27 years at Past and Present

“Past and Present” is a cozy little shop on the west side of North State Street, just past its intersection with Eleventh Avenue. Upon entering, the visitor is met with the smell of home-baked goods or floral scents, along with the peaceful sound of water fountains at the entry.

Sandi Prange and her husband Randy are the owners of Past & Present. Their experiences seem to show operating a store for 27 years is no easy feat. The couple acquired the  building after it had been in use as a gas station called Dave’s Service and Marine. To set up their retail shop, Sandi says the front counter was relocated, but other than that not much of the building’s layout has changed. The first room to the right has a 1948 Plymouth sitting on the hoist; it’s been there the past 27 years. Adding to the “automotive ambiance,” the light fixtures from the original service garage are also still in use overhead. And the original tire racks are still hanging on the ceiling as well.

Near the  space with the ‘48 Plymouth is a parts rack now serving as a home decor display; it, too, originates from the time of Dave’s Service. Not far from the service rack is an upturned boat; across from that is another display with assorted jams, jellies and dips. An entire bookcase offers candy choices for the kids, perhaps mostly to keep them quiet so the shopping can continue. Offered nearby are small solar lights for use indoors or in the garden, solar-charged candles,and real candles. There are also wind chimes and charming water fountains made from antique milk buckets.

Sandi’s connections to Waseca span generations. Her parents were local as well; she grew up with six siblings–three brothers and three sisters. A lifelong resident of Waseca, Prange has four grown children, her oldest son is the owner of Waseca Glass in town. 

Sandi’s business card summarizes the store’s offerings: Vintage furniture, local handmade barnwood furniture, silk florals, Minnesota souvenirs, candles and accessories, jewelry, local honey, linens, lighting, home décor, garden décor and greeting cards.

She’s recently started turning over her summer décor for the fall and Halloween decorations. With September underway, better to get a head start than to put it off. She pointed to the wall in back and the windows there, “This used to be a large garage door for semis when they fixed them here.” There’s an employee kitchen in the breakroom and a warehouse in the very back. 

The “DeSoto room” was space to display new vehicles when it was still Dave’s Service and Marine, said Sandi, “The glass windows in front go all the way to the floor so you could see the whole car.” The tour continued past another original parts rack now holding boxed soups, beer bread, dips, cheeseballs, local honey and of course lots of puzzles. Said Sandi, “Puzzles have been very popular lately.”

The kitchen in back also serves as the preparation area for Sandi’s free sample days Friday and Saturday every week. The samples, of course, are of products for sale inside.

Anyone wishing for a cozy little stop where life slows down, find Past & Present at 1101 North State Street. The phone number is 507-835-4000.