 The Purple Fern Bath Company was announced as the destination downtown competition winner just a few weeks ago and now the business is getting ready to move into the downtown area. Clayton Castle tells us the future plans for the Purple Fern. 2017 was an exciting year for the Brainerd business community as the destination downtown competition was rolled out providing a package worth $50,000 to an aspiring or up-and-coming business in an effort to revitalize the downtown area. The competition's winner in 2017 was the Purple Fern. A hobby turned a business opportunity. Purple Fern is multifaceted. It is a bath boutique. It is absolutely everything bath and body related. There'll be handmade soaps, artisan shower curtains, bath bombs, salts. You name it, it's going to be there. The dream of owning a business is what drove Brenda to the competition and ultimately coming out on top. You know I have always dreamt of owning my own business and I saw the competition I'm like let's do it. It's like I have something I absolutely love doing and I think it would be a great concept for a business downtown. The committee that selected the winner saw a passion and energy surrounding the Purple Fern which will be moving to Laurel Street storefront in 2018. When they looked at the Purple Fern I think what they saw is a person that had a lot of energy and passion into her hobby and she was able to take that energy and passion translated into a business plan that really proved to them that she could succeed. Brenda says she has been overwhelmed by the support of the community throughout the process as her dreams are now becoming a reality. It's it's amazing the the support from the community and from the chamber has just been over the top. I am so excited to be doing this and this like I said the support has been just spectacular. I'm very excited. After renovations to the space the Purple Fern will be moving into downtown Brainerd sometime in early to mid 2018. Reporting in Brainerd Clayton Castle, Lakeland News. No decision has been made as to whether or not the destination downtown competition will return again in the future. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News please consider making a tax deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.