Terry and Brenda Fern have been working hard to meeting the growing needs of residents. (Image Credit: Submitted photo/Terry Fern)

By Derek Cornet

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Business booming in Fond du Lac after Northern Store closure

Mar 12, 2026 | 4:35 PM

A business in Fond du Lac has experienced a surge in customers following the closure of the Northern Store in February.  

Terry and Brenda Fern have been operating Bryson Enterprise since opening in May 2013. It is a one stop shop for nearly everything a resident in Fond du Lac may need. They sell a wide range of products including groceries, confectionary, houseware, furniture, building supplies, tools, and even some automotive products.  

Terry Fern explained the store is currently in a phase of transformation as they work to meet the growing needs of the community.  

“We have been keeping the stock up and trying to get as much in as we can for the community members … [like] fresh produce, eggs and all of that kind of stuff,” he said, noting they’ve brought in 130 new items in the last month. 

“We did a big change up to the store. Since the Northern Store closed down, we have been renovating and moving all of our shelves around. We should be done by this Friday.” 

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There has been such a sense of opportunity lately, the Ferns are planning an addition to Bryson Enterprise. They expect to start construction this spring and hopefully have it finished by the end of 2026.  

More than 100 new items are hitting the shelves at Bryson Enterprise. (Image Credit: Submitted photo/Terry Fern)

Bryson Enterprise is currently undergoing a transformation. (Image Credit: Submitted photo/Terry Fern)

Bryson Enterprise became the only retail store in Fond du Lac after the Northern Store closed in the remote, northern community in February. The North West Company had been leasing a building from the local First Nation, which decided they would operate the store themselves. The North West Company had been in the community for more than 100 years.

Fond du Lac leadership plans to take over operations, as well as expand it with a new restaurant and a section for the sale of cultural crafts.   

Until then, the Ferns will continue to work to enhance the line of products they sell at their own store. They even have an ATM machine on the way and will begin selling hot, prepared foods, too.

“It has been going pretty good and it has been pretty exciting,” Fern said.  

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com