The Grass Wagon rolls into Hill City

The Grass Wagon, located on Hill City Main Street, is already making an impression with its locally sourced goods, antiques and one-of-a-kind gifts and home decor. The new boutique has rolled into town, offering a cozy mix of rustic charm, handcrafted treasures and a friendly face to greet you at the door.

“Hi, folks. Come on in,” owner Christine Richardson cheerfully greeted visitors as they stepped inside. 

The boutique’s walls are lined with antique furniture—each piece refinished by Richardson herself. Repainted and often adorned with hand-painted murals or decorative transfers, she gives each piece a unique and artful finish. 

“The antiques are my love,” she said.

Richardson gives new life to the old pieces. 

“I do all kinds of things with furniture,” she said, admitting sometimes she has to refrain. 

“Some of them are just naturally beautiful, and I can’t touch them because they’re just too gorgeous,” she says, pointing to a vintage piece in the corner.

A former insurance agent, Richardson felt creatively stifled in the field. She started refinishing furniture for herself and people started to take notice. What started as a hobby quickly blossomed into a passion and ultimately a new career path. 

“I’d post something on Facebook. They’re like, ‘You should do this for a living. You should sell this,’” she recalled.

“I’ve been doing it for five or six years,” said Richardson with obvious passion for her skill, estimating that she’s probably sold three or four hundred pieces. Richardson takes custom orders and even refinishes sets from customers’ personal collections, including vintage Italian heirloom pieces that are now showcased at the historic Burdette House in Hot Springs. 

The Grass Wagon isn’t just about the furniture. The boutique features an array of locally-crafted products including natural soaps and soy candles infused with essential oils and skincare products created by a master herbologist. The all natural skincare includes small glass jars of sun butter, a natural sun protection, as well as natural bug and mosquito repellents. 

Shoppers can browse herbal teas and locally ground coffee from Dark Canyon Coffee company alongside dried soups, dips and spreads. Local jarred jams, jellies and homemade spices and seasonings sit in tiered display baskets. 

“The Wooly’s Seasoning is from Wooly’s Steakhouse in Hot Springs. Everybody loved their seasoning, so they started bottling it,” said Richardson, who carries the hard to find packages.

Adorning the quaint store are vintage or repurposed, one-of-a-kind home decor pieces including unique buffalo horn wall hangings and pheasant feather center pieces. Faux floral arrangements and rustic greenery and a splash of color amongst the leather, metal and woodwork pieces. 

Other unique crafted gift ideas made right here in Hill City are hand-woven pine needle baskets and small, puzzle-like wooden boxes that challenge guests to unlock them. 

“They’re really kind of a puzzle you have to open,” said Richardson as a guest tried to figure out the intricate box. 

Guests can shop western style hand bags and purses along with clothing items and handmade jewelry to add the finishing touch. 

The Grass Wagon serves as the second location and sister store to Richardson’s River Street Emporium, located in downtown Hot Springs. While she had considered expanding to Custer, a chance visit to Hill City sealed the deal when she saw the for rent sign on the door of what used to be Cream. She made the call and got to work renovating the once ice cream parlor into a new boutique space. 

Richardson admits that while tourists enjoy what she has to offer, the locals may appreciate it even more. 

“I don’t think I cater as much to the tourists as I do the locals,” she said. “I think once the people, the locals, know about it, they’re gonna like it. I think once they know the concept of it too, that they’ll support it.”

With its cozy charm, constantly refreshed inventory and a deep appreciation for all things local, The Grass Wagon is a place where locals can shop for one-of-a-kind gifts and decor while giving visitors the chance to take home a piece of South Dakota craftsmanship.