Through a SoMinn Lens

Pizzeria 201 exterior & Big Honza woodcarved statue.

(in the historic Westerman Lumber House), Posy Floral and Gifts, and an assortment of now-closed shops. I’ve yet to stop at any of the many bars or the meat market or bowling alley or… I’ve also attended theatrical performances in the historic Hilltop Hall and paused in my photo meandering to pet Buddy the dog, out for a walk with his owner.

Because this is a small town, it’s best to check on business hours before visiting to assure places like The Rustic Farmer on Main—a relatively new venue specializing in special events—are open. SMS

Faribault writer and photographer Audrey Kletscher Helbling loves to explore Minnesota’s small towns on day trips. She documents and writes about her discoveries on her popular Minnesota Prairie Roots blog. Visit https://mnprairieroots.com to see more of her work, including posts from Montgomery.

Grain elevator.

Hilltop Hall, floral shop, arts & heritage center exterior.

Monty Bar.

Palace Bar sign close-up.

When it comes to antiques shopping, most venues offer treasures that vary as widely as the goods inside, and each purchase comes with memories at no additional cost. Antiques can enrich lives, add to personal collections, offer the perfect one-of-a-kind souvenir for loved ones, and provide that perfect piece for homes or offices. From fine furnishings and European décor, to estate jewelry, distinctive glassware, rare books, vintage clothing and more, you can find anything you desire. Get ready to hunt for treasure, at the following dealers. S tory by PA T GARRY Contributing Writer

increase in value and make you rich. And If you like it, buy it now…it might not be here tomorrow.”

A-Z COLLECTIBLES A - Z Collectibles, 152 Main St., Winona, is owned by Neil Hunt, who has been in the same building since 1993. “I sell some unusual items that might be harder to find other places,” he commented. A prime example of this are Neil’s neckties. He holds a selection of at least 300, ranging from the 40s and 50s, including skinny ties and squared-off knit ties. He has sports-theme ties, Christmas ties, cartoon character ties, and yes, just nice dress ties of various colors. Among Hunt’s vast inventory are pop bottles, which he displays in a wide variety of local and national brands. Neil stocks local, Winona items: mugs, records, paper items, postcards, and most anything that has the name Winona on it. The venue features a wide variety of items: vintage kitchen tools, bowls, granite-ware, cast iron items, tablecloths, glass and pottery dishes, diecast toy cars, tractors, vinyl records, pre-read books; children’s, military as in WW II, Civil War, most any war the US A has been involved in, classics, history, nature, railroad. Also on display are cookie jars, vintage lighting, vintage Christmas, flower pot and wall pockets of various potteries, and colored glassware. Hunt has two, unique items in the store; a grave rubbing from the 1600’s England; and a House of Representatives gift shop item marked, Member of the House of Representatives. Neil has one philosophy: “Buy it because you like it and want to own it, not because you think it will

COU NTRY SIDE ANTIQUE MALL S ylvia and Steve Bauer first opened 29 years ago, after remodeling the building which was once known as Windy Acres (the first truck stop in Minnesota in the 40s-50s). “We have a great selection of primitives, furniture, and Red Wing pottery; as well as an abundance of other types of pottery. We also carry a nice selection of jewelry. With 12,000 sq. ft. and 60 dealers, we’re a must stop-and-shop antique mall,” Sylvia Bauer explained. The Bauers deal primarily in furniture, but they also provide a wide variety of other items such as lighting, pictures, primitives, and an overall general line of antiques. Two unique items currently for sale include an early 1900’s Dayton General Store Cheese Cutter, a hand-carved folk-art carousel with a hand crank (circa 1900), and unique Weller vases. “Country Side Antique Mall has (two) store-wide sales each year, when we offer 20% off and more. Our spring sale is held in April and the holiday sale runs in November,” commented Sylvia. A thought: The item you saw today, and want to think about tonight; will be sold later today to someone who saw it yesterday, and thought about it last night. Country Side Mall is closed just three days a year; Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Open Monday- Saturday 9:30-5:30, Sunday 11-5:30. (Hwy. 52 on the frontage road in Cannon Falls).

JOHN KRUESE L’S GENERAL MERCHANDISE & AUCTION COMPANY John Kruesel’s General Merchandise & Auction Company has been a going concern for 42 years, at its original site in the 1874 Williams Building on Historic Third Street Southwest in downtown Rochester. Vintage and antique lighting is Kruesel’s specialty, and he feels antique lighting has a place in any home, in any