For seven years, the eclectic collection known as The Rusty Flamingo has been a staple of the Elysian business community. However, this past weekend, the building on Main Street—once a home, then a hub for local artisans—buzzed with a different kind of energy as customers gathered for an emotional “everything must go” closing sale.
Established in October 2018 by Kris Henry, the shop’s origin story is the stuff of local lore. While on vacation, Henry received a photo from her fiancé of a leasing sign on the former Greenwald’s Greenhouse building on Highway 60. With just $50 in her bank account and a lifelong dream of business ownership, she took the leap. “I have always wanted to own my own store,” Henry recalled. The name “The Rusty Flamingo” was born from her personal passions: flamingos, rust, and the art of repurposing scrap items into something beautiful.
The business proved to be a “survivor,” navigating the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic shortly after its launch. In July 2021, with the help of friends and family, the shop moved to its final location on Main Street. Its transition involved converting a residential house into a retail space, resulting in the quaint, homey atmosphere that became the store’s hallmark.
This shop was never a typical boutique; Henry described it as a sanctuary for handmade and antique goods. At the time of its closing, the store hosted 23 different vendors on consignment—including Henry’s own parents and brother. Its inventory was a testament to Southern Minnesota craftsmanship, featuring everything from rag rugs made of old jeans, trinket boxes fashioned from license plates to homemade salsas and jellies.
The closing sale, held May 8–9, saw the store’s interior and its outdoor carport area packed with longtime patrons. Shoppers moved through the rooms with a sense of urgency and nostalgia, filling boxes with soaps, linens, and handcrafted jewelry at garage-sale prices.
For many in attendance, the loss is personal. Customers spoke of the store as their primary destination for holiday shopping or Small Business Saturdays. Over the years, the shop transitioned from being open all weekend to just Saturdays, as the owners prepared for a slower pace of life and more leisurely pursuits.
In a poignant farewell shared with the community, Henry expressed her gratitude for the years of support. “So many smiles, laughs, talks, and today, some tears too,” she stated. “I am and will forever be thankful.” Henry also offered a special tribute to the vendors and volunteers who helped run the registers and participated in the town’s Fourth of July parades.
While the physical doors on Main Street are closing, the impact of the Rusty Flamingo’s departure will be felt in Elysian for years to come.
