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Saturday, October 17, 2009
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Crosslake shop scoops up a No. 1 ranking in state
Senior Reporter CROSSLAKE - What cone shop sells the largest amount of Kemps Ice Cream in the state of Minnesota?
No, it's not in the Twin Cities.
The answer is much closer than many may have guessed. Lake Country Crafts & Cones in Crosslake scoops up more ice cream than any other cone shop in the land of 10,000 lakes.
Jeff Koerner, Kemps sales representative, said the Crosslake shop has been in the top five for at least the last 15 years. Tourism, the nearby campground and Crosslake's position as a destination city are all part of the high numbers.
Koerner said there are good stores selling Kemps Ice Cream in cones in Outing and Nisswa, but the Crosslake store rises above by a significant amount.
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Crews at Pat Netko's Lake Country Crafts & Cones scoop more Kemps Ice Cream into cones than any other cone shop in the state. Chocolate cookie dough is the No. 1 flavor, finally ousting cotton candy for the No. 1 slot.
» Purchase reprints of this photo.
Brainerd Dispatch/Renee Richardson
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Crosslake outsells its competitors in the state by 300 to 400 tubs, Koerner said. A tub equals 3 gallons. Even in a short summer season, Koerner said Lake Country Crafts & Cones goes through 2,600 to 2,700 tubs a year.
"That's a lot of scooping, that's for sure," Koerner said, noting business owner Pat Netko is No. 1 by far. The previous No. 1 store was in the Mall of America.
The top-selling flavor is chocolate chip cookie dough, which recently supplanted the decade long standing No. 1 ranking of cotton candy.
As a trademark, a jelly bean is placed in the bottom of every cone before the ice cream is scooped. The shop has an entire tradition for people who guess the jelly bean color. Netko buys the jelly beans in 30-pound boxes and goes through 300 to 350 pounds in a year.
Photos on the shop's wall attest to the ice cream's popularity and ice cream capacity of customers. Called the Doozie Club, the photos commemorate hardy souls who take on three scoops in a waffle cone. Among the photos is Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Netko is in her 12th year of ownership. She said the store extends back to some 14 years before she took over for Mary and Alden Hardwick and kept the store open year-round.
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Lake Country Crafts & Cones in Crosslake scoops up more ice cream than any other cone shop in the land of 10,000 lakes.
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In addition to the 36 flavors of Kemps Ice Cream and malts and specialty shakes, the business also has Stonehouse coffee and assorted snacks, along with about 4,000-square-feet of consignment and handmade crafts. Netko said 70 percent of the handmade crafts are created by area artisans. The shop also has a quilt loft.
Netko said even during the difficult economy business has been up this year compared to last year for the ice cream shop side.
"People will still buy an ice cream cone," Netko said.
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Lakes Country Crafts & Cones is along County Highway 66 in Crosslake. Even with a difficult economy and cold summer temperatures, business owner Pat Netko said business has been up this year compared to last year for the ice cream shop side. "People will still buy an ice cream cone," Netko said.
» Purchase reprints of this photo.
Brainerd Dispatch/Renee Richardson
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She said this September was the best since she purchased the store. The month was helped by the late and short-lived arrival of summer-like temperatures.
Netko said while it's nice to hear from area residents who say they've driven by the store for years and finally stopped in, she is also frustrated to know they don't stop to see what is available in their own city. With an uncertain winter approaching, Netko said it's important people support local businesses.
"I think everybody is nervous about it," she said of the business community's anticipation of the coming winter. Netko said the mood of fellow business owners is cautious but hopeful, although people are not buying as much inventory. In her own shop, Netko said customers are looking for bargains with sales coming in items that are less than $20.
Lake Country Crafts & Cones employs a host of about 15 young people during the summer. Katie Demcho is the sole year-round employee. Demcho said a big part of the shop's success comes from the young people and the enjoyable work atmosphere Netko creates that makes them want to return year after year.
Without Highway 371 running nearby to help fuel the economy as it does with other lakes area communities, Netko said the city draws from people who come to it as a destination.
"There are a lot of things Crosslake does have to offer," Netko said. "People need to take the time to check it out."
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