Good things are happening all over High Street. New businesses are springing up, and others have recently relocated. Here’s the scoop.

232 High Street – Artful Apparel

For years, Kathleen Nutter has been toiling away on the 2nd floor at 232 High Street. Kathleen is a weaver who makes soft, colorful jackets, shawls, hats, and other items of clothing. It’s art you can wear, hence the name of her business — “Artful Apparel.”

For the past few months, Kathleen and her husband, Paul Backstrom, have been busy renovating the retail storefront on the ground floor that used to be the home of Town & Country. They tore down some of the walls, opening up the space and are in the process of bringing the building back to its historic roots. Kathleen’s fiber shop will start off with three looms, but it sounds like she has plans to add even more! They will be adding a dressing room, allowing customers to try on some of Kathleen’s beautiful, hand-woven items. Until they make the move downstairs, Artful Apparel will remain open on the second floor.

154 High Street – Town & Country 

When Jony and Phil Hauk decided to retire and close Simply Scarfs, and rent out their storefront, it was a case of perfect timing for Mary Milz of Town & Country. With Artful Apparel moving into her space, she needed a new location and snapped up 154 High Street.

The new store is adorable. The merchandize you’ve come to love at Town & Country looks right at home here. Town & Country is a great place to go when you need a special picture frame, a home accent, a baby gift, or a stuffed animal.

214 High Street – DeeConstruct Recycled

Dee and Joel Hooks are in the process of renovating their storefront and hope to be open sometime this summer. Their retail space will be the home of “DeeConstruct Recycled Fun,” showcasing the various items Dee makes from things others have discarded. During the renovation process they have unearthed 550 old spools, presumably left over from a former tenant. Dee is not sure what to do with these spools, but we look forward to finding out. In the meantime, they sit in the window along with their cat Nzo (pronounced Enzo). Nzo, is a cat who enjoys walking on a leash (at least that’s what Dee says), and has quickly turned into a well-known fixture on High Street.

114 High Street – At Home on High Street

Perhaps the most commanding retail space in the 100 block of High Street is 114 High, the former Artist Annex. If you’ve walked by the expansive storefront lately, you may have seen Becky Cook and Mary Delaney hard at work, painting the walls, and bringing in merchandise. They are getting ready to open their home furnishings and window treatment shop to be named “At Home on High Street.”

After Mary’s son graduates from High School this Friday, the store’s opening will soon follow. There’s something poetic about these two empty nesters helping others feather their own nests. If you stop by, you’ll see that they’re already having fun with their new venture.

225 High Street – Mineral Point Chamber of Commerce

After a three year hiatus from the Mineral Point Chamber of Commerce, Joy Gieseke returned as Chamber Director in February. Joy is one of many boomerang residents who leave for a brief time, but then come back.  Since her return, Joy has spruced up the Chamber office and smoothly taken over the reins. Joy is currently overseeing a revamp of the Chamber website and is ready to welcome new businesses to town. In addition to the Chamber job, Joy is also the new President of the Mineral Point Historical Society.

138 High Street – iFinder Antiques

OK, this one isn’t exactly new, but it’s pretty close. There’s always something new and interesting at Stephen Ladd’s iFinder Antiques. Here you will find an ever-expanding array of jewelry, glassware, oddities, collectibles, rare gadgets, and historical artifacts. There’s a classic pinball machine, plenty of steampunk, and all sorts of old phonographs. Stephen has been collecting and selling antiques for over fifteen years and has been on High Street for over fifteen months. Little known fact: for a reasonable price he’ll brew you an excellent cappuccino.

148 High Street – Kusaka

The folks at Kusaka have created the best kind of special dumpling. Just last month, Chris and Hiroko welcomed their baby daughter, Jessica. The restaurant remains a destination and hasn’t lost its stride with the new addition to the family.

If you haven’t had their chicken fried rice, you’re really missing out. They have been adding more and more local ingredients, including the most recent special which featured morel mushrooms.

43 High Street – Tequila Point

Tequila Point has been going strong since they opened in September 2014. This is a fun place with good food, excellent drinks, and apparently they now have five sombreros! What more could you possibly want? They recently added two booths in the bar, a $2 taco night, and occasionally they have live music.

Tequila Point is open evenings Wednesday through Saturday.

All these changes on High Street are a good omen, just like the SOLD signs on so many homes around town.

Thinking of taking part in this resurgence? If you have ever dreamed of having a business on High Street, now is a good time to make it happen. Tourism is on the rise, and several High Street gems are waiting for just the right tenant. For more information, call Joy at the Chamber Office – 608-987-3201 or e-mail her at info@mineralpoint.com.

Join the fun and become a High Street business.

– Contributed by Lisa Hay, owner of High Street Sweets, 124 High Street, which opened in July 2013