The Front Porch is preparing to open for its 10th season. The craft, gift and antique will celebrate the anniversary Friday, Oct. 29, with its season grand opening and a special event from 5-8 p.m.
The event will include a brat fry with all proceeds donated to area youth. A silent auction will benefit HAVEN. Live music will be provided by Howie. A fireworks display will be fired off at 8 p.m.
The Front Porch is owned by Nancy Koehler and her son, Josh, who are also owners of the next door Badger Wreath business. As an evergreen wreath and roping wholesaler, Badger Wreath ships its products all across Wisconsin and into neighboring states. The Front Porch was initially opened to give local customers a place to shop for seasonal gifts and also order the Badger Wreath products.
A 100-year-old farmhouse on the property was renovated into a retail store. The Front Porch manages to cram thousands of items into the old two-story farmhouse to create a Christmas wonderland.
Every year the inventory is different. When the Christmas season ends, the farmhouse is cleared out and plans begin for the next year. In spring, the gathering of inventory starts.
The Front Porch crew spends about two months setting up the shop in preparation for the grand opening. Three designers work full-time during the holiday season at The Front Porch.
One of the Front Porch’s big draws is the antique furniture. Numerous pieces are collected and used as the foundation for displays, but all are for sale. Front Porch and Badger Wreath employees refinish and refurbish the furniture into one-of-a-kind pieces. In fact, The Front Porch offers many unique items that can’t be found anywhere else.
As items sell through the whirlwind Christmas season, more inventory is waiting in the wings to take its place.
And, of course, there’s always a huge selection of evergreen products including garland, plain and decorated wreaths, center pieces and mailbox saddles.
“The greenhouse and awning of the farmhouse will be packed,” Josh promises.
Through Dec. 18, The Front Porch will be open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and noon-4 p.m. on Sundays. New this year, customers can keep up with The Front Porch on their Facebook page.