Charles City’s The Rustic Corner prepares to close in March

By Travis Fischer, tkfischer@charlescitypress.com

Downtown Charles City will see the end of an era this year as The Rustic Corner prepares to close its doors.

Owner Tami Vetter announced her retirement over the New Year holiday, stating that the store will shut down in March after 18 years in business, although she also said there has been some interest by potential new owners.

“It’s time to graduate and move onto something else,” said Vetter.

Vetter opened The Rustic Corner in May of 2007, starting the business to fill a gap left by the closing of Waterbury & Friends, and has since developed it into a successful downtown mainstay.

“The Rustic Corner started with the assistance of our first store manager, Lisa Sonberg, offering new merchandise that the closing store carried as well as items from local artists and vendors, including Marsha Angel,” said Vetter. “In 2008, we hired Erin (Schmidt) Wells to join us as our arts & crafts manager.”

Over the years, The Rustic Corner has changed and expanded multiple times, opening a location on Main Street for art and crafting supplies in 2010 and ultimately moving to its current location at 413 N. Main St. in 2012.

“I’d be remiss to not take a moment to thank the amazing people that have dedicated time to our business by being employees here,” said Vetter. “There are simply too many to name them all, but I hope that through their employment here they have enjoyed the joy our business brings to our shoppers’ lives.”

Though now specializing in gift items and Hallmark products, Vetter has offered a wide range of products and services over the years, from clothing and shoes to crafting workshops, by partnering with other small businesses in the community.

“The goal has always been to be new and fresh,” said Vetter. “Creating an experience rather than the same old thing.”

Vetter says that she’s enjoyed creating a place where customers can enjoy shopping for unique items that generally aren’t found outside of bigger cities, considering it a high compliment when people say things like “this is my happy place” or “I can’t tell my wife about this store.”

“We want to thank all those that have been here through this adventure. From our first customer, the late Sharon Lane, to our last, to be determined,” said Vetter. “Without each of you from near and far, there wouldn’t have been this destination.”

Vetter’s retirement doesn’t just mean the loss of a downtown business, but also the loss of one of Main Street’s most active event coordinators.

A former president of both Main Street Charles City and the Chamber of Commerce, Vetter is a strong proponent of the local business community and known for coordinating Main Street shopping events to draw traffic to the downtown.

Over the last few years, Vetter has been gradually pulling back on her involvement in events like Chickfest and Moonlight Madness to encourage other business owners to pick up the reins.

“The other business owners have been stepping forward,” said Vetter. “Charles City has a great retailer relationship where the retailers help each other be successful.”

While Vetter is making preparations to close The Rustic Corner, the ultimate fate of the store has yet to be determined. Before making her announcement, Vetter had for some time had the business listed for potential buyers and received no viable interest. But since making her announcement, she says she’s been approached by some potential offers.

“People have reached out, which is sometimes what it takes,” said Vetter. “It could potentially stay here with the same name.”

The planned closing date for the business is March 29, but Vetter will know by the end of February whether or not the doors will be closed or if the business will be changing hands.

Whether or not The Rustic Corner continues under new ownership, Vetter anticipates that it won’t be long before another entrepreneur steps up to fill in the gap, just as she did 18 years ago.

“There is opportunity in this building,” said Vetter. “There’s opportunity for somebody else to do something greater than I did.”

In the meantime, The Rustic Corner is gradually starting to wind down its operations. The engraving equipment for personalized items has already been moved to Otto’s Oasis and the store’s affiliation with Hallmark will end on Jan. 31.

After January, the store will no longer be able to accept Hallmark coupons or use the brand’s Gold Crown points. Vetter is working with Becky’s Hallmark Shop in Iowa Falls to pass on Hallmark orders.

As for Vetter herself, she is ready to move on from The Rustic Corner, happy to go out while business is good and looking forward to seeing what takes its place.

“I’ve gone through all the stages of grief,” said Vetter. It’s been a lot of hard work and a lot of effort, but it’s also one of the most rewarding things you can do.”

Vetter said she intends to enjoy having her weekends free to spend time with her grandchildren, she also plans to keep busy with her second business and something else to get out of the house.

“I won’t sit still,” said Vetter. “I’ll probably work part-time somewhere so I don’t have to cook for my husband.”