Lake State Mountaineering Announces May 16-18 Grand Opening Celebration

Steve Schreader

Lake State Mountaineering has filled the void left when Midwest Mountaineering closed. The Grand Opening is happening this weekend, May 16-18, with events, community groups onsite, prize drawings for gear, and many other activities to kick off the opening. We talked to Steve Schreader, Owner, about the lovely new outdoors business at 424 Washington Avenue N, Suite 203 (above Crisp and Green) in the North Loop. Read below for more information on products to be featured, community involvement and classes!

Q:  The Star Tribune predicted that a phoenix would arise from the fire around the closure of Midwest Mountaineering. That has happened with Lake State Mountaineering – congratulations! Please talk to us about how your passions have fueled your career – we all need to hear more of these stories.

A:  Thank you, my passion really is derived from 3 major objectives. #1 My love for the outdoors in all its forms, be it climbing, paddling, biking, camping, you name it. I just love being outside with good people. That leads me to #2 - Being with good people is also a passion of mine. I want to support anyone who has the same love for the outdoors or is just exploring it for the first time. This leads to my 3rd objective, which comes from my education background and my desire to provide support in the form of skill development and raising the level of stoke with all outdoor enthusiasts. All three of these are what has driven both my career and now the creation of Lake State Mountaineering.

Q:  What products will you carry at Lake State Mountaineering? What’s your process for evaluating the quality and sustainability of products?

A:  Generally, Lake State will carry much of the same products and categories that Midwest had, including the popular Thrifty Outfitters, but with a more specific focus on BWCA Paddling and Travel and climbing in all its forms. I will still be carrying backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, apparel, and much more, and the more technical in-store gear will focus on Paddling and Climbing.

Having been a buyer at Midwest for 5 years, as well as using many of these products in my own outdoor adventures, I personally test most of the products I've decided to bring into the shop. Additional product decisions will come from the staff that I have lined up, and their expertise and product knowledge will help drive the specific lineup that we carry throughout the store. Suggestions from customers and the respective communities will also play a part in the product selection. Lake State values what its members and customers desire to use and what equipment they trust in their own outdoor pursuits. The goal of Lake State is to provide the highest quality products within our shop. Additionally, we realize that there can be financial barriers to much of that gear, and working to remove some of those to allow folks to enjoy the outdoors is one of the many pillars that stand as the foundation of Lake State Mountaineering.

Q:  Do you have a secret for predicting trends in the outdoors industry?

A:  I don’t know if I would call it a secret. I believe that being involved within the respective community you are wanting to support with your store is extremely important. Listening to members of that community on what they are seeing and wanting to talk about is just as important as watching market trends for a particular category. The trends cannot overshadow the value of feedback from the local community if you are among them, visible, and showing support for their outdoor activity.

Q:  Will there be classes – for beginners and experts – in outdoor sports? Please say yes for beginners!

A:  Yes and Yes! One of the biggest goals of Lake State is to bring back and expand educational opportunities for anyone looking to be involved and explore the outdoors, be it beginner or veteran. With REI recently eliminating its experiences programs, Lake State sees a massive void that needs to be filled. By partnering with local guides and guiding companies, as well as providing opportunities for local non-profit groups to share their expertise, Lake State looks to provide all sorts of clinics and workshops, from packing your portage pack and intro canoeing skills, to advanced climbing and alpine skills, to everything in between. Lake State will have opportunities for everyone.

Q:  Are there emerging brands or products you are particularly excited about?

A:  Absolutely! Two products for climbing would be Totem Cams and Rocky Talkie. Totems are a phenomenal smooth active anchoring tool that are some of the best on the market, and they are currently non-existent in the Midwest. I love using the Totem Cams that I own, and many members of the local climbing community have been asking for them for quite a while. Rocky Talkie is a hand-held 2-way radio, but has a much better range than a normal 2-way radio. It is primarily used with alpine and rock climbers, particularly in areas where multi-pitch climbing takes place, or in the case of our north shore, when you are being lowered and the belayer cannot see the climber, let alone hear them. I have also used them as a great way to communicate on BWCA paddling trips when the wind is howling and you need to speak with other canoes in your group while on the water.

For coffee lovers in the outdoors, VSSL is a new brand of portable grinder and and all-in-one filtering system that is robust and extremely easy to use while in the backcountry. These products really transform and simplify having coffee in the morning in the backcountry, especially where weight is a consideration.

Another focus of Lake State when it comes to brands is local brands and local products. There are quite a few brands locally here in the Midwest that are really going to be game changers in the community, but I don’t want to give too much away, you’ll have to swing into the shop to check them out.

You can trust an owner who uses the equipment he sells!

Q:  I’ve heard you’ll have a café onsite – please tell us more.

A:  Hah! Cafe might be too strong of a word. In the initial vision of Lake State, there was the desire to have a cafe’ bar in the shop to provide folks with a space that would allow them to relax, have a coffee, and perhaps meet up with the climbing partner or canoe group and plan out their trips. Due to the space we ended up in, the full vision of that cafe will unfortunately not be achieved; however, the desire for the space for folks to come and meet over a coffee is still there and will be a part of the shop. Lake State will provide free coffee (highlighting a particular brand or flavor that is either local or a brand that is being sold in the shop), as well as local snacks and food goods that work both as a backcountry food item but also have great everyday appeal.

Q:  How will Lake State Mountaineering support the local outdoor community?

A:  Supporting the local community is at the top of the list. The combination of quality local products, education, and skill-based workshops/clinics, as well as being visible and involved in the respective outdoor communities and the events that they put on are the best ways for Lake State to show that support. It's not just in selling the gear; it's riding that fine line of listening intently to community members to see what’s on their minds as it relates to the outdoors, how they feel about certain products or brands, and listening to that feedback while staying true to the vision and mission of Lake State.

Q:  We wish you a fantastic start to your business and many years of success. How may we follow your news?

A:  Thank you, I appreciate that. Folks can join the email list at www.lakestatemountaineering.com where there is a weekly newsletter with deals, updates, etc. For those who follow social media more closely, Instagram (@lakestatemn) and Facebook (@Lake State Mountaineering) are the two main platforms that we are on.

The YouTube channel is also up and running and more videos will be forthcoming on product reviews, how-to videos, brand reviews, as well as videos of the many clinics and workshops that we will be providing on-site.

Be sure to come to Grand Opening Weekend – May 16-18. There will be lots of activities and prize drawings.  We look forward to meeting you! We are located at 424 Washington Avenue N, Suite 203, directly above Crisp and Green. Enter from Washington Avenue and head upstairs through the big black door as you come in. Once on the second floor, Lake State will be on your left.