Back in the Saddle: Franklin reopens The Stable in new location

After eight years of hard work and determination to bring back her store, Melinda Franklin has reopened The Stable offering western apparel, décor, pet supplies and more.

In 2006, Melinda Franklin opened The Stable, a one stop shop for all farming needs both inside and out in Winnebago, Minnesota.

“I offered country western apparel, décor, pet supplies, fencing, and animal feeds, just to name a few,” Franklin said.

Franklin owned and operated the store for eight years before tragedy struck, leaving her with nothing.

“There was a large storm which led to my roof collapsing and I lost everything,” she said.

Devastated, Franklin sold off everything she had.

“I had built up inventory over the years, and I had no choice but to bring it down to an auction and sell for pennies on the dollar because I had animals at home to care for,” she continued.

At home, Franklin had nearly 50 horses on her farm that needed care.

“We were breeding and raising APHA horses at Back in the Saddle: Franklin reopens The Stable in new location the time as well as getting involved with rescue horses,” said Franklin.

Animals would come to Franklin in various conditions.

“We would get horses from homes that just couldn’t care for them any longer and we would rehabilitate them to find the horses homes again,” she said.

Franklin made the difficult decision to close the Winnebago store and bring her animals to South Dakota.

“We brought animals with us that weren’t rescued, and since moving, our farm has expanded. We have horses, mini cattle, chickens, a peacock, and mini pot belly pigs just to name a few,” she said.

Taking a chance at a new adventure, Melinda and her husband Mark purchased the former grocery store on Main Street to open the Archery Shak.

“My husband ran the Archery Shak, a bow and arrow range, which was going strong until Covid changed everything,” Franklin said.

Due to Mark’s health issues, the family decided it was best to move the archery business.

“With Mark unable to work on bows any longer, our daughter has taken on this business and moved it to her hometown of Manly, Iowa,” she continued.

While continuing to care for her animals, Franklin began to miss having her store. With the Archery Shak building now available, she knew the time was right to reopen her store.

“I learned a lot of my own vetting while taking care of my animals, especially how to care for horses and their needs and I wanted a place for people to get all their needs in one stop,” Franklin said.

When reopening The Stable, Franklin knew she needed to reach back out to those who were there from the start.

“I have brought back the best of my distributors including Cowgirl Tuff, Justin boots, Twisted X, Ely, Shiloh Stables, El Paso Saddlery, M&F Western, and the list goes on and on,” she said.