FARGO, N.D. – The recent fire at Square One Kitchen in Fargo could have meant the end for Butter Creations by Anne. Its owner, Anne Adrian, relied on the commercial kitchen to make her flavored honey butter.
Fortunately, as one door closed, another opened for Adrian.
The Red Silo owners, Bobbi Jo and Todd Cody, had just announced plans to open Red Silo Mercantile as a companion to their home decor and gift shop on Broadway in downtown Fargo. They planned to feature Pride of Dakota products as well as other locally grown and produced food such as fresh eggs, breads, bagels and sweets.
When the couple learned Adrian and several other potential vendors had lost their home, the Codys opened the kitchen at the Red Silo for their use.
Bobbi Jo Cody said it made sense because they had a restaurant license, but weren't using it.
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"Todd and Bobbi Jo have just been awesome to let us vendors come in and use that little kitchen," Adrian said. "We're really grateful for them."
Cody said she was inspired to open the mercantile because of her experiences growing up on a farm.
"I grew up with my mom baking and gardening. One of the things she pointed out not that long ago is that we were never, ever sick as small children. The theory is it's because we were eating healthy," Cody said. "Everything was made by our mom. We weren't driving through McDonald's or anything like that. It just motivated me to bring some of that freshness to town."
Red Silo Mercantile, which officially opened Friday, March 25, is located in the former Mad Hatter Salon next door to The Red Silo.
While the space is small at just 7 feet wide and 45 feet long, the selection is not. Red Silo Mercantile sells Boppa's Bagels; Jen's Breads; Rally Beans coffee; kuchen and assorted bars and cookies from M&D Sweet Treats; cake pops, scones and cookies from At Home Bakery; and ChiaBalls from H&J Kitchen. Cody said they will also sell locally grown vegetables and flowers this summer. She also hopes to add organic beef and cheese.
Many of the vendors are new to the scene.
"We got all these wonderful people," she said. "Most of them are new to baking and cooking, so it's kind of fun to have fresh faces and new blood. You won't see their products everywhere."
