The historic Sawbill Canoe Outfitters is changing hands, but staying in the family. The third generation of Hansens took over operations at the beginning of 2016. No one is happier than Mary Alice Hansen to see her granddaughter Clare and husband Dan Shirley take the reins at the outfitting business Mary Alice and her husband Frank founded in 1957. The family gathered at her Silver Bay residence to celebrate the news. (L-R) Dan and Clare Shirley, Mary Alice, Cindy and Bill Hansen.
Sawbill Canoe Outfitters, founded in 1957 by Frank and Mary Alice Hansen, at the end of the scenic Sawbill Trail in Tofte is staying in the family. The outfitting business was first operated by Frank and Mary Alice and then their son Bill and his wife, Cindy.
On the first of the year, their daughter Clare and her husband Dan Shirley took the reins.
Bill and Cindy have owned and operated Sawbill for the past 30 years.
Clare, having grown up at the outfitting business, was a natural fit. After moving to Missoula, Montana where she was an attorney, she decided to put her law practice on the back burner and take the opportunity to move back to Cook County. “Sawbill is a part of me and I couldn’t imagine it not remaining an integral part of my adult life,” the 28-year-old new mom said. Clare and Dan welcomed their daughter, Kit, on May 7.
Dan, originally from Santa Fe, New Mexico, is a newcomer to the North Shore, coming by way of Missoula, where he was a scientist at a green biotech company.
The new operators of Sawbill Canoe Outfitters were able to take their infant daughter Kit on her first canoe ride recently to visit adventurers Dave and Amy Freeman on Alton Lake in the Boundary Waters.
“This was an opportunity of a lifetime. I’m extremely fortunate to be a part of such a well run and well respected organization, living and working in this beautiful setting,” the 31-year-old explains.
Bill and Cindy will be working full-time for the season to aid in the transition before retiring to their new home in Grand Marais. “We are thrilled that Sawbill is staying in the family! We are well aware of the challenges of family successions, but are confident the future is bright. We are excited and honored to remain involved in the business and the community our families have been a part of for so long,” said the duo about the transition.
Sawbill Canoe Outfitters is nestled on the edge of Minnesota’s beautiful and iconic Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. For the past 60 years, Sawbill has been helping people of all experience levels access and enjoy canoe country Wilderness with friendly and cordial service.
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