MONROE — After a two-year break, Sue Nettum has reopened the doors of The Artful Gourmet — this time on the Square in Monroe. The store opened March 1.
“We’re really happy we’re here,” Nettum said.
The Albany native first opened the store in Evansville and within months knew she was going to have to expand. The business was then moved down the street; and eventually, she set up shop in New Glarus where she ran the business for more than three years.
We’re really happy we’re here.Sue Nettum
After planning to expand into a larger building fell through, Nettum and her husband, Duane, decided to take a break when they couldn’t find a building suited for them.
Over the store’s two-year hiatus, Nettum said she deeply missed the physical space after trying to sell items in a consignment shop.
But a day walking around Monroe’s Square with her husband brought with it some hope. Nettum noticed a large banner on The Green Door, a longtime Monroe business, announcing its closing.
“We took it as a sign,” Nettum said. “We didn’t want to end up somewhere we really didn’t want to be. We think the Square is fabulous; the shopping and the restaurants.”
Nettum’s passion for cooking inspired her to open The Artful Gourmet in 2012. She has spent more than half of her life in the restaurant industry. She started waitressing when she was 16 and eventually found herself running restaurants and catering in the Madison area.
After suffering from a back injury, Nettum decided opening her own space would be best so she could work at her own pace. Her business continued to expand as she healed.
Today, Nettum said much of her time is spent choosing products she feels her customers will enjoy.
“I love finding unique, beautiful fun things for the house and for cooking,” Nettum said.
So far, several shoppers have stopped in after hearing of her opening and she has received positive feedback.
The store sells cookware, food, towels and linens, pottery and seasonings. They also sell vintage furniture pieces from Vintage Birch Barn of Evansville.
“We’ve had a real welcoming feeling from other businesses and local people,” Nettum said. “This first month has been fantastic.”
