Gail and John Thompson became the new owners of Clearview General Store on April 11. John will continue working at Lutsen Mountains, lending some technical support and lots of moral support as Gail takes on the management of the busy convenience store in “downtown Lutsen.” She has already added about 30 new products and looks forward to hearing from customers about what they would like to see in the store.
Stopping to pick something up at Clearview General Store in Lutsen a few years ago, John Thompson of Lutsen joked to then-owner Paul Goettl, “When are you going to sell?” To the Thompson family’s surprise, not long after, Goettl contacted them to see if they were interested in buying the store. To Gail Thompson’s surprise, she found herself saying it was something she would like to try.
To see if she would like operating a busy, small town convenience store, Gail left her job in housekeeping at Lutsen Resort to work at Clearview in April 2013. Trying led to buying and on April 11, 2014, the sale was complete and the store was Gail’s to run. The News-Herald caught up with the busy new owners on April 18.
Gail is no stranger to many Lutsen residents. She is the daughter of Charlie and Lucille Nelson and the great-granddaughter of C.A.A. Nelson, who built Lutsen Resort. She graduated from Cook County High School in 1977. She said she left the North Shore three days later, but added, “I always knew I’d be back someday.”
That connection was something Paul Goettl was looking for when he considered selling the store that he had owned for 8 years. “Longevity was important to Paul,” said Gail. “He wanted someone who knows the community, who the community knows.”
But just as important is the strong business background and familiarity with a skiing community Gail and John bring to the store. Gail explained that after leaving the North Shore she worked in a variety of jobs. She went to work at the Town Square parking ramp in downtown St. Paul, the first female employee in that position. She did some waitressing and bartending while going to school for accounting.
She began a career in accounting, but said she discovered that, “I can’t sit still all that time.”
She found a job she really enjoyed at Welch Ski Village, between Red Wing and Hastings, as manager of the ski shop—the first woman to hold that position as well. Gail worked there for 15 years before taking on another challenge, the opening of a Dollar Tree store in Red Wing. She said she learned a lot getting the store up and running and keeping the half-million-dollar operation going. “I learned patience and that I don’t have to do it all,” said Gail.
John Thompson also worked for many years at Welch Ski Village. He now works full-time at Lutsen Mountains, so he said managing Clearview will mostly be up to Gail. His role, said Gail, is managing the gas pumps, keeping up with the regulations and inspections. He will also be around for moral support and to pitch in when things get busy.
Other family members—Gail’s son Brett Lanwermeyer—and their daughter Lauren Thompson will also be recruited occasionally, although they are following the family tradition of working at the ski hill.
John and Gail are still figuring out staffing. There are currently just three employees—Gail, her son Lee Lanwermeyer, and Lanna Sunde. They will likely hire some additional help as the store gets busier.
There has already been some rearranging of the store. The coffee and beverages were moved to the front for better visibility and the aisle closest to the entry widened to lessen crowding at the cash register.
Gail has added about 30 new products already, including some nice body wash and bath items. She will be adding more grocery items and is researching different types of gluten free and organic items. She plans to offer produce and some fresh meat. “We’ll offer hamburgers, chicken breasts and ‘his and her’ steaks for people who want to barbecue,” said Gail.
She has a notebook at the checkout to jot down suggestions from customers—and it already has three pages full. Gail and John appreciate that feedback.
And they appreciate all the community support they have received so far. Gail said they couldn’t have gotten where they are without all the help from Paul and Amity Goettl; from Clearview Complex owner Jeff Latz; and the business advice from Scott Harrison and Mike Larson. “We all want the same results,” said Gail, “for this business to be successful.”
“And,” Gail added, “I want everyone to feel welcome.”
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