Come down for a beer and maybe that Hay Rake you have been needing
A wide selection of “recycled treasures” are available at The Green Turret including some wooden skis and a knife holder.
You might not have noticed it, or maybe you have; but since last July there are hidden treasures for sale on the second floor of Mickey’s Tavern. The Green Turret, named for the iconic Victorian-esque architectural feature that gives Mickey’s its unique appeal, deals in what proprietor Marybeth Gaffney says are recycled treasures; not really antiques, but interesting older items.
Passing from the bar area in Mickey’s to the back rooms we have all walked past that stairwell and wondered what was at the top. Was it an apartment for some lucky soul who lived above this hipster haven, not minding the bands late into the night and the lively chatter on the patio in the summers?
No one lives there now but many have; the building was built in 1902 as the Yahara Hotel to house area factory workers. Not sure what early hotels for the commoners looked like, but it was intriguing to see the upstairs I had only gazed at from the outside. At the top of the stairs you make a hard right and enter a two-room suite including a rounded front-room.
The two-room store was part of the Yahara Hotel at one time and housed nearby factory workers when it was built in 1902.
In years past this room would be a glorious place to greet the morning sun with the paper. On this day I was greeted with a wide collection of items from endless sets of dishes, to clocks, an old-time adding machine, lamp shades, a rare set of skis for kids, and the largest collection of wooden hay rakes I have ever seen.
“Its 10 steps above a garage sale” Gaffney said when asked about where many of the items had come from. And indeed it seems she is discerning in what she sells. A collection of large scale topographical maps of Wisconsin was a crowd pleaser this day.
Marybeth Gaffney operates The Green Turret with two others.
Marybeth had sold her wares at antique malls but had wanted her own place for years. The stock is a collection of her items and that of four others.
Jane Capito, owner of Mickey’s had often bumped into Gaffney at thrift stores and invited her to set up shop above Mickey’s. Recently the green turret atop Mickey’s was replaced with a maroon covering, however the name lives on inside.
Gaffney suggests purchasing her items is a form of recycling that helps the green effort. Jessica and Craig, a 20-30ish couple, help Gaffney with the store, operating it on Friday and Saturday nights during evening bar hours. They also are heading up the marketing effort. Marybeth operates the store Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
See more on The Green Turret’s Facebook page
