By Don Steen ~ Staff Writer • reporter@psci.net
Two Sisters Country Store has built up a strong following since their grand opening late last month. The eponymous sisters, Angie Gideon and Lisa Oliver, have their shop set up at 1 S. Main Street in Chrisney, with the entrance being in back by the old drive-through window of the former bank.
The store specializes in farm fresh dairy products, specifically ice cream and glass-bottled milk from Crystal Springs Creamery of Osceola. That farm prides itself on milk derived from Holstein cows raised free of growth hormones and allowed to graze freely on grass, corn, and alfalfa. Since 2019, Crystal Springs Creamery has sold its products in glass bottles, and as was the case in the heyday of the milkman, these bottles can be returned for credit.
While Two Sisters Country Store has made these products a cornerstone of its inventory, friends of the owners have probably had a taste of it before. The two would routinely make trips up north to purchase the milk in bulk and transport it back for their own use. This quickly evolved into buying enough milk for family, friends, and friends of friends. Eventually, they realized that a regular cottage industry had sprung up around them.
“It kind of snowballed into us picking up for 20 families,” said Angie.
Turning this regular hobby into a business requires more frequent trips up north, and a wider net when it comes to inventory, but the business has certainly begun to fill out. Several local farms and businesses are sourcing treats appropriate for various seasons. The main attraction, however, continues to be the store’s dairy products. Yogurts, ice cream, and cheeses are some of the highlights, but the glass-bottled fresh milk takes the cake in that regard.
There are several options for last-minute holiday shoppers looking to set the table over the holidays. These include milks flavored with peppermint mocha, as well as egg nog. The old stand-by’s of white and chocolate milk are also regularly in stock, though these tend to go fast. Regular customers are encouraged to return emptied glass bottles for store credit.
The store’s regular hours starting with the New Year will be 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday evenings and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. These have proven to be some of the most convenient time frames for customers thus far.
Once winter gives way to spring, expect the two sisters to start stocking up on new seasonal offerings.
Featured Image: Owner-operators Angie Gideon and Lisa Oliver, along with friends and family, cut the ribbon at the grand opening of their new country store in Chrisney
New Girls in Town: Owner-operators Angie Gideon (left) and Lisa Oliver (right) have made quite the impression with their country store
The Twin Sisters Country Store offers a wide variety of specialty milks and dairy products
Angie Gideon stocks a display with merchandise
