Throughout its 97 years in operation, Isak Hansen’s has been a staple on the west end of Cook County.
The Lutsen-based hardware and home center business offers lumber, materials, and equipment to homeowners and contractors for remodeling, new-build projects, and landscaping. For numerous decades, the business has also provided snow plowing services, produced gravel at the Sugarloaf gravel pit in Schroeder, and maintained working relationships with sub-contractors.
For nearly 50 years, Isak Hansen’s has been one of a small handful of appliance dealers in Cook County, providing a valuable service given the remote nature of the area. While other businesses have closed or changed hands, Isak Hansen’s has remained a reliable presence in the appliance industry.
“We used to be a GE dealer, and then when we bought the business, we switched over to Whirlpool,” Isak Hansen’s owner, Tom Dwyer, said. The switch, Dwyer said, has allowed for improved access to appliance brands such as Maytag, KitchenAid, Amana, Jenn-Air, Bauknecht, and more.
“So, it was good,” he said. “The growth has been pretty steady over the years.”
Like many long-standing businesses along Minnesota’s North Shore, Isak Hansen’s has evolved throughout the years, adapting to changes in the market and the needs of its customers. For decades, Isak Hansen’s has been known for renting heavy equipment, such as mini excavators, to individuals to conduct work on their property. Dwyer said, more recently, however, that he has stopped or limited the rental of heavy equipment and focused more on renting small power tools. With the increase in the custom home building and construction side of his business, his capability to rent out his equipment has been diminished as it’s now used on various job sites.
“We had such demand in our construction sites that it spread the equipment thin. So, we really have kept it down to power tools and cleaning equipment,” Dwyer said.
Another emerging change in recent years is the increased demand for home products that allow for low-maintenance upkeep.
“We don’t actually see as much demand for plants and flowers as we have in the past years,” Dwyer said. The decreased demand for landscaping products, which allows for less maintenance, is primarily due to the growth in the short-term rental industry in Lutsen and the surrounding area, he said.
Another trend Isak Hansens’ has encountered recently is an influx of new builds and commercial projects, contributing to an increased demand for gravel. Dwyer said that, in addition to the June 2024 flooding throughout Cook County and damage to numerous county roads and homeowner driveways, there has been a significant “need for gravel.”
To adapt to the increased demand and stay ahead of the curve, Dwyer said Isak Hansen’s is working to “expand the offerings at our gravel pit.” While the desire to increase offerings at the gravel pit is on the to-do list, the challenging component is finding the seasonal staff to put it in motion. “What I really need is the seasonal help,” Dwyer said. “Dump truck drivers, truck drivers, laborers, carpenters, things like that.”
While Isak Hansen’s has a solid crew of year-round employees at the store and works with nearly a dozen local sub-contractors on various projects, more help is always needed. Due to a lack of employees and the required cost of investing in equipment, Isak Hansens’ stopped offering snow plowing services this winter for the first time in 50 years.
While it was a significant change for what the business provided to west-end residents and business owners, Dwyer said, it has “freed us up to run the business more efficiently.” He said now he doesn’t have to drop plans or scramble to coordinate with sub-contractors during each weather event. In addition, with the growth of short-term rentals, managing the expectations of vacation rental guests with the typical snow-plowing order of priority has become stressful in recent years. Dwyer said full-time residents who work in Cook County, such as at the hospital or clinic, have their driveway plowed first. Then, generally, seasonal residents who lived in the area. And lastly, people who work from home or rent a vacation rental. With vacation rental check-out times, typically between 10-11 a.m., and guests unable to leave the house, he said, it was a challenge.
With more time on his hands this winter, Dwyer has been focusing on other aspects of the business and reflecting on the significance of nearing 100 years in operation. At 72 years old, Dwyer said he plans to retire in the near future, but not until he reaches the centennial year milestone. “I’m just aiming to be here when the 100 years rolls around.”
Dwyer said the most enjoyable elements of his job are helping homeowners and business owners craft and create a functional and meaningful space. “The most enjoyable part about it is working with customers and employees to create functional sculpture.”
