Cowboy Disco, Vintage Treasures & Grilled Delights: How Local Exchange is Uniting Cottage Grove & Hastings!
Hastings business owners take the opportunity to visit Cottage Grove during the month of February as part of HastingsNow.com’s Local Exchange program. This initiative is designed to foster connections and collaborations between local entrepreneurs, enhancing community ties and promoting mutual support.
Hello, Hastings friends! Get ready to saddle up and ride along on an unforgettable journey through Cottage Grove with our very own Local Exchange program. We recently visited three standout local businesses—The Madison, Boondocks Vintage Boutique, and Junction 70 Grill—to uncover the stories, surprises, and spirited moments that make our neighboring community shine. So grab your favorite cup of hot cocoa (or maybe a craft cocktail!) and join us as we explore these local gems.
A Barn of Surprises at The Madison
The Madison offers a memorable experience that is perfect for capturing all of your most cherished moments and significant milestones.
Imagine stepping into a barn where cowboy boots meet disco balls—yep, that’s The Madison! Owned by dynamic duo Brad and Louise Madison, this Luxury Barn venue is more than just a wedding hotspot. During a recent holiday party, a giant inflatable bull and a mechanical bull set the stage for a cowboy disco extravaganza. Guests enjoyed line dancing, live tunes from the Jake Nelson Band, and even a custom hat-making session that left everyone grinning ear to ear. As Brad puts it, “It’s like shopping for your forever home—you just know when this is the one.”
The Madison isn’t just a venue; it’s a canvas where creativity meets community. With a strong network of local wedding vendors and partnerships forged through the Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce, Brad and Louise are busy breathing new life into this cherished space. Their vision? To host events ranging from polka nights to local singer-songwriter open mics that truly celebrate community spirit.
Discovering Hidden Gems at Boondocks Vintage Boutique
Boondocks Vintage Boutique: a delightful place where creativity, charm, and fun beautifully come together! This unique shop is filled with an eclectic mix of vintage treasures and stylish finds that appeal to a wide range of tastes. Whether you're searching for the perfect gift or a special treat for yourself, Boondocks Vintage Boutique is sure to inspire and enchant.
Next stop: a treasure trove of history and humor at Boondocks Vintage Boutique. Owned by lifelong besties Erin Spence and Allison Steenberg, this women-owned business is where vintage charm meets modern quirk. Picture this: browsing through antique theater chairs rescued from local landmarks, giggling over permanently “welded” friendship jewelry (think of it as the not-so-permanent tattoo of friendship), and even finding free gumballs for the kiddos along with free wine for the moms. Yes, you read that right—free wine for the moms!
Erin and Allison’s story is as unique as the items they collect. From scouring estate sales (and even their own garages!) to laughing about how they met at a birthday party decades ago, their passion for preserving Cottage Grove’s history is infectious. Their boutique isn’t just a shop—it’s a vibrant conversation piece that keeps local culture alive, one quirky find at a time.
Savoring the Flavors at Junction 70 Grill
Discover the reasons why everyone seems to be buzzing about the Junction 70 Grill experience that has captivated both locals and visitors alike.
No local exchange tour would be complete without a pit stop at Junction 70 Grill. Co-owner Jason Fleig (with a team that treats every day like a community celebration) has turned this eatery into a local favorite. Since opening in 2017, Junction 70 Grill has become a dining destination for both Cottage Grove residents and our Hastings neighbors.
The menu reads like a love letter to comfort food: think smoked and fried chicken wings that have fans lining up for more, hearty pasta dishes like Cracky Mac and Southwest chicken pasta, and even a rib eye that Jason calls his “go-to when I’m starving.” Add to that an impressive list of 36 beers on tap and a craft cocktail menu that elevates any evening into a celebration, and you’ve got a recipe for community connection served with a side of flavor.
Why Local Matters: The Science Behind Community Shopping
Beyond the fun anecdotes and mouth-watering dishes, there’s a powerful economic story here. Studies—like those from the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA)—reveal that local shopping recirculates up to three times more dollars within the community compared to big-box retailers. When you choose local, you're not just buying a product or service; you’re investing in the economic heartbeat of our region. This means more jobs, more community events, and a stronger, more resilient local economy.
Bringing It All Together: A Local Exchange for Everyone
So, what’s the secret sauce behind a successful Local Exchange? It’s all about authentic connections. Whether you’re dancing under the barn’s disco lights, hunting for that one-of-a-kind vintage piece, or savoring every bite at your favorite grill, each experience builds the vibe of our local community.
An Even Brighter Future:
Interactive Content: We’re rolling out image galleries, podcasts, and video interviews so you can see, hear, and feel the energy of these businesses. Keep an eye out for the upcoming "Local Exchange" promo video featuring all the faces behind the magic!
Cross-Promotion: We encourage local businesses to collaborate and share each other’s success stories. From co-hosted events to joint social media shout-outs, these partnerships can truly amplify our collective local spirit.
IMAGE GALLERY
Check out and view photos from HastingsNow.com’s February Local Exchange event held in Cottage Grove.
Join the Local Celebration!
At HastingsNow.com, we believe that every local story is a thread in the fabric of our community. The Local Exchange program isn’t just a series of interviews—it’s a celebration of the creativity, resilience, and authenticity that define both Cottage Grove and Hastings. So, whether you’re planning your next big event at The Madison, searching for vintage treasures at Boondocks, or grabbing a bite at Junction 70 Grill, know that you’re supporting a thriving, interconnected local economy.
Got a favorite local memory or a business you’d love to see featured next? Drop a comment below, share this post with your friends and neighbors, and let’s keep the conversation—and the community spirit—alive!
Cheers to local love and endless community adventures!
— Ashley Slapnicher & the HastingsNow.com Team
Sources:
American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA). "The Economic Impact of Local Shopping."
Additional insights gathered from our Local Exchange interviews with Cottage Grove business owners.
Don't forget to check out our image galleries, tune into our podcast, and watch the video of the owners promoting this very blog post on HastingsNow.com!
Shop local and support your friends, family, and the wider community by choosing to purchase goods and services from nearby businesses. By doing so, you contribute to the local economy and help create a vibrant atmosphere within your town. Your support can make a significant difference in the lives of those around you, fostering a sense of connection and unity.
Special thank you to
Katie Sieben, owner of C-Beauty Organics.
Wendi and Ryan Johnson, owners of The Studio Downtown and The 437.
