'This is where we need to be': The Wagon Wheel Marketplace staying busy thanks to local support

WASILLA — The co-op owners of the Wagon Wheel Marketplace are happy to keep doing what they love thanks to the support of the community.

“It’s mostly because of the community understanding. They verbally said, ‘lets go shop local, let’s go support our community.’ That’s why we made it,” Home Again Decor owner Jeanette Tingstrom said.

According to Tingstrom, their strong teamwork and continued outpouring of support from their customers has helped them through the ups and downs over the last year.

“We’d be kinda lost without our customers… our customers ask, ‘how are you guys doing? Are you okay? Do you want me to send more friends?’ Our community doesn’t want to see a bunch of small businesses go out of business,” Tingstrom said.

Tingstrom said they were temporarily closed for a month and half due to the pandemic. She said they offered options like curbside pickup, and the reopening process was slow to start, but business eventually picked up. She said they had a really good holiday shopping season and their momentum seems to keep building.

“We had our slow times… We’re hanging in there and God willing, we’ll stay open. That’s the important thing,” Tingstrom said. “This is where we need to be.”

The Wagon Wheel Marketplace is a joint venture between four core businesses, Home Again Decor, The Sparrow, Lily & Pine Boutique, and The Coffee Corner. Laurel Toso runs The Sparrow, Michelle Tingstrom runs the Coffee Corner, and Nicole Tingstrom runs Lily and Pine Boutique.

“People like to come in here to getaway and get inspiration for their homes,” Toso said.

The co-op owners share space within the store offering an array of goods and services, including consignments, home decor; antiques; boutique clothing; new, gently used, upcycled items, and handcrafted items; and a coffee shop offering Alaskan made ice cream.

Toso said their faith has guided them through the challenging times. She said they’re encouraged to keep going, feeling they’re there for a reason.

“We keep people that we’re still here because God wants us to be,” Tingstrom said.

According to Tingstrom, working together as a co-op has proven to be an effective way to maintain their businesses, supporting each other every step of the way.

“It was easier to operate a business with a joint effort, a joint team,” Tingstrom said. “We have big plans, and we’re just gonna keep going… and making it better, always better… I really enjoy it. It’s where I feel like I should be. I think we all feel that way. It’s a good place to be.”

The Wagon Wheel Marketplace is located at 701 East Parks Highway, Suite 100 within the Carrs parking lot in downtown Wasilla. For more information, call 907-671-0189 or visit wagonwheelmarketplace.com.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com