Today we’d like to introduce you to Ben Brunell.
Ben, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Well, the business started as an antique/resale store and over the years I noticed people always asking where in town do you get a Hodag souvenir of some sort and I always said “I don’t know where you can go”, so I noticed a need in Rhinelander for a centralized place for Hodag merch and started slowing getting inventory and it kept it growing, next thing you know I’m painting the store green and had my 1973 StepVan painted graffiti style with Hodags. From the beginning, my plan was to create more than just another business but a destination in the Rhinelander community and northern Wisconsin.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
It started in 2018, We specialize in all things Hodag! We have T-Shirts, Signs, Bumper Stickers and more! With over 250 different Hodag themed items from keychains and magnets to Hodag Beer and Root Beer. over 50% of our inventory is locally printed or assembled right in Rhinelander keeping the Hodag local, along with many other great Wisconsin Made items, We are involved in as many local event as we can from the Oneida County Fair, chalkfest, carshows, downtown events and Hodag Heritage days which is a new festival brand new last year that we started that celebrates the beast which will be happening May 21st ,22 in Rhinelander this year. We strive to provide the most unique shopping experience you’ll have in a store where the Hodag comes to life! Recently we started traveling to events around the USA to promote the Hodag and the beautiful Rhinelander Area, this year the Hodag has traveled to 10 different states on a “what the heck is a hodag” tour and gone to many top tourist destinations like the rock and roll hall of fame in Ohio and the maid of the mist at Niagara falls to name a few. Watch our Facebook or YouTube channel to stay up to date on all things Hodag and to watch our Hodag Parody music videos where we do spoofs on songs with a Hodag twist
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
all I can say is take the risk it may be worth it. find something you want to do in life and do it better than anybody else that’s already doing it and the risk will be worth the reward
Contact Info:
- Email: hodagstore@gmail.com
- Website: www.thehodagstore.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehodagstore/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HodagStore/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRdgwDDTy5pi8GvyIe02HHw
- Other: https://linktr.ee/TheHodagStore
