Posted: 10/25/05
New chapter starts for Wiebke Fur
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
The coals hadnít even cooled last February before Jason Wiebke was saying that his store would reopen in six months.
His prediction has come true.
Wiebke Fur, which was destroyed by an electrical fire last February 2, reopened for customers in Eitzen three weeks ago.
In fact, they were in the store by the end of August getting ready for the ginseng season, which opened on September 1.
There wasnít a lot of fanfare. Thatís not the Wiebke way or the Eitzen way.
But it is good news for the city and for hunting enthusiasts.
ìBig news for a little city,î employee Jeremy Myhre said as he processed a turkey hunting license for Allie Engan.
Allie tried hard not to smile ñ thatís not cool for a 12-year-old girl ñ but she failed. Who can blame her? Her brother, Kevin, had just bought her a brand new Remington 870 20-gauge shotgun.
ìYouíre just getting a wheel of a deal,î part-time employee Ryan Schuttemeier said. That brought out the smile again.
Allieís gun was one of many new and used shotguns and rifles that line the wall behind the counter of the 80x120-foot building. The bigger display area is one of many improvements that Jason Wiebke sees in the building.
ìEverything is kind of under one roof,î he said during a pause between waiting on customers on October 21. The walls and floor racks are hung with things like hunting supplies, trapping supplies, clothing, and fishing gear. One corner has pelts for sale, from a $40 skunk to a $495 timber wolf.
There are some deer, bird, and fish mounts too, courtesy of friends like Tim Bechtel and Jack Hauser. The mounts are a start to replacing the many that were lost in the fire. People would bring in their kids just to look at the displays in the old store, Jason said. ìIt was almost like visiting a museum,î he said.
With the extra room, the store will be able to sell tree stands, Jason said. ìWeíre going to cater more to the muzzle loader,î he added. Jason feels thatís a hunting trend that is growing in popularity.
ìEverybody that comes in says, ëOh, this is a bigger building,íî he said. Actually, thatís not the case, Jasonís father, Tom, pointed out to me earlier in the visit. But everything is on one level, which makes the work easier, he said.
The old building was located in a converted creamery, and had about six additions, Jason said.
The processing room has some improvements too, Jason said, like a larger door and space for larger amounts of fur and deer hides.
The community has been very supportive about the building project, Jason said. Construction was noisy and hard to get through. ìPeople were very understanding,î he said.
Eitzen businesses try to help each other, Jason feels. ìWeíre all supporting each other, helping each other,î he said.
The store is not 100 percent stocked yet, but things can be special ordered. You forget how many things you have to replace, Jason said.
Wiebke Fur has five full-time and six seasonal employees. It also has a store in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Augedahl Construction was the general contractor for the project.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com