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Blue Moose Garden Center in Grand Marais Opening May 9th

New owners Dan and Laurie Roberts are excit­ed to announce the grand opening of the Blue Moose Garden Center in Grand Marais next month.

Laurie worked at Blue Moose in 2023, the last season the business was open. Bill and Marybeth Doucette started the Blue Moose years ago, perched on a slight rise on the in­land side of Highway 61 on the west side of town. Teri Chilefone and James Cole­man acquired the business and property in 2022.

“I thought I knew a lot about plants,” Laurie said about taking a job at Blue Moose. “Renee was manag­er then, and I learned a lot that season.”

The previous plant sup­plier moved on to different markets, and the Roberts searched for a new grower to supply the Garden Cen­ter. They found a grower in northwestern Minnesota specializing in plants that thrive in our northern cli­mate.

On the Blue Moose Gar­den Center Facebook page, the Roberts wrote, “Great news! Our supplier has in­formed us that our plants are already growing and will be ready in early May. We can’t wait to see the plants when they are bigger and get them to our customers!”

Laurie said inventory would include annuals and perennial flowers, vegeta­bles, and shrubs.

Dan said, “We are focused on high-quality plants at moderate costs.”

To keep costs down and quality up, the Roberts will be on-site at the growers early in May to select and handpick the plants for their first order, saving on pick­ing and packing charges. Rest assured, they’ll find the best plants, pack them carefully, and handle them gently when they arrive.

“Customers can expect all the ‘old favorites,’” Laurie said.

The Roberts were both science teachers in Twin Cities schools. When retire­ment beckoned at the end of the school year in 2022, they moved permanent­ly to Cook County, where they had spent most of their summer breaks.

Dan discovered the North Shore when Gene Glader, a friend of his parents, pur­chased the Cascade Lodge along Highway 61 next to Cascade River State Park. While still in high school, Dan spent his summers working at the Lodge, do­ing all the jobs a young man would be expected to do at a resort.

After meeting Laurie in college, the pair came to the North Shore together, working in resorts, restau­rants, and lodges. By 1991, shortly after marrying, they bought a seven-acre par­cel of land bordering the Cascade River State Park. Over the years, they began developing the property and eventually built their retire­ment home.

Laurie says, “After retir­ing, with two kids grown and flown, we made Cook County our home.” This year, their daughter, who lives in the Twin Cities, had a serious medical emer­gency, and they’ve spent a significant part of the win­ter helping with her care. “She’s made a remarkable recovery,” Dan said.

“The Blue Moose is such a tradition in Grand Mara­is,” Laurie said. She’s hear­ing from local folks that they are excited that Blue Moose will open again.

The Roberts also operate Cascade Creek Company, a successful business they started a couple of years ago to help fill the need for what might be called “handyman” work in Cook County. Dan is skilled in all aspects of construction and repair. Laurie special­izes in interior design, help­ing customers coordinate a decorating theme, includ­ing wall coverings, window treatments, and tile work. She is especially gifted in

organizing and designing storage solutions to reduce clutter and make homeowners comfortable. Laurie says that a priority is helping people in Cook County who want to age in their homes. Their needs could include anything from handrails to ramps, making the house accessible as needed. The Blue Moose Garden Center is at 1301 East Highway 61 in Grand Marais. Its opening day is the Friday before Mother’s Day, May 9, at 9:00 a.m. The business is open seven days a week in season, and you’ll meet Dan, Laurie, or both working there every day. Laurie concluded, “Blue Moose is back, and we’re excited to be your garden supplier.

Steve Fernlund
Steve Fernlund
Typically these “about me” pages include a list of academic achievements (I have none) and positions held (I have had many, but who really cares about those?) So, in the words of the late Admiral James Stockwell, “Who am I? Why am I here?” I’m well into my seventh decade on this blue planet we call home. I’m a pretty successful husband, father, and grandfather, at least in my humble opinion. My progeny may disagree. We have four children and five grandchildren. I spent most of my professional life in the freight business. At the tender age of 40, early retirement beckoned and we moved to Grand Marais. A year after we got here, we bought and operated the Cook County News Herald, a weekly newspaper in Grand Marais. A sharp learning curve for a dumb freight broker to become a newspaper editor and publisher. By 1999 the News Herald was an acquisition target for a rapidly consolidating media market. We sold our businesses and “retired” again, buying a winter retreat in Nevada. In the fall of 2016, we returned to Grand Marais and bought a house from old friends of ours on the ridge overlooking Lake Superior. They were able to move closer to family and their Mexico winter home. And we came home to what we say is our last house. I’m a strong believer in the value of local newspapers--both online and those you can wrap a fish in. I write a weekly column and a couple of feature stories for the Northshore Journal. I’m most interested in writing about the everyday lives of local people and reporting on issues of importance to them.
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