Phyllis A. Strathmann, nicknamed "Mountain Annie" by her father many years ago because of her love of the little village town of Ruidoso, New Mexico, purchased three old cabins on contiguous parcels of land on Sudderth Street in 1985. With the support of her husband Jim, and children Mark and Laura, began a metamorphosis kind of transformation of the properties. First in 1986, Mountain Annie's became a beautiful little gift shop selling carousel horses and porcelain dolls, exquisite collectibles, and chocolate fudge.