Meet your Cook County Neighbor: Tom Dwyer
Dec 01, 2025 09:15AM ● By Editor
A Boreal Community Media Exclusive - November 29, 2025
Tom is Owner/CEO of Isak Hansen's Home and Hardware and Custom Builders.
How did you land in Cook County? What journey brought you here?
Like many transplants in Cook County, we started off in the BWCA, and then in cabins along the shore when kids came along. One of those trips, we saw a sign for lake lots for sale on Isak Hansen's sign and stopped in. We met Irving Hansen (Isak's son) and within 30 minutes, had a lake lot on Caribou picked out, a job offer as his Controller (accountant) and a rental place to live while we built. It was the 2nd time I'd been offered a job up here, and we figured, why not. My older brother had died at 45 earlier that year, and while we didn't go looking for mid-life crisis, it apparently found us anyway. We figured the worst that could happen is we didn't like it and move back to the Twin Cities. Here we are, 32 years later. We bought the business from the Hansen family and will celebrate 25 years ownership this month.
What is your favorite part about living and working in Cook County?
No tie required! It's a toss-up between all the people I meet and work with and nature. I've met so many great people, both locals who've helped me succeed and newcomers who I get to share the excitement of creating a refuge up here.
Even though my desk faces away from the lake, I can feel its presence always. I've been on a 8 year plan to hike the equivalent length (339 miles) of the Superior Hiking Trail and have about 50 miles left. I know, some people hike it in two weeks. Between knee and hip replacements and working full time, it's taken a bit longer, but I'll get it done.
Tell us about your appliance sales at Isak Hansen's. How are things going? Many people may not realize that there is no need to go to Duluth for their appliance needs when you sell and service appliances right here in Cook County!
Interestingly, we've been selling appliances for over 50 years. Our display section used to be on our 2nd floor and no one visited up there. We moved our appliances, cabinetry, and flooring to main floor by the entry 20 years ago and with having the DMV office franchise for 13 years, we more than doubled our appliance sales as people stopped in to get licenses renewed and realized we had them. With the closing of the appliance store in Grand Marais, we worked to expand our offering and the results have supported our efforts. We primarily display Whirlpool, Maytag, Amana and Bosch, but have access to all brands. Like appliances, retailers in Cook County carry about everything you may need within the county so there isn't a required reason to go to Duluth except specialty needs. We are working to expand flooring and countertop sales along with appliances now.
It seems that many of us may have worked a variety of jobs over the course of our lifetime. What type of jobs did you do before coming to Cook County?
I started out in accounting and finance in retail and manufacturing. Evolved into advertising and sales before moving up here. I've always had interest in construction and had done several remodeling projects and new house for myself as a hobby, so joining Isak Hansen's seemed a natural fit for me. As time went by I got more into the project management and design part of the business and loved every minute of it. When we bought the business, I had pretty good foothold into the operation of the entire business. Learning the gravel business and how to make the products such as Class 5, sewer sand, black dirt and such has been fascinating. I especially enjoyed delving into the design side of the business and working with our crews to build "functional sculpture".When you meet many of the workers in the county, most of them have 2 or more jobs to make ends meet up here. I'm lucky enough to have my 3 jobs in the same place, construction, gravel pit, and retail.
With the upcoming holiday season, what are some traditions that you and your family enjoy?
The kids are scattered around the US, so we try to gather as a group, if possible, somewhere ahead of Christmas to spend a few days to a week together. Since the pandemic, we Zoom with our kids and my siblings every weekend, so we stay pretty connected, and we don't have any specific traditions we follow.
Lastly, if you had one Christmas wish that could be granted, what would it be?
To make sure I treat everyone as I would like to be treated.
Tish, the family pet, is a Springer Poodle. Tish, like the two dogs before her, gets to come to work with her human dad and greets customers.
