Pipe to manage Brussels Four Winds Barn - May 23, 2019

BY DENNY SCOTT

Kaitlyn Pipe will be taking over for Kathy Stephenson as general manager of the Four Winds Barn in the coming weeks.

Pipe, who lived in Huron County but moved out west with her husband Justin several years ago, moved back to the area last month and said she was looking for a new work experience.

In an interview with The Citizen during the barn’s first farmers’ market of the year, Pipe said that she had spent time working in administration and wanted to try something different. Managing the barn fits her well, she said, because she loves planning weddings and events.

There are no major changes for the Four Winds Barn right now, Pipe said, as she’s getting the lay of the land, but she does have some ideas she hopes will bring people to the village and into the barn, including different kinds of market opportunities in the traditional shoulder- and off-seasons for the farmers’ markets.

“I’m investigating new ideas,” she said, adding that she hopes to incorporate some experiences she had while living in Alberta.

As far as the Brussels Farmers’ Market goes, Pipe said she was very impressed with what she saw when she first got the job. 

“Markets out west are focused on the foods, like fruits, vegetables and meat,” she said. “This is the first time I’ve seen a market like this with all kinds of different things for sale.”

She said she was especially impressed with the breadth of items available, pointing to custom-made products, crafts and ready-to-eat food.

 “Those kinds of things are great to have for a market and it’s very well-received,” she said.

She also said she’s very impressed with the community buy-in the barn has received in general.

“We’re almost completely booked through 2020,” she said. “We have two open dates, one in May and one in October, and, besides that, we’re already taking dates for 2021. For a location like the barn to have that kind of scheduling is very impressive and shows the community really is behind it. It really shows the want for the barn.”

The structure itself also impressed Pipe, as well as her family who were visiting and helping with the move.

She said that Bryan Morton, who built the facility, really paid attention to the small details, and people notice that. Pipe said that, she routinely hears from potential renters how impressed they are that the theme of the site is consistent from the halls all the way through to the bathroom.

“People see those details,” she said. “Bryan planned that out and the details are what make people’s experiences here complete.”

For more information, look for the Four Winds Barn on Facebook. Pipe maintains the online presence and will respond to questions through Facebook, or through the business’ e-mail at  

brusselsfourwindsbarn@gmail.com