In the heart of Crosby, Minnesota, Victual, a specialty gourmet store, is redefining the culinary landscape of northern living.
The brainchild of spouses and visionary entrepreneurs, Paul Kirkman and Paul VanderWaal, Victual emerged from a simple but compelling need: access to gourmet foods and specialty items that were previously only available miles away in the Twin Cities.
“Living in a northern, out-state community means that options are limited for some of the specialty foods we enjoy routinely, whether it's artisanal farmstead cheeses from the US or Europe, fancy small-batch crackers, or the hard-to-find specialty liqueurs used to make our favorite craft cocktails,” says Paul Kirkman, one of Victual's founders.
Victual isn’t just a store; it’s a curated experience. With categories such as ice cream, cheese, charcuterie, gourmet foods, gifts, and spirits, Victual brings a unique shopping experience to Crosby. The store specializes in house-made, lactose-free, and lactose-friendly products, in addition to a wide variety of gluten-free goods—catering to a significant portion of the population that is often overlooked when it comes to food sensitivities.
Crosby was an obvious location choice. The town, recently voted one of the best places to live in America by Outside Magazine, is experiencing a remarkable renaissance. Historic buildings, a booming tourism business, an esteemed medical campus, and a vibrant lake community made Crosby the perfect home for Victual.
The Pauls’ entrepreneurial journey is an inspiring testament to the power of strategic financial support. They navigated a diverse landscape of funding, including primary commercial loans from Bremer Bank and key contributions from Brainerd HRA via BLAEDC. Additional support included gap funding from North Central Economic Development Association, IRRRB grants for demolition, and renovation and energy retrofit grants through the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA). This comprehensive financial backing was crucial in turning the vision for Victual into reality.
“Without these connections, Victual might never have been possible,” Paul VanderWaal asserts. “The power of support from these organizations was crucial. They facilitated the financial resources needed and also the community support and business advice crucial to our success.”
Victual’s mission is clear: Northern living improved. The store’s expertly curated selection of specialty foods, gifts, and spirits is paired with comprehensive product knowledge and exceptional customer service. Their dedication to quality shines through in every product line.
“Connectivity is key,” Paul Kirkman emphasizes. “Connecting communities and experiences, vendors and customers, neighbors, and friends—and financial resources. These connections are what brought Victual to life.”
Victual is not just a store; it’s a hub of connectivity. By leveraging local resources and support systems, entrepreneurs with dreams like the one imagined for Victual, can transform visions into thriving realities.
To learn more about lending opportunities from NCEDA, visit northcentraleda.org