By Jim Bokern

LaPorte's Grocery

Retail business in what will become Manitowish Waters was launched by our town’s first settler, Dan Devine. A few years after marrying his wife Kate in 1879, the Devines left Lac du Flambeau and ran a trading post close to the modern location of the Blue Bayou restaurant. Dan Devine had to travel to Wausau or Fifield for supplies. By 1889, railroads reached the town of Manitowish, which became a retail hub. Logging camps and early resorts provided some supplies and goods to visitors.

Starting in 1900, Manitowish Waters’ resorts began to flourish and provided most of the retail needs for visitors. Horse drawn wagons and launches filled with supplies traveled from numerous railroad depots to the Manitowish Waters chain of lakes. Some small trading posts were reported on Vance and Rest lakes to help visitors and locals with provisions.

In the early 1920s, the Win-Mar opened under the ownership of Marie Zimmerman and Winifred (Winnie) Johnson Young, located across the road from the Pea Patch. The business started out as a supply post building, measuring 8’ by 8’ with birch poles used to support a canvas roof. Over the years, Win-Mar expanded into a resort with cottages, a restaurant with a dining hall, a gas station, a grocery supply, and a boat livery.

During the depression era, more retail businesses emerged in what will become Manitowish Waters. The 1936 chamber of commerce booklet reveals Frank Bey as an electrical contractor/marine supplier, and Win-Mar providing supplies to visitors.  Palmer Hanson created Hanson Hardware in 1936, and George LaPorte started LaPorte’s Grocery in 1937.

After World War II, the growth of retail stores expanded dramatically. More resorts and summer and year-round residents created additional retail business opportunities.