By Steve Weisman

Kabele’s Trading Post, located at 504 Hill Avenue across the road from East Lake Okoboji and just a mile south of Big Spirit Lake, has been a family run business ever since Ed and Alice Kabele opened the doors in 1968. Then 36 years later Thane Johnson took over and was joined by his wife, Tanya in 2010. The business has continued to grow, and the “mom and pop shop” expanded, and an eight-room lodge was established in 2007 changing the name to Kabele’s Trading Post and Lodge.

With Thane and Tanya’s vision of growth and working with their employees to offer customers the best service possible, Kabele’s Trading Post and Lodge has continued its growth to become a true go-to destination for locals and visitors alike.

Now in the spring of 2025, Kabele’s Trading Post and Lodge is changing hands for only the third time in 57 years! Nick Klatt and his fiancé Tessa are the new owners, continuing to make Kabele’s Trading Post and Lodge a family run business.

Nick and Tessa officially took over the business on April 1. Nick says, “We are super excited about this new adventure, and we are very thankful for the support we have received from Thane and Tanya. We want to keep all the things that they have done so well over the years and build on their legacy.” To help the transition go smoothly, Thane and Tanya have entered in a year-long contract. Thane says, “Our goal is to act as mentors and help Nick and Tessa learn the ins and out of the business. Over the past 21 years, Tanya and I established a logo and built a brand that we are proud of.”

Over a hairstyling appointment

Tessa, who owns the Hair Team, says with a smile, “This all began several months ago, when I was styling Tanya’s hair. We were visiting during an appointment, and we got to talking about our businesses. The longer we talked, we began to ask, ‘Have you ever? What would you? What do you think?’ With each visit, we’d talk more and more.”

Nick, who has owned Blue Water Guide Service since 2019, reflects, “As a guide, I had become a regular customer at Kabele’s, and as we talked, I began to think more and more about the bait shop. For me, I really wanted to take things beyond just a 9 to 5 job. I could see the guide service being the perfect fit at Kabele’s.”

The timing was perfect for Thane and Tanya. “We loved our business and all our customers, but this is truly a 24-7. Over these years, we had dedicated our entire lives to making memories with all our customers…but it was time!”

When opportunity knocks

Over the past several months, the two couples spent a lot of time talking and as Tanya says, “We saw a lot of us in them. It’s kind of funny now, but we had been keeping an eye on both of them.”

Over the course of several months, the visiting became more serious and pretty soon the four of them were talking about perhaps a change in ownership. As Thane says, “We found a couple that we thought could emulate us and continue this legacy. When opportunity knocks…”

Opportunity knocked and Nick and Tessa took the leap! On April 1, the deal was completed! Thane and Tanya have so many mixed emotions from excited to a sense of sadness. Tanya says, “We would like to express our sincere appreciation for the loyalty and support of our customers over these past 21 years. This is a decision that we did not take lightly. As we transition, we are confident that Nick and Tessa will continue to carry on the legacy so important to us and the community. Element 74 will remain under our ownership and will continue to expand. Thane and I look forward to enjoying our life more and making our own future memories.”

Keeping, yet expanding the brand

Nick adds, “This transition will bring a ton of flexibility for our customers as we will now have a landing spot for the guiding portion of our business, the Blue Water Guide Service, and, of course, we welcome all area guide services to frequent Kabele’s Trading Post and Lodge. Tessa and I will continue to utilize all the amenities that Kabele’s Trading Post and Lodge is so famous for.” Most certainly that includes the tremendous social media efforts to reach anglers from all over.

At the same time, Nick and Tessa will be working even more to expand product lines to include reaching out to the tech savvy anglers and the younger generation of anglers.

So, the legacy of Kabele’s Trading Post and Lodge continues: Ed and Alice Kabele, 1968-2004; Thane and Tanya Johnson, 2004-2025; Nick Klatt and his fiancé Tessa, 2025…and beyond!

An incredible 57-year history with more to come! Congratulations to Thane and Tanya and welcome to Nick and Tessa!

Nick and Tessa continue to market Kabele’s seasoning.

Nick and Tessa with a wide range of shirts

Nick and Tessa with Tanya’s Element 82

Behind the counter: Tanya, Thane, Nick and Tessa.

Changing of the guard: Thane, Tanya, Tessa and Nick.

Alice and Ed Kabele, original owners of Kabele’s Trading Post, stand in front of their bait shop in 1968.