…or is she running with wolves?
I stopped by the Art Store to say “Hey” to Ann Marie Boyle. As many of you are probably aware, she’s closing down The Art Store.
After 4 years of owning and operating the store, Ann Marie is heading to Australia. Contrary to many colorful rumors (she’s running away from her marriage, she has a rare disease that can only be cured by going down under, and, my favorite, she’s doing some hardcore training that involves running with wild dogs…I think dingos in the outback), she is joining her husband to lead a St. Olaf College environmental science program on the island continent.
It is really sad to see the store go. It has been in Northfield for 29 years, with 2 different owners and at least 6 locations. It served people from the Minnesota River to the Iowa border and from the Wisconsin border to the South Dakota border. Apparently, it was the last independent art store in this region.
Ann Marie will be missed by more than just the artist community. She served on the Retail Support Strategies Task Force and the Chamber’s Retail Committee. In both groups she was admired for her intelligence, outspokenness and endless creativity.
Her closing comments to me were: “It’s been one of the greatest experiences of my life. The one thing that could have made it even better was if Northfielders would give more support to downtown Northfield. Increasingly my customers are from out of town and they all comment what a great place we have here. I don’t think some residents realize what jewels we have in downtown Northfield”.
I didn’t even have to bribe her with a beer. Thanks for everything, Ann Marie, and good luck with those dingos.
There probably isn’t a retailer downtown Northfield who hasn’t dreamed of running away to an island far away–especially in January! Congrats Ann Marie on a great run. Your energy and ideas will be missed, but be assured that we still could use some of both if you are willing when you return–assuming you do return! An inside/outside perspective would be a great asset to the downtown.
Mary Rossing
Present Perfect
I’m truly sorry the Art Store couldn’t continue. First, it delivered good selection, an appealing look, skilled service and fair prices. Second, we have a number of distinctive retail stores downtown, but the Art Store, for years, has been one of a very small number that can be called truly unique, that is, one of a kind in the region. Third, it accurately reflects one important element of Northfield’s identity, our interest in the arts. Thanks, Anne Marie, for running a great store and for all the other contributions you’ve made to downtown and Northfield. Best wishes on your big adventure and after you return.