The Crooked Queen: the sequel

For 12 years, home decor enthusiasts, thrifting lovers, and friends from all over central Wisconsin flocked to the Skic farm on the hill on High Ridge Road in the Town of Pine River to explore the seasonal markets at The Crooked Queen.
In a picturesque setting overlooking acres and miles of the township, in quaint and rustic farm outbuildings, co-owners Nina Skic and Missy Cayley hosted their markets with the help of a team of family and friends who volunteered because the gatherings were a ton of fun and an opportunity to visit with shoppers who came from far and wide and quickly became friends.
But last month, June 18-20, 2026, the farm property held its final market, marking the end of an era. The Queens — as Nina and Missy are affectionately called — were closing their final chapter at the iconic location.
But The Crooked Queen’s story wasn’t over. A sequel to the story was about to begin with an exciting new chapter in a brand new book.
On June 29, 2026, The Crooked Queen officially reopened in a new space where it now occupies the spacious upper balcony level at the new Merrill Ace Hardware location.

Located on S. Pine Ridge Avenue in Merrill in the former Wisconsin Building Supply building, Merrill Ace Hardware has expanded its space and their offerings, and partnering with The Crooked Queen is just one facet of their expansion.
The partnership brings a beloved local brand into a vibrant, climate-controlled environment where it will now be open year-round with longer hours.

A bittersweet farewell to High Ridge Road
The decision to close the book on the farm property markets was not made lightly. For co-owners Skic and Cayley, the farm was where the business had grown from a single shed into a sprawling multi-building attraction.
“It’s really bittersweet,” Cayley said, reflecting on the move during the final market event at the farm. “Because we started in that one little building and have expanded into all these.” She gestured toward the row of farm buildings The Crooked Queen had expanded into.

“But we still love the thrill of the hunt, finding the unique things, and we love all of our customers,” Cayley said.
While the rural setting was central to the market’s charm, personal milestones and family privacy played a major role in the move.
The farm property is now home to Skic’s son and his family who will appreciate more privacy in the space.
In addition, both Crooked Queen owners realized they wanted more personal flexibility. With growing families, Skic and Cayley want to be able to spend more time with children and grandchildren, and committing to massive seasonal events on the farm was becoming difficult to balance.
“We have been looking at different avenues to keep things going with some flexibility and yet maybe look at a chance to grow a little bit more, too, in a different direction,” Skic said.
The physical reality of farm life
Beyond the desire for flexibility, the physical toll of operating a retail market out of historic farm buildings was becoming overwhelming. Operating seasonal markets meant hauling heavy furniture, displays, and fragile decor up and down stairs, through barns, and in and out of basements.
“We are making this change because we are freaking tired,” Cayley admitted. “It’s going to be a lot less physical work. Our stuff has been in my basement, in this barn upstairs here, in these sheds, down below the barn.”
Winter events presented even tougher challenges. Skic recalled the struggle of “hauling the stuff from the barn in the freaking blizzard before Christmas,” along with other natural nuisances like seasonal ladybug invasions.
In contrast, the new space at Merrill Ace Hardware offers a massive stockroom, a dedicated office, central heating, and air conditioning. Customers can now browse comfortably in any season, and they don’t have to wait for a seasonal market to shop. They can pop in for a last-minute gift for a friend or to give their decor a little refresh. Or they can shop while their paint is being mixed downstairs or while their significant other is shopping at Ace.

An unexpected invitation and a perfect partnership
The transition from a rural farm to a retail storefront began with an unexpected call this past winter. Bill Babiash and his wife, Carrie Babiash, who have owned Merrill Ace Hardware for nearly six years, were preparing to move their store into the former Wisconsin Building Supply location on Pine Ridge Avenue. The move nearly doubled their square footage from 8,000 to 15,000 square feet, leaving them with spacious second-floor offices and an open balcony overlooking the main showroom.
Carrie Babiash, a regular Crooked Queen shopper who often visited the farm markets with a mutual friend, saw an opportunity. She suggested they reach out to Nina and Missy to see if they wanted to occupy the balcony.
Bill was quickly on board, especially after seeing The Crooked Queen’s massive digital footprint. “I looked at their social media and I was like, ‘Wait, what? How do they have like 7,500 followers on Facebook?’” Bill recalled.
“People come from all over for those events,” he said, referring to The Crooked Queen’s seasonal markets. “I’m like, that’s insane.”

“But not only that,” Bill said, “It’s just about making this into not-just-a-hardware-store, too. I would love the idea that someone comes in and, if they have an interest in decor, there’s an option for them.”
The feelings of mutual respect were instant. “The first time we went and met with them, [we saw that] they’ve created the same atmosphere as we hope people feel here [at the farm],” Skic said. “It is a good connection. We wouldn’t be doing this if we didn’t feel like this could really be a good partnership.”

A rock star support team built on camaraderie
One thing that will remain unchanged is the deep-rooted sense of community that defines The Crooked Queen. Over the last 12 years, the business has relied on an incredibly dedicated volunteer support team of family and friends.
“Our support team over the years has been absolute rock stars,” Cayley said, noting that the team consists of about 15 women and a handful of men who help with parking, heavy lifting, and checkout.

When asked how the business compensated such a dedicated crew, the owners laughed, sharing that it was built on passion rather than payroll. “It’s the camaraderie,” Skic said. “They work for the candles. Candles and lunch. But it is important to note that this would never happen — we are allowed the freedom to talk, help, and do because of all these ladies behind us.” That conversation ensued during that June seasonal market, where a team of happy ladies in deep purple Crooked Queen T-shirts beamed from behind the sales counter.

The sequel begins on the balcony
For customers worried that the move will dilute the unique, eclectic spirit of The Crooked Queen, the owners offer reassurance. They view the transition not as an ending, but as an exciting new evolution.
“It’s like this book is done, but series two is coming,” Cayley said. “Crooked Queen: the sequel. ... It’s just going to be different. But no matter what happens, what we’ve created in the last 12 years plus is letting people enjoy decorating their spaces, having fun with it, being comfy, and being not afraid to try something different.”
“Put something together and reimagine a space that’s comfortable,” she said.

The new location allows The Crooked Queen to offer year-round, seven-day-a-week convenience. Merrill Ace Hardware’s expanded hours — and thus hours to shop at The Crooked Queen — are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The partnership also creates a fun, collaborative retail dynamic. Shoppers can buy hardware, mix paint, and pick out hand-poured candles or vintage upcycled furniture all in one trip. As Cayley joked, “You come in for a wrench and you leave with a candle.”
Bill Babiash shares that independent spirit. “We are here for the community. We truly believe that,” Bill said. “We’re not a corporate thing where we have to follow a planogram and do it a certain way. We can do whatever we want. We’ve got that freedom.”

Inspiration and interior decorating services
Though Skic and Cayley won’t need to staff the counter daily — since Ace Hardware employees will handle the checkouts downstairs using a coded system — “the Queens” will still maintain a strong physical presence. They plan to decorate for major seasonal shifts, coordinate festive fall and holiday displays, and continue offering custom interior decorating services.

To help customers who struggle to visualize how to arrange spaces in their own homes, the owners are establishing a regular weekly schedule. Skic and Cayley will be available on the balcony every Wednesday to answer design questions, offer merchandising tips, and consult with local homeowners and businesses. They also offer personalized “hunting” services, searching estate sales, thrift stores, and markets to find the perfect statement pieces for clients.
A grand opening celebration for the new combined space is planned for late August 2026. In the meantime, local shoppers are invited to head up to the balcony in Ace Hardware on S. Pine Ridge Avenue, enjoy the view over the new hardware showroom, and explore The Crooked Queen and all that it has to offer year round in its new location.