LAKE PARK – The Crooked Halo will be moving to downtown Lake Park and offering fresh flowers and events in their new digs come fall.
When the building located at 2030 2nd St. was put on the market, business owners KC and JR Clark saw the opportunity to spread their wings with more space.
“We were looking at ways to make our business bigger and better,” she said. “When the (former) cafe went up for sale, we took a look at the building.”
The cafe closed at the end of November 2021 when the owners retired. Clark saw potential in the building. After peeking through the false ceiling she saw tall ceilings with crown molding, brick from a long-forgotten fireplace and under layers of vinyl flooring was natural wood planks.
The Clarks purchased the building on Aug. 12 and have been busy remodeling with work slated for the interior and exterior of the building. All the work is being done by family during their “off hours” as both have full-time jobs.
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“My husband is a police officer in White Earth and I work for the ambulance there,” Clark said, adding they also have an 18-year-old daughter attending North Dakota State University and two boys, ages 11 and 9.
The business is currently located on U.S. Highway 10. The space offered storage and a showroom, which was a perfect option for their start-up needs.
The new building has a different layout that provides a large 1,000-square-foot showroom that will continue providing fun, unique and artsy gifts, decor, clothing and more. They are also planning to add to the manly gift section (which currently boasts flasks, keychain tools and uniquely scented candles).
Regardless of where a shopper finds themselves in the store, Clark said the price tag will always serve the “middle class.”
“Our prices reflect that,” she said.
They will also have a room for events to host celebratory events and social nights out on the town. Clark said some theme events she has considered include painting, learning about succulents and understanding what herbs to use in cooking.
Clark, who lives in Hawley with her husband JR, started the business 15 years ago at flea markets and road shows. They made connections with other small business owners making unique, quality products while traveling.
The Clarks decided to look at the future of Crooked Halo as their children entered grade school. In September 2019, Crooked Halo opened in Lake Park.
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“I love that our business provides support for other small businesses,” she said, mentioning that they also make tumblers, hats, greeting cards and magnets with pithy sayings. “Our products are sold in 49 states and five countries.”
The Hawley residents settled on Lake Park as a business location for several reasons. She noted there were no shops available in their community and she feared being lost in the bustling boutique shops in Detroit Lakes.
“I grew up in Detroit Lakes and my husband grew up in Ogema,” she said, noting she graduated from Detroit Lakes High School in 2000 and her husband was a 1997 Waubun High School Graduate.
The two rented a former bait shop that was built in 1974 but had become vacant.
“Lake Park offers strong community support for the little guy,” she said. “When COVID hit and shut down non-essential businesses, we saw that support when we could open again. I truly believe we survived because of local support.”
Crooked Halo store hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Monday and Tuesday are open by appointment only.
“I recommend checking on our Facebook page,” Clark said. “If the day is slower, we may change the hours due to renovation work.”
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