Your One-Stop Shop for Everyday Essentials and Local Finds

Gateway General Store, locally owned

— Kabetogama, MN—

Gateway General Store in Kabetogama, Minnesota, is a convenient, well-stocked stop for locals and visitors to Voyageurs National Park. Located near the lake and boat launch areas, the store supplies gas, groceries, ice, bait, and fishing/hunting licenses, along with a selection of camping gear, firewood, gifts, souvenirs, and hardware items. Travelers will find cold beverages, snacks, sandwiches, and basic hot food items to refuel after a day on the water or hiking trails.

The store also carries outdoor supplies tailored to the area’s needs: propane, life jackets, maps, insect repellent, sunglasses and sunscreen. For anglers, there’s a range of tackle, live bait, and advice on current fishing conditions. The friendly staff can help with directions, local recommendations, and information about boat ramps, local marinas, and park highlights.

Payment options include major credit cards and cash. Hours vary seasonally, with longer hours in summer tourist season and reduced hours in winter—call ahead or check local listings for current times. Whether you’re stocking up for a cabin stay, grabbing last-minute provisions, or picking up supplies for a fishing trip, Gateway General Store is a practical, dependable resource in Kabetogama.

Reports from fishing guides:

Daily updates on fish activity, water conditions, and local weather to help you plan a successful outing.

WALLEYE, CRAPPIES, BASS, NORTHERNS

FISHING ADVICE FROM THE LOCALS AND GUIDES

WEATHER CONDITIONS

“If you forgot it, we got it, and if we don’t have it, you don’t need it!”

Meet Andrew — Gateway’s New Owner

Andrew’s Story

Andrew first walked through the doors of Gateway General Store as a part time employee while attending college. The place felt like a crossroad of the neighborhood — daily routines, shared news, and small acts of care. He learned fast: how the locals liked their coffee, which souvenirs were the favorites, what plumbing parts needed to be in stock, which bait the fish were biting on, and how to keep the register moving on Saturday mornings when the line never seemed to end.

Over three years he worked every station: stocking, cashiering, ordering, even fixing the boards on the ramp and the deck. Each job taught him something practical, but more importantly, they taught him why a store like this matters. It’s not just commerce; it’s a place where community rhythms meet. He remembers the locals with the history lessons of the community, the summer workers who stopped for coffee or energy drinks every morning, the former owners with their stories, the same families who came back to visit every summer. Those relationships shaped him.

At 23, Andrew took a leap many his age only dream about — he bought the store. It’s his first business, and he knows that the responsibility is real. He’s ready for long hours, tough decisions, and the quiet work that keeps a small business steady. He plans changes carefully: keeping the familiar staples neighbors count on, widening the selection of locally made goods, and improving hours to better serve early commuters and evening shoppers.

Andrew believes in slow, steady improvement. He looks to the local community for ideas, concerns and advice. He’s committed to fair wages for staff, providing a family oriented relationship with them and to sourcing more from nearby producers. Above all, he wants the store to remain a dependable part of daily life — the place people feel welcomed and seen both within the local community and with the summer community he sees each year.

This community has given Andrew more than a job; it gave him purpose. Now he’s ready to give back. The store, under his care, will keep its familiar warmth while adapting thoughtfully to what neighbors need next. Andrew’s youth and family support keeps him moving forward with ideas and growth.