Archie and Natasha Kirk love to visit with people who stop to shop or just to see the changes to the old Flute Reed Store. Restoration of the historic building has been a three-year project for the couple.
Anyone driving through “downtown” Hovland in the last three years has likely seen the activity at the former Flute Reed store and bar and has perhaps wondered what the new owners of the building—Archie and Natasha Kirk—were doing. Inquisitive folks can now stop by to satisfy their curiosity. The building renovations are mostly complete and Natasha is open for business at her delightful clothing and miscellaneous store. Stop in when the colorful “OPEN” banner is hanging from the sturdy new deck.
Restoration of the old building has been a labor of love for Archie and Natasha. They have enjoyed the adventure of removing the more recent additions to the building and returning the original building, built around 1935 – 1937, to a bright and airy space. How do they know the year that the building was built? Natasha said they heard from John Henry Eliasen of Grand Marais who remembers that his uncle, Art Eliasen, built the original store, post office, and home in the late 1930s. And, said Archie, “We found newspapers— insulation—in the wall from March 1937.”
Above: Natasha’s has an amazing assortment of Russian artwork, including intricate birch bark boxes and hairpieces.
New insulation, rough-hewn logs from Archie’s private sawmill and fresh paint throughout the store have made it a cheerful place to shop, but it is the beautiful old wood floors that steal the show—and which took the most time in the renovation project. To reach the wood floors, the Kirks had to remove three layers of flooring that had been laid down over the years. Then, there was a gooey coating of old varnish. Natasha laughs as she recalls the seemingly neverending floor work. “It was three years—2,000 hours—just me and Archie. Floor sanding by hand!”
The building was a store, bar, and gas station for many, many, years operated most recently—from 1961 to 1984— by David and Marion “Snooks” Hess. Marion is now Sevelin and she confirmed that the original building was constructed by Art Eliasen in 1935. The store was then owned by the Werners, the Odeans and the Shellsteads. Marion and David Hess partnered with Clarence Knutson to purchase the store from Shellsteads, but eventually bought him out. Marion sold the building in 2005.
Left: Natasha is well known for her custom jackets, coats, mittens and hats. She has a new offering at the Flute Reed Store, beautiful boiled wool jackets, each one completely unique.
Their son, David “Binky” Hess grew up at the store and has fond memories of all the regular visitors. Hess remembers that his parents added bait and tackle to the store’s inventory. Visitors to the store have been delighted with the refurbished building, although a few have expressed regret that the bar—and the bait—portion is gone. Natasha said many couples have stopped in to see the progress, telling the Kirks that they met at a dance at the Flute Reed.
Instead of dancing and drinks, the store now displays Natasha’s custom clothing. There are the stylish jackets and cozy mittens and caps of fleece familiar to those who know Natasha from the Cook County Farmer’s Market. New at the store are some beautiful boiled wool fabric coats and a new “scrunchy” style hat. All of Natasha’s work has unique touches such as deer antler buttons. Archie cuts about 1,000 antler buttons every year for Natasha’s coats.
The store also offers something else unique on the Scandinavian-centered North Shore—a selection of artwork and jewelry from Russia. Natasha, originally from Russia, has strong ties to the children of her former country, and helps them by selling beautiful Russian artwork, amber jewelry, intricate birch bark pieces, and more. She has a very affordable line of cards by Maria’s Children International, designed by children in Russian orphanages. It’s worth a stop just to see the whimsical Russian stacking dolls.
In addition to Natasha’s elegant custom clothing, the store also includes an assortment of affordable clothing items perfect for the visiting grandchildren who forgot a sweater or sundress or for the camper who needs another pair of socks. There are a few antiques and gift items and a little shelf of kids’ books and toys with treasures such as a tiny tea set.
One of Natasha’s first customers suggested she should have a chair for men, so they don’t mind waiting while their spouse shops. Natasha took the idea a little further and created a little men’s section with miscellaneous tools and things that might entertain male shoppers for a while. It is also a nice spot for Archie Kirk to take a break from his ongoing labor. Now that the store is finished, he is taking on the renovation of other buildings on the property. Will they eventually offer lodging as the Flute Reed did in the past?
The Kirks haven’t decided. For now, they are content knowing that they have brought a Hovland landmark back to use. Natasha notes that Hovland now has three businesses— Runningen’s Furs, Chicago Bay Mercantile and now Natasha’s Flute Reed Store. “We tried to keep as much of the old building as possible,” said Natasha. “We wanted this for the community.”
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