Help us Raise a Ton of Pet Food!

After losing our dog of 14 years in early February, we adopted a dog from the Fox Valley Humane Association in late March.  Grant is a young (about 7 months) hound mix, who was brought up to the Fox Valley Humane Association from a crowded Mississippi shelter.  He's been nicknamed our "Mississippi Mutt."  Our best guess at his breed?  Along with some kind of hound, we're guessing there is some black lab, maybe some German Shepherd, and who knows what else for sure!  Grant is going through obedience training at Petco every week.  He has passed his first puppy class, will be beginning the next tomorrow, and will eventually go on to earn the Canine Good Citizen Award, which is a first step to having him train as a therapy dog for Lee.  Grant is already helping Lee with PTSD issues just by being there, but this training and certification will help him to behave in public and also permit him to go with Lee in situations where he wouldn't otherwise be welcome.

The Fox Valley Humane Association currently has a need for more dog and cat food.  Housing over 300 animals, they are running short and could use donated food to help care for them while they work to find them their forever homes.  They were so wonderful to work with when we were looking for a dog to adopt, we'd like to help them to take care of the other animals.  We are accepting donations of bagged dog food and cat food (unopened please) at our store throughout the month of June.  Cash donations will also be accepted to help the Humane Association with expenses incurred caring for the animals in their facility.

You can read all about Lee, Grant, and the Fox Valley Humane Association in this article in the Herald Times Reporter.

Opening August 1st!

Just one of several displays of unique birdhouses!

We will open our doors on Friday, August 1st!  Our building actually had two storefronts, and we'll be opening first in the smaller of the two.  Friday is also Maxwell Street Day in Two Rivers, so be sure to stop in and visit us when you head downtown for sidewalk sales and of course the famous ping pong ball drop!

A pallet of Prince seed right after delivery.  Our shelves are stocked with many varieties of bird seed blends, in packages large and small to suit your needs!  We even have a couple varieties that can be purchased by the pound!

 What do we have to share with you?  Click here for our flier.  In short, if you need it in order to enjoy and take care of the birds or squirrels in your backyard, we probably have it, and if we don't have something you're looking for, we can probably order it!  Working with Gold Crest Distributing from Mexico Missouri, we have access to thousands of products from many different companies, along with their knowledge and fast customer service!  Most of our seed comes from Prince, in Marshfield, Wisconsin.  We also have some of our own handcrafted items in the store, many of which are made from reclaimed wood.

Love them or hate them, we have items for the squirrels too, including feeders just for
 them, and deterrents to help keep them away from your bird feeders!

In addition to the bird supplies, we have some fun things for YOU to enjoy as well:  freshly roasted coffee (a unique blend made just for us), local honey, and bird seed brittle from Wildflour Bakery in Milwaukee.

What about the other storefront?  Well, renovations and upgrades continue throughout the rest of the building, including the apartments upstairs.  Gallons of paint have been applied, and new doors and windows have been ordered, along with new flooring for the other storefront and the apartments.  The heating system also requires an upgrade, and a part of the building needs some roof repair.  Once the second storefront is complete, we'll be expanding our business to use both sides.  Visit us often so you can follow the ongoing progress as we grow our business!  We can't wait to see you!

OPENING SOON!

SeedsNBeans officially has a permanent location!  After years of planning and dreaming, looking at several buildings, and many ups and downs, we finally signed the papers yesterday to purchase a building with a better location and more potential than the others we had previously considered!

You've enjoyed our handcrafted feeders and birdhouses for several years now, but in just a few short weeks, we'll expand our offerings to include premium wild birdseed blends from a Wisconsin company, as well as high quality commercially made feeders and houses.  Did you enjoy our freshly roasted coffee at the Dash at the Dunes or Bird Breakfast events at Woodland Dunes this spring?  We'll have coffee beans available as well!  Need a little snack?  We'll also be offering packaged brittle snacks from Wild Flour Bakery in Milwaukee, whose Birdseed Brittle Bars were named best new product at the Bird Expo last fall!  Yum!

What's next?  Let the renovations and updates begin!  Flooring, lighting, plumbing, painting, windows & doors, oh my!  There will be a whirlwind of activity in the store and upstairs apartments over the next few weeks.  Carpets must be pulled up.  New laminate flooring will be installed.  The lighting will be upgraded to more efficient fixtures.  New water heaters need to be installed, and a fresh coat of paint must be applied in the store and apartments!  There are many doors and windows that must be replaced for a fresh new look!

Stocking the store will be the next task.  Lee had the privilege of attending a Bird Expo at Gold Crest Distributing in Mexico, Missouri last fall.  While there, he toured their warehouse and networked with others involved in the birding industry from all over the country.  Later this month, we'll all travel to Gold Crest and go through the warehouse together and select exactly what commercially made feeders, bird houses, and supplies we'd like to offer in the SeedsNBeans store.

Can't wait?  You can still find us at the Manitowoc Market on Saturdays and Two Rivers Market on Wednesday afternoons.  We'll keep you updated on our progress and projected opening date!

Open for Summer Markets--and Looking to the Future

SeedsNBeans has once again moved outdoors for the summer markets, as most of you have already discovered.  Our apologies that the blog has fallen behind, things have just been so busy!

You will find us at the Manitowoc Farmer's Market most Saturdays and some Tuesday afternoons.  You'll find us at the market in Two Rivers some Wednesday afternoons and during some special events.  Like us on facebook, as we'll be working hard to let you know just where we'll be with facebook updates.  We are able to accept credit cards at both market locations now for your shopping convenience.

We still have our porch swing tray feeders available, as well as other feeder styles for birds and squirrels.  Bat houses and bird houses in many colors and designs are on display at our stand every week.  Special orders have become a big part of our business, as we've now made wood duck houses, robin/mourning dove nesting platforms, and even custom signs! 

What about the future?  We are currently in the planning stages of opening a permanent store!  We're so excited!  We have a building in mind and are working to get all the details to come together.  We've met with an electrician, heating and cooling specialist, other business owners, and have made many wonderful friends along the way.  Many of you have asked us about a store during your chats with us at the market, and we thank you for your encouragement and support.  Now, we ask for your prayers as we work through this massive undertaking!  Lee will be attending a conference this fall, hosted by a distributor we hope to work with, to learn more about the beautiful bird business!

Stay tuned....

Indoors for the Winter

SeedsNBeans has moved indoors, to the Main Street Market, for the winter.  You'll find our collection of birdhouses, bird feeders, squirrel feeders, hand-turned canes, planters, and other custom work at the market from 9 am to 2 pm on Saturdays.  New to our offerings this winter are birdhouse kits.  Our kits include pre-cut wood, all hardware, and assembly instructions.  Birdhouse kits are a fun way to spend some quality time with the children in your life. 

SeedsNBeans on youtube!

SeedsNBeans has had a busy summer, expanding to the Manitowoc Farmers Market as well as continuing in the Two Rivers Market. You'll find us at both markets most Saturdays, at Manitowoc Tuesday afternoons, and at Two Rivers Wednesday afternoons. A satisfied bat house customer recently visited the Manitowoc Farmers Market with his camera to film the market for youtube. You'll find the SeedsNBeans display right at the beginning of the video. Keep watching to see some of the quality offerings at the Manitowoc Farmers Market! Shop Local!

Bring on the Hummers!

I recently came across a tip aimed at attracting hummingbirds to your feeders: Purchase a hanging basket in full bloom right now. Choose a red flower, specifically a type that attracts hummingbirds. Petunias and fuschias are both good choices. I chose petunias because they can take more sun, though they will require a great deal of water to keep the flowers going. Put out your hanging planter as soon as possible to lure in hummers as they search for nesting sites. Place hummingbird feeders nearby. I have seen hummers in our yard when certain plants/shrubs are flowering, but have not had great luck keeping them around. I currently have a basket of red petunias hanging outside in an effort to increase our hummer traffic. It already seems to have attracted more butterflies right up by the house! As with any feeder, be sure to clean your hummingbird feeders regularly. Keep in mind that sugar water will not last as long in direct sunlight. I've also had issues with keeping the stoppers/feeding tubes in the bottles when I put feeders in the direct sun, so I'm going to place mine near the petunia basket, but out of the direct sunlight. Stay tuned for photos later this week!