Tama County Market: Chris Drummer, left, and Mindi Koehler, right, established Tama County Market and opened their first marketplace in September of this year. Photo by Vanessa Roudabush.

CHELSEA — On Nov. 16, the Tama Country Market, outside Chelsea, opened for their holiday season for their last marketplace event of 2022. This market sells artisan farmhouse decor, refurbished and repurposed goods by local crafters and owners Chris Drummer and Mindi Koehler.

“We felt that there was a need for a facility that housed this type of merchandise. We liked similar types of crafting, decorating, decor [and] refurbishing. It’s a good meld of both of our talents,” said Koehler.

Drummer expressed a similar sentiment and feels that the market is filling a niche in Tama County.

“It’s kind of nice in a rural community where you have to travel a little bit to get some items. We have this [market] right here [in Tama County] for you a few times a year. We make it a little event with the market and food trucks to make this a nice little day trip [for everyone],” she said.

Before their partnership and establishment of Tama County Market, Koehler owned a small art business and held painting workshops, and Drummer continues to run and own Tama County Quilt Company from her own home. As a long-arm quilter, she creates t-shirt and memorial quilts.

When the decision to open Tama County Market crossed both their minds, Koehler found the decision to be a no-brainer.

“It was a time in our lives when we felt we could undertake a new business,” she said. “We discussed it as a ‘what if,’ and then it became a ‘let’s go.'”

Drummer spoke about how their friendship turned into a business partnership earlier this year. “We complement each other. We were bleacher moms together for a long time. It started with a conversation [of] ‘what if’ and [then] progressed on, and by April of this year, we knew that we would do this,” she said.

With tentative 2023 marketplace dates in the spring, fall, and winter, Koehler and Drummer have also discussed other events they could potentially host in the future.

“We’ve talked about trying to utilize this space not just during market times, [but] maybe for some DIY classes. We both have different [crafting] specialties that we [can teach],” said Koehler.

The Tama Country Market will be open this coming weekend at 2821 370th St., Chelsea, IA. They will be selling fresh pine wreaths from Washington state, and the Pitchfork Primitive & Fodder truck will be serving up fresh farm-to-table food. The hours are as follows: Friday, Nov. 18, from 10 a.m to 6 p.m; Saturday, Nov. 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Their Facebook page can be found by searching: @tamacountymarket.