Aquarium, consignment and more store opens in Pine River - Brainerd Dispatch

Posted: 17 Jun 2020 01:00 AM PDT

That's because the store space is jam-packed with an aquarium store, a reptile store/future exhibit, a consignment store and community education space.

Riptide Aquatics

Riptide Aquatics is the name of the aquarium store portion of the building, toward the back. The space is owned by Cory Mink, who, along with his sister, wanted their mother to have something to do with her free time.

"My daughter wanted me to get a job," said Monika Hamlin.

"So I bought her one," Mink said.

The shop will be a return to a beloved career Hamlin had to leave 15 years ago because of health issues. Back then, Hamlin ran a pet store in Jenkins, called Primo Pets and Grooming, that carried just about everything, including dogs, cats, a spider the size of a dinner plate, alligators, hedgehogs and birds.

"It was like a zoo," Hamlin said.

Mink was a regular fixture at the shop where Hamlin said he proved to be quite the salesman. They hope to start back where they left off, but mostly with fish right now.

"We're just very family oriented people," Hamlin said. "You're dealing with families, and you're dealing with people who love fish. Fish are just as addicting as many things."

"Fish were a very popular part of our other store," Mink said. "A lot of things people would comment on with our store compared to bigger stores was how much healthier the fish are. We keep the tanks extremely clean."

The store sells both fish and supplies for marine and tropical fish, as well as a wide variety of African cichlids. They also do special orders for both fish and aquarium supplies.

"We pretty much go all the way down the rabbit hole," Mink said. "We have done a few complete starter set orders. We can set up custom orders."

Their hope is to be known for the quality and health of their fish.

Creepy Crawly Critter Show

The Creepy Crawly Critter Show is the name they gave to their reptile store and exhibit.

Right now the show is not on the road, but they hope to eventually ramp up.

"We were going to do it at first but there are too many irons in the fire," Hamlin said.

They will sell reptiles, as well as supplies, but the ultimate goal is to exhibit them too. That would entail a small entrance fee to a section of the store, like a zoo, where reptiles would eventually be on display in various artificial habitats. In the old store, Hamlin used reptile exhibits like this for themed birthday parties, and she'd like to do so again.

If things go well, the creepy crawlies will include more than just reptiles.

"If I have it my way, there will be a whole separate spider exhibit," Mink said.

Song of the Soul Art Gallery

As visitors first enter, they will be greeted by art hanging on the walls. That's because the front half of the building will be half educational space and half art gallery complete with local consigned art.

"Anything that is homemade that will fit in the store of a reasonable size, which is local," Hamlin said. "We don't want people out of the state or area."

The front section will be managed part by Hamlin and part by Sandra Linn, Hamlin's co-manager and one of the shop's instructors. Linn is no stranger to art projects.

"I'm a 4-H leader," Linn said. "So obviously I've helped kids make all kinds of stuff."

The gallery includes some classroom activities for artistic children. Part of the store is dedicated to art specifically made by children.

"We're also trying to teach kids some entrepreneurial skills," Hamlin said.

Linn also consults on natural health foods and home cleaning products, which are on display toward the front of the store.

Family Experiential Educational Workshops

The final leg of the business will be the educational workshops. The store will likely host workshops every day for a variety of skills from art skills to healthy living tips and self-reliance skills taught by Hamlin, Linn and Dawn Kennedy from the local school.

"There are a lot of people who would like to learn food preservation, so we'll do that kind of teaching," Hamlin said.

Before the COVID-19 shutdowns, the classroom space was already in action.

"Before we were shut down we were doing some classes," Linn said. "We did macrame classes with pot holders and we'll do some wall hanging ones."

Once again, many of the classes will be family oriented.

"We're trying to focus a lot on children's stuff because we're trying to get them away from their electronics," Hamlin said.

"What I liked about the idea is they want and encourage the parents to be there, participate and join in," Mink said. "That's something that doesn't happen enough - actual quality time with kids."

Classes will be listed on the company Facebook page, possibly future Pine River-Backus Community Education brochures and flyers on the front of the building.

The classroom space will also be open for rent for those who would like to hold their own classes, and Hamlin has said she will donate use of the space to 4-H groups as well.

The grand opening

Hamlin has scheduled the grand opening for Friday, June 19, and the day is expected to be as busy as the store's business model.

There will be crafts, healthy living classroom introductions, refreshments, facials and a couple contests, including a coloring contest with $5 gift cards and a reptile contest.

"Anyone 18 years of age or younger, if they come in there will be a sheet with a map," Hamlin said. "They fill out the sheet and go to the map and point out where the reptile comes from. If they are right they will go into a drawing for a $10 gift certificate for someplace in the store."

Hamlin said a local author plans to make an appearance.

There will be class signup sheets and an opportunity for their would-be customers to tell them what they want from the store.

"I would really like for customers to give more feedback on what their wants and needs are," Hamlin said. "I would like to supply them with what they want."

Hamlin plans to have the store open Tuesdays through Saturdays, with most of the hours being based after most people are done with work, though feedback at the open house will help her to decide exactly when operating hours should be.

Travis Grimler may be reached at 218-855-5853 or travis.grimler@pineandlakes.com. Follow him on Facebook and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/@PEJ_Travis.

Herschel Supply Launches Re-Sail Program to Support the Vancouver Aquarium - Shop-Eat-Surf.com

Posted: 23 Jun 2020 06:07 AM PDT

SPONSOR

Herschel Supply Co. today announced the launch of the company's Re-Sail Program in partnership with Ocean Wise Conservation Association, a not-for-profit conservation organization on a mission to protect and restore the world's oceans, to help save the Vancouver Aquarium.

Since closing to the public on March 17, the Vancouver Aquarium has lost millions in ticket revenue that would normally support animal care, animal rescue, education, research and ocean conservation programs. The lost revenue has put the Vancouver Aquarium in a precarious financial position. Even when they are able to reopen, it won't be at full capacity and will therefore not offset the $1 million a month in operation and facility expenses. Ocean Wise expects it to take years for the not-for-profit Vancouver Aquarium to recover from the business impacts of COVID-19

Committed to supporting their global community when they need it most, all proceeds from the sales of the Herschel Supply Re-Sail Program will be donated to the Vancouver Aquarium. Utilizing as much material as possible from locally used boat sails that would otherwise be discarded at the landfill, warrantied Herschel items, and excess materials, the travel lifestyle company has created new functional everyday Herschel home products and accessories—a Utility Apron, Wall Organizer, Pen Case, and Small and Large Bucket Containers. Built in the company's Vancouver design workshop, each item in the upcycled collection is one-of-a-kind due to different sails, cutlines, and stitching. All products are finished with Herschel's signature white woven label and an exclusive Herschel Supply Re-Sail Program tab.

"As a Vancouver-based company ourselves, we're incredibly proud to support Ocean Wise and the Vancouver Aquarium during this challenging time," said Jamie Cormack, Herschel Supply Co-Founder. "The Vancouver Aquarium is not only a favorite attraction for locals and tourists alike, but a beloved environmental institution dedicated to ocean conservation and marine research. We designed the Herschel Supply Re-Sail Program to ensure that the Vancouver Aquarium can continue their invaluable work to protect our oceans and educate future generations."

"We are very grateful to Herschel for coming to us with this fantastic initiative," said Lasse Gustavsson, President and CEO of Ocean Wise Conservation Association. "Not only is it wonderful to be supported by a local Vancouver brand, but we applaud Herschel's reuse of discarded sails to make these products."

The limited Herschel Supply Re-Sail Program collection is exclusive to Canada and available on Herschel's website: https://herschel.ca/shop/collections/re-sail.

About Herschel Supply

Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, Herschel Supply is a design-driven global lifestyle brand that produces timeless products with utility design. Founded in 2009 by brothers Jamie and Lyndon Cormack, Herschel Supply adopted the name of a small town where three generations of their family were raised. Originally renowned for their contemporary renditions of classic backpack silhouettes, Herschel's range has since

expanded to include luggage, headwear, accessories, apparel, and more. Today, Herschel products are sold in 94 countries with more than 10,000 stockists worldwide and the support of over 200 employees across offices in Vancouver, New York, Los Angeles, Shanghai, Hong Kong, London, and Belgium. For more information, visit www.herschelsupply.com and follow Herschel on Instagram.

About the Vancouver Aquarium

Since opening in 1956, the not-for-profit Vancouver Aquarium has connected more than 40 million people from around the world to our oceans and inspired them to take action to address key threats. Located in Stanley Park, the Vancouver Aquarium is home to thousands of incredible species. It's also Ocean Wise Conservation Association headquarters, where our scientists, educators and conservation experts do much of their work.vanaqua.org

About Ocean Wise® Conservation Association

Ocean Wise Conservation Association is a not-for-profit global conservation organization on a mission to protect and restore the world's oceans. Born out of the Vancouver Aquarium's 60-year commitment to marine ecosystems, Ocean Wise is focussed on empowering action through conservation, education and research. Ocean Wise's many initiatives include the Vancouver Aquarium, Marine Mammal Rescue Centre, The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, Ocean Wise Seafood Program, Ocean Wise Education, Marine Mammal Research Program, and The Plastics Lab. Ocean Wise is headquartered at the Vancouver Aquarium in Vancouver's Stanley Park. Our vision is a world in which oceans are healthy and flourishing. Learn more at ocean.org.

Direct Edge Media Launches #bringbackretail Initiative To Support Retail Clients

Jun 18, 2020

Direct Edge employees incentivized to support Vans, Quiksilver, Billabong, RVCA, Roxy, Tillys, Fox, etnies, Hoonigan, Volcom, Havaianas, VonZipper and more.

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