Portage North, formerly Kondos Outdoors was born in Ely in 1980 out of a need from outfitters requiring gear that could withstand the rigors of being on trail all season long. With a roll of fabric, some thread, and the determination of crafting the best gear, Dan and Vicki Kondos started Kondos Outdoors. For 35 years, Kondos developed the gear we all have come to love and depend on for making our wilderness experiences successful.
In 2015, I took on the task of carrying that legacy forward. I grew up venturing into the Boundary Waters from the age of three and spent much of my formative years exploring the Ely wilderness. In 2017, I married my wife, Corissa, who had been guiding BWCA trips for seven years and is the director of Rock Ridge Christian Camp since 2015. We enjoy being able to take our personal experiences and knowledge and incorporatethat into how we design and build products for Portage North and share the wilderness experience with others.
By bringing in state of the art cutting and sewing equipment, implementing continuous improvement philosophies, researching the best materials, and having a 1.4 million acre test lab to vet our products, we strive to craft for you the toughest gear that will last you and the next generation a lifetime.
From our families to yours,
Michael and Corissa Larson
Shop online for: Packs, Camp Kitchens, Camp Organization, Canoe Gear, Tarps & Tents, Totes, and Commuter packs & bags.
Welcome to KJs Hardware in Ely, MN!
We’re your friendly neighborhood hardware store, locally owned, and proud to be part of the True Value family. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or embarking on your first DIY project, we’re here to support you every step of the way. From expert advice to top-notch tools and products, we have everything you need to tackle any job.
Swing by KJ’s Hardware today, and let us help you make your projects a breeze!
We are a small family business that started in north west Iowa that it is now located on the iron range of northern Minnesota, in the little town of Ely. Our background was in agriculture with a love of the outdoors and old styled craftsmanship. Working in blacksmithing, fine woodworking, and leather, leather soon became our medium of choice.
10 DAYS OF CELEBRATING WINTER!
The Ely Winter Festival is 10 days in February celebrating winter. Activities include the amazing snow carvings in the Park, along with the Ely ArtWalk and other events.
Our Headquarters is Northern Grounds at Central Ave and Sheridan St in Ely where you can purchase Festival pins and T-shirts.
The Festival hotline is (218)365-7669 (365-SNOW)
The Ely Winter Festival is made possible by donations from people like you. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit and deeply appreciate your gifts!
The MinnSNOWta™ ROOF RAZOR® Roof Rake is an industrial quality tool designed for removing snow from roofs. This helps to both prevent ice dams and prevent snow loading, which can damage your house and property drastically. Remove the snow to prevent ice dams with the Roof Razor®.
The Quickest and Safest Way Possible to Remove Snow From A Roof!
The double cutting surfaces of the MinnSNOWta™ Roof Razor® Roof Rake head allow the Roof Razor® to remove snow by undercutting deep or drifted snow. The snow eventually collapses by its own weight onto the poly chute and slides off the roof. Poly wheels keep the Roof Razor® above the surface preventing damage to frozen shingles. No other snow rake is faster. No other snow rake is easier.
Pinckney Construction is one of Ely’s most established residential and commercial contractors.
We have been building fine lake homes and cabins along with light commercial projects in the Ely area for over thirty years. Our dedication to a quality product and excellent customer service will satisfy the most demanding client.
From initial concept to completed project, Pinckney Construction will guide you through each step of the building process.. We work with the finest local subcontractors from excavating and well drilling to custom tile and finish floors to produce a top quality building product for our customer. We have always been focused on energy efficiency and have been “building green” for over 30 years.
Northern Expressions is a combination ice cream parlor and gift shop in downtown Ely. Try to choose from among the many flavors in the freezer case and then go for a homemade waffle cone, or skip the cone part altogether and opt for a highly rated root beer float. A local favorite.
Ely may be the Canoe Capitol of the World but it also has the world’s finest sausages!
Zup’s was founded on family tradition, the spirit still lives within the organization. The friendly greetings, the welcoming smiles and always an extended hand of help. The Zup’s family would like to invite you to join us, shop a bit, try a few new items, we are sure you will be delighted with what you find and taste.
“We, at Zup’s, have no doubt you will be completely satisfied, and all of our products are unconditionally guaranteed”
The purpose of Incredible Ely is to revitalize Ely’s downtown and support innovative growth in the Ely area by connecting businesses, people, knowledge, ideas, and resources. IE’s vision is a dynamic, innovative, and distinctive community with a diversified and seasonally-balanced economic base.
Explore our projects and join our beautification efforts while supporting innovative growth.
Like many rural communities, the Ely area has struggled to maintain a vibrant economy in the wake of the 2007-08 economic recession. Empty storefronts are a visible reminder of the challenges we face in attracting and retaining young people and ensuring that they have employment opportunities throughout the year – not just during the summer tourist season. Yet there are signs of an Ely renaissance — in the re-opening of Wintergreen Northern Wear, in the expansion of Steger Mukluks, with the opening of the Folk School, and especially in the property developments being undertaken by the Ely Economic Development Authority.
The Ely area has no shortage of talent, and it’s many volunteer organizations are enthusiastically adding to Ely’s offerings in the arts, recreation, and tourist attractions. Incredible Ely (IE) in conjunction with the City and the Chamber of Commerce is part of the community-wide effort to make the area a great place to live, work, and raise a family.
The award-winning Timberjay newspapers are the most widely-read weekly newspapers in the North Country, serving communities throughout our region with local and regional news, opinion, sports, outdoors reporting, and much more. We also serve as the official newspaper for the City of Tower, and a number of area townships, including Breitung, Vermilion Lake, Bearville, Leiding, Field, Embarrass, and Kugler.
The Timberjay
PO Box 718
Ely, MN 55731
Office address:
The Timberjay, 414 Main St., PO Box 636, Tower, MN 55790. PHONE: 218-753-2950 FAX: 218-753-2916
