Business Spotlight
Small towns are often defined by the storefronts lining their main streets. Banks, hole-in-the-wall bars, small grocery stores, drug stores, and auto repair shops where everyone knows one another, make up small town America, but no store is more dominant than the small-town general store. The Osakis General Store is one such store. Although it has maintained its original name, the focus has shifted from hardware in its early years to the sporting goods world, converting hardware inventory to hunting and fishing accessories and supplies, firearms, bait and tackle and a wide variety of ammunition that would be difficult to find in some big-box stores. Gregg and Judi Anderson, own and operate Osakis General Store and its sister company, Guns Galore. They pride themselves on the large inventory they offer their dedicated customer base. But, more important to them is their unwavering dedication to exceptional customer service and how their store has helped the community of Osakis thrive.
HOW WAS THE OSAKIS GENERAL STORE AND GUNS GALORE ESTABLISHED? Gregg: I started Osakis General Store about 30 years ago. I owned the pharmacy in town first. When one of the hardware stores moved out next door, I decided to reopen it. You can’t be without a hardware store in a small town. I cut a hole in the wall between the two businesses, so customers could move freely back and forth without having to go outside. We operated as a hardware store for the first four to five years. Judi: We owe a lot of the store’s success to dedicated employees who have built the business to what it is today. As a full-time pharmacist, Gregg was only available to work in the general store on his days off. Running two businesses, you must depend on employees and we have been so fortunate to employ great people over the years. Gregg: I realized the need for sporting goods in the area after attending a hardware show. My salesman talked me into purchasing 50 cases of Winchester steel shot. I was doubtful but went with it
and sold every box after running it on sale. It kind of took off from there. A friend of ours wanted to open a hardware store across the street so we liquidated our hardware and went into full-blown sporting goods. Judi: My brother, Jim, is a wise guy and used to introduce Gregg as his “brotherin-law that deals in guns and drugs.” He enjoyed the shock value that came across with the looks on their faces! I became involved only about a year ago. I have been employed at Alexandria Technical and Community College since 1996. Guns Galore, LLC, was organized about a year ago and maintains the FFL license for firearm sales within the General Store building. I am the compliance manager for Guns Galore and Gregg manages the General Store side.