Trisha Holthaus of Market 52

Market 52 owners Trisha and Mark Holthaus love a good auction. But in 2017, when they found they were running out of space for their treasures, they decided to hold a pop-up sale in a shed on their property. Folks showed up, big time (turns out, lots of other people love the hunt as well). Trisha and Mark continued with the popular sales, and it eventually snowballed into the decision to expand Market 52 with a brand new 2000-square-foot building in 2022.

Mark and Trisha Holthaus, owners of Market 52. / Photos courtesy Market 52

Located on…you guessed it…Highway 52, just north of Decorah, the shop is filled with vintage, modern, and unique home decor. Shoppers can spend hours perusing everything from rehabbed and antique furniture to pillows and candles to seasonal decorations and, of course, fun finds in the original “Pickin’ Shed” nearby.

“We try to blend a lot of styles together. When grandma, mom, and daughter come in, they each usually find something they are excited about,” says Trisha. “If there is a single product people come to purchase it is our battery-operated candles. Everyone loves them ‘cause they are so real looking!”

The finds in the Pickin’ Shed come from auctions, markets, and people contacting them directly to downsize their households. “Mark handles finding the antiques and collectibles,” says Trisha. “He watches online auctions almost every night, and we enjoy going to flea markets throughout the summer searching for items.”

The ‘Pickin’ Shed’ is where Mark collects treasures from auctions, markets, and more. / Photo courtesy Market 52

People visit Market 52 from all over, with customers sometimes driving hours to make the trip. They have regulars from Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Des Moines, and even a couple from Ohio who stop every time they travel through.

Those who can’t make it in-person can shop online as well. Trisha and Mark have recently added a team member to handle all of the shipping. “We have shipped to 48 states, the only two we haven’t are Alaska and Hawaii,” says Trisha. “This past year we also shipped to Canada and Guam!”

There are Iowans living just a little too far to make the trip frequently who have their orders shipped as well, and locals can shop online and choose to pick their purchases up at Market 52 whenever it’s convenient.

Cute scenes are pocketed throughout the shop. / Photo courtesy Market 52

It all equals a lot of work created with a lot of love. Trisha is inspired by fellow female business-owners and is grateful for her amazing Market 52 team that helps her find balance through challenging times, and fun times too. Together, they work to create a shopping experience that customers truly enjoy.

The Basics:
Name: Trisha Holthaus
Age: 56
Business: Market 52
Year Business Established: 2017
Business address: 3220 Highway 52, Decorah
Website: www.shopmarket52.com

Tell us about the “leap” moment. When/how did you decide to jump in and become your own boss?

I don’t think there was a defining moment as I have pretty much always been my own boss. My former husband and I opened a pizza restaurant when we were 25. Shortly after, I started a career in real estate as both a realtor, then broker and finally running my own appraisal office. I then purchased an antique, gift, and collectibles store in 2013. Mark and I got married in Decorah in 2015, but I didn’t move here until 2017 when my son graduated from high school. I sold my store that year and started working in the Decorah area as an appraiser again. We did look and look for a downtown store to possibly start something but there were none available that really fit our needs.

So, starting Market 52 was sort of by accident. We had lots of inventory left from the sale of our store and also combining two households as we both loved antiques and couldn’t fit it all in my husband’s small home. We decided one day to have a weekend sale, it was called “Shop our Shed Sale.” We cleaned out half our garage and decorated and displayed our items. I was blown away by the response. We then went from a couple occasional sales a year to being open once a month, to every other weekend, to three weekends a month. In the fall of 2018, when I turned 50 – at pretty much the start of this journey – is when I decided “that’s it, I am doing this full-time!” I quit my job as an appraiser and put everything into my business. In 2022 we were busting at the seams in our shop/garage. Mark quit his job as a feed salesman to work in our business full-time, and we started construction on a new 2000-square-foot shop that is attached to the original shop/garage that is used for storage and workspace.

Spring is a fun time to visit Market 52. / Photo courtesy Market 52

What’s the best thing about being your own boss?

I like being in control and making decisions about what’s happening in my life, store, etc. Might be why my husband calls me a control freak! I do like the flexibility also, but really, time is not that flexible – as most small business owners know – because when you’re putting your heart and soul into something, you are always working.

How about the worst?

We don’t get paid vacation time! Haha! It’s hard to shut work off sometimes. There are always ideas running through my head, something to do and get done. Customer service is huge to me so even if you message me at 10 at night, most likely you will get a response, unless I am asleep!

There’s a great variety of items to be found at Market 52. / Photo courtesy Market 52

Was there ever a hurdle where you just thought, “I can’t do this?” How did you overcome it?

I have my days from time to time where it just seems overwhelming to be running our business. We have been continuing to grow since we started. Luckily, when I have my down days, I have a great team behind me, and they really keep me going. This past year was really a rough year as we all had things personally that took us away from the shop – one having a baby and maternity leave, one having hip surgery, one planning a wedding and getting married, and my dad breaking his hip and my new grand baby. It was a lot to navigate.

Any mentors/role models you look to/have looked to?

I really look up to all strong female business owners. I had a close female broker/boss/co-owner that I really looked up to when I was a realtor. Since being out of the business, she has become one of my best friends. She was always supportive and sometimes had more belief in me than I had. Watching her in a man’s world and succeeding, when I was in my late 20s, was a great thing for me.

Shoppers can find vintage and rehabbed furniture in addition to new housewares. / Photos courtesy Market 52

How do you manage your life/work balance?

That is a hard thing. With having our business on our home property, it does feel like I am always working. I do make it a point to leave the shop around 5-6 pm. So, I feel like I have regular hours, although I am still on my computer while in the house! When I take a day off, usually Tuesdays, I do not go out to the shop for anything unless absolutely necessary. My husband works with me and handles the antique side of the business, so we actually do get to spend a lot of time together. We are empty nesters, so it makes that part of family life a little easier. All of our kids live within a three-hour drive. Sometimes it is tough to see them when they work during the week, and we work weekends.

Realistic artificial flowers, like these tulips, are a popular item at the shop as well. / Photo courtesy Market 52

What keeps you inspired? Any quotes that keep you going?

I love positive and motivational quotes! A mentor in one of my early sales jobs once said to me, “If you don’t continue to grow, you ripen and rot.” That has always stuck with me. I try to continue to learn all the time, whether it’s reading, taking classes, going to market, or talking with other business owners. I think one of the most inspiring things is our customers! We love their positive feedback and comments. It is so fun to see first timers walk through the door, as their reactions are priceless. We hear over and over what a big surprise this is! Those reactions over and over again really motivate the whole team to do our very best and give it our all.

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