HOLLANDALE — Not everything that is dented, damaged or scratched belongs in a junkyard. Not according to Yesterday’s Barn owner Karen Vanderploeg, anyway.

Vanderploeg has spent the winter months attending auctions and rummage sales, visiting thrift shops and stopping at curbsides to claim old and outdated pieces of furniture to revitalize. She has spent about 15 to 20 hours per week on the items she has amassed to fill a display room in her barn, which hosts sales twice a year.

One of the things she said she enjoys most about her work is refreshing a piece of furniture to make it appealing to the eye and something her customers would like to have in their homes — instead of it being needlessly disregarded.

Items such as side tables, dressers that have been turned into buffets and home decor items are particularly popular with her clientele. The majority of the pieces could be considered to be farmhouse style items, and Vanderploeg said she has many of them in the trendiest colors this season — white, varying shades of gray and off-white.

“One thing that is unique about our shop is that it’s one-of-a-kind items. It’s not mass-produced,” Vanderploeg said.

She also does custom orders in between working to restock her inventory between sales. Sometimes customers will come to her with a specific piece in mind. Other times they have an idea of what they what, but need some assistance.

With the benefit of cellphones, Vanderploeg said she can coordinate with customers while out rummaging for items to ensure she has a piece that is to their liking.

She has also gone paint shopping with them to make sure she gets the exact shade of a color the customer has in mind. Between her own projects and custom work, Vanderploeg works between 15 to 20 hours a week with the assistance of her husband, David, who helps her find items to bring home and make a sometimes needed repair.

Due to the nature of her business, those who would like to view the items she has for sale are encouraged to come earlier as all of her items are one of a kind. The barn will then be slowly restocked for the fall sale in September.

Yesterday’s Barn, 28674 810th Ave. in Hollandale, will be open for its next sale from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 18 and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 19. Vanderploeg said there is always plenty of parking, and she provides lemonade and a treat as part of the spring sale. Those unavailable during those days can make an appointment after the sale to see any inventory that may be left over.

Vanderploeg can be contacted at 507-383-2274 or through her Yesterday’s Barn Facebook page.