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.
At Razor Edge Systems we take cutting edges very seriously. That is why we offer sharpening products that make it possible for anyone to put a professional, razor edge on hunting knives, culinary and chef knives, broadheads, fish hooks, and more. We guarantee our knife sharpening tools and other sharpening products 100% to your satisfaction. The Razor Edge Book of Sharpening combined with the right Razor Edge Sharpening System for your application will soon have you giving all your cutting edges an unbelievably sharp edge!
Razor Edge Systems, Inc. is known as the world’s leading authority on the cutting edge. Our technology is used in markets ranging from the sportsman and chef to the meat, poultry, and medical fields.
If you’re looking for something more than a typical souvenir shop, then Mealey’s Gift & Sauna Shop is the place for you!
Here at Mealey’s we pride ourselves on our unique product line and dedication to customer service. Check out our extensive line of sauna kits, stoves and accessories, plus our unique, American-made gifts. We also carry great accessories for the home from furniture and lighting to wall hangings and rugs that are sure to make your guests stop and take a second look. Most of our product lines are made right here in the USA, and many more are purchased through fair trade practices. We even carry a great selection of eco-friendly products.
At Mealey’s Gift & Sauna Shop we’re dedicated to providing our customers with products of the highest quality. With assistance from our helpful staff, you’ll find just what you’re looking for. And don’t forget, we have gift certificates available for purchase as well. A perfect idea for the hard-to-buy-for person on your list.
Log Cabin Coffee is Ely’s only drive-thru espresso! Serving up delicious hot & cold specialty drinks from a cozy little hand-scribed log cabin.
Kekekabic Studios has extensive experience in Art Glass Creation and Restoration. Rosemary Shepherd and John Bowe are craftspeople living and working in Ely, Minnesota. Stained glass creation, restoration, and fine woodworking have been their life’s passions.
They learned their craft through traditional studio apprenticeships and hands-on training.
They have done work all over the country and have been fortunate to have restored some very significant windows. Some examples that stand out are “The Gift of the Magi” by Maitland Armstrong, Faith Chapel, Jekyll Island, Georgia, and The Fox Memorial Window, by Louis C. Tiffany, Kelsey Museum, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Kekekabic Studios is the culmination of their 30+ years in the stained glass business. Their love of the wilderness brought them from Michigan to northeastern Minnesota, where they have relocated and set up their showroom and workshop on Chapman Street in beautiful downtown Ely, Minnesota.
When they aren’t busy in their workshop, you will find them exploring this extraordinary place: hiking, camping, and occasionally paddling out to their favorite, Kekekabic Lake (and the namesake of the business), in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
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!
Sweet Fern Soap Company created products are long lasting, consumable made with high quality ingredients, in small batches and proudly made in Ely, Minnesota. Our products are inspired by the Northwoods of northern Minnesota and from travels around the world.
Discover a wide selection of top-quality MN-compliant cannabis seeds from renowned breeders around the globe at Cultiv8CannabisCo. As your ultimate cannabis seed shop, we have painstakingly curated a collection that reflects our own passion and dedication to excellence. You can experience unmatched standards as you explore our handpicked offerings.
Grow-at-home cannabis made easy with Cultiv8CannabisCo! Nurture your nature with premium autoflowering seeds.
Minnesota becomes the 23rd State to Legalize Recreational Cannabis! Get ready to grow your own.
Built on traditional forms using long proven methods, a custom canoe by Jeanne Bourquin will carry you and future generations on many adventures across quiet waters.
Visually the lines of Bourquin canoes are similar to those of the old E.M. White canoes first produced in Maine over 100 years ago. Recently, Jeanne has been adding an Ojibway profile to her canoes, calling them Indian Otter and Indian Atkinson Traveler.
Wondering if a Wood & Canvas canoe is the right choice for you? Owner, Builder, Jeanne Bourquin answers the question, Why Wood?
Since 1973 Henry’s Shoe Repair has been supplying hand-made quality outdoor gear for Loggers, Trappers, Mushers and Miners that stands up to the rigors of outdoor work and lasts for years, not just a season!
All products are guarantee to be the most durable, practical, finest quality available.
We specialize in:
Moosehide Chopper Mittens
Work Gloves
Copper Riveted Moosehide Belts
Custom made Kilt Belts
Handmade Leather Wallets and Checkbook Covers
Custom Dog Collars
Open Weekends, some Holidays and by Appointment
