SoapWerks Naturals’ New Owner Keeps Things Fresh 

SoapWerks Naturals, a Fergus Falls staple known for its sustainable and local approach to natural bath, body, and home products, is embarking on a new chapter with new owner Chrissy Davenport.  

Creative Solutions Lead to Entrepreneurship 

Chrissy is the owner of Hay Ewe Hill Farm, a small farm with sheep, cattle, and chickens outside of Dalton. “That name came to be because I have sheep, and they graze on a hay hill and I always call, ‘Hey you!’  to the sheep,” Chrissy recalls. “So, it just kind of fit.” 

Her love for animals and sustainable living laid the foundation for her journey into farming and entrepreneurship. 

“Dogs have always been my thing,” Chrissy says. “So, when we moved to the farm I was like, ‘I need a farm dog.’ So, I ended up with a border collie mix, and then he needed a job and that’s how the sheep came to be.” 

Chrissy began selling wool to local fiber artists locally and nationally, but she wanted to find a way to use the wool that couldn’t be made into yarn. 

“My goal was to take this waste wool from my flock and other flocks and farmers around, and turn it into a good, useful product,” Chrissy explains. 

So, she started a new company called Re-Ewe’able and began creating wool pellets — an innovative natural fertilizer and soil amendment that supports healthy gardening with a natural, biodegradable product.  

A New Venture Adventure 

Chrissy’s passion for natural products and resourceful living made her a perfect fit to carry on the SoapWerks legacy. She’s known SoapWerks’ founders, Chris and Jan Werkau, for over a decade. So when the couple announced the store would close if they didn’t find a buyer, Chrissy saw an opportunity to keep the store she loved open while bringing in fresh ideas of her own. In the fall of 2024, Jan and Chris handed over the keys, and SoapWerks Naturals and Creative Handmade Goods became SoapWerks Naturals by Re-Ewe’able. 

One of the key steps in this journey was acquiring a loan through West Central Initiative. 

“West Central Initiative walked me through the steps and gave me the information I needed,” says Chrissy.  “I learned a lot––they made it very easy.” 

This financial boost enabled her to complete the acquisition smoothly and focus on learning the ins and outs of SoapWerks’ operations. 

Keeping it Simple and Sustainable 

Chrissy is committed to maintaining the high-quality standards that customers have come to expect from SoapWerks. Every product will continue to feature simple, natural, and effective ingredients and minimal packaging.  

“More and more people are looking for those things, and they don’t want to use products that have a mile-long ingredient list of things that you can’t pronounce,” Chrissy says. “And that’s what I loved about SoapWerks.”  

The refillery, where customers can refill liquid products such as detergents, cleaners, and soaps, is also here to stay. But alongside these beloved classics, customers can look forward to exciting new additions, including wool products, dog shampoo bars, tallow balm, and lanolin cream. 

“What I’m going to bring to SoapWerks—or what Re-Ewe’able is going to bring to SoapWerks—is more products that are natural, renewable, sustainable, good for the planet, good for the earth, and good for us,” Chrissy says. 

These new product lines reflect her broader vision of sustainability and care for both people and animals. Lanolin, a natural emollient sourced from wool, is a perfect bridge between Hay Ewe Hill Farm, Re-Ewe’able, and her plans for SoapWerks. It’s a testament to her approach — resourceful, innovative, and mindful. 

But her vision goes beyond product expansion. Chrissy sees SoapWerks by Re-Ewe’able as a hub for community support, with plans to partner with local farms to promote and recommend humanely raised, farm-fresh meats and other local products.  

She looks forward to becoming a resource for community members looking for sustainable products. 

“Small business owners really do pour their heart and soul into their business, and we know our products,” Chissy says. 

A Look Toward the Future 

Whether it’s a bar of soothing soap, a moisture-rich lanolin cream, or the chance to support local farmers, SoapWerks by Re-Ewe’able is the place to shop. 

“SoapWerks is where you can come and get your bath and body products or household products that are local and made with good things, made with intention, and have a purpose,” Chrissy says. 

And with her resourceful, collaborative spirit, Chrissy is making sure the business continues to thrive while staying true to its roots.  

Chrissy has a message to those who haven’t stopped by the store just yet, “Give it a try! Take a few minutes to check it out and see what we have to offer.”