Modern Homestead draws massive crowd on opening day

Ash Grove-based business sells pumpkins, fall décor, mums from home
 
When Ronessa and Justin Williams began making corn bundles to sell for some extra money back in August, they had no idea that they would end up creating a fall décor business on their farm instead.
“We do a lot of corn across the road,” Ronessa said. “We thought it would be fun to make some corn bundles, and that idea just kind of grew into (something) bigger.”
Ronessa and Justin Williams are the owners of Modern Homestead Williams Fall Harvest Company, a kind of country roadside stand where they sell pumpkins, mums, fall décor, clothing, candles and much more.
Justin said the idea for Modern Homestead evolved quickly after they first decided to sell corn bundles.
“This came together 30 days ago,” he said. “We didn’t plan this. Thirty days ago, we’re like, ‘We’ll do some corn bundles.’ Then 30 days later, she said, ‘Let’s get some pumpkins to sell.”
Modern Décor opened for business on Saturday, Sept. 19. The business had a highly successful opening day, with about 400 people in attendance.
Justin said the number of people who came took him by surprise.
“At 8:55 a.m., there wasn’t a car outside the house; (I) came back (10 minutes later) and we were packed.”
Among the most popular selling items, Ronessa said, included pumpkins and mums.
“And a lot of people will come through here and pick up a floor mat or a sign,” she added.
Justin admitted he underestimated how successful Modern Homestead would be.
“I told her she was crazy; that we weren’t going to sell very much of this stuff,” he said. “I was wrong, by a long shot.”
Sonya Lawson, who came to shop with her daughters Ella, 9, and Harper, 6, said she was very impressed by what she saw at Modern Homestead.
“I love the farmhouse décor, so that’s been great to look at,” she said, “and of course, my girls are wanting to get pumpkins.”
Ronessa said she planned to keep Modern Homestead open only through Halloween, but she might go longer if demand warrants it.
“Until about Oct. 31 is when our plan is,” she said, “but we’ve got so much interest today with people wanting us to sell some Christmas stuff, too. We might do Christmas just at the end of October, or might stay open another week or two in November.”
Modern Homestead is located at the intersection of Highway F and Farm Road 84 in Ash Grove. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and noon until 5 p.m. on Sunday; closed the rest of the week. For more information, call (417) 343-2663, send an e-mail to ronessawilliams@gmail.com, or visit their Facebook page.