From Flowers to Foundations: The Day I Asked to Buy the Tolleth Home
Five years ago today, I stood in the garden of the historic Tolleth Home holding a flower arrangement from the Meridian Co-op garden, heart pounding, wondering if this house, this dream, might actually become mine. I had no idea that a simple visit with my mom would turn into the beginning of Hidden Gem Events and the journey of restoring one of Meridian’s most beloved homes.
The Day Everything Changed
In 2015, I asked the Algers. Who owned the antique shop at the Tolleth Home, if they’d rent me the little green house next door so I could open a hair salon. They had just rented it out, so I smiled, pet the little black cat on the door step, and half-joked that if they ever decided to sell the antique store next door, I wanted to buy it. I never imagined they’d actually remember.
Fast forward to 2019: I had just remodeled and paid off a space on 3rd and Franklin for my salon, only to have the rug pulled out from under me. A realtor I had gone on one date (if you call it that) with told the property owner I wasn’t interested in buying, a lie that cost me everything. He tried to buy it but ended up not sealing the deal. He then sold it to someone else, and I was the only tenant let go because conveniently the new owners daughter was a cosmetologist as well. Scrambling to find a new home for my business, I purchased the rights to the name Hidden Gem Events and Hidden Gem Salon Suites, hoping I’d find the right space for both dreams of a salon owner and event planner.
Then, one night, while eating dinner downtown with my mom, I blurted out, “Do you think the Algers are ready to sell the antique store?” She shrugged and said, “Let’s go ask.” We drove over unannounced, and there they were pulling weeds in the front yard. I asked what they’d been up to, and they told us they were just about to list the house for sale. I couldn’t believe the timing.
A House with Deep Roots
I told them I came over to buy it. They laughed and said if I wanted to buy the antique store, I had to buy the house next door too. They shared a fence line and worried a developer would bulldoze everything. My mom and I toured both that night, and I instantly saw the vision. I called my dad to share the news. He said absolutely not, not because of the house, but because his old business partner used to live there and he still held a grudge from 1993. I told him it was time to let it go….
A few days later, I brought flowers to the Algers from the Meridian Co-op garden and asked them officially if they’d be willing to sell to me. That small gesture turned into one of the biggest steps in my life.
Building with Family, for the Community
Just days after forming my LLC, I was under contract. The house had been built in 1907 as a wedding gift from Harry Tolleth to his wife, Della, and had since housed teachers, families, and a beloved antique shop. The Algers, longtime teachers in Meridian, gave me the biggest leg up in owning this home.
My family roots run deep here, my great-grandparents were dairy farmers and creamery workers, and my dad used to ring the end-of-day whistle as a boy. He later became a civil engineer and helped design Meridian’s water systems and streets. His side of the family were educators, and my mom’s family helped build the dams across Idaho. Her passion for community shaped mine. This home, once used to house teachers in the 1940s, was a reflection of all that history and it became the foundation for Hidden Gem.
In 2020, we began the restoration. My dad said with a smirk, “This is a lot,” and then, “It’ll be fine.” We worked side by side until his ALS diagnosis paused everything. After his passing, I kept going — with my mom’s support and our community behind me.
What’s Next at Hidden Gem
Restoration continues every season, from flowerbeds to final trim-work and the home has now become what I always dreamed of: a space for the community to gather, celebrate, and create lasting memories. We’ve hosted weddings, tea parties, vendor markets, yoga, and more. All rooted in history, love, and connection.
Next up, I’ll be sharing stories from the remodel process. The wins, the heartache, the mishaps, and the little details and dedication that made this house a home a place to celebrate.