The Superior Express -

Emma Joy Walker, a well known face from Possibilities in Mankato, grew up five miles outside of Mankato. She believes she had the best of both worlds being in a small town and in the country.

Walker graduated from Rock Hills High School in 2014. She then went on to Hastings College in Hastings where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in marketing in 2017.

Walker enjoys running businesses and photography. She also enjoys taking her two dogs, Cam and Blu, for walks in the country.

Walker met her husband, Dakota, in their high school forensics class. “I thought he was cute,” Walker said. They were married in 2018.

On Saturdays during high school, Walker worked at Possibilities. She also waitressed at Bob’s Inn and the Lovewell Marina. In college, Walker interned for Community Development and also worked at Possibilities when she came back on breaks. After moving back to Mankato, Walker decided working at Possibilities was what she was passionate about.

Walker thinks the impact one has on the community is one of her favorite parts of living and working in a small town. “I get to be a culture creator,” Walker said. “Making changes to this building...that has really been rewarding.”

Walker became co-owner of Possibilities with the addition of the coffee bar. The coffee bar was inspired by the COVID pandemic. With the forced closing of Possibilities in the spring, Walker noticed the traffic in the store was slower when they reopened. There was less need for flowers, so she wanted something that would bring in more traffic.

“It’s been rewarding,” Walker said about her time at Possibilities. Walker has worked at Possibilities for seven years.

“I’m excited to help create more jobs in town for young people to move back and have options so they can see there is some life here,” Walker said. She feels fortunate a group of people got together to save the building and start Possibilities.

If you would like to meet Walker or thank her for her community contributions, you may find her at Possibilities from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.