Photos courtesy of adourn
For Melissa Klema, owner of Chatfield-based home goods store adourn, a simple “yes” or “Why not?” has paved the way for her success as a local entrepreneur. After losing her interior design job in 2009, Klema returned to her hometown with little more than a creative spirit and workspace in her garage. There, she began refinishing furniture, and to her surprise, the business took off—even during a recession. So, when she stumbled upon a charming building in Chatfield’s historic district, she took a leap of faith—and 30 days later, adourn was open for business.
“I love being creative—it’s my passion,” Klema says. That passion is reflected in every corner of the shop. The store’s eclectic mix includes antique furnishings she has refinished, jewelry she has crafted, candles she has poured, and more. “Each piece has its own story,” she continues. “The history of the pieces really speaks to me. I love merchandising the shop and creating the displays.”
Since its opening 12 years ago, adourn has amassed a devoted following of shoppers who love the store’s character-rich offerings. And now, Klema is saying “Why not?” once again. While visiting Red Wing last fall, she connected with a local shop owner who urged her to open a second storefront. “I wasn’t looking to open another location, but we got to know each other, and she said, ‘You have to open adourn here.’” And while at first the idea seemed crazy, Klema immediately fell in love with the building that will soon play host to adourn No. 2. The historic building—complete with exposed brick and an original tin ceiling—spoke to her from the moment she first laid eyes on it. “I knew I was supposed to be there,” she explains. “Old buildings are my vibe, and this was perfect.”
So, you might be wondering when you can pay the new store a visit. Klema is already preparing to move in and is on track for a soft opening mid-June. “I’m hoping to create a place for the community and tourists to shop and fall in love with,” she says. “I want to bring my style, [as well as] my handmade goods and design services to Red Wing. I hope it brings more people to town and helps the continued revitalization of downtown. I hope to help the local economy by hiring local staff. [And lastly,] I hope to bring a unique, one-of-a-kind style to the area.”
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