In a quiet stretch of rural Montague, tucked into a homestead that has been part of the landscape for more than a century, The Garden Shed has spent decades becoming something more than a place to shop. It has become a place to pause.
For Teresa Mack Wackernagel and her husband Dan, that connection runs even deeper. Both are Montague natives who have spent more than 30 years building their life in the area, shaping The Garden Shed into something that reflects both their creativity and their roots.
On Saturday, May 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., that setting will once again open up to the community for a Mother’s Day event designed not just around gifts, but around experience, connection, and time together.
Owner Teresa Mack Wackernagel hopes the day feels intentional for families.
“We hope this event will bring out the mothers, grandmothers and their daughters and or sons to shower the women in their lives with love,” she said.
The event will feature a wide range of local vendors and handmade goods, but at its core, it is about creating a space where people can step away from the pace of everyday life and enjoy something quieter.
That idea has been shaping The Garden Shed for years.
What started 25 years ago as a small space to sell baked goods quickly evolved into something more. After clearing out what had once been a chicken coop, Teresa and Dan transformed the space into a shop. At first, the décor on the walls was simply decorative. Then visitors began asking to buy it.
That moment shifted everything.
It sparked Teresa’s creative journey into painting, sewing, sign making, and handcrafted goods, while Dan expanded into woodworking. Over time, gardens were planted, a pergola was built, and the property itself became part of the experience. Today, visitors are encouraged not just to shop, but to walk the grounds, explore the flowers, and take in the setting.
That same blend of creativity and environment will be on full display during the Mother’s Day event.
Guests can expect handcrafted items from a variety of artisans, each bringing their own passion and specialty. Joan, an accomplished seamstress with more than 50 years of experience, will offer intricate sewn pieces. Ellen will share her paintings inspired by everyday life, while Nancy and Liz, a sister duo, will bring their unique crafts.
Phil from Red Barn Woodworks will feature handcrafted wood pieces including birdhouses, tables, bowls, and more. Janna and Shawn will offer hand forged shepherd hooks, soaps, and earrings, and will also host a free children’s activity where kids can paint a small canvas for their mother or grandmother.
Char from Wooden Shoe Quilting will bring quilts, runners, totes, and pillow covers, highlighting her love for color and pattern. Up North Garden Center, a family owned business in Pentwater, will offer hanging baskets, flats of flowers, and other seasonal additions perfect for Mother’s Day.
Inside the shed, additional items will be available from local makers who could not attend in person, along with products from Wackernagel Creations and painted cards from the Lemonade Sisters.
Food will play a major role as well. Visitors can enjoy homemade soup and bread along with a wide selection of baked goods prepared by Teresa in her licensed kitchen, The Old Farmhouse Bakery. The menu will include items like rosemary garlic bread, cheesecakes, pies, cookies, and scones.
Mothers attending the event will also receive a free gift while supplies last.
Beyond the shopping and food, the setting itself remains one of the event’s defining features. The gardens surrounding The Garden Shed are designed to evolve throughout the season, with blooms ranging from gladiolus and peonies to lilies, sunflowers, and zinnias. Guests are invited to walk through the space, sit under the pergola, and take in the atmosphere.
It is that combination of creativity and calm that Teresa sees as the true value of the event.
“Most importantly what we offer here at The Garden Shed is a peaceful respite from the noise and chaos of life,” she said.
That sense of purpose has taken time to develop. Between raising a family and balancing other responsibilities, the ability to fully explore creative passions came later. Now, Teresa says, it has become central to both her work and the space itself.
The Mother’s Day event reflects that journey. It brings together not only her own work, but the passions of other local creators who have found their niche in similar ways.
As the season begins, The Garden Shed will also return to its regular hours from Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., starting May 2. But for one day in particular, the focus will be on celebrating the people the space was built to welcome.
Not just with gifts, but with time, intention, and a place to simply be.
Visitors should note that while The Garden Shed is able to accept card payments, many of the participating vendors are not, so bringing cash or a check is recommended.
More information about the event can be found on the Facebook event page: Mother’s Day Event
The Garden Shed is located at 7895 S. 44th Ave in Montague, MI.
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