Lonesome Cottage: Our History
We’re Lonesome Cottage, the premier home furnishings outlet in the Brainerd Lakes Area. We specialize in rustic furniture, and we’re the only factory direct outlet of the largest manufacturer of handcrafted rustic furniture in the country!
Lonesome Cottage is so much more than a rustic furniture and décor store. We have several brands that are sold across the world. Curious about our history? Keep reading to explore how we got to where we are today.
It all started in 1998 when with a small crew of craftspeople, Lonesome Cottage started to supply the local market with handcrafted cedar log furniture. Many of these original designs are still used today. Even though we’re always looking to innovate and create new, wonderful pieces, sometimes the most beautiful and effective solution is the first one.
Then in 2003, under new ownership, we expanded our retail sales by selling at home and cabin shows across the country which led to Fireside Lodge Furniture Company being established as a wholesale brand in 2004. In 2007, Fireside Lodge expanded its operations to serve a national audience and opened a permanent showroom at Las Vegas Furniture Market.
In 2008, we moved from the original smaller shop to a larger 6,000 square foot showroom in Pequot Lakes where we currently reside. In addition to this, we built a 30,000 square foot production facility to meet a new national demand.
To compliment our furniture, Lonesome Cottage acquired Wooded River, Inc., a rustic top-of-bed, and décor manufacturer based out of Caldwell, ID. With their custom designs, they were a perfect fit in both visual appeal and goal of improving sustainability.
In 2014, after a decade of success, the Fireside Lodge and Wooded River brands were in-stock in more than 300 retail stores across the united states, on more than 100 eCommerce sites, and used in hundreds of hotels, resorts, lodges, restaurants, and campgrounds across the world.
Looking to make furniture out of the highest quality wood available, Lonesome Cottage acquired Green Forest Wood Products, a sawmill and supplier of cedar and milled wood products with 50 years of experience at the time in 2017. This vertical integration allowed us to control the source of our wood and eliminate waste.
Finally, in 2020, Lonesome Cottage acquired Signature Woods, a direct-to-consumer business that makes and sells reclaimed wood wall paneling, sliding doors, and mantels. This proved to be a perfect addition to the Lonesome Cottage family of companies, as we are always looking to serve our customers with all their home furnishing needs.
Whether you are looking to furnish a room, an entire cabin, a home, or your business, we’re here to help with everything from beds, bedding, couches, chairs, rugs, wall art, gifts, and more! Feel free to stop by to see what we have to offer. We’re located next to the DQ in Pequot Lakes. Visit or contact us, and we will gladly assist you.