Meet The Family - The Last Third
Meet Genell - A Heart Full of Joy
Genell, along with her husband Jeff, has been part of the Salvage Sisters family for the past five years. They got their start on day one at our Baxter location, turning heads with their creative, eye-catching upcycled radios-turned-bars. Since then, they’ve made the move to our Waite Park location, where their focus has shifted to small furniture pieces and expanded into unique home and garden décor.
When she’s not refreshing her booth, Genell is all about her grandkids—just mention them and you’ll see her face light up! She and Jeff are also in the middle of a home remodel, so their days are full—but always filled by creativity and love.
This year, Genell’s goal is to keep her booth fuller and more refreshed, giving customers something new to discover with each visit. What does she want shoppers to know? “Salvage Sisters offers unique décor at affordable prices, all backed by a friendly, helpful team.” And if you get the chance to chat with her, you’ll quickly see—Genell’s sense of humor is just as delightful as her booth!
Meet Mitch
Bougie, vibe curator, and self-proclaimed "great and wonderful, handsome and smart" guy (we let him have that one). Mitch has been part of the store since 2023, and in that time, he's made the front of the shop his moody, stylish domain.
Before joining the vendor life, Mitch worked as a cardiac nurse. So technically, he has held your heart in his hands - talk about pressure! (And no, he won’t check your blood pressure while you browse.)
Outside of the store, Mitch is newly married and living the dream in full-on domestic bliss. You’ll usually find him elbows-deep in home projects, adjusting sprinkler heads with precision, people-watching like it's a competitive sport, or chasing after dogs that may or may not be his.
His life motto? “Life’s a garden, dig it.”
Just a heads up: if Mitch introduces himself with an over-the-top title, a dramatic bow, or finger guns, don’t worry. Just smile, nod, and keep shopping.
Meet Whitney of Meadow & Moss
Say hello to Whitney, one of the newest faces at Salvage Sisters! A true cottagecore queen, Whitney brings cozy charm and whimsy to every inch of her booth. Step into her little wonderland and you’ll find yourself surrounded by flowers – pressed, crocheted, and even featured in beautifully intricate 3D puzzles and books. Her space is a celebration of all things delicate and dreamy, with an ever-growing collection of pins, crystals, and other treasures that speak to the soul. If Whitney looks familiar, you might recognize her from the aisles of Coborns in Clearwater where she is the store manager. When she’s not balancing life between both stores, you’ll find her chasing after animals, getting lost in a good book, or managing life with Mitch, her newlywed adventure buddy. Stop by her booth - Whitney’s warmth, creativity, and cottagecore magic are sure to brighten your day!
Meet Jen of Enlightened by Jen
A part of the Salvage Sister family since 2024, Jen brings warmth, creativity, and a touch of magic to weekends at the store. Her booth is a haven of light - literally and figuratively - featuring thoughtfully repurposed merchandise and beautifully crafted custom lamps. Jen’s passion lies in transformation, which she captures with her favorite phrase: “I repurpose goods as well as stories.”
Step into her space and you'll find it staged for both The Perfect Day and The Perfect Night In. Whether you’re looking for something to nurture yourself or to set the mood for hosting others, Jen curates pieces that inspire comfort, beauty, and intentional living.
Beyond her vendor booth, Jen is also a Life Coach, devoted to helping people uncover and live their most fulfilling stories. Her approach is rooted in authenticity and empowerment - anchored by her personal motto:
“Don’t Compromise Yourself. You’re All You’ve Got.”
Come say hi to Jen on the weekends and let a little more light into your life.
Meet Chris – Running on HammTime ️
Chris is the kind of guy who bridges both worlds - tech by day, treasure hunter by heart. As a full-time “computer dude,” he thrives on logic and systems, but don’t be fooled - his right brain is just as busy. With a sharp eye for design and a love for the offbeat, Chris brings his own unique style and finds to the store, and we’re thrilled to have him on board!
He’s traveled to more countries than he is years old (yes, really!), and his global adventures have given him a keen sense of what’s cool, curious, and collectible. Whether it’s a vintage oddity, a piece with a story, or something that just makes you smile, Chris is excited to share his collection with all of you.
Come explore his space - you never know what you’ll find, and that’s exactly how he likes it.
Meet Jackie - Timeless Treasures
Jackie joined the Salvage Sisters family in 2023, bringing with her decades of creativity, experience, and a deep love for handmade home decor. A retired daycare provider of 36 years (whew!), Jackie has always had a heart for nurturing – whether it’s little ones or beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces for your home.
For over 20 years, Jackie has been a familiar face on the craft show circuit, showcasing her passion for painted furniture and handmade treasures. Her large booth is always bursting with charm, color, and personality.
Jackie specializes in painted furniture and unique home decor, with an ever-changing selection of handmade goods like her signature patched flannels, cozy pillows, and whimsical towels. When she’s not at the shop, you’ll find her busy behind the scenes prepping new items – her home is practically a mini store of its own, full of rotating inventory!
Outside of crafting, Jackie loves gardening and has a deep appreciation for flowers - a love that often inspires her creative work. Her goal for 2025? To finally make a dent in her impressive stash of inventory… though she admits it’s hard to resist a good deal when she sees one!
Stop by her booth – you’re bound to find something special, and maybe even catch Jackie restocking with something new!
Meet Hele - Vintage Lane
Hele joined the Salvage Sisters family in September of 2025, bringing with her a rich background in vintage treasures and a true passion for meaningful connections. Before joining us, she owned Vintage Lane in Cold Spring for four years, where she built a reputation for curating beautiful pieces with history and heart. Alongside her work at Salvage Sisters, Hele is also an active realtor with Central MN Realty—proof that she’s always on the move in more ways than one!
Hele's booth is a stunning collection of vintage glassware and decor. If you were lucky enough to see the blue and white French country glassware she started with… you know how breathtaking her eye for style truly is. She especially loves depression glass - particularly green and amber - and her booth reflects that timeless charm.
Outside of the store, Hele lives life in motion - literally. She’s in the process of moving her own home, enjoys touring old houses, gardening, helping her son on the farm, and horseback riding. She’s also an avid reader and a devoted history enthusiast.
Looking ahead, Hele is focused on living a life of intention: organizing, simplifying, and creating a purposeful path that allows her to keep choosing joy, meaning, and mindful living.
Being a shopper of Salvage Sisters before becoming a vendor, Hele says that Salvage Sisters is "a place where you walk in and leave happier than when you arrived."
We’re grateful to have Hele and her heart for history on our team.
Coming Soon - Melissa!
Coming Soon - Stacey!
Meet Crystal – Photographer Extraordinaire
Crystal joined our Salvage Sisters family in October 2024 in our Brainerd location, bringing with her a creative eye and a passion for capturing the beauty of the world around us. After retiring from a fulfilling 30-year career in the Financial Aid Department at Central Lakes College, Crystal turned her lifelong love of photography into a vibrant new chapter.
As our resident photographer extraordinaire, Crystal’s work is hard to miss - her stunning large-scale canvases draw you in the moment you step through our doors. Each image has the power to transport you to the exact place and feeling where it was captured, making her display a favorite destination in the store.
Outside of Salvage Sisters, Crystal enjoys traveling, camping, spending time with family, and doting on her new granddaughter. And, of course, photography continues to be a passion she pursues both professionally and in her free time - a true testament to doing what you love.
Looking ahead, Crystal is excited to expand her offerings with unique, giftable photography items that blend art with creativity. When asked what she loves most about Salvage Sisters, she lights up: it’s the uniqueness of the store - just like each of her nature photographs.
We’re so lucky to have her as part of the team!
Meet Sue of Be Kind Apparel Co.
Sue joined Salvage Sisters on October 1st, and she didn’t waste a minute - she’s already planning to expand her space in January! With a career path as dynamic as she is, Sue brings a wealth of experience and a bright spark of energy to our team.
Sue previously served as both a Marketing Director and a Memory Care Director for two senior living communities, where she sharpened her skills in communication, organization, and compassionate support. Before that, she worked in Logistics and Advertising - so yes, she absolutely knows how to keep things moving, keep ideas sharp, and keep all of us on track.
In the store, Sue’s main focus is seasonal and team-specific clothing, home dccor, and - coming with her expansion - furniture! Outside of work, she is prioritizing her health and healing after a year that included a couple of surgeries. With restored energy, she looks forward to more camping trips, cabin time, and soaking up moments with her grandson… with a second grandson on the way! She’s also hoping to travel to Florida in 2026 to visit family.
In her short time at Salvage Sisters, Sue already appreciates the magic of what makes Salvage Sisters unique:
“If you can’t find it in one booth, it might be in the next!”
We’re thrilled to have her.
Meet Mary of Seed to Glass (or as she sometimes calls it, Soil to Shelf!)
Mary is the passionate, plant-powered force behind Seed to Glass, where everything grows with intention—and just a little sass. Her motto? “Grow, Damn It, Grow!”
With a deep love for organically grown medicinal plants, Mary handcrafts all-natural home and body care products that reflect her respect for nature and a commitment to wellness. What began as a hobby quickly blossomed into her calling. Whether it's a full plant or a fresh herbal salve, you can trust it was grown, crafted, and bottled with care.
Mary thrives in her home greenhouse, where her creations first take root before finding their way to farmers markets, Salvage Sisters, and beyond. She’s endlessly curious, always experimenting, and happily admits she’s still figuring out what she wants to be when she grows up.
Beyond her botanical goods, Mary adds her signature flair with a splash of vintage and upcycled furniture and planters in her booth—another reflection of her eye for beauty, sustainability, and creativity.
Since February 2025, Mary has been helping us grow in more ways than one, and her dedication to supporting other small businesses and sharing her passion with the community is truly inspiring.