Two Thousand Eleven
A special Edition to the
Forest Lake Times
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Mobility, freedom the focus of new store Power Chair and Scooter Store comes to Schilling Plaza Clint Riese Staff Writer At this time last year, Joel Erickson and Steve Harris had no idea they would be running a business together. The local men had both previously done the entrepreneur thing and were looking to settle into a more relaxed lifestyle. Upon finding themselves working together at a medical supply company last fall, though, the duo quickly realized they were kindred spirits. Mere weeks after becoming coworkers, Erickson and Harris quit and began a new venture. “I just didn’t want to do it alone,” Erickson said. “I had worked for another company for a year-and-ahalf and I had entertained [the thought]. Everybody told me ‘Why don’t you go do this yourself?’ I just didn’t want to do it by myself. “Steve kind of brought the passion back to the business and said ‘Let’s go do this.’” On Jan. 3 they opened Power Chairs and Scooter Store Medical Supply in Schilling Plaza on Highway 97 in Forest Lake.
A Matter of Mobility
The business specializes in all aspects of mobility assistance. The first step for anyone wondering whether they need a wheelchair, scooter or any other mobility aid is to go through a consultation, which can be done in-home. If it is determined that a product is needed, Erickson and Harris will handle everything from the insurance claim submission to the delivery and set-up. They also are available for maintenance and repair work. The Power Chairs and Scooter Store team often encounters seniors who are shocked to learn that they are eligible for financial assistance through insurance or government programs. Many times the seniors have been putting off the help they need when it does not end up costing them a dime. “They don’t realize they have a lot of other things available to them,” said Erickson, a Forest Lake High School alum. “All of a sudden they can get out of their apartment again.” The latest lines of equipment make it easier than ever to do just that. Power chairs are ideal for getting around indoors, while scooters are easy to break down and take places. “You can go over and
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Vol. 108 No. 47 - $1.00
Rolseth Drug team carries on tradition of business founder Tom Rolseth bought downtown store in 1961
Cliff Buchan News Editor It’s been 50 years since Tom Rolseth first turned the key as owner of Rolseth Drug in downtown Forest Lake. Rolseth, a native of Forest Lake, had involvement in the drug store from 1961 through 1985. Rolseth died in 2003, but his name lives on with the store and so does the tradition that Tom Rolseth built in the business. Owner Jim Garrison and store manager Tom Haas wouldn’t have it any other way. Although Rolseth has been gone from the business for many years, his influence continues today, Garrison and Haas said. “He was a very good mentor,” Garrison said of Rolseth who hired him as a young pharmacist in 1972. “He always put the patient first.” As a young man not far removed from college, Garrison said he learned much from his boss and eventual business partner. It was not uncommon for Rolseth to make a pharmacy delivery in the middle of the night and even on Christmas, Garrison said. “These are very good lessons to learn,” Garrison said of how a business is run. Haas was fresh from high school graduation here in 1972 when he walked into the store one day looking for a summer job. “I started sweeping floors in 1972,” Haas said. Perhaps Rolseth had a keen eye Mobility see page 14A for young people interested in the profession, or perhaps he just had a soft heart, the two men agreed. “He [Rolseth] would do anything for anybody,” Haas said of Rolseth. “He didn’t have to give me a job. He didn’t really need anyone.” It was much the same for Garrison and his start in Forest Lake. A native of Edina, Garrison had graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy and was working at Northway Drug in Circle Pines, but wanted something more permanent. “I needed a job,” Garrison recalled. “I drove through Forest Lake. Saw Rolseth Drug and walked in. A Photo by Clint Riese Steve Harris, Lori Orfei and Joel Erickson are ready week later I had a job.” Stayed for Good and willing to help customers with any type of mobiliIt was a fast transition for Garty need. The Schilling Plaza store opened in January.
Photo by Cliff Buchan
Pharmacists Tom Haas, left, and Jim Garrison have been together at Rolseth Drug since 1972. Garrison was a staff pharmacist that year when Haas started work at the store following high school graduation here. rison and Haas followed a similar path. Four years after starting with Rolseth, Garrison was given the chance to buy in. “I wanted to own a business,” he said, adding that he learned early in his employment that Rolseth would be a willing seller. Three years after adding Garrison as a partner, Rolseth beRolseth came a silent partner as Garrison made plans to open Wyoming Drug. “He [Rolseth] suggested we look at Wyoming as an expansion place,” Garrison said. After getting his feet wet in the summer of 1972 at the store, Haas became convinced that the profession was one he would like. Five years later he earned his degree from the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy. Like Garrison before him, Haas found part-time work at the Circle Pines store and pulled some shifts at the Forest Lake store, as well. By 1981, with Garrison spending more time in Wyoming, Haas was brought on to run the Forest Lake store. “I never felt I had a home [until that point],” Haas said. “I always wanted to work where I lived.” Coming home also led to a busi-
ness ownership opportunity for Haas. From his early days at the store, Haas and Garrison had become friends. In 1995, he joined Garrison and Jim’s brother, Bill, in the purchase of Gordy’s Pharmacy in Center City. Haas continues to hold the lead role in Forest Lake. “He’s a great boss,” Haas says of Garrison. “He lets me run the show. We each do our own thing.” Garrison couldn’t be happier with the by chance drive through Forest Lake in 1972 and his meeting with Rolseth. He has continued to see growth in the business. Along with the Wyoming and Center City operations, Garrison in 1995 purchased a store in Lindstrom that today operates as Lindstrom Thrifty White. It has become a family business for the Garrisons. His wife, Karen, is manager at Wyoming where Garrison handles regular pharmacy duties. Their son and daughter have also joined the business. Matt Garrison followed his father through the University of Minnesota program and is the full-time pharmacist in Lindstrom. Roxanne Garrison Patterson is managing the Lindstrom store. Rolseth see page 14A
Former ‘regulars’ are new owners of The Nesting Grounds Jennifer Larson Staff Writer Ideas started brewing when Sue Larsen saw a sign at The Nesting Grounds that it was for sale. As a regular, she didn’t want to see the coffee shop, which offers so much more than a cup of Joe, close. “I was a customer since the place opened,” Larsen said. The doors were shut for a handful of weeks until she and co-owner, Scott Kohler, re-opened The Nesting Grounds, 26395 Forest Blvd., in October 2010. The couple have resided in Wyoming for nearly 11 years. Both had never operated a small business; Larsen was in the medical field and Kohler in telecommunications. She said managing the business is a lot of work but
very rewarding. Like her, Larsen noted the coffee shop has very loyal customers. “We have people who come in every day,” Kohler said. The Nesting Grounds has four employees. The business is open 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. One thing Larsen and Kohler have continued is having later hours when there’s entertainment. The Nesting Grounds is also a meeting place for some groups. “We’re also open to hosting other events,” Kohler said. He says that customers who don’t want to have guests in their home can gather in the shop’s comfortable, friendly environment. WiFi is available, too. For
convenience, there’s also a drive-thru. In addition to coffee, The Nesting Grounds sells specialty drinks. Any beverage can be made sugar and fat-free, Larsen said. As for their prices, Kohler said they used the highest product quality from the syrup to coffee beans. “If you buy a $5 latte it better taste good,” he joked. If you’re not in the mood for a drink, The Nesting Grounds also has soups, salads, sandwiches and wraps, and homemade baked goods. Photo by Jennifer Larson “We’ve expanded our Employees Ann, Allie, Barb and Sara are pictured with Nesting Ground owners menu,” Kohler said. Scott Kohler and Sue Larsen. “We’re making everything from scratch,” he have boutique items for jellies. the Wyoming business, noted. sale, including salsa and “We do have a little bit visit www.nestinggroundIt’s not all beverages honey made locally, as of retail,” Larsen said. scoffee.com or call 651and food at The Nestwell as coffee mugs and To learn more about 408-8505. ing Grounds. They also