INSIDE:
n Behlianno ’s Take n’ Ba ke n Whiskey C reek Saloon n Paulson A gency n Westside Sports n Merickel L umber
2013
business People
People in Business is a supplement to the July 27, 2013 Wadena Pioneer Journal
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PEOPLE IN BUSINESS
Cindy Behl, left, and husband George own and operate Behlianno’s Take n’ Bake on Bryant Avenue.
Lindsay Tibbetts, left, and Matt Wedde, right, pose behind the new bar at Whiskey Creek Saloon. The bar/restaurant is a joint venture between the couple, who will be married this September.
You better Lovebirds Behl-ieve it! behind the bar Zach Kayser zkayser@wadenapj.com
When Cindy and George Behl were moving to be closer to his parents and needed to pick which community to call their new home, the choice was pretty clear. “We had to pick a town that had hockey,” Cindy said. Not content with simply living and working around Wadena, the Behls decided to add a business of their own to the community. They thought about something they missed from their time living in the Twin Cities: take and bake pizza. They renovated a building on Bryant Avenue, installing the floors, the ceiling and woodwork on the walls themselves. After throwing a little Italian flourish onto George’s German last name, Behlianno’s was born. The Behls said the take-and-bake style of pizza that their restaurant serves can be more convenient than ready made, as the customer
can pick when the pizza is baked (or grilled, if it’s a hot summer day and they don’t want to turn on the oven). It’s a great option for those who live a ways outside of town in the greater Wadena area, George said. “A lot of people come through town, and if they buy an already-baked pizza, it’s cold by the time they get home, or not as fresh,” he said. Time management is obviously something the couple knows quite a bit about. Cindy works at a bank in town, as well as interning at the Referral and Crisis Center while she attempts to get a degree in social work. George runs the Friendly Rider Transit program at the Wadena County Human Services building across the street from the pizza shop. The Behls said it takes a lot of time to start up a business, but meeting people is definitely one of the job’s perks. “You get to interact with the community a lot,” George said.
Zach Kayser zkayser@wadenapj.com In the year since they had the idea of opening their own bar/ restaurant, Matt Wedde and Lindsay Tibbetts have been partners in building and operating Whiskey Creek Saloon. Come September, they’ll be partners in life -- the two are engaged. Lindsay manages the bar’s accounting numbers and even has her own firm that will share the same building, Lindsay Tibbetts Accounting (soon to be renamed Lindsay Wedde Accounting). Matt said running the business as a couple offered an advantage compared to just one of the pair working at Whiskey Creek every day. “I think it’s a lot easier to make decisions,” he said. “We’re both here, we both know what’s going on.” The month or so since the bar opened June 3 has seen some good business, Matt said.
“It’s been pretty steady,” he said. “We must be doing something right.” The couple took what used to be Ray’s Sport and Karaoke and made it their own with extensive remodeling. Changes include a completely redone kitchen, as well as new bar and stage. That stage is where thesoon-to-be Weddes plan to host a variety of music acts from around the region. One of the reasons the couple started the bar in the first place was to give locals a spot to go to see live bands perform in Wadena. Although they have a perfectly good bar ready and waiting to host their wedding reception, Matt and Lindsay said they’re planning on a different location in town to have the party after they tie the knot. “(Otherwise) we’re going to be stuck cleaning up the mess,” Matt said with a laugh. “I don’t want to be cooking and everything at our own wedding!”
IN BUSINESS All weekend long, February 4,PEOPLE 5 & 6.
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Mid-Central Federal Savings Bank ~ Loan Officer Retiring in the New Year 2014 Elnora Trout – “Nori” Mid-Central Federal Savings Bank Wadena senior loan officer, has officially announced her retirement in January 2014, following 23 years with Mid-Central Federal Savings Bank. “I was born and raised in and around the area.” Nori said, “Having grown up on a farm in Long Prairie, I have enjoyed many aspects of my career with MCF and our communities & the natural beauty, sparkling lakes, cultural offerings, fun events and robust recreational opportunities.” Nori has many hobbies and can often be found in her favorite surroundings with her family, camping, fishing, gardening and traveling! “Yes, I truly enjoy those things, but it is the people here that I have grown to love. Here in the “Northwoods” and Wadena Area,
I have met the finest people; dedicated, passionate people who each give passionately to make this the best place to live, work and play. “Community involvement here means commitment, passion and personal investment of time to see important projects through to completion,” she said. “After 23 years of fond memories at Mid-Central Federal Savings Bank, Dave and I look forward to spending time with our family. We have 10 grandchildren, and we look forward to spending quality time with them at the cabin!” A December Retirement/Appreciation Gathering for Nori is scheduled at Mid-Central Federal Savings Bank. More information will be provided this fall on Nori’s Retirement Celebrations.
GUY BLASKE IS STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE AS NORI TROUT RETIRES: A familiar face to many in our community Guy Blaske is a graduate of Bertha Hewitt High School. Many of Guy’s family still live in Hewitt, where he plans to reside in years to come. His daughter Stephanie Larson recently returned to her nursing career at Wadena’s Tri County Hospital after recovering from extensive heart surgery. Guy and his family are proud of her achievements and the communities devout support. A member of staff for Mid-Central Federal Savings Bank for the past 20 years, Guy is excited to return to a very familiar community where he is looking forward to stepping into Nori Trout’s position as she retires. Guy can often be found supporting local events and fundraisers and enjoying the beauty of the local golf courses. Stop in and see Guy! His door is always open. He is excited to present his knowledge & expertise. Go to www.midcentralbank.com for more information.
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PEOPLE IN BUSINESS
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Wadena showing signs of growth JOHN STONE Wadena Pioneer Journal “Wadena is starting to come back to life,” said Arleen Paulson. “June Jubilee was great, the fair went well and so did the fly-in breakfast.” That’s an important observation when you are a real estate broker. “I enjoy working with people,” said Paulson, who has worked in the real estate portion of the business and owned that portion of the agency since 1997. The real estate market in Wadena, like many other places across the country, slowed down dramatically in 2008. Then, two years later, along came the tornado. “Some people left town, some moved, some fixed up homes,” she said. Some homes were purchased by contractors and repaired. It was anything but a normal real estate market. One local real estate business closed. “It affected everybody,” she said. “We even lost some businesses downtown.” But now she sees signs things are getting better. “Values are starting to come back some,” she said. She has been doing more showings and had a recent closing. “By the end of the year we hope it will be back,” she said of the market in general. She said she recently checked the Multiple Listing Service book and there were 49 properties for sale with Wadena addresses. Prior to 2008 an average listing of properties would be closer to 35. It was on Dec. 1, 1961 that David and Arleen Paulson purchased the Roes Insurance Agency which at that time was located near where the Holiday Station is now. While David moved to Wadena immediately, Arleen and their son joined them in 1962. Three more children joined the family in the ensuing years. David Paulson
The Paulson family of Paulson Agency, which handles realty and insurance, pose inside their offices on Highway 10. Pictured is Kevin, left, Arleen, center, and John, right. had started as an insurance underwriter and spent eight years in that field prior to purchasing the agency. In 1977 the agency moved to its current location on Highway 10 in Wadena and the following year real estate was added. In 1979, son Kevin, who had attended business school, joined the business and in 1986 son John joined the business after studying finance and insurance at what is now Minnesota State University, Moorhead. The Paulson’s third son, Brian, joined the agency but died suddenly of encephalitis in 1991.
A daughter, Cheri, lives in Andover and works for the Corps of Engineers in St. Paul. The firm has two additional agents, Julie Bushinger and Cindy Pajari, and Amanda Schmitz who works at the front desk. In 1997 the insurance agency was sold to Kevin and John and Arleen kept the real estate portion of the business calling it Paulson Agency Realty. Over the years Arleen has been in many of Wadena’s homes. “Sometimes you can’t remember a person’s name but you know where they live!” she said.
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Westside Sports partnership splits 50-50 BRIAN HANSEL bhansel@wadenapj.com Jarvis Hieb and Dave Jetenberg are partners 50-50 in Westside Sports. “He does most of the work and I spend most of the money,” Hieb said. The Wadena business offers parts, sales and service for Arctic Cat products. Westside Sports sells snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles. “We sell motorcycles by consignment,” Hieb said. “I sold a Harley for a guy recently but there are other good bikes too.” Westside Sports was launched in 1989. Their location is on busy Highway 10 on the northwest side of Wadena. Wadena itself is near one of Minnesota’s busiest playgrounds for snowmobiles and ATVs. The New York Mills community, just 12 miles up the road, hosts a tremendous motorcycle event called the Ronald McDonald House ride. Thousands of bikers participate in
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the fund-raising event. This year’s ride stopped in Wadena on its way back to New York Mills. “It’s a good location and as far as other dealers around we’re basically around 50 miles from the nearest one,” Hieb said. Arctic Cat started out in 1960 making snowmobiles but like its competition it has branched out into ATVs. While ATV four-wheelers are restricted to trails and lakes the larger double-wide four-wheelers can legally operate on any road surface. “They can be toys but they can also be equipment,” Hieb said. Offering products that customers can use year around keeps Hieb and Jetenberg busy. Hieb works mainly in the office, parts room and sales room. Jetenberg spends most of his time with in the shop with the machines that come in for repair or servicing. “If it snows we’re fine, we’re busy Jarvis Hieb keeps an array of Arctic Cat products on hand at Westside Sports on something. If it doesn’t we’re in Wadena. Hieb and partner Dave Jetenberg operate the Highway 10 dealworking on ATVs,” Hieb said. ership.
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PEOPLE IN BUSINESS
Merickel Lumber has strong ties with Wadena community BRIAN HANSEL bhansel@wadenapj.com Jim Merickel’s entire working life has been tied up in wood - be it seedlings, saplings, trees or finished lumber products. It was in 1935 when Harry Merickel started a lumber business in Wadena. For the next 30 years the Merickels bought trees logged from area forests and turned them into rough cut lumber in their mills. The business was vastly different. “They would travel between here and probably Menahga and they would go to a farmer and buy 40 acres of timber standing and they would go through that lot just like a forester would today and scale those logs. That gave them a perception of how many board feet of salable or millable lumber was in that stand of timber,” Merickel said. After the logging operation was completed on a particularly good piece of timberland, it would often be fenced for sheep which would help convert the timberland into pastureland which could then be sold back to a farmer. The sheep were also sold. “Nothing went to waste,” Jim laughed. As the years went by, Harry’s sons got into the business. Jim became part of it as the rough cut lumber days were ending in the 1970s. The Merickel mills no longer operate because the business now has lumber delivered from mills in the western United States by truck and rail. It is a process controlled not just by the wholesaler and retailer but also by industry standards. Why purchase wood products from other states? “Because you’re going to get a lower-priced, quality piece of wood,” Jim said. “In some cases we have actually driven to the mills or they
Jim Merickel, left, talks with one of his builders inside a Merickel display home in Wadena. The Merickel family has been in the lumber business since 1935. have brought a sample of the product in before we make a decision.” The number of lumber products on the market has increased greatly from the time when Jim Merickel started and the acronyms have piled up to where Jason, who works with them on a daily basis, is indispensable in speaking the language of the business. According to Merickel, framing lumber is actually a very small part of the total home package. There
are also products like Hardie Board siding and PVC decking along with many composites. The Merickels sell the bulk of their lumber to builders in the lake area of Otter Tail County but they also ship to western North Dakota where thriving oil and agricultural industries are driving the economy. Merickel noted that home building is picking up but it is not back to the level it saw in 2007 and 2008. New home starts went from 2 mil-
lion a year to around 400,000 when the recession began. The building industry is recovering and by 2014, estimates are that it will be in the 1.5 million range again. The lumber business has followed similar path. “It has its highs and lows with the housing market,” Merickel said. Merickel Lumber also introduces home designs based on their perception of what a prospective customer MERICKEL to page 7
MERICKEL from page 6
is looking for. Several of these models are on display directly across Ash Street from the Merickel’s place of business in Wadena. One of the evolutions of the housing business has been the one from pre-built to custom-designed homes. From the drafting room at Merickel Lumber a prospective buyer can see what their home will look like as a finished product. A computer modeling program on large computer screen can show interior as well as exterior features in 3D. The biggest advantage for all concerned is it being able to look at the same plans and see the home built before a wall goes up. The customer knows exactly what they are getting, right down to the color on the walls. Merickel said the quality of the lumber is of a much higher grade these days. Lumber was air-dried years ago. Now it is kiln-dried so shrinkage is not a problem. Some flooring is dried down to five percent. Merickel has found contrac-
PEOPLE IN BUSINESS tors like to use his lumber because they can count on it to build good, straight walls. “We won’t sacrifice price because it will catch up with you in the end,” Merickel said. The Merickel family and Wadena have a mutual interest in one another. “We try to support the community and they support us so it is a winwin thing,” Jim said. Once a home is started it takes a whole cadre of skilled people to put it together. Not only does Merickel Lumber have 40 employees of their own, the homes they build provide the livelihood for a variety of sub-contractors. “We all help each other to make it work,” Merickel said. As interested as the Merickel family has been in finding, milling and selling lumber over the years, their interest in planting new trees has also been great. The Merickels plant trees every year and put in 250 this spring. It is a love that has carried on through
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every generation. Three years ago when a tornado destroyed hundreds of trees in the cemetery on the west side of Wadena, Merickel arranged to have buy a truckload of saplings brought to town. With the help of many Wadena people, both financial and physical, the trees were planted. “I have always been interested in trees,” Merickel said. “I’ve always said there are two times to plant trees, one is right now and the other is last year.”
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