If you stop by and check out the gear at Lutsen Recreation you are likely to be waited on by Nickie Dietz and Charlie. When Dietz became a partner in the business she also inherited the late Paul Quinn’s dog, Charlie.
When Paul Quinn died of cancer this fall, a lot of locals were shocked. He didn’t tell many people he was ill, and many wondered what would happen to his business, Lutsen Recreation.
But Quinn, who wasn’t married and had no children, had a plan. He left his business to four people who had worked for him over the years.
Situated on a beautiful hill with a stunning view of Lake Superior, Lutsen Recreation has long been a stopping off point for people wanting to rent high quality ski equipment for low cost so they could get the most out of skiing the 90-plus runs offered at Lutsen Mountains Ski Area. It’s also a favorite of the cross country skier who wants to ski the many miles of trails that wind and weave their way through the forested hills and valleys of Cook County’s backcountry.
Located just down the mountain from Lutsen ski hill, the 25-year-old business features ski rentals, including all of the gear for downhill skiing, cross country skiing and snowboarding, and offers high quality winter clothing for sale. During the summer the grounds are opened to the public for paintball, minigolf and Frisbee golf.
“When he found out he was sick he talked to us and asked us if we would be interested in the business,” said Nickie Dietz. “When we said yes, he told us he wanted to mentor us before he passed away. But he got too sick and when he died this fall, we began the process of taking over.”
Nickie said the four partners get along very well, adding, “We have very different personalities, but we communicate well.”
And while the business was left to them, she said they have some financial obligations to Quinn’s estate before they own everything free and clear.
Two of the partners live away, one in Duluth and one in Vermont. For the time being Dietz and longtime Quinn assistant Rory Scoles will manage the business. The other two will come back periodically and help, said Dietz.
For Nickie, getting asked to come back and partner in Lutsen Recreation was a chance to return to an area she loves. A North Dakota girl, Nickie attended St. Cloud State and graduated with a degree in English literature. She first worked at Lutsen Recreation from 2002 to 2004.
The past several years she has lived and worked in Jamaica, Canada, Utah (twice) and Massachusetts, mostly working with troubled youth in outdoor settings or working with Catholic missions and living as a lay volunteer with priests and nuns.
Quinn asked Dietz a favor before he died. He asked her to take care of Charlie, his loveable black lab who was his constant partner at the shop. Dietz said yes, and the two of them currently run the shop together— just who is in charge of whom is up for speculation.
“Quinn asked me to take Charlie and I was happy to take him, “ said Nickie. “His other dog, Rowdy, lives in Silver Bay with a friend of Quinn’s and spends a good bit of time visiting residents at the veterans home (VA).”
For Quinn, who was outspoken in his many somewhat sharp-edged letters to the editor in the Cook County News-Herald, a softer, caring private side has been exposed. He wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Stop by the shop and pet Charlie. Look out on the lake and maybe an ore boat will be passing by, and remember Paul. Quinn spent a career on the Great Lakes as first mate working on the ore boats before starting Lutsen Recreation. He left the shop in good hands. Young hands with new ideas that will eventually take shape, but for now, they would just like to get to know you, share some memories of their boss, and while they are at it, rent you some skis.
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