The Canoeist comes to life

• The Canoeist

Mike Keller, and his wife Erin, pose in front of a new Two Harbors business, The Canoeist. The store sells various types of outdoors gear for sporting enthusiasts. Photo by Matt Suoja

Talk about it

In the fall, Mike Keller moved to Two Harbors in the hopes of starting a business – one that includes his passions.

In May, it became a reality when The Canoeist opened its doors for all of the local outdoors lovers.

Keller said it’s a great place to open such a business because Two Harbors sits on the doorstep of many great water adventures: the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, all of the inland rivers and of course, Lake Superior.

“People from all over the world come into the shop,” Keller said, adding that he recently put a group of people from China on an excursion down the Cloquet River.

One thing that is unique about the store is it sells Langford canoes. They are the first in the U.S. to sell the Canadian brand – which is the oldest maker of the product in Canada.

“People from all over the Midwest get them,” Keller said.

The paddles are also unique.

“We ship paddles all over the U.S.,” Keller said, adding that many of them are for canoe racers.

The shop does guided canoe trips, along with renting out canoes and gear.

They are also currently working on getting a youth group together from the First Baptist Church to go on a canoe trip.

“I saw a lot of kids changed by a canoe trip,” Keller said, referring to when he was a guide in the BWCAW.

If you are unfamiliar with canoeing, there may be some help for you in the future.

“We don’t offer classes,” Keller said. “We are definitely talking about it though.”

The shop also sells products from locally based Granite Gear, such as backpacks and map cases.

“We have a very good relationship,” Keller said about Granite Gear. “They have been very helpful.”

Camping supplies, including tents and stoves, are also available at the store, as are maps.

Many people who plan on hiking the Superior Hiking Trail come into the shop for their supplies.

“There really isn’t just one product in the store that is popular,” Keller said.

BWCAW permits are also available at The Canoeist.

In the wintertime they plan on selling and renting snowshoes and winter tents, along with other items.

For more information about The Canoeist check out www.thecanoeist.com or visit the store at 701 Seventh Ave.

Tags: two harbors, the canoeist, northland, outdoors, rec, sports