RECIPES & MEMORIES OF THE OLD LUMBERYARD RESTAURANT (PART 6) Mineral Point, WI

PICTURES OF THE.....

THE OLD LUMBERYARD RESTAURANT 

THE INTERIOR OF THE FLEA MARKET

THE EXTERIOR OF THE BUILDING WHERE WE HAD THE FLEA MARKET (and a bunch of stuff that Mort probably collected to use in our renovations)

&

A PICTURE OF OUR DEAR "FRED" OUR AMAZING CROW

 RECIPES AND MEMORIES 

OF THE OLD LUMBERYARD RESTAURANT

PART 6

While we were working on the Lumber shed that was becoming more of our home every day (of course we had to add more to the plate) we decided to open up the lumber shed right on Commerce St. as a weekend Flea Market.  Initially we thought about renting spaces to vendors so that they could sell their items.  But, after meeting with several individuals and listening to what their demands would be, we decided that we would keep the whole space for our 'finds'.  After going to several estate sales/auctions, we filled the whole lumber shed - plus. It was a good outlet for our weakness of going to auctions/estate sales and buying lots of stuff.  We called it The Olde Town Flea Market and we were open every Saturday and Sunday.  

One Friday night (late) we were unloading our newest treasures at the dock on the parking lot side of the building.  All of a sudden, out of the dark, comes Eddie from the Sweet Shop.  Startled us at first, but we got used to people who walked late at night and saw us unloading, saw activity and the lights on, so they would stop and talk - we loved it!  We loved the interaction of all of the visitors to the Flea Market - there was something for everyone.  And, when we would go to auctions, we would purposely buy things that we knew regulars would want or collected.  

Mort worked the flea market and soon a frequent visitor started helping him out. We repaid him for his time by allowing him to sell his things there also.  One time Mort was checking our a customer who was using a credit card.  He was trying not to panic when he couldn't find the credit card that he knows the customer gave him.  Turns out, it was under our 'counter cat - Sadie".  She was laying on it.  

Our Calico Cat named Sadie would sleep on one of the counters and customers would think that she was fake and then she would move.... she also would climb the posts up into the structural beams and wander around over the crowd.  Occasionally she would drop right down onto a table or counter.  She and her pal Al were the cats that frequented the Flea Market and were known around town because of their travels (and just walking into any open door) and eventually would become the poor, starving (not) cats that would patiently wait for customers to feed them (in the outside garden) of the Old Lumberyard Restaurant.  

We got to meet so many people that lived in Mineral Point full time and also the folks that had homes there and would travel from Chicago or Minneapolis to their 2nd home and then come and see us at the Flea Market and Produce Stand.

Of course, we couldn't end there.  Laura and Mort decided that since we had so many people frequenting our Flea Market that we should also open a produce stand in the parking lot.  We found just the right supplier - Mick - he already had a few produce stands around the area, but none of them were located in Mineral Point.  His warehouses were in Richland Center.  So, every Friday night, Mort and Laura would head up to Richland Center in their truck and pick up boxes and boxes of fresh vegetables and fruit.  Also, seasonal items, pumpkins, corn stalks, squash, fresh flowers, potted plants and other fun items that he was selling at his other stands. Mineral Pointers would love walking to the Produce stand with baskets to pick up the freshest veggies/fruits and flowers.  

 COMING SOON -(Part 7) More on the OLD LUMBERYARD Produce Stand 

Two more recipes from the Old Lumberyard Restaurant and Bakery

Chicken Salad

We would serve our Chicken Salad on a big fluffy croissant

add additional slices of seasonal fruit for this warm weather treat 

Ingredients

2 Tab of mayonnaise

2 Tab of plain Greek yogurt

1 teas of Dijon mustard

1/4 teas of onion powder

1/4 teas kosher salt

1/4 of pepper

2 Tab of dried cranberries

3 Tab of chopped pecans

1/4 cup diced Granny Smith apple

10 oz. of chicken breast, cut into pieces

Baby spinach leaves (optional)

In a medium bowl, combine mayo, yogurt, mustard, onion powder, salt and pepper.  Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary.  Gently add the cranberries, pecans, apple and chicken.  Refrigerate and when ready to serve - slice the croissant - lay a few spinach leaves on the bottom of the croissant and heap on some refreshing Chicken Salad.

BBQ  Chicken Sandwiches

BBQ anything is always popular - but our BBQ Chicken Sandwiches were always a favorite.  

We decided that the simplest recipe for BBQ Chicken Sandwiches was also the best tasting...we just shredded a tender, cooked chicken breast and added Sweet Baby Ray Original Recipe BBQ Sauce.  The bun would be buttered and toasted on the grill and the BBQ Chicken mixture would be heaped on.  Slices of Dill Pickle and the Coleslaw Recipe (that follows) were served on the side.   Many customers would put the pickles and some of the coleslaw on top of the BBQ chicken....All Good!  Of course our customers could always order our fresh cut French fries.  We made about 60 lbs. of fresh cut fries every day.  The old-fashioned way, peel the Russet potatoes, slice them up, soak in cold water,  let them sit and dry a bit and then fry them to crispy golden brown when ordered.  

Old Lumberyard Coleslaw

6 cups of shredded cabbage

2 med. carrots shredded

1/2 sweet onion diced

1 cup mayo

1/2 cup buttermilk

1 Tab white vinegar

2 Tab sugar

1/4 teas salt

1/2 teas black pepper

1/2 teas celery salt

Mix it all together for our favorite Coleslaw.

Thank you for reading Part 6- there will be a Part 7- The Crowley's did not know when to stop when it came to this wonderful old bunch of buildings.....