Episode 93 // Andrea Stordahl of Minnesota Rust
This week on the podcast we’re with Andrea Stordahl of Minnesota Rust in McIntosh, Minnesota (pop. 625). Andrea’s sharing her story of how she and her family are giving back to a community that gave so much to her and her family when they needed it most - by restoring main street and bringing in a handful of new businesses. And it’s turning this town of 625 into a destination that both serves the locals and is drawing crowds from all around.
You’ll love Andrea’s story and how her unexpected path was really meant to be all along. Be sure to check out the show notes and the blog for pictures of the transformation that has taken place here!
Listen right here or on these platforms:
APPLE | GOOGLE | SPOTIFY | STITCHER
Let’s bring in people who compliment each other, don’t compete against each other, have similar clients but not the same clients so they all bring something new to the table. We wanted to make it this community business that was all about working together.
— Andrea Stordahl
’Businesses don’t survive here, Andrea. This town is dying.’ I heard that a lot. Not from bad people, but from people that had been living there for so long and seen so many — it’s like their hearts were broken. They were a little upset that they’d seen so many things fail.
— Andrea Stordahl
Sometimes people don’t want to get rid of their buildings. Not because they’re using them, but because they used to be something. And the thought of it changing is very scary for people.
— Andrea Stordahl
To me there’s just so much magic in these old buildings and these renovations. And I don’t mean to make them sound like they’re easy, they’re not. But they’re really fun.
— Andrea Stordahl
This is a partnership between you and the community. I could not have done this without everyone in the community because of everyone who came in and gave their help.
— Andrea Stordahl
PODCAST SHOW NOTES AND LINKS:
McIntosh, Minnesota
Fergus Falls, Minnesota
Fargo, North Dakota
Otter Tail Lake
Shady Hollow Flea Market
Bemidji, Minnesota
Howard Soap Company
The Red Poppy
Stordahl Construction
Neil’s Meat Market
Instagram: @minnesota_rust
Facebook: /minnesotarust
Ronnie’s Barbershop
The Beauty Room
Find out more about the rural revival happening in McIntosh, Minnesota here:
WELCOME TO MCINTOSH, MINNESOTA
LOVING THE PROCESS AT HOWARD SOAP CO.