Article & pictures originally published in the Northern Light Region
Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016
Written by: Doris Knutson

The Williams Northern Light office, once housed in the former Joyce Lockhart home, relocated sometime in the mid-1980s, but now, thanks to the recent opening of the North Wind Trading Post, the old Northern Light building along Highway 11 is home to a new enterprise.
After extensive repairs and remodeling to the building, the new business opened its doors on Saturday, November 12.
Owner Teresa McDowell, along with daughter Cheyenne, has made Williams her home for the last two years.
According to Teresa, opening a business such as the North Wind Trading Post had been a dream for her and her husband for many years.
“We talked about it for years,” Teresa said, “and planned to open our business when he retired.”
Teresa paints in acrylics and also makes leather, fleece-lined, fur-trimmed mittens. She has also made many items upon request for Christmas and other gifts.
“People would always tell me, ‘you need to sell your stuff’,” said Teresa.
 In addition to the handcrafted items made by Teresa, her husband made a hobby of woodworking. According to Teresa, he could fix or make anything.
Unfortunately, Teresa’s husband passed away five and a half, but she has now found a way to realize his dream.
“I saw this place was for sale and I decided it would be the perfect fit,” she said.
With the help of her sister, Cindy Hamilton, Teresa has transformed the building into a rustic store where she displays and sells retro candy, handmade moccasins, framed photographs and paintings, comic books and other gifts. She also carries a variety of products from the Red Lake Nations.
Teresa’s goal is to carry a variety of Minnesota-made products.
Since the opening earlier this month, the business has seen a host of people stop in to check out Williams’ newest business.

North Wind Trading Post is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Wednesday through Friday. You can also check out their unique, handmade products by visiting their Facebook page.

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