Business Barn Quilt Trail to be developed
Barn Quilts of Central Minnesota now have 19 quilts on display on their trail. More are being added each month.
The organizers are now seeking to develop a Business Barn Quilt Trail. This would feature smaller versions of a barn quilt, 2 ft. by 2 ft. or 4 ft. by 4 ft., mounted on a building owned by a business.
Local businesses have the opportunity to participate. Art students at Staples-Motley High School are willing to paint the quilts.
The Early Bird Deadline to reserve a spot is Dec. 1. An application form was included in the Staples Motley Area Chamber of Commerce November newsletter. The fee does not include mounting the barn quilt.
For more information contact Lisa Kajer at 218-894-2906. The website is barnquiltsmn.org
Barn quilts are quilt squares painted on medium density overlay board and then mounted on a barn or other structure. Generally they are 8 ft. by 8 ft., but some are 4 ft. by 4 ft.
The pattern may be chosen to tell a story or simply because the owner/creator likes the colors or image.
Dave Noska at Don and Dave’s Store south of Staples chose “Churn Dash” as his theme because of the dairy products his store sells. The design features include an ice cream cone.
“It’s been fun having a barn quilt on my business.” Noska said.
Participating businesses will be listed on the Barn Quilts of Central Minnesota’s website on a downloadable map. Brochures will also be printed and distributed to travel information stops and chamber offices in a 70 mile radius of the Staples and Motley area.
There is a business barn quilt trail between Chisago City, Lindstrom, Shafer, Center City and Taylor’s Falls. This “Swedish Barn Quilt Trail” on Hwy. 8 now has over 75 barn quilts. It is bringing more tourists to the area and foot traffic to local businesses.