AboutUs

Bill (The founding Beaver) Cronberg, an avid fisherman, had aspired to opening his own tackle shop from the time he first vacationed in Minnesota's north woods. His dream became a reality in 1964 when he and his growing family relocated from Chicago's clamor to the picturesque north shore. His Scandinavian heritage was perfectly at home in the Northern Minnesota climate. Ever since that fatefull day the Cronberg's have devoted their lives to building the most uniquely outfitted bait and tackle shop in the country.

Betty Cronberg, (Mrs. Beaver), welcomed the transition from a bustling city life to this pristine little village nestled on the northern shores of Lake Superior. The challenges of building a new business and raising a family in this charming country spurred her pioneering spirit. The appealing culture of the Scandinavian population with their robust and generous nature became the determining factor in where the Cronbergs began their new venture.

Tyson (The Beaver) Cronberg, was almost literally born in The Beaver House. He learned to count by packaging night crawlers. He had caught his first fish before his third birthday and learned to fillet shortly after. Today he is known as the walleye surgeon because of his precision filleting skills. A guide by the age of 7 he could direct you to any lake in the area for whatever type of fish you needed. He would put line on your reel, service it, if needed, and advise you on the bait and lure you would do best with. He has always been a good natured source of practical information and a wealth of knowledge for the novice or angler. He's a proud father of three little beavers (Gunnar, Kody and Kaylee) who are following in their fathers tracks. The Beaver House now spans 3 generations.

Marty (Big city Beaver) Cronberg, was 11 at the time The Beaver House began. Convinced that he had found Valhalla, Marty was in viking heaven. He could fish, hike, camp, bike and do all the things 11 year old boys love to do. Working in the store, throughout his teenage and adult years, his contributions and ideas turned into inventions and a labor born of love. He first conceived his vision of the Giant Walleye at the age of 16. Through his efforts and those of a local artist, Jim Korf, the Walleye became a reality in 1993. And the giant fish is not camera shy. He's appeared in nationally known media as well as hundreds of newspapers and family portraits. After ten years exposure to Minnisota's fierce winters our celebrety fish had weathered a bit. It was necessary for Jim Korf's daughter Nina and his grandson Yarrow to preforme a daring reconstuctive surgery in 2003. The fish has regained his youthfull appeal thanks to the Korf family. The giant walleye has become a legacy for both the Korf's and the Cronbergs as well as the towns heratige. Marty made his dream come true.....

The Beaver House is a hard core family business. I ran the register, made my share of Beaver Flicks and bagged literally tons of ice over the years and now Ty's kids are doing the same. The store is literally a work of art. Aside from an enormous walleye the painting of the building makes it a town novelty. I was behind the register one morning when I was ten. A group of elderly ladies approached and were visibly upset. They asked who the owner was. I told them my Grandpa, and they said "Well we want to see your Grandpa.." So they took him and my uncles across the street and of course I followed. They said "We don't appreciate your sign." Which, unmodified, looked as though it read Beaver Fucks... This didn't sit well with these old fashioned ladies and my grandfather had it repainted soon after. The Beaver Flick is legendary. Long live The Beaver House and the Cronbergs.

In this world of chain stores and strip malls it's rare to find a gem like The Beaver House. Nestled in the heart of some of the best fishing country in the world, this bait and tackle shop has found its way into the hearts of fishermen alike. Similar to your favorite hole or a new one just discovered, coming to The Beaver House betters your chances at catching fish. Bill and Tyson Cronberg are veteran anglers. They know and live on these lakes. They have tackled some of the biggest fish to come out of them and they'll help you do the same. With guaranteed satisfaction and quality customer service The Beaver House is truly a family business. "People have made it a tradition to come here. There are groups of guys I see every year that have practically watched me grow up!" Tyson Cronberg

On the corner of Wisconsin and Broadway, across from The World's Best Donuts, it's not hard to find this unique tackle wonderland. Its 40 year presence has provided endless family portraits and excellent advice for the troubled angler. A giant walleye embedded in the corner above the entrance and life like beaver dam on the other side of the building has made this lure of a structure one of the most photographed locations in Grand Marais MN. The name, which means Big Swamp in French, couldn't be any less descriptive of this idyllic Northern paradise. With a striving art community, pleasantly helpful citizenry, and picturesque landscape this "Swamp" is one of Minnesota's sweetheart vistas.