Employee Natalya Trett emigrated from Ukraine and has worked at Bemidji Woolen Mills for over 20 years .
With the bitter cold of northern Minnesota winters , you can rest assured Bemidji households have their closets and basements crammed with cold-weather gear .
that no company this size would be able to manufacture so many different items . Products from other manufacturers include Pendleton blankets , Dale of Norway sweaters and Red Wing boots . Minnesota ’ s famed wild rice and local craft items are also available . Mary Morton , Bill ’ s aunt , is employed in the store and is one of the local crafters of rosemaling , a decorative Norwegian folk-art painting . Her paintings and jigsaw puzzles featuring her paintings are sold in the store .
Bill related the same families shop at the store year-after-year with the sixth-generation of summer visitors now arriving . We were approached by a shopper who said with a smile , “ Bemidji Woolen Mills is the only place to buy clothes to keep you warm .” The customer , Janet Thompson , with arms full of mittens and a hat must have overheard our conversion . She said her first memory of the store was at age five when she visited with her mother . Thought living elsewhere , Janet continues to patronize Bemidji Woolen Mills . Bill said he frequently hears similar stories .
According to an old adage , “ the first generation starts a business , the second generation grows the business and the third generation ruins the business .” It is refreshing to find the fourth generation successfully guiding Bemidji Woolen Mills for the upcoming fifth generation .
Kay and David Scott are authors of “ Complete Guide to the National Park Lodges ” ( Globe Pequot ). They live in Valdosta , Georgia . Visit them at blog . valdosta . edu / dlscott
Customer Janet Thompson with arms full of Bemidji mittens .
Bemidji Woolen Mills owner Bill Batchelder holds an Eco Ragg Wool Balachlava and demonstrates how it expands into a face mask .
46 February | March 2023 Thomasville Scene