People traveling through Burr Oak on State Road 17 have noticed some changes at one of the buildings on the main-drag. They have stopped and asked, what are you doing? A Depot? A bar? A restaurant? Well everyone will find out this weekend because the Burr Oak Whistle Stop will open on Saturday.
Marshall County Commissioner Kevin Overmyer and his wife Melody are breathing life back into the downtown area with a unique store.
The Burr Oak Whistle Stop will have painted furniture, antiques, signs, jewelry, crafts, gift items and holiday décor. Obviously with Lake Max just down the road some of the items will relate to boating, fishing, the beach and lake living but there will be things for rural homes, those in town and those in the cities and of course train items since the tracks run right next door.
The Burr Oak Whistle Stop was the old general store when Overmyer was growing up. He remembers going to the pit and gathering up glass pop bottles and getting $.03 each and then buying a candy bar for $.05 and another bottle of Coke for $.10. He would then go out front and sit on the wooden box and enjoy his treat. Well that box was sold in an auction years ago but he found it and will have it back out front in time for the store’s opening this Saturday.
When asked why he wanted to undertake such a project Kevin said, “Growing up here and watching the building deteriorate into a deplorable condition made me want to make a change.” He said he thinks the Town of Culver is appreciative and he’s seen some of the other properties in Burr Oak start making improvements.
The Burr Oak Whistle Stop opens this Saturday at 10 a.m. and will stay open till 8. They will also be open on Sunday from 1 to 5 and then Monday through Friday from 10 till 6.
