New business in Mac focuses on giving old “junk” a new lease on life

It all began when she was hired by Heartland Industries. They gave her an empty business location and tasked her with starting a thrift store. Second Time Around Thrift Store was born. 

As the general manager of every aspect of the enterprise, she honed her people and organizing skills; working with over 40 mentally, emotionally and physically challenged individuals who would have been unemployable elsewhere.

Andrea discovered it was important to make every donation count. She understood that often people were dropping off memories which deserved her respect. 

Her imagination sparked, she started creating display vignettes from different pieces. Her efforts soon attracted a new kind of customer to Second Time Around. 

Customers not just looking for gently used clothing and household items but those keeping an eye out for a piece of the past that had been repurposed and given a new lease on life. 

For three years, Andrea worked at Second Time Around. 

Then she and her husband, Bryce Stordahl, (originally from McIntosh) welcomed their first child, Jens Bryan, in March of 2014 a little earlier than expected. His premature arrival reinforced their conviction it was time for Andrea to make a job change. Being home with Jens was a priority but she still needed to contribute a secondary income. Minnesota Rust was born. 

That summer, she brought her first collection of “junk” to the Shady Hollow Flea Market south of Detroit Lakes, MN with great results. Many successful events and road trips followed to both the Junk Market and Festive Flea in Fargo, ND, Junkfest in Carrington, ND, the Vintage Carnival in Thief River Falls, MN, Junk Bonanza in Minneapolis, MN, and even Junk Stock in Omaha, NE.

Over the past few years, Andrea has found many of her unique pieces at rummage sales, auctions, estate sales and city-wide curbside clean-up days. She has become a savy picker; recognizing quickly what type of “junk” her clientele expects to find at Minnesota Rust booths. 

The more primitive and industrial they are the better although she is glad to find vintage furniture and décor as well. 

She and Bryce have learned how to transform what is discarded into purposeful pieces. What began as a family-car-towing-a-trailer endeavor has evolved into a heavy-duty-quad-cab-4x4-hauling-a-27-foot-trailer! 

She and her husband have covered many miles retrieving her fabulous finds. He likes it best when she travels with a trailer in tow… it saves him inevitable trips retrieving her discoveries.

Hunting and picking in sheds, outbuildings and barns is one of Andrea’s favorite ways of finding items that are chippy, rusty and metal. She loves to add items like workbenches, bolt bins and any unusual metal pieces to her stock. 

One such opportunity turned into their most memorable “pick” to date. The buyers dared her to remove a floor-to-ceiling primitive wooden cubby unit from a small, dilapidated shed. If she did, she could have it for $20. It appeared as though the shed had been built around it, so she and Bryce cut out the door to widen the opening for removal of the cubby. But as they worked, they discovered the freed piece was actually holding up the shed. The walls and roof collapsed, revealing the wonderful “pick.”  

Andrea’s favorite project was refurbishing a vintage 1969 Santa Fe Cub camper. She and Bryce came across it on the way back from a flea market and bought the diamond-in-the rough on a whim. She had a vision. 

They gutted it; installed a wood floor, wrapped the interior walls in shiplap and renovated the kitchen. She used soft white paint inside to create an airy feel, wallpapered a feature wall to set the tone and completed the eclectic design by furnishing it with real furniture. Bryce spent hours buffing the outside until the aluminum gleamed. It turned out to be a one-of-a-kind Glamper and sold at Junk Bonanza in Minneapolis this Fall within an hour of the show opening.

Although the “junk” shows have been successful, it is now time for Andrea to let Minnesota Rust put down roots. Little Adler Elizabeth arrived in August 2015. 

In the Spring of 2016 Andrea plans to open a store in McIntosh, MN. She is looking forward to providing a one-stop shop for her loyal clientele and the opportunity to create her “junk” art while staying close to home. 

No longer will her one-of-a-kind pieces languish in storage in various and sundry sheds and garages over the winter while awaiting a show, (although she will continue to keep the unavoidable overflow at the building in Our Savior’s Cemetery.) 

Can’t wait until the Minnesota Rust Store is open? Check out Andrea’s booth at the Vintage Carnival in Thief River Falls on Saturday, November 14th held at the Armory or browse her Facebook page: www.facebook.com/minnesotarust. 

If you’re looking for a glimpse of Minnesota Rust more locally, you can find some of Andrea’s feature pieces at Marial Harbor Body Wellness Center in the lower level of the Bjella Building in McIntosh, MN. 

Also keep in mind she is actively seeking new places to “pick” and can be reached at 701-866-0371. 

Welcome to McIntosh, Minnesota Rust!