Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Bushilla.
Hi Michael, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My name is Michael Bushilla, and along with my wife Paula, we’ve owned Hope Glen Farm since June of 2001. Our story began in the spring of that year, before 9/11 changed the world. While driving through the area, we noticed a farm nestled in a glen off Highway 61, right across from 3M on Innovation Road. Paula mentioned that she knew the granddaughter of the owner. We decided to call Mollie and arrange a visit.
When we arrived, Mrs. Healy, the owner, who was in her 90s, warmly welcomed us and gave us a tour of the farm. The farm had been in the Healy family since the early 1900s, passed down through generations. Mrs. Healy’s mother-in-law, who had named the farm “Hope Glen Farm,” after her maiden name which was Hope and the house sits in a glen, she and her husband had lived there for many years. As we toured the house, I asked Mrs. Healy if she had ever thought about selling the farm, and to my surprise, she said yes. I immediately said, “I’ll take it!” We had recently sold our home in Northeast Minneapolis for a good price and had enough to put down on the property.
At the time, we owned a successful printing company, which helped us afford the farm. But when we arrived, the farm was in rough shape and needed a lot of work. The first thing I tackled was the barn, which had been condemned by the City of Cottage Grove. I began repairing the foundation and roof to “save the barn.” Once we restored it, we were able to use it for small events, like barn dances and family gatherings. We also started fixing up the other buildings, fences, and structures.
My mother-in-law, who had sold her house, needed a place to live, so we renovated an old chicken coop into a two-bedroom home for her. We also saw potential in our own house, which we decided to convert into a duplex for short-term corporate rentals. We added an outside staircase, a second kitchen, and a living room, and turned it into a two-bedroom rental.
Things were going well until the 2008 housing crash, which affected our printing business. We were forced to put the farm on the market to avoid foreclosure. In 2012, we decided to go to truck driving school on a credit card to make ends meet, as both our business and the farm were struggling. But after some health issues forced us off the road, we were unsure what to do next.
Then, we received a call from a bride who had lost her barn venue and asked if she could have her wedding at Hope Glen Farm. Although we weren’t set up for events, we agreed to meet with her. She was persistent and even got permission from the city to hold her wedding here. We saw this as a possible answer to our prayers, so we went to the city to see if we could officially become a wedding venue. The city informed us that the only way they’d consider it was because our property was historical, which qualified us for an exemption to help maintain the farm.
Despite our financial struggles, we couldn’t afford the renovations needed to turn the farm into a wedding venue. Once again, we prayed, and the very next day, a wealthy business owner from Rochester called. He offered to help us get out of financial trouble and gave us the funds to begin transforming the farm, with no repayment required. He told me, “Michael, I’ve been praying for your situation, and God told me to be your bridge to get this wedding venue up and running.”
In 2013, we hosted our first wedding season. The story of our journey spread through the news and social media, and our phones started ringing off the hook. That first year, we booked over 70 weddings. We give all the glory, honor, and praise to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for guiding us through every challenge and blessing us with this incredible opportunity.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Many hurdles along the way but with God’s Grace and help and perseverance we prevailed!
We are now in our 12th year and doing great!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are very versed in the wedding industry all the in and outs of owning and operating a wedding venue.
We had many awards like Best Barn Venue or Outdoor Venue for 4 years in a row with Minnesota Bride Magazine etc. We also have the ONLY Treehouse honeymoon suite where the couples stay for their wedding night. It also is available to rent on our booking website at www.TreeHouseEscape.com
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Michael’s is fishing with his dad in Montana on the Missouri river. Paula’s is when her dad built her a treehouse.
Contact Info:
- Website: Website www.HopeGlenFarm.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/historic hope glen farm
- Other: https://www.TreeHouseEscape.com
