Today we’d like to introduce you to Gwen Workman.
Hi Gwen, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I moved from a very small town in Northern Minnesota in January of 1985. We moved because of the construction business and our children had all left home. This was not a happy move for me. I had never moved, was always surrounded by family and friends, and owned my own business since the age of 18.
I began working for an apartment complex and enjoyed meeting people and helping them find a new home. This caused me to learn the area. Renter wanted to know about school, shopping, medical, etc. This also had me looking for anything Scandinavian. It wasn’t until I went to the state fair that fall that I encountered the Norwegians. The first day of state fair was Norway Day. There was a special event tent and each day of the fair, a different group had it. The Norwegians from all over the state shared their dancers, food, drink, and social. Of course, there was a Viking Ship.
This got me to thinking. “I can’t be the only half-Norwegian that has moved to Texas.” My other half is German, but we grew up with more Scandinavian influence that German. In September of 1988, I opened a small shop in McKinney, just off the Square. Here I did a lot of baking and catering. With each job, I earned money and began to build inventory. I knew I did not want to haul food around the rest of my life. so, I left that shop and moved to Fairview Farms. This was a 280-square-foot shop. Here I began to concentrate on newsletters and catalogs and to build a bigger customer base. Things did not go as the owners had promised, so in April of 1992, I bought the oldest home in Plano. It was in a seriously dirty and neglected condition but that did not scare me. I knew with hard work, lotza elbow grease, and long hours, this house could be brought back to its regal condition. For eight and a half years we cleaned, torn out, rebuilt, and turn it back to what it once was.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Most things worth achieving are not done on a smooth road. I think the struggles make it worthwhile as you learn from each. My biggest challenge was financing. I bought the house, owner financed with the promise of procuring commercial financing. I had been in business three years at that time and my financial picture was not pretty. I got a great lead from a banker but had to get an appraisal. It cost me $2,000.00 and wasn’t worth the paper it was written on. When I went back to the banker to complain and explain it didn’t even have the zoning correct. He said in so many words, your problem. I felt my first discrimination as a woman that day. Thanks to my friend Tommi who was working for a company Loan Source, she was able to get an appraisal and help to get an SBA loan. The paperwork and unnecessary work with an SBA loan was ridiculous. Now on to business and to pay this off.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Wooden Spoon?
I am proud to have created a meeting place for those interested in Scandinavia, the culture, the food, the classes, and meeting other Scandinavians. Here the gifts and food are sold, we teach and do demonstrations for different foods or arts. Christmas is celebrated by the Scandinavians so many foods, gifts, decorations, etc. are needed. I have worked very hard to learn what each group needs and to find the source to get them. Many celebrations take place throughout the year, so I have learned what items are needed and have them ready.
I have helped many students at all levels to put together a project on one of the countries. I have spoken at several groups, I host an annual Anniversary Party (34 years this year) a Cooky party, Stations of lefse, and several demonstrations. I give tours of the old house and Scandinavia to Boy and Girl Scouts, homeschooler, Welcome Wagons, and to anyone who wished one. I have done specialty catering for birthday parties, wedding rehearsals, Swedish Pea Soup dinner, international women, and much more. The Sons of Norway and the Finnish-American clubs meet here monthly. I have had a Viking wedding, baby and wedding showers, special luncheons, etc.
I had my fifth book, “My Cooky Journal” published in December. I have written a three-book series, “Magnus the Troll” for children to understand our culture in today’s language. Now I am working on another book for my family.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
That each person who walks through my front door will experience a Happy Time. This may be memories of a family member, a food they haven’t had for years, a book they wanted to read, or to learn more about Vikings, Mythology, World War II, or how to prepare the foods. I have had many tears shed as someone remember their grandmother saying the table prayer or an aunt making a certain dinner. I love when two groups come in at the same time, both are from the same country, I introduce them and then they are deep in conversation. Some become new friends. I love when people of other culture come in to see what we have and leave with a smile on their face because they learned something new and had a happy experience. I am proud when someone tells me, “The house smells just like Norway”. I ran the business for ten years before I even visited Norway. I am so proud of my heritage and I invited you to get on that same path.
“We must never forget the rock from which we were hewn”
Contact Info:
- Email: twonordic@aol.com
- Website: www.woodenspoonplano.com
- Instagram: Wooden Spoon
- Facebook: Wooden Spoon
Image Credits
Gwen Welk Workman
