FORDGING A NEW PATH. Jill Ford (pictured) and her family – the inspiration behind The Fordge's name – are no strangers to entrepreneurship in the Chippewa Valley. However, the family's new business on Chippewa Falls' Elm Street is a first-time foray, and Jill hopes it takes off.

Longtime local Jill Ford is uniquely qualified to open one of the Chippewa Valley’s newest brick-and-mortar boutique, The Fordge, located within the historic brick building at 45 E. Elm St., Chippewa Falls.

Jill and her husband, Brent, already own several rental properties as well as area events venue, The Fordge Barn (28193 263rd Ave., Holcombe). The century-old building on Elm Street, while a new property of the Fords’, already has a business history of its own.

Today, the property – made up of two historic buildings, now connected at the rear and side; with frontage on both E. Elm Street and N. High Street – is marked by an ornamentation reading “1920,” the only explicit hint at its storied past.

According to the Chippewa County Historical Society, the twentieth century structure was once the headquarters of the 426th Infantry of the Wisconsin National Guard. “(It was) used to fix artillery trucks and things,” Jill said, citing 300 pages of text that came with the building’s purchase.

“There’s a lot of history in this building and it’s absolutely beautiful,” she continued. “I mean, it has sustained a lot, and still has a bunch of character you sometimes lose in new buildings.”

The Fords made some cosmetic updates to the space – namely light fixtures, ceiling tiles and interior paint – but haven’t made significant structural changes because of that built-in character.

Jill said The Fordge's products and physical space can ebb and flow based on customer feedback. She hopes events become a significant aspect of the new boutique's storefront, including vendor pop-up events with local vendors like Kaiserson Bee Co. (products pictured).

Street-facing windows offer a view into The Fordge and its tasteful home goods and attire. Black and gold details pop against the exposed brick inside, serving as a classic background for displays filled jewelry and accessories, home decor, child-friendly toys and goods and more.

Men’s and women’s clothing – generally offered in standard sizes, up to 2x and 3x – include chino pants and linen blends for men alongside quality denim, sweaters and tops, dresses and sets for women.

While the boutique is a first-time foray for the Fords, their previous business experience underscores Jill’s overarching vision and desire to see The Fordge act as a physical location for other entrepreneurs and pop-up space for events.

“I want this to feel like a community space,” Jill said. “That’s why I plan on running monthly local vendor events, pop-ups and private events.”

In the coming weeks, The Fordge will host Eau Claire’s Token Jewelry, Kaiserson Bee Co., Mother’s Day specials and more. The property has already been host to several girls-night-out events and business get-togethers, which come with personal additions from Jill.

“I bring in a charcuterie board and drinks, everyone gets 15% off to shop and they get first dibs on items that aren’t on the floor yet,” Jill noted.

Since opening in February, locals are still becoming acquainted with The Fordge; customers will shape the products and hours of the new boutique, Jill said.

“(Opening a business is) a risk no matter what,” Jill shared, “but I really hope it takes off. This could be something we pass down to our daughters.”

“When you open a business, you don’t know for sure what people are going to think, so the community support so far has just been amazing,” she continued. “There’s a lot of potential in this building. I’d be surprised if someone came in and couldn’t find something they like.”

As The Fordge settles into its space on Elm Street, it enters April with new hours: 2-6pm on Wednesday; 10am-6pm on Thursday, once the downtown farmers market begins; 2-8pm on Friday; 12-5pm on Saturday.

Keep up with Chippewa Falls’s newest boutique and pop-up space on social media and its website for the latest updates. The Fordge's first few spring vendor pop-ups will spotlight local businesses Kaiserson Bee Co. and Token Jewelry. 

Find The Fordge (45 E. Elm St., Chippewa Falls) on Facebook and learn more online at the-fordge.myshopify.com. For pop-up inquiries, reach out at (715) 514-8185 or jill@thefordgebarn.com.