1947 | July 23, Ron and Dolores Warner celebrate their wedding anniversary and start in business on the same day. After working in the Doboy feeds division before and after W.W.II, Ron decided that he wanted to be his own boss. The business was called Warner's Direct Service and sold gasoline and repaired cars. It was located at 727 No Knowles Ave. About a block south of the current store. The building was torn down in the early sixty's to make way for a new more modern facility. The new facility is now the Super America Station. |
1956 | Start selling Evinrude Outboards and Crestliner aluminum boats. The service bay had to double as outboard repair and auto repair shop. The largest outboard of the day was the 30hp Big Twin from Evinrude. |
1957 | Purchased the 928 No Knowles Ave main building. The building was owned by Doboy and had contained the original machinery for Doboy Packaging when they started. They had moved to the current building off west Third street. The building was originally built for Burik Implement in 1947. Remodeling started that fall. Glasspar fiberglass boats where added to the mix.Glasspar was one of the first companies that produced fiberglass boats for consumers. The family that bought the first Glassparis still a customer of the business. Dragon Fly air motors were added but didn't last too long. |
1958 | The Grand Opening was held in the spring of 1958. Warner's Dock name added to the building. Name was chosen to coincide with the marine business. If you needed your boat fixed you didn't take it to your dock you took it to Warner's Dock. |
1960 | The expansion starts. The first of many acquisitions of adjacent property begins to accommodate the growth. Mercury outboards added. |
1961 | Ski-doo snowmobiles added. Sales continued for 35 years. Discontinued in 1998 due to growth in the marine side of the business as well as several mild winters. |
1966 | First building expansion. Building extended on the lower level for additional showroom space. |
1967 | New dock and lift installation as well as and seasonal installation and removal begins. Discontinued in 1987. Ron Reese starts working in the service department. (He still does!) |
1970 | Warehouse complex off North 4th Street purchased. New buildings built in '84 and '87. |
1971 | The last of Ron and Dolores three sons starts working full time in the business. The third generation is born and begins visiting the business in his car seat. (A short while later he begins taking stuff apart. Putting it back together begins much later.) |
1972 | Alumacraft boats added. Warner's Dock celebrates 25 years. |
1973 | Allis Chalmers Lawn and Garden added. 1990 the brand name is changed to Simplicity. Weeres pontoons become the brand of choice. |
1974 | Johnson Outboards sales begin. |
1984 | More of the third generation starts taking stuff apart. He eventually moves into sales department to help is dad. |
1985 | Inventory system is computerized. Begins a tradition of technological advancement for business systems. |
1988 | Ron and Dolores retire from day to day operation of the business. Both continue to offer advice and encouragement. Sea Doo Personal watercraft added however they are dropped in 1998. |
1991 | Javelin Bass Boats added, Later to become the Stratos Group. |
1994 | Fourth generation born (twins). They haven't learned to put things back together yet. They do like boats and fishing. Time will tell. |
1996 | Distribution of our own 750 page marine accessory catalog begins. |
1997 | 50th Anniversary celebration. First Evinrude Ficht outboard sold. First Internet Web Page bring cyberspace to main street. Expanded in 1999 to include hourly updates of product availability. |
1998 | Snowmobiles, PWC's and jet boats discontinued. Marine offerings expanded. |
1999 | Web page listing of used product expanded. Hourly updates of product availability introduced. |
2000 | Ron and Dolores both celebrate their 80th birthdays and 52 years in business. Premier pontoons sales begin.(see 2002) |
2001 | Outside display lots expanded. Removing additional houses to make more room for display. Mercury Outboards is again added to the product mix. (The more things change the more they stay the same:)) |
2002 | Honda and Yamaha Outboards added, Premier awards TOP DEALER Award to Warner's Dock. "Boat and Motor Dealer" magazine features Warner's Dock on the cover of Oct Issue. Web site creates sales in 26 states. |
2003 | June 2003, www.warnersdock.com web site reaches a milestone of attracting over 1000 visitors in a single day. Premier Top Dealer and Bronze Achievement Award. Top 100 Johnson and Evinrude dealer award for 2003 model year. Marine Accessory catalog goes on line. First international sales of accessories and sales reach all 50 states. |
2004 | After over 62 years of marriage and almost 58 years in business, affectionately known as “Grandma” by all her friends and family, Dolores passed away on January 25th 2004 at age 84 just 9 days after her birthday. Grandma’s legacy lives on. Premier Top Ten dealer award for the third year in a row. |
2005 | Full line marine accessory e-commerce website goes live. www.warnersdock.com web site is mentioned in Boating Industry, BRP RPM magazine and other national publications as an example of excellent dealer website. Premier Top Dealer Award for the fourth year in a row. Nate Warner receives recognition for excellent product knowledge and customer service from Stratos Boats. DockBuck$ tournament incentive program begins with payout in 13 tournaments the first year. New 16,000 square foot showroom/service department building construction begins at 1020 No Knowles Ave. |
2006 | New building completed and business is moved to new building effective June 19th, 2006. New Location is 1020 N. Knowles Ave just a few hundred feet from the old location. Premier names Warner’s Dock, Inc a Top Ten Dealer again. Also awards the Silver Achievement award for sales success and Top Market Share of all dealers. The only dealer to receive three awards. Evinrude names Warner’s Dock to the Evinrude dealer council. Sales of Premier, Stratos, Alumacraft and Evinrude outboards reach record sales both in units and dollars. Web site expands sales to more countries. Grand opening on Jan 5, 6, 7th records over 2000 in attendance, far beyond expectations. |
2007 | Warner’s complete a record year in sales. Service department processes 25% more units than ever before. Warner’s again receives Top Dealer award from Premier, and district dealer of the year award from Evinrude motors. First shipment of a complete boat/motor/trailer unit to Russia. The oldest of the second generation of Warner’s, Marlin Warner, finishes 2007 and changes status to semi-retired as of Dec 31, 2007. Rob Newhouse receives grand prize in the 2007 Bass Cha$ers Cup, presented by bass fishing legend Larry Nixon. Rob Keller, Wes Haney and Dennis Rhead also receive prizes. |
2008 | Warner’s Dock Inc. adds Champion Fiberglass Boats. Champion Boats sales exceed expectations. Warner’s receive Premier’s Top Dealer award for the 7th year in a row. |
2009 | Bass Fishing Legend Denny Brauer attends the Open House in January. Over 2000 people in attendance over the 3 day event for great food and a great bass seminar. Due to the economic down turn, Champion Boats is merged into the Stratos Line of Boats. Alumacraft Boat Sales hold their own and Premier Pontoon sales farewell. |
2010 | The yearly open house is changed up to incorporate a Fishing Expo feel as well as an Open House / Customer Appreciation. The addition brings local vendors of Bass Tackle, Walleye Tackle and Musky Tackle. The change is welcomed by customer’s who attend and take advantage of deals on the latest Fishing Gear. Not to mention some great deals on new Boats and Pontoons. Long Time Evinrude Pro Guido Hibdon is in attendance and puts on a great seminar sharing some of his secrets to his fishing success. BRP/Evinrude allow Warner’s Dock to operate the factory booth at the Minneapolis Boats Show where repowering is the key to success. Other shows Warner’s display product at during the season is the Lake Home and Cabin Show in Minneapolis and the Northwest Sport Show. |
2011 | At the age of 91, Ron Warner, founder of Warner’s Dock passed away on Nov 2nd. Father of 3 Boys, Grandfather to 7 and Great Grandfather to 8. One more Great has been added since. Even at the age of 91 he still made it into “The Dock” every day to check up on his legacy. After 23 years as Business Manager at Warner’s and a few more years of hard work before that, the youngest of the 3 brothers, Greg retires to spend more time chasing the wind and waves on Lake Superior. Gerry, middle son, is still a selling machine with the word “retirement” not in his vocabulary – yet…. The yearly Open House / Fishing Expo brings Stratos Pro Mike McClelland and Evinrude Pro Dion Hibdon. Both put on great seminars. The Fishing Expo expands bringing 10 vendors of Fishing Tackle and Fishing Rods. Warner’s also gives away a Premier pontoon equipped with an Evinrude 40 ETEC during a sweepstakes event that started in January and ended mid-April. Bob Jensen from Mondovi WI held the key that started the Evinrude at an in store event held in April. Still to this day we aren’t sure if Bob believes he won! Congrats Bob! Nate Warner & Scott Warner (3rd Generation) purchase the business and continue with the same family values and integrity that was set forth by their Fathers and Grandparents. |
2012 | Warner’s Dock Celebrates 65 years in Business! 3 Generations and still growing. Phoenix Bass Boats is added to the lineup along with Palm Beach Pontoons. The January Open House / Fishing Expo is a success, thanks in part to Evinrude Pro Scott Martin, Phoenix Pro Greg Hackney and Evinrude Walleye Pro Pete Harsh. Warner’s realizes a resurgence in sales as the market comes back to life. Dec 8th, at the age of 64, Greg Warner lost his battle with cancer. He was the youngest of the 3 sons (2nd Generation). He and his wife Sharon celebrated 40 years of marriage in 2012. Although his retirement was very short he was able to enjoy life on the water. Greg dedicated his life to WDI. Greg and Sharon have two children and one grand daughter. More on the way? |
2013 | Business continued to grow back to Pre-Recession numbers. Received the Regional Dealer of the Year for Evinrude Outboards. |
2014 | Achieved Regional Dealer of the Year again for Evinrude. |
2016 | Added Misty Harbor Pontoons to our line up along with Nautic Star Deck Boats. Building/Land adjacent to WDI property was purchased as more display lot was needed yet again. |
2017 | The building on the adjacent lot recently purchased was removed allowing for more room and better visibility from the roadway. Warner's Dock completed a record year in sales due mainly in part to the growth of Alumacraft Fishing Boats & Phoenix Bass Boats. Not too mention the hard working dedicated staff. Suzuki Outboards is added. We now have 5 lines of Outboards.
Sept 26th, at the age of 74, Marlin Warner passed away. The oldest of the 2nd generation, Marlin was able to enjoy a number of years of retirement with his wife Diane. They celebrated 51 years of marriage in 2017. Marlin and Diane have two children and four grand children. |
2021 | Nationally recognized brands now sold through Warner's Dock, Inc:
Outboards: Evinrude, Honda, Mercury, Suzuki & Yamaha
Bass Boats: Phoenix
Pontoons/Deckboats: Misty Harbor & Premier
Aluminum Fishing Boats: Alumacraft
Deck Boats: Nautic Star Trailers: Ez Loader, Trophy, Mid America, Eagle & Yacht Club
Docks/Lifts/Railways: Hewitt Roll-a-Dock, Sea Legs & Ultra Legs
Paddleboats (quiet sports) PaddleKing Aluminum Paddleboats |
| And the adventure continues! |