‘Old Country’ trade inspires vision for Harrison, Neb., business
By Kerri Rempp, Discover Northwest Nebraska
4 min to read
In a location that has traditionally served as a cafe for the community of Harrison, Neb., Gerald Foerderer has opened the re-imagined Village Barn, a boot and shoe repair shop that also offers custom leatherwork and antiques.
The smell of leather permeates an A-frame building on Highway 20 in Harrison that has traditionally been filled with the scents of burgers, pie and coffee. With every nook and cranny stuffed full of leather goods and antiques, the one-time Village Barn Café has a new purpose in 2021.
Jerry Foerderer and his family recently opened the Village Barn in Harrison, a boot, shoe and saddle repair shop that also offers custom leatherwork and antiques. He's pictured here with wife Laurie, and three of their seven children, Cameron, 10, Cailey, 16, and Cara, 14.
Jerry Foerderer works with his son in his leather shop. “I want to share this lost culture and heritage with young people,” he said. “It’s a lifestyle not to be forgotten.”
Rancher Wyatt Thurston almost expects to see a camel loping over the scorched landscape of the Nebraska Sandhills.
In a location that has traditionally served as a cafe for the community of Harrison, Neb., Gerald Foerderer has opened the re-imagined Village Barn, a boot and shoe repair shop that also offers custom leatherwork and antiques.
Jerry Foerderer and his family recently opened the Village Barn in Harrison, a boot, shoe and saddle repair shop that also offers custom leatherwork and antiques. He's pictured here with wife Laurie, and three of their seven children, Cameron, 10, Cailey, 16, and Cara, 14.
Jerry Foerderer works with his son in his leather shop. “I want to share this lost culture and heritage with young people,” he said. “It’s a lifestyle not to be forgotten.”
