The Store's History

Willow Springs Creative Centre is located in a building and grounds that is historic to the Lappe Area.  Lappe was founded as a community of Finnish homesteaders in the very late 1800’s.  As noted in A Chronicle of Finnish Settlements in Rural Thunder Bay (1976):

It is difficult to determine the precise boundaries of Lappe. Strictly speaking, it included those who paid tax to Gorham and Ware 3 School…Lappe as an organic community, consisted of families living on the lands around the school…Lappe was almost wholly Finnish speaking. These Finns had come to America to find a better life…The immigrant was allowed to stay at the Immigration Hall in Port Arthur until he obtained his land location…any male over eighteen …was able to acquire one hundred sixty acres of land. Farming was extremely difficult in the rocky soils of Gorham…Antti Kaija planted three bags of potatoes when he first arrived and harvested half a bagful-- all the size of marbles…In the very early days, any buying and selling had to be done in Port Arthur…(but)…Lappe had two stores by 1920 and a branch of the People’s Co-operative Store in 1935.”

Lappe actually had two co-op stores. Willow Springs was originally an International Co-op, and the Lappe Store was the People's Co-op. There were several International Co-ops (Algoma Ave. where Colosimo's Music is now, Nolalu, Geraldton, Kaministiquia. According to History of Finnish Businesses in the Thunder Bay Area (2006):

Officially called “The International Co-Operative Trading Company, Ltd.” the International Co-Ops were a network of Co-Operative stores owned and operated by customer-shareholders, which was patterned after American models. The Port Arthur Co-Op was incorporated in 1926 and ten years later had branches in Fort William, Pike Lake and Hurkett. The Farmer’s Mercantile and I.A. Klamie’s store in Nolalu were taken over by the International Co-Op Trading Company in the 1930’s and the original Farmer’s Mercantile location operated until 1970.

According to Anneli Wainio, trade began when a truck from the Co-op store in Port Arthur would deliver feed and groceries to Lappe. One could give their order and the next week the driver would bring them. The farmers in turn, would bring cases of eggs to the truck that would bring them for sale at the store on Algoma.

First the garage was built and then the store. Shares date back to 1934.  It operated until 1945 when the Algoma Street store closed.  Though there is conflicting information, it is believed that Emil Koski purchased the general store in about 1948.  Over the years it was a gathering place for the community serving as the post office. The grounds, under the care of Mrs. Koski, consisted of lovely gardens and a pond. To cottagers on the surrounding lakes, it was a favourite stop for grocery items, gas and for the kids, candy and ice cream.  Over the years, changes were made, such as applying stucco to replace the wooden exterior. Different out building were built and removed.

Willow Springs was purchased by Liisa Leskowski, Kathy Toivonen, Lea Hayes and Judi Vinni in 2002 as an Artisan Gift Store and Studio from Tom Law, the Koski’s son-in-law.  The setting is perfect for creative hands-on workshops, seminars, events like the annual haunted Halloween tour, a fundraiser for Gorham Ware School’s grade 8 graduation. Then in 2006 the business evolved into an incorporated Not for Profit organization, Willow Springs Creative Centre.

The store, which retains many of its original fixtures and character, continues to provide meeting and retail space.  Preserving the building, restoring and enhancing Mrs. Koski’s gardens and paying tribute to the history of the place is among the priorities of the board of Willow Springs Creative Centre.  Though some of the out buildings like the privies and old sauna are in a poor state, the main elements will be respected and a record of the site preserved.  In the summer of 2007, two volunteers worked to restore the rose bushes that had been consumed by bush.  Little by little with cleaning and clearing the old and new emerges on this wonderful site.

According to Judi Vinni, a founder of Willow Springs, there is something about the store that elicits memories and stories from those who visit.  We continue to seek photos and memories of the place. 

A shares certificate dates September 25, 1944 for six shares at five dollars each.  The President is H. Anttila and the Secretary is T. Siilman. Also in our archive is a share from September 4, 1934 and one from May 1945 as evidence that the Co-op continued to sell shares until that time.

A tea party sometime in the 1940’s. Standing is Lempi Kolhonen. Seated are Suiri Lehtonen and Esther Wainio. The tradition continues with Willow Springs Creative Centre using the space for meetings and workshops which always involve tea and goodies.

Also from the 40’s: The inset door of the store was boarded over to create a porch and some insulation from the cold.  Gathered on the steps front row: Helmi Ollikala, Wilfred Ollikala and Gloria Hendrickson. Herbi Hendrickson.  Among the others: Mrs. Viitala, Rose Kangas, Mrs. Rintola, (middle) Lempi Kolhonen, Esther Wainio and Anne Carlson. Can you help identify others?

Wilfred Ollikala around 1944 or 1945

International Co-op Store Managers Mabel and Walter Hendrickson.

The style of the gas pumps and the Dodge Dart indicate the 1970’s. Mr Koski works on the sign.

Credit: Archival photos and copies of old International Co-op shares were kindly provided by Helmi Ollikala and her son, Wilfred.