Business Spotlight: TJ's Country Corner, Mahtowa

TJ's Country Corner is the hub of the Mahtowa community and a business that's hard to pigeonhole. Owners Renee and Glenn Gaffney love the support they receive from the community and they like to help out whenever and however they can.

TJ's always offers delicious food, great conversation, and a rich history in Mahtowa. They have a little bit of everything. Their Facebook page lists them as a convenience store, but they're much more than that.

Known for their slogan - "Our Wurst is Best!" - TJ's meat market still uses the tried and true old-time recipes, and a few new ones, to make more than 40 varieties of brats. Their Minnesota-raised beef is cut and processed by TJ's own meat cutter. In addition to brats, they also make a variety of specialty sausages, hot dogs, potato sausage and more. It's not uncommon for travelers to pull off of Interstate 35 and fill an entire cooler with the potato sausage that TJ's is famous for.

Food is an essential part of the business, which includes a well-stocked grocery store and deli with a large variety of salads, serving hot brats, hot dogs and, of course, 12 flavors of ice cream from the dipping station. TJ's also offers a variety of homemade meals such as lasagna, manicotti, meatloaf, pulled pork, tater tot hotdish and take-and-bake pizzas. All are offered in a variety of portion sizes.

There's a little bit of everything at TJ's, including gas, oil, grocery, beer and liquor, health and beauty items, firewood, DNR licenses and more. If you need something notarized, or need to send a fax, they're happy to provide those services too.

TJ's regularly hosts events throughout the year that bring people together. Their popular chicken swap and farmers market on the second and fourth Saturday of the month (weather permitting), sees all manner of vendors gathering at TJ's to offer chickens, fresh eggs, produce, craft items, and eclectic flea market items too, all without any vendor fees.

The biggest event of the year is the Rukkus at the Rat Rod Rendezvous, held annually 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. over Labor Day weekend. "Shine on Saturday" features the traditional classic cars, street rods, muscle cars, trucks and bikes, while "Rusty Sunday" features rat rods, rat bikes, and burnout and muffler rap contests. The event also features a swap meet/flea market and live music each afternoon. Rat Rod Magazine is a familiar face at the shows and they have featured TJ's car show in their magazine on a number of occasions! The Rat Rod Tour started at TJ's and has been a great show to represent all the talent and enthusiasm ever since. Come check out the food, music, cars and great folks on Aug. 31 and Sept 1.

This year's Rendezvous includes beverages created especially for all the car-loving folks out there.TJ's worked with Bent Brewstillery, the first microbrewery and microdistillery in Minnesota, to create Rat Rod Rusty Ale and Rat Rod Rusty Rye Whiskey - what a delicious win! Both are available at TJ's and the Mahtowa Tavern.

The community comes together at TJ's for National Night Out in August. On Sept. 11 there is a community service to commemorate the events of 9/11 as well as to thank and honor our military, law enforcement and emergency responders.

"Awesome stuff happens all the time," Renee said.

On Aug. 10, TJ's will serve as one of the many exchange locations for the Ragnar relay race, where close to 300 teams of 12 will be running from the State Capitol in St. Paul to Duluth.

"We see cool stuff every day, and it's an honor to help," Renee said. "That's small-town awesomeness. We have such an amazing community that supports us. They step right up to help bring people together, overcome hardships, celebrate blessings and strengthen our Mahtowa area community. Come visit us, we would love to see you."