Larkspur Market opens on Minnesota Street

By GUY PRIEL

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- What was once an antique store in downtown New Ulm is now a combination market, gift shop and deli known as Larkspur Market, located at 16 North Minnesota Street.

The store, all decked out for the holidays, features unique gift items, candles in a variety of scents, and cards for people of all ages. Located at the front of the establishment, in the historic storefront, it will maintain retail hours throughout the holiday shopping season.

"The front of the store was designed to be a quaint and cozy store atmosphere," owner Barb Haroldson said. "In the middle is a cozy fireplace where people can gather for a cozy lunch or a cup of coffee and visit with friends."

In the back, located in the circa-1950s addition, is a fully-stocked deli featuring a variety of lunch items, desserts, and coffee.

The building is long and narrow, but Haroldson has made the space more open by designing the deli after a European street scene, featuring buildings reminiscent of Spain, France, Germany, and Scandinavia.

"It is called a market, because it is more than one thing in the same place," Haroldson said. "We went with the European scene instead of just having something German."

The store opened quietly on Nov. 10, but an official open house is scheduled Dec. 1-2.

The deli features fresh-baked bread, a variety of homemade soups and as many as three different salads each day. The soups are based on gourmet recipes, and patrons can build their own sandwich with a variety of meats, cheeses, and vegetables. They also provide different desserts daily.

"Another one of our features is gourmet spreads and flavored mayonnaise to provide a variety of tastes," Haroldson said. "This is different for New Ulm. People have been looking for something else downtown."

The kitchen opens at 5 a.m., when the breads are baked. Normal hours are 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and until 8 p.m. Monday.

Making use of high windows, murals transport visitors back to Europe, where tile and indoor carpeting simulate street side dining.

In the back of the deli is an area equipped with three computers that are connected to the Internet. Open to everyone, people can access them during normal business hours, like a virtual cafe.

"It was going to be a private, secluded dining area, but I had to expand my restrooms," Haroldson said. "When I was done, it was too narrow for much of anything. The computers fit nicely and provide more options for customers."

The idea came from her travels. She would often visit coffee shops and began thinking New Ulm needed something like this and decided it would be fun. She used books when painting the murals for better accuracy.

"In the future we will be offering wine and beer as well as a variety of coffee drinks," she said. "We close the kitchen at 6 p.m., but there are nights when we're open late, because we're retail. Coffee will be served after the deli closes, though."

The store gets its name from a bouquet of larkspur near the cash register. It is one of Haroldson's favorite flowers, and the bouquet was a gift from a friend.