2/15/2021 12:16:00 PM Tim's Outboard jumps a few ponds to new location for 2021 A family-owned business for 53 years
Tim’s Outboard is a family affair, (l-r) John, Theresa, Mike and Ella Henning.
By Ally Garbe of the Press-Citizen
The small, humble towns found in the Minnesota Northwoods swell with fresh faces by the thousands as seasons change, year after year. Those of us who brave the brutal winters often started their lives here. Typically, those same sturdy folks follow the footsteps of a family business- or at least, stay close.
Tim and Lorri Henning had a busy lifestyle, running a resort and raising a family. However, cabin-goers and locals alike had frequent boat and small engine needs: broken propellers, fractured tilt or trim, lawn mower problems and more. Tim chose to go with the flow and focus on outboard motors after a few seasons. Officially opening their doors in 1968, Tim's Outboard became a key component of the Hackensack community. Their children, Mike and Chris, grew up living resort life. (Chris and her husband, Dean, each own businesses in Hackensack with their children today.)
Previously located on Big Deep Lake on County 46, they now sit just across from Woman Lake, about ten minutes away.
"It was kind of a treasure hunt to find us," commented Theresa, Mike's wife and partner of operation at Tim's Outboard. "But it was time for us to take our next step." In June 2020, indoor construction of dirt-floored storage buildings began. Six months later, it was time to begin moving inventory. Their crew now has more elbow room to work and additional storage space.
"We took it easy," Mike interjected. "Our guys would move a truck full, organize and store everything. Then, they would make another trip."
This isn't the first shift in Tim's operational history. In the early 2000's, they transitioned from providing repair services to simply providing parts. "We were plenty busy with distribution. Several of our local and nationwide clients are repair shops," Mike said.
In 2006, he and Theresa were married and officially took over the family business. Two years later, their first child, John, was born. Next came their daughter, Ella, in 2010.
As an official Johnson-Evinrude dealer, new and used parts are always on-hand at Tim's Outboard. Fear not- additional inventory includes Kawasaki, Mercury, Yamaha or nearly any other brand. If they don't have something you need, their team can try tracking it down. They ship new and used parts to regular clients as little as a mile away or as far as Hawaii, Alaska, Europe, Canada, South America and China. "Most orders leave our shop within 24 hours by all major mail carriers," Theresa boasted. Walk-in orders and pick-up are also welcomed.
Even now, orders are received primarily by phone. "We've had guys call during fishing tournaments with broken trim or other problems," Mike shared. "With the variety of parts we have available, we're able to help in many situations." If you're interested servicing your own motor, you can also find carb kits, boat basics and tune-up supplies on display.
"We have five full-time employees and one part-time," Theresa said. Their team is currently working to build lower units in preparation of spring. "We like to stay ahead of the warm-up."
"Our old shop is nostalgic. We loved it, but we're excited to be on the main drag of County 5," Theresa said.
Tim and Lorri will continue to live at their resort on Big Deep Lake.
To contact Tim's Outboard, call 218-682-2331 or visit www.timsoutboard.com. Their winter hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; they will be available from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. on Saturdays during summer months.
