By TRISTAN GEHRING
Staff Writer
The Pines Retreat Center along Highway 30 east of Ellendale is now officially open, and started taking bookings at its open house the afternoon of March 9. Approximately 165 people attended the open house. The crowd consisted of area residents and out-of-state visitors. The establishment’s first retreat date is booked for April. In 2023, Bev and Jim Dobberstein purchased what was once the Whispering Pines Supper Club, which had since been renovated into a house. The main building has now become The Pines, a retreat center for crafters of all stripes. Bev Dobberstein explains that, since she is a quilter, many of the stations are very suited to quilting tasks. However, she welcomes all ages, crafts and levels. The only limit is the crafters’ imagination.
A craft retreat center is “a place kind of like an AirBnB, that you rent to be with your friends while doing what you love,” according to Dobberstein. “You come in, explore, set yourself up, and let it flow.” Dobberstein hopes the retreat center will be a place to make memories, and will bring people into Ellendale. Her website features a page on local businesses where her patrons can go when they need a break. Standard check-in time is 9 a.m.; check-out is 3 p.m., but these times are flexible as long as appropriate notice is given. Bookings can be made through the website, thepinesretreat.com, launching this week. About what makes The Pines special, Dobberstein says she has aimed to stay small. The Pines Retreat Center sleeps ten. “There are always big retreats available - I wanted to make it small, make it feel like you've come to my home and are my guest.”
Dobberstein dipped her toes in the water of business ownership with a small side business when she was younger, but largely considers herself a first-time business owner with this venture. “We're kinda flying by the seat of our pants.”
The Dobbersteins acquired the space in part because Jim wanted the workshop located on the property. Bev recalls him asking what she'd do with the house, joking “it's an expensive venture for you to just sew with your friends.” This is what planted the seed in Bev’s mind for what The Pines has become. Bev says she loves the openness of the space, having had the experience of living and working in cramped spaces before. “I didn't really see it as a risk,” she said about opening the business, “even though it is - it's a huge risk. This is my first idea for a business - the hours are flexible and it's something I love, so it doesn't feel like work. But if it doesn't work out, we'll do something else. COVID taught us a lot about pivoting. We'll just go with it.”
No construction work was done to convert the space to a retreat center. Dobberstein says most of her time was spent furnishing the nearly 5,000 square foot space, traveling around the state in a UHaul looking for deals. When it came to official paperwork, Dobberstein describes the process as a “hurry up and wait” situation, but says employees of the county and state were always, and continue to be, extremely helpful.
Bev is taking the lead on running the new retreat center, although she assures that her husband Jim helps out as much as she needs. Bev, 69, comes from Albert Lea, born there to Maxine and Forest Coxworth. She moved to Ellendale in 2005. Her hobbies are quilting and reading - she started a quilting group at Hope Church of Albert Lea and heads an effort there to make quilts for local children who've experienced trauma. She also belongs to a monthly book club which she started with friends. Her favorite book is “Gone With the Wind.” She attended high school in Albert Lea, then spent some time in California studying to be a registered dental assistant and spent her entire adult life in healthcare.
For those looking to meet Bev in person and make memories at the Pines, bookings can also be made through email at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..