Harold and Brenda Johnston have lived in Stoughton for 26 years; they had no desire to move besides possibly looking into a lake cottage in the future. Yet, when the well known Red Market Barn went up for sale the Johnston's began discussing a change in their lives.
When Brenda first heard the Red Market Barn homestead was up for sale, she became concerned about the seasonal markets which she had been a vendor at. Together the Johnston's toured the house, not really planning on any big decisions, but once they began the tour they decided to purchase the home.
"I always wanted a big house," Brenda explained. "Two months ago we purchased it, we had no plans to do it. It just worked out this way."
Brenda said it would have been difficult to lose the Red Market Barn and, therefore, with the decision to purchase a large house came the quick decision to continue with tradition by keeping the Red Market Barn open.
The first market will be held between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., June 30. The market will be open every Sunday between these times until their last market on Sept. 1. Admission will be $1, while anyone under six is free.
Since vendors were presented the opportunity to continue attending Red Market Barn, Johnston's have been very busy.
"There's been an increase in people coming to the market itself as vendors, it's just been kind of crazy. People were frightened it wouldn't happen, but since it still is they're interested."
It has therefore been a very busy time for Brenda as she works at the Stoughton school in addition to moving and fielding calls about being vendors; but, she is very excited for the first sale.
"We know a lot of people and spent a lot of time on the phone."
Having brain stormed many different ideas for the year the Johnston's decided to keep the structure relatively the same, though they do plan on making their own changes in the future. It has simply been a bit of a hectic time; however, they do plan to rent the barn out for a variety of events including old time dances or birthday parties.
Overall the move was not something anyone had really expected, but it has been a very exciting time for the Johnston's who will be hosting their first Red Market Barn sale Sunday, June 30.
"It was totally unplanned and everyone's happy for us!"
