Rusty Rubbish, LLC opens in Downtown Harlan
Bobbie Jo Cruise, owner of Rusty Rubbish, LLC, stands behind the counter inside her newly opened business at 805 8th Street in Harlan, where she transforms reclaimed “rubbish” into creative home decor. Rusty Rubbish officially opened November 24.
HARLAN — A new creative venture has opened its doors in Harlan, bringing rustic charm, reclaimed décor, and one woman’s passion for creativity to the community. Rusty Rubbish, LLC, owned and operated by Bobbie Jo Cruise, officially opened last week November 24 at 805 7th Street — a location many locals will remember as Subs-N-Suds or DADA’s.
The business is located at a site rich with memories for many Harlanites, and Bobbie says she loves hearing the stories that come through her door.
“This space has been perfect, and I just love when people come in and tell me their favorite order from when this building was a sandwich shop,” Bobbie said with a smile and finished with, “Please stop in and take a walk down memory lane.”
The unique business name has a meaningful and personal story behind it. Bobbie knew from the start she wanted the word “Rusty” in the name, inspired by her love of vintage style and weathered finishes. With help from her husband Vince and sons Masen and Karter Shults, the word “Rubbish” was chosen as a fun synonym for what many might call junk — the very items Bobbie specializes in reclaiming, repurposing, and transforming into beautiful décor.
The idea for Rusty Rubbish was born from a dream and fueled by Bobbie’s lifelong love of being creative and decorating. After retiring from her career in hair styling in 2020, Bobbie still felt a strong need for a creative outlet. Her family continued to encourage her to turn that passion into a business.
“I have just always loved creating,” Bobbie said. “And when I couldn’t express that outlet through hair anymore, I turned to decorating — and it’s my passion.”
Her decorating journey first became visible to the public when she began displaying decorated pieces in the front lawn of her home after remodeling its exterior. As people passed by, many began stopping to ask about the unique decorations, where they could be purchased, and who made them. What started as a hobby quickly developed into a business opportunity.
Today, Rusty Rubbish, LLC offers a variety of reclaimed, repurposed, and creatively styled décor pieces that reflect Bobbie’s artistic vision and love for giving old items new life. Each piece showcases her eye for design and her passion for transforming what some might overlook into something special.
Rusty Rubbish is open with the following hours:
Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday: 12–5 p.m.
Thursday: 1–6 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Closed Sundays & Mondays
With a supportive family behind her and a heart for creativity, Bobbie Jo Cruise’s dream has officially become a business — and Harlan now has a new destination for rustic charm and reclaimed treasures.
