‘Finding beauty after the storm’

CORNING — For communities around Southwest Iowa, the May 21, 2024, tornado brought devastation, killing five people, injuring 35 and causing more than $31 million in property damage.

Wendy Edwards was one of many families who lost everything. However, as her family worked to rebuild their lives, she was also able to fulfill her dream of opening of a boutique.

“Not even a year and a half ago, we were sorting through rubble to find our shoes,” Edwards said. Her family farm in Corning was one of many razed by what was later called the Greenfield tornado due to the destruction of part of the town. “It literally took out my house, our family barn, our machine shed, all of our equipment, some of our cattle... we lost everything.”

While everyone in her family was safe and out of the house, Edwards remembers seeing her property for the first time after the tornado came through.

“When I popped over the hill that day and saw everything gone, it was just like a stab in the gut, it was really hard. It’s been a long journey and putting one foot in front of the other,” Edwards said. “We have started over and started with little things, like getting toothbrushes and hairbrushes to rebuilding our house and making that into a home, and our machine shed and getting more animals. Then, after we got our home built, that’s when we decided to keep going and open the boutique.”

Edwards took the strength and heart that came in rebuilding her life and pushed it into her new business. That’s also where the boutique’s name came from — 5.21 Co.

“[The tornado] hit my family farm on May 21, and it just goes to show that good things can come out of heartbreak and new beginnings can come out of strength and it’s a symbol of resilience and rebuilding and finding beauty after the storm,” Edwards said.

With a style she calls Western chic, Edwards’ boutique sits on Corning’s popular Main Street. Located at 615 Davis Ave., 5.21 Co. carries Ariat-branded items, cowboy boots, jeans, screen-printed shirts, cowboy hats and kids clothing.

Also doing work as a graphic designer, Edwards enjoys putting her creative skills to work at the shop.

“I am very creative and with the chic Western look, that is a very creative look as well,” Edwards said. “I can use my creative skills, and I get to work with the public, which I absolutely love. Corning and Main Street, they’re really good at working together and doing different events together. It’s a really fun atmosphere here, and I just really enjoy being a part of that.”

While Edwards said she’s still working on her website, those interested in learning more can find her on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok, or visit her store from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday.

“Never in a million years would I have thought I would have been able to open this, let alone a little over a year ago. It’s just been a fairy tale,” Edwards said.