MARSHALL — When shoppers are checking out the deals at local businesses on Crazy Days, they’ll also see some changes, like new businesses that have moved in. The past year has been a busy one for Marshall’s downtown, with businesses filling in vacancies on Main Street. There have also been new construction, new businesses and businesses relocating along East College Drive in Marshall.

New businesses that have opened on Main Street in the past year or two cover a wide variety of customer interests and needs, from health and wellness to hobbies, and even space for kids to play.

The former Tattle Tales boutique location on Main Street is now the home of Naptime Play Cafe, an indoor play space.

“Naptime Play Cafe was founded because I recognized a need for another indoor space for children to be children,” said owner Macey Bofferding. Bofferding is a former day care provider, as well as the owner of the Naptime Baking Co., which she founded in 2020.

Providing a safe, affordable place for families to enjoy was a way to give back to the community, Bofferding said. The Naptime Play Cafe has large motor play equipment, stations for imaginative play, and activities like puzzles, coloring and infant toys.

“We have big, big plans for this play space and the bakery for the future,” Bofferding said. “However, we were presented an opportunity to fill the former Tattle Tales building, so we’re excited to provide a small scale, indoor imaginative space for children ages 0-8 to enjoy.”

Tranquility Herbal Tea & Wellness has also found a home on Main Street this year, moving into the former Coco Avenue location. Tranquility offers a wide variety of herbal teas, crystals, books, and wellness products.

“It was something I grew up with, and having respect for different religions and cultures,” owner Lorainne Streich said.

She said Tranquility also holds special events, like palm readings and sound baths.

“Marshall has been amazing,” Streich said of the reception the business has received. It was also good to be part of the local downtown, she said. Lorainne and her husband Dustin Streich said they hoped to be able to expand in Marshall in the future, with different ideas like a cat lounge and adoption center.

Another new business on Main Street is Pulse Fitness. Owner Steve Sik said he started his personal training and fitness business by traveling to clients’ homes. However, business had grown to the point where he needed a permanent location.

Sik has been balancing his training work with renovating space on Main Street for weight training, group classes and more. Sik said one unique aspect of Pulse Fitness is that he offers electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) training. EMS training uses a specialized suit to send electrical impulses to users’ muscles, making them contract.

Sik said he was excited to be coming to Main Street.

“It was just an awesome location,” he said, and he was familiar with Marshall. “I know the people, and I know the marketing.”

One longtime downtown business will be changing hands this fall. Bot Appliance, Furniture & More owner Terry Haas said this month that he will be retiring after 41 years with the business. South Dakota-based Karl’s TV, Appliance & Furniture purchased Bot, and will be moving in this fall, while Haas stays on to help with the transition.

New additions downtown haven’t only been on Main Street. Two different hobby shops have opened in Marshall over the past year. Bott’s Spot Sports Cards and Collectibles is located on East College Drive close to downtown. This summer, The Card Farmers MN opened on South Fifth Street. The businesses offer sports cards, as well as cards for collectible card games like Pokemon and Magic: The Gathering.

Changes on College Drive

There have also been changes in the business community along East College Drive over the couple of years. One change that got a lot of attention from area residents was the construction of the new Kwik Trip convenience store and gas station at the corner of College Drive and Bruce Street. People were up bright and early to check out the new store in January, when it first opened its doors But Kwik Trip still has more plans for Marshall – construction on a second location has started at the former Cattoor gas station on West Main Street.

Several more businesses have also moved in or relocated along East College Drive. Kal’s Motor Group bought the Market Street Mall property, and moved in this spring. Kal’s Motor Group Marshall sells quality pre-owned vehicles, as well as golf carts, ATVs, snowblowers, lawn mowers and more.

Two buildings on the 1400 block of East College Drive now have new occupants. The Habitat for Humanity ReStore moved into the former Abra Auto Body & Glass location in 2023. This year, a former bank building next door to the ReStore was also renovated into a new home for Investors Choice Financial Services.

The former Mike’s Cafe location on College Drive has become home to another Marshall business in the past year. Toni’s Depot, which serves sandwiches, burgers, breakfast and more, moved into the old Mike’s in summer 2023. Toni’s has recently expanded its hours, opening on Sunday mornings to serve breakfast subs.

A formerly vacant property on East College Drive, the former Four Seas restaurant, was purchased by new owners this year. While a new restaurant hasn’t opened at the location yet, the new owners have been making updates like new paint colors on the exterior.

Another change to East College Drive came this spring, when the Taco John’s location in Marshall closed down. The move came as a surprise to many customers, and the property has been up for sale since May.

While it still remains to be seen what will happen with properties like the former Taco John’s, “East College Drive is a pretty attractive street” for business development, said Marshall Economic Development Authority Director Lauren Deutz.

Last year, the EDA partnered with the Southwest Initiative Foundation to develop a grant program to help revitalize businesses along the East College Drive corridor.

“We really do have a lot of interest in our community,” Deutz said. That’s shown not only through interest in renovating and building along Main Street and College Drive, but in the businesses and industries that have come to Marshall, she said.