Local Business Spotlight: Clearview General Store

Since taking over ownership of Clearview General Store in Lutsen in 2020, owner Chris Homyak has expanded the physical footprint and products offered in the business.

“It’s really been a great change for the West End,” Homyak said. “People seem to really enjoy it.”

Clearview General Store, Homyak said, is a “true general store” in that it offers “a little bit of everything.” From groceries to bait and tackle, hunting and fishing licenses, handcrafted goods from local artists, games, books, and gas, Clearview General Store is a one-stop shop for residents and North Shore visitors.

“It’s been fun for us to bring in a lot of new products, things that people may not have seen before, and different things that you might not expect to find,” Homyak said.

As the winter season approaches, the staff at Clearview General Store is eager to see more snowmobilers and cross-country skiers this year, as the previous winter was a bust, given the lack of snow. Last year, Homyak said, was a slower season, with very few visitors traveling to Lutsen or Grand Marais to enjoy traditional outdoor winter activities.

“We’re just looking forward to having people up after the holidays,” Homyak said.

While the Clearview General Store staff anticipate the arrival of more snow and visitors, Homyak is working to finalize improvement and construction plans for the spring.

In the last year, Homyak has applied for and was awarded grants to improve biofuel availability at Clearview General Store. The Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program grants offered through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) are funded by the Inflation Reduction Act and aim to increase the availability and sales of ethanol and diesel in 18 states.

In April or May, Clearview General Store will begin construction to remove the gas tanks and replace them with tanks with higher ethanol content, E15. “What we’ll also be doing for the first time in Lutsen is adding diesel,” Homyak said.

In addition, Clearview General Store will add another gas pump dispenser to cut down on wait times for individuals. Homyak said work on site will start as soon as frost gets out of the ground in the spring, and construction should be expected to take 3-4 weeks.

WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins sat down with Clearview General Store owner Chris Homyak to learn more about his business, what he finds rewarding about being a small business owner, and more about the spring construction plans. The audio from the interview is below.

The Local Business Spotlight highlights our local business community’s economic strength and innovation. This feature is brought to you in partnership with Visit Cook County and the Cook County Chamber of Commerce.

Kalli Hawkins December 1, 2024