“The Clearwater County Chamber of Commerce is happy to share a little more about the Elk River Lodge & General Store. The Lodge offers 9 nicely appointed rooms above the well stocked general store, fueling station, boat rentals, license services, liquor, and Huk’s restaurant. Steve and Dixie Stephens became chamber members with their business last year after a visit from our director. Dixie shared a little about the desire they both had to find a place in the mountains to call home. They wanted to live, work and play where they could bring the kids and the grandkids to enjoy the natural beauty and splendor and make memories camping, fishing and working for themselves. So they found and purchased the lodge. As they worked to bring the business up to the level of service they are proud to offer, their children came to visit and explore the area too. For their daughter Leah, it was where she hoped to call home one day. Leah and her husband Taylor traveled for work early in their customer service careers. They settled in the metropolis of Bellevue, WA for a time and Leah began learning restaurant management. Taylor is a carpenter and worked for the union in Washington. During the Covid19 pandemic they witnessed and experienced the city and businesses shut down 6 times in one year and their desire to move ‘busted loose’, Leah says. After the world market store she worked for was rioted and closed, her job was no longer secure and they decided with Dixie and Steve “it was time to come home”. Leah credits Taylor’s dad for her knowledge of business management, as he is the Director of Hospitality & Beverage at LCSC. Dixie says that Leah was always meant to be here and take over the business one day. Well, soon that will happen. Leah has been managing the business for a year and is doing wonderfully, Dixie says. Leah and Taylor live in the apartment on the premises and are happy to finally be here. Dixie is looking forward to early retirement by next summer and has already cut back to working only one day a week. Of course she will continue to be the pie baker and juicer and help out whenever needed. She and Steve will be able to relax in the home they’ve made in Elk River and enjoy doing more of what they love in the great outdoors, together. They will continue to manage their other business next door, The Whispering Pines RV Park, our newest chamber member. And of course, they will never run out of Huckleberry treats! Join us in wishing them all much success on their continued adventures.”Photo: Steve & Dixie Stephens, Leah & Taylor Fairington
