Our Journey of Reviving Wambolts Cabins: Breathing Life into a Minnesota Legacy
The recent Star Tribune article about the decline of Minnesota’s mom-and-pop resorts and the challenges facing these beloved family-run establishments really hit home for us. The article shines a light on maintaining resorts, with rising costs, changing vacation trends, and the looming reality that many of these cherished places may fade away. But for us, this isn’t just a headline—it’s the story close to our family and Wambolts Cabins. While the resort industry in Minnesota is seeing its numbers dwindle, revitalization is not impossible. We’re living proof.
The Twin Cities Pioneer Press featured our the beginning of our journey two years ago, as a family who took the leap and turned a pandemic-era dream into a thriving reality by purchasing the historic Wambolts Resort and reopening as Wambolts Cabins. Our journey is a testament to the power of passion, persistence, and love for Minnesota’s unique lake life. The Pioneer Press also covered our HGTV adventure from last year.
A Leap of Faith: How It All Began
When we stumbled upon the opportunity to buy Wambolts Cabins, we weren’t seasoned resort owners—we were simply a family with a deep appreciation for Minnesota’s outdoors. We wanted to maintain the history of one of Minnesota’s oldest resorts and keep the 60 acre forest intact on a lake that we loved dearly. To make that a reality - we surfaced the idea of running a family-owned resort. This was both exciting and daunting.
As highlighted in the Pioneer Press article, we didn’t approach this decision lightly. It was a family decision, and together, we embarked on a journey to bring this historic property back to life. We felt called to revive the history, protect the lake and the forest, and share it with others.
The Challenges and Rewards
Purchasing and running a resort comes with its fair share of challenges. We faced many of the same hurdles mentioned in the Star Tribune piece: finding financing, understanding the long-term maintenance needs of cabins built over a century ago, and figuring out how to appeal to modern guests without losing the nostalgic charm that makes places like Wambolts so special. We’re running a mom-and-pop resort - while mom and pop also have full time jobs to support this dream.
Despite these challenges, the rewards have been immense. Bringing Wambolts Cabins back to life has become more than just a family project—it’s become our passion and purpose. We’ve poured our hearts into the resort, working together to update the cabins while keeping the rustic, lakeside atmosphere that drew us in the first place.
There’s something incredibly fulfilling about welcoming guests—many of whom have been coming to Wambolts for generations—and hearing their stories. The families who return year after year to make memories in the same cabins they’ve visited for decades remind us why this work matters. We’ve had new families experiencing a resort for the first time - it’s equally gratifying to watch them fall in love with it like we have.
Preserving the Legacy of Minnesota Resorts
As the Star Tribune article highlights, many of Minnesota’s family-run resorts are facing uncertain futures. The pressures of rising costs, labor shortages, and changes in generational ownership (+have forced many to sell or close their doors permanently. But for us, Wambolts Cabins represents something worth fighting for—a piece of Minnesota’s history that deserves to be preserved.
We’ve found that this journey is about more than just running a resort; it’s about contributing to the broader legacy of Minnesota’s outdoor traditions. It’s about providing a place for families to unplug, reconnect, and enjoy the beauty of nature—something that feels more important than ever in today’s fast-paced world. For our family - the intersection of history, the lake, and family is the light we want to share with everyone.
Looking Ahead
As we continue to invest in Wambolts Cabins, we remain committed to balancing the resort’s rich history with the need to evolve for the future. We’re making improvements where necessary, but always with the goal of maintaining the charm and authenticity that makes it so special.
This isn’t just a pandemic project for us—it’s our family’s future, and it’s our way of preserving the legacy of Minnesota’s resorts for future generations. Our hope is that, in the coming years, Wambolts Cabins will stand as a symbol of what’s possible when a family comes together with a shared vision, determination, and a deep love for the outdoors.
As we continue on this journey, we invite you to share your stories and experiences of Minnesota’s resorts, and to join us in celebrating the enduring legacy of family-run businesses like Wambolts. Together, we can keep these traditions alive.
Here’s to the future of Wambolts Cabins—where the past and present come together on the shores of Minnesota’s beautiful lakes.