One of the businesses that rented space in the Marshall Hotel building was Nex’T’New. Nex’T’New was a consignment, used, and antique store, and it was in operation from about 1978 to 1982. The store was owned by Charlotte Sherman. At the time, the hotel building was owned by Viola (Brantman) Henshall. She lived in an apartment in the building during that time. Viola’s parents, Peter and Hilda Brantman, built the hotel in 1926.

Charlotte was born on Jan. 30, 1936, in Kentucky as a twin and the youngest of 10 children born to Claude and Jessie (Hall) Fagg. Charlotte’s mother died when Charlotte was only 18 months old. At age 14, she moved with her father and older siblings to Detroit, Michigan. Charlotte continued her education in Detroit by taking business classes at Wayne University and worked as a telephone operator.

On Aug. 3, 1953, she was united in marriage to Edgar Wallace “Wally” Sherman. After Wally’s honorable discharge from the service, the couple moved to Franklin, Minnesota. To this union were born: Beatrice, DeAnna, Dale and Reinhart. In 1969, the family moved to Balaton where they owned a farm. Their foster daughter, Sara, joined them in 1972.

In about 1978, Charlotte opened Nex’T’New. The store took in gently used clothes and household items. There were also new items available for purchase like jewelry. The store had gumball machines for treats and, according to Charlotte’s daughter, Bea, there was always coffee and cookies available. Charlotte loved dressing in fun clothes and was often seen wearing a hat and whimsical clothing while at the store. After the store closed, she worked as a Physical Therapist for Lyle Jacobson for over 20 years. Charlotte passed away on May 28, 2019, at the Franklin Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Franklin. She is buried in the Lakeside Cemetery in Balaton.

The photograph featured this week is courtesy of Bea (Sherman) Olsen. The photograph shows Bea and her mom, Charlotte standing outside the hotel building by the Nex’T’New window. The photograph was taken shortly before the store went out of business. Bea shared more photographs of the store, and they are available to view on the historical society’s Facebook page.

If you have photographs and/or stories of the Marshall Hotel and the many businesses that were located in the building, please share with the historical society. We are especially looking for photographs of the interior of the building of when it was operational.

Following the new guidelines set by the State of Minnesota, the Lyon County Museum will reopen on Monday, June 29. Staff can be reached at 507-537-6580 or director@lyoncomuseum.org. Thank you to our volunteers, members, and our communities in Lyon County for your support. Thank you for your understanding and patience during this unprecedented time in our history. We will see you soon!