Continuing a family tradition: Objects to Crave set to open in Hovland on July 1

Kalli Hawkins | June 30, 2023

Following in her grandparent’s footsteps, Shel Busch and her husband, Bob Busch, are opening a gift shop full of curiosities, unique trinkets, and uncommon finds in Hovland. The gift shop is called Objects to Crave and is located along the shores of Lake Superior, east of Grand Marais.

Forty years ago, Shel Busch’s grandparents owned and operated Treasures Cove Gifts and Antiques in the same building that now is home to Objects to Crave.

“My grandparents Darold and Janet Larson bought this place in 1980,” said Shel Busch. “They had it until 2000. As a kid, I would come up and stay with them and help out. We all kind of did it. It was a family thing.”

From a young age, the enjoyment of treasure hunting for antiques, agates, or unusual household gems left on the side of the road captured the heart of the Shel Busch family.

In August of 2022, the Busch’s discovered the building was up for sale by Runningen Furs. The Busch’s talked to the owner of Runningen Furs and ended up closing on the property in Jan. of 2023.

“We started right after we closed,” Bob Busch said. “We came in here and started taking things apart. And everything that we did was with the mindset of ‘let’s repurpose anything we find.'”

As they dismantled and reconstructed the building, they discovered unique trinkets hidden in the walls or various nooks and crannies. “I’m sure we’ll be finding them for a long time after this,” Bob Busch added.

The project to restore and update the building in preparation for its July 1 opening date has become an entire family affair. Shel said her mom, dad, sister, and children have been involved in the project. Shel said her mom is taking photos and documenting the progress on their social media pages, her sister is responsible for painting, and her dad has helped rebuild the deck.

Objects to Crave will offer antique and vintage items and, in the near future, will begin to provide candles, bath and body products, gourmet sodas, snacks, and much more. They have a grand opening on July 1 and 2 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to coincide with the Hovland Arts Festival.

As the Busch’s have been working on the buildings and property, they said they could feel the presence of Shel’s grandparents. They both know Darold and Janet Larson would be “very happy with what we’re doing.”

Shel Busch added, “It’s a dream come true.”

Following the grand opening weekend, Objects to Crave will be open Friday thru Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and operate seasonally until the end of October.

Photos of Objects to Crave as they prepare for the grand opening: