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Harkin Store opens

Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Monica and Lance Sorensen try a cup of egg coffee as site manager Ruth Grewe tells them the story of the Harkin Store Sunday.

NEW ULM — The Harkin Store opened for its 149th season this weekend.

Located on County Road 21, the historic general store was originally built in 1870 by Alexander Harkin and was the social center of the West Newton community during the riverboat era. The community of West Newton declined after a plague of grasshoppers and after riverboat traffic left the Minnesota River in 1873. The Harkin Store continued on as a post office until rural mail delivery became popular. In the 20th century, the store got a second life as a historical attraction and is now managed by the Nicollet County Historical Society.

Site Manager Ruth Grewe said Friday and Saturday were busy days. Many visitors stopped by to ask questions about the area. Many were planning summer vacations.

Grewe was excited the Beussman Bridge opened early this week. The bridge reconstruction that started last year created challenges for the historic site, and the closing of Beussman Bridge would have been worse.

“We’ve had enough detours already,” she said.

Visitors unfamiliar with the location call and ask for direction. Grewe was able to direct a couple from Fridley to the store. The couple became lost around the St. George area.

The store has its regular visitors. Lance and Monica Sorensen from Hector have visited the store several times. Monica said they visit for the store’s charm.

“You walk back in here and it brings you back in time,” she said.

Lance valued the uniqueness of the store. “Where else are you going to find a store like this?”

Few 19th-century general stores survived into the 20th century and even fewer continue today as museum attractions.

Grewe said a couple from Germany once visited the store. The couple was touring the United States with specific sites they wished to visit. The Mayo Clinic was the first stop. The Harkin Store was second followed by the Black Hills, the Grand Canyon and the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. It was a surprise to be the second stop on a list of impressive sites.

Special programs are held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. This week’s program was “Egg Coffee and Newton.” Visitors were able to try coffee mixed with eggs, which is a European tradition.

Programs at the Harkin Store will be similar to last year, with a few changes. The program on May 19 will be “Arriving in West Newton-Transportation.” The store will have a trunk display to show what riverboat travel was like. July 7 is Dress Review, beginning with fashion from the 1870s.

The Harkin Store is open to tours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Hours will change after Labor Day.

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