GEAR Elkader owners see the possibilities
Kathleen and Mike McShane will soon open GEAR Elkader in the old Coast to Coast building. The store will offer outdoor gear, hiking equipment, kayaks and coffee.
By Willis Patenaude, Times-Register
As one legacy ends, another begins. Mike and Kathleen McShane, owners of GEAR Elkader, the new store with outdoor gear and more, look to make Elkader the final destination in a life of travel that has taken them from parts of Michigan, the heart of Detroit, Pittsburgh, Wyoming, northern Italy and places in-between.
The couple comes to Elkader from a small mountain town in Wyoming, where they owned and eventually sold a hotel business. The change was based on a desire to be closer to Kathleen’s sister, who lives in Illinois.
The McShanes have rural upbringings, small town experience and a history of successful business ownership, including an early business venture of Mike’s: a record store with a coffee shop during the early 1990s, as the coffee boom was taking place amid the grunge music scene in the Pacific Northwest.
They came to Elkader because former Main Street Director Kate Lower sold the town and provided a memorable experience.
“Kate was great. She really sold the town. Nice, informative, friendly. On that first visit, everyone was really welcoming,” Mike said.
It was during this visit that the McShanes met Maury Glesne, the former location owner who sold the Coast to Coast business that had been in his family for 130 years.
The McShanes chose the location and Elkader because of their interactions with Maury, how the town treated them and because it reminded Mike of Stars Hollow from the show Gilmore Girls, which he and Kathleen binge watched during the COVID-19 shutdown.
“It just has a big river town feel. A different vibe. It feels like everyone is waving at you,” Mike said.
It’s these small things that prevented the McShanes from settling in a different location, such as Bellevue, where there were financial incentives to build. Their decision was based not on money, but on community.
Mike saw a town that might be in need of the products they have to offer. While the idea of maintaining the hardware store was discussed, the McShanes decided it would be best not to compete and overlap with other local businesses, but to provide something new. That something new is outdoor gear, including kayaks, paddles, hiking equipment, camping gear and even coffee makers.
Perhaps that’s where the McShanes’ true passion lies, especially with Mike, who Kathleen jokingly said “is a bit of a coffee snob.”
This side of the business really brings out the conversation and stems mainly from Mike’s love of coffee. But it’s also about creating an atmosphere, as he did with the record store and other businesses.
Some of this passion also comes from a trip to northern Italy, where Mike learned about the finer points of multifaceted espresso, and at a coffeehouse in Pittsburgh, where he learned about roasting.
Through GEAR, Mike wants to share this passion with the community.
The coffee side of the business presents few challenges, but the other products, especially the kayaks, are a different story. Because of the pandemic, production is simply behind and can’t keep up with demand as things have started opening back up. Other issues stem from being a new vendor and proving themselves, while some are as basic as products being made to order.
One item that will be missing, which the McShanes admitted has disappointed a few people, is firearms. The reasons for that are the continued rules required to sell them and because they don’t want to interfere with Maury’s own private business.
But one of the main challenges GEAR will face in the upcoming months is whether or not people will continue to “love the outdoors” as the pandemic ends.
“We need people to continue going outside and doing these activities,” Kathleen said.
One thing that’s important to the McShanes is the fact the majority of the products they sell will be “made in America.” It’s important because they believe in taking care of their home, their town and their country.
“It’s about supporting neighbors, supporting American companies. It’s about investing in America, and it’s about quality,” Mike explained.
What is striking about the McShanes is something else they believe is important: preserving the legacy of Maury and the Glesne family.
“We understand the tradition and we hope to bring the same friendly service that the Glesne family brought,” Mike said. “We respect all the Glesnes have done and gave to the community.”
The McShanes mentioned they want to put a plaque on the building, calling it “The Glesne Building.” They also hope to get the building listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
“We just want to honor a huge legacy Maury leaves behind,” Mike said.
When it comes to GEAR and its future, Mike has a five-year plan to make it successful before “sort of retiring” to the easy, kayaking life of an Elkader resident and handing off the responsibilities to employee Adam Scott, who Mike described as “an employee who makes the store look good.”
But that’s the future. As for right now, the McShanes look to have the store open by May 1. They’ll have a grand opening event on May 8, with recording artist Bonn E Maiy entertaining the community in the street outside the new store.
The McShanes remain happy with their choice and are impressed by the community’s friendliness.
“We are happy that everyone we have met is so supportive and welcoming. We’re truly glad to be a part of the community and we are happy with our decision,” Kathleen said.
