, Seven Sisters, holds special significance for the pair as Michelle, 29, is one of seven sisters and three brothers who grew up in Lamberton, a strong agricultural community of 822 in Redwood County on the southwestern Minnesota prairie. Additionally, Michelle notes that Seven Sisters possesses multiple meanings—in Greek mythology, astronomy and even as a mountain range.
The Van Engens may, perhaps, feel at times as if they are scaling a mountain to reach their goal of establishing a combination cafe, coffee shop and entertainment venue in the 1,900 square foot first floor of the 8,000 square foot brick building. But they are purposeful and focused and driven every week to travel 2 ½ hours from their south metro home to proceed with their project on the prairie.
David, 28, a native of Sioux Center, Iowa, envisions Seven Sisters as “an artistic haven as well as a community space.” He expects “townies,” he says, to frequent the front Main Street side of the building, the bright and cheery cafe section offering a full breakfast and lunch menu and ice cream treats from a soda fountain.
And in the rear area of exposed brick walls, David expects artists and others to hang out in a more energetic and modern New York loft style space devoted to music and art and private event rental. David is an accomplished guitarist and has a background in live music start-ups and organizing charitable benefits.
Tour this building, inside and out, with David and Michelle and you can see the overwhelming amount of work, inside and out, that needs to be done before Seven Sisters becomes a reality in a community already embracing the business venture.
Locals as well as those living in neighboring towns such as Revere, Jeffers and Tracy and even farther away in the regional hub city of Marshall are ecstatic about Seven Sisters, David says.
When locals George and Vern, for example, stop by to check on the renovation, David invites them inside for coffee. The two were coffee klatsch buddies of Bob Sanger, long-time bakery owner who died in March. Sanger purchased the bakery from his father, Nick, in 1961. Between Bob, Nick and previous owner, Martin Kuhar, the building has housed a bakery in the First National Bank building for 95 years.
Says David of his and Michelle’s decision to purchase the former bakery after Bob Sanger’s death:
The building is positively gorgeous and has a fascinating history. We had admired it for some time. The quality of the construction is superior to similar buildings of that era. We’ve always talked about opening our own business and the location and timing were right.
Our review of the local economy and the needs of the surrounding area indicates a very strong potential for growth and a serious need for a business of this kind. By offering excellence in service in three different approaches (cafe, coffee shop, event space) we will offset some of the inherent risk of this type of business. In short, it was a perfect confluence of events. We got lucky.
The Van Engens are determined also to buy local as much as possible. Dry goods will come from Griffith’s Grocery across the street. They plan to work with Brau Brothers Brewing and Fieldstone Vineyards, located in the region. They’ll grow their own herbs.
It is clear in talking to David, an Iraqi War veteran and an emergency medical technician for Methodist Emergency Center, and Michelle, who works in the marketing department of the nonprofit CaringBridge, that they appreciate the historic gem they’ve purchased.
They’re attempting, they say, to retain as much of the natural charm as possible. For example, the Van Engens plan to refurbish the soda fountain built by Bob; relocate an original bank fireplace facade and tile into the coffee shop and install an electric fireplace; refinish the wood floors; keep the tin ceiling; reuse the candy and bakery counters; restore an old player piano; and more.
The couple is also uncovering and sifting through collectible treasures like WW I and WW II artifacts, signage, rocks, and more accumulated by Bob. So much was damaged though, beyond saving, by moisture problems in the building, David says. But they are saving what they can, possibly incorporating some of their treasures into Seven Sisters.
Michelle has fond memories of coming to Sanger’s for sweet treats. She remembers penny Tootsie Rolls and gumballs and candy cigarettes sold at the candy counter:
Thinking about the hundreds of people who have memories of this building, I really hope we can fill that same role for the next generations.
Lamberton is located along U.S. Highway 14 about 10 miles east of Walnut Grove, childhood home of Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the Little House children’s book series. The area is a strong draw for summer tourists interested in Wilder’s books and the Little House on the Prairie television series set in Walnut Grove.
This post was written by Audrey Kletscher Helbling and originally published on Minnesota Prairie Roots.
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Nice photo essay.
At least no one bricked up any of the windows, I hate it when they’ve done that. Too bad the original bank facade was removed.
Absolutely beautiful
This will make a great destination from the Cities when open.