1. Local Economic Stimulus. When you purchase at locally owned businesses rather than nationally owned, more money is kept in the community because locally-owned businesses often purchase from other local businesses, service providers and farms. Purchasing local helps grow other businesses as well as the local tax base. 2. Non Profits Receive Greater Support. Local business owners donate more to local charities than non-local owners. 3. Unique Businesses Create Character & Prosperity The unique character of your local community is defined in large part by the business that reside there, and that plays a big factor in your overall satisfaction with where you live and the value of you home and property. 4. Environmental Impact Is Reduced.Small local business usually set up shop in the town/village center, providing a centralized variety that is much friendlier to a community's walk score than out of town shopping malls. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution. 5. Most New Jobs Are Provided By Local Businesses.Small local businesses are the largest employers nationally. Plus the more jobs you have in your local community the less people are going to have to commute which means more time and less traffic and pollution. 6. Customer Service Is Better.Local businesses often hire people with more specific product expertise for better customer service. You are also going to see these people around town and they are less likely to blow you off or be rude becauses they have to face you day after day. 7. Local Business Owners Invest In Community.Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community's welfare and future. 8. Public Benefits Far Outweigh Public Costs.Local businesses require comparatively little infrastructure and more efficiently utilize public services relative to chain stores. 9. Competition And Diversity Leads To More Consumer Choices.A marketplace of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term. 10. You Matter MoreWe talk a lot about exerting influence with your purchasing choices, or "voting with your wallet." It's a fact that business respond to their customers but your values and desires are much more influential to you local community business than the large big box stores. To read more about going local check out Ecolocalizer, a great site that provides news, ideas and inspiration to "Think globally, act locally."
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Remer Arts & Crafts Club was started in 1967 by a group of eleven people who wished to find a way to sell their crafts. They each paid a membership fee to cover expenses and then burned the midnight oil to build up an inventory to stock the shop. Yearly membership has ranged between the original eleven to as many as 45 crafters. The Shop is run as a co-op with officers, and all members have a say in how it operates. The shop has occupied three locations in Remer, and is currently located in the former Remer Drug on Main Street (Highway 200). The slogan for the store is “Browsers are welcome and buyers adored”
Members pay membership dues and a consignment fee. They also work a certain number of days during the season depending on number of crafters. The Shop is open from the 1st of May to mid-December. In May, October, November and December, the Shop is open Thursday – Saturday. June through September it is open Monday through Saturday. Hours are 10 A.M. – 5 P.M. Our handmade crafts are many and varied and include knitting, crocheting, rugs, quilts, woodworking, jams and jellies, canned goods, jewelry, recycled furniture, doll clothes, clothing, many sewn items, greeting cards, bird houses, artwork, children’s, seasonal and much, much, more. It is well worth the time and travel to come see what we have to offer. The Shop sponsors at least one craft show each year. This year our craft show was held at the Northland Remer School on Saturday, August 8 in conjunction with the Remer Harvest Festival. The Club is always looking for new crafters both for the Shop and for the craft show. Anyone interested in either can call Teresa at 218-566-3661 or Esther at 218-326-4027 for more information. Assisted Living at it's finest! In 2012 the Dennis and Nancy Stefan family purchased Laurel Lodge from the previous owners, Deb & Dean Engen and Dan & Wendy Winger, and renamed it Americare Lodge. The Stefan family has long been, and proud to be, part of the Remer community.
Building on the previous owner's success, the Stefans plan to continue to provide caring services to senior citizens from Remer and the surrounding area at Americare Lodge Assisted Living. Residents living at Americare Lodge enjoy a unique and picturesque country setting. On either side of the facility are ponds providing daily viewing of a myriad of colorful waterfowl, birds and deer. There are beautiful flower gardens, a raised vegetable garden and a 3-season porch. Winter time brings a peaceful serenity to the lodge. From inside residents can view winter's beauty and splendor next to a large stone fireplace and through the many picture windows. The lodge is able to accommodate 10 residents in a family type, homey atmosphere. Knowledgeable caregivers are also experienced at preparing the best homemade meals. Three meals a day are served around a large dining room table with conversation of the day's events, sports scores, and family and friends updates. As one resident put it: "There's no place like home, but this is the next best thing." For more information please visit www.americarelodges.com (submitted by Holter's Grocery):
Located right on Main Street in downtown Remer you'll find our business which has been family owned and operated for over 25 years. Owners Larry and Diane Holter moved with their five children to the Remer area in 1989, after spending many summers at their cabin north of town. When the 'Red Owl Agency Food Store' came up for sale, Larry, a grocer for over 20 years at that time, grasped the opportunity to run his own business, and relocated his family from Prior Lake to the Northland. Under his management the grocery store has employed many locals, but mainly all of Larry and Diane's children and some of their spouses and grandchildren. After retiring, Larry's youngest son Matthew Holter took over as store manager. Our full-line grocery store tries to carry anything local families or tourists might be looking for. We feature a fresh meat counter, carry fresh bakery products and take special pride in our well-stocked and well-priced produce section. Health and beauty products are available, as well as pharmaceuticals and frozen foods. Items customers aren't able to find can be special ordered by us without difficulty. Custom butchering as well as deer and bear processing are some special services we provide. The owners and all store employees feel very committed to the Remer area and its population. Sarah and Manja Holter volunteer with the Remer Area Ambulance Service and our business is a member of the Remer Area Chamber of Commerce. We show support for local youth by coaching T-ball (Matthew and Manja) and sponsoring the Northland Little League team. Holter's Grocery additionally stays involved with donations to various area events, including the Remer Fire Department fundraisers. We thank all our customers for their patronage and hope to serve the Remer area for the next 25 years! Hours: Monday-Saturday, 8 am - 6 pm, closed Sundays Pictured below are Diane Holter, Manjja Holter, Matthew Holter and Larry Holter (missing are Sarah Holter, Luke Holter and Gayle Loechler) Timber Trails Resort was established in 1948 and is located on Boy Lake. The resort/campground is situated on 17 acres in the Chippewa National Forest and offers 10 cabins and 12 campsites. The lake, also referred to as Big Boy Lake, is 3200 acres with 21 miles of scenic shoreline. Tom and Kathy Marnik are the 4th owners and are in their 4th season. Prior to moving to Remer they lived in Bellevue, NE where they raised their two children Michael and Jennifer. Kathy says, "We fell in love with this area while vacationing 'Up-North' at a resort on Leech Lake for many summers, often day-dreaming of owning one ourselves one day. Well, once the kids were done with school and on their own, it was time for us to make a career change and here we are!"
She also mentioned the fishing on Boy Lake is awesome! It is common to catch Walleye, Crappie, Northern, Sunnies and Bass. During the summer, Tom & Kathy offer a canoe trip down the Boy River where you are dropped off and then get to paddle back to the resort, enjoying the scenery along the way. Boat rentals, live bait, gas, groceries, ice cream and more are available to their resort guests as well as others staying on the lake. They keep three cabins open year round and host duck, deer & grouse hunters as well as ice fishermen and snowmobilers. It's also great for those just looking to escape the city life! With the many activities offered at Timber Trails Resort there's something for everyone. Check out their website and see for yourself at: www.timbertrailsresort.com. The Remer Chamber is pleased to spotlight this fabulous resort where their motto is "FUN * FAMILY * FISHING" Some great promotion for the Remer area in this publication (starting on page 14). Please help support our Chamber business members!
http://www.mndestinations.com/2014/ Superintendent Tim Mayclin and Carol Procopio from the 'Vote Yes' committee came to the April Chamber meeting to discuss the upcoming vote on May 12th. Absentee ballots are available by application (on the school website or stop by school). The application must be mailed in by May 4th to be able to vote. Absentee ballots can be dropped off at the City Office prior to May 12th. Proprietors Ted and Cheire Frick brought life back into a vacant storefront when they opened this retail establishment on May 20, 2013. It's filled with a host of unique antiques and collectibles, jewelry and coins. You'll also find many fine antique wood pieces that have been brought back to life by ICECUBE's own Shane Dugan, known area-wide for his professional furniture restoration. It's said that Ted Frick is somewhat of a coin fanatic! Prior to buying the building, Ted operated Ice Cube for over 18 years solely as an online business dealing in coins and some jewelry. Now the brick and mortar presence on Main Street affords them space to add the beautifully refinished furniture and other fine collectables. But it doesn't stop there.
ICECUBE's claim to fame is that they are one of the largest suppliers of wild harvested Chaga in the country. Chaga is a hard mushroom-type non-toxic fungal parasite that grows on birch trees and is said to have the highest level of anti-oxidants of any food in the world. Shane Dugan spearheads the Chaga operation and says that in addition to the ground version for tea, by the end of February ICECUBE will also have Chaga extracts available and may offer other herb extracts in the future. Click here for more information on Chaga Most recently, to expand their scope beyond EBay and an in-store presence, they have affiliated with Do-Bid.com (an online auction site) where they plan to increase their efforts in Estate sales. Originally from International Falls, the Fricks moved to the Remer area in 1998 where Ted took the position of Post Master in Outing and later for Remer & Longville. He is now retired from the United States Postal Service after 27 years. Cheire was a registered nurse working in the Grand Rapids and Deer River Hospitals, and now works alongside her husband and daughter Elizabeth at ICECUBE. Ted, Cheire and Shane have been active members of the Remer Chamber, helping out with many Chamber events and promotions. Cheire originated and organizes the popular Christmas Crawl event in December. ICECUBE is also a proud sponsor of the Grand Rapids Roller Derby team for a 2nd year. Store hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10 am to 5 pm and they offer free coin appraisals. Stop in or visit them on the web at: www.theicecubetray.com |