Just as summer is in full swing and many people are enjoying time in the water, the new owners of Root River Outfitters in Lanesboro, Minn., are getting their feet wet as well.
Caleb Rissman, along with his parents, Kevin and Holly Rissman, purchased the business because “it’s something Caleb has had an interest in for probably three or four years,” says Holly.
They were looking for the right opportunity to come along, states Holly, and when Mike Charlebois approached them because he was ready to sell Root River Outfitters, “it was the right time,” she says.
“There was a motivated buyer and a motivated seller,” noted Holly, “so it all lined up,” she explains.
The first few weeks have been busy, comments Holly. “We opened the Friday of Memorial Day weekend and have been open seven days a week since,” she states.
“We had to get our feet under us,” says Caleb, adding, “luckily we have Isaac Freese and Caleb Kimball that Mike already had” working at Root River Outfitters.
“They worked the summer before so they knew what was going on and they really helped us out,” states Caleb, as their experience was vital in the first few days after the Rissmans took over as proprietors.
Also, Mike Charlebois has been a huge help, according to Caleb. “He stayed on the weekend of Memorial Day to help out and was on call for us” for anything we needed, Caleb states.
“He kept coming back in and checking on us and just seeing if we had any questions,” explains Caleb, saying, “it was amazing to have him” and all of his help.
“We have to give him a lot of credit,” Holly says of Charlebois, as she explains, “it was an easy transaction with him and he has been nothing but good support” from the beginning. “We really cannot thank him enough — he’s just been great,” says Holly.
“We have to give a lot of kudos to the staff,” notes Holly, as they have helped tremendously in making the transition easier for the new owners. Root River Outfitters employs eight people on a regular basis and additional part-time employees when needed.
The Rissmans are local residents so they know the area and the popularity of outdoor activity in Fillmore County. Holly (whose maiden name is Ronnenberg), grew up in Rushford, Minn.
Kevin moved to Fillmore County from Illinois in 1970 after his parents purchased land outside of Lanesboro in 1969. His parents farmed the land and when his parents retired, they sold off 200 acres to Vernon Michel who used part of the property and the barn to create the Old Barn Resort.
When asked if they will make any changes to the business, they have some ideas but quickly say that Charlebois had built a successful business, but “we will look at it and assess and see if there are any things we can improve on,” says Caleb, as well as possibly implement some ideas that Charlebois had in mind before deciding to sell the business.
“There are quite a few things we would like to implement for next year,” states Kevin. “We are just kind of assessing the equipment and there will probably be some changes and updates,” says Holly.
There are many possibilities for changes and updates but the Rissmans will wait until the off-season to implement anything major, as they have been so busy and this will also give them more time to make definite decisions on any changes such a paint color and more.
One possibility is to expand their display shelves and offer more of what their customers may need. They got in some waterproof pouches and they were gone within a week. “We are hoping we are going to be doing some kind of merchandising,” says Holly.
“We are appreciating the customer feedback” on what items they would like to see available at Root River Outfitters and “that has been beneficial,” notes Holly, and says that the staff has been very helpful with suggestions also.
Root River Outfitters rents tubes, canoes and bicycles for those who would like to get out and enjoy the beautiful scenery in the area.
Whether you want to take a long trip or a short one, they can help you find what you want. “It’s kind of what a person is looking for” from their experience, explains Holly.
The short kayak or canoe trip is from the Old Barn Resort to Riverview Campground right above the dam in Lanesboro — what local residents call the “lazy loop,” which is an enjoyable slow float down the river. The long kayak or canoe trip includes putting in at Moen’s Bridge and getting out at the public access on Hwy. 16.
The short trip for tubes is a 30-minute trip starting at the private access located behind Root River Outfitters and floating through town and walking back up to do it all over again as many times as you would like.
The long trip for tubes is floating from Root River Outfitters to the public access on Hwy. 16, which takes approximately 2 1/2 hrs.
The community of Lanesboro and the surrounding area have been very supportive, according to Holly, as she says, “The other businesses and people in town that have stopped by have been very welcoming and supportive” of their new adventure.
“I definitely feel a close-knit community in Lanesboro, as other business owners really want other businesses to do well,” says Caleb, adding that “it’s been really nice,” to feel that support.
Kevin, Holly and Caleb have been and remain very excited about their new business and look forward to what the future brings. “We are very excited” about being owners of Root River Outfitters, states Kevin.
Root River Outfitters is located at 101 Parkway Ave. S. in Lanesboro. For more information call (507) 467-3400. Further details can be found on the website for Root River Outfitters at rootriveroutfitters.com and on their facebook page, facebook/rootriveroutfitters.
Business hours are 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (or 6 p.m. depending on how much equipment they have out) and their hours can change depending on weather.
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