Meet Montana Lomnicki-Braun: Owner/Operator @ Hoolio & Goober

We had the good fortune of connecting with Montana Lomnicki-Braun and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Montana, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The thought process behind starting my own business (which actually started as a partnership with a really great girlfriend) was that I wanted to work for myself and create. I was able to create a business focused on woman’s fashion and accessories. This was a niche that was lacking in our small tourist town that is situated on the beautiful Lake of the Woods. I also wanted to give back in the community as much as possible. Each year (pre covid) I have hosted local fashion shows and been able to donate thousands of dollars to the local woman’s shelter as well as a local dog rescue, ” it’s a dogs life.” I was able to help design the look of our space and create a boutique that is fashion forward and welcoming.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
After leaving university I took a few years off to travel. Seeing 20+ countries over that time taught me so much about life and real world experiences. For work I started off in a small coffee shop in town, Hojoe Coffee and Eatery. After being there for almost ten years I met my business partner who was interning at the coffee shop. We chatted and decided we wanted to create a woman’s clothing boutique. This was something we were both very interested in. We had a small window of time. We decided in August and opened at the end of October! I learned a lot about time management. Having to create a business plan and apply for all of the licences, ordering product and design. It wasn’t the easiest process but it was worth a thousand times over. The opening day was FULL of love and community support and that made all of the long nights worth it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was coming to visit we would absolutely stay on the lake at an air b&n or in the bush at Minami Yurt Adventures. Being surrounded by lakes and thousands of islands we would spend our days out on the lake. Fishing ( getting our gear at Lake of the Woods sports headquarters & Sunset Baits) , hanging out at some amazing beaches, my personal favorite being Coney Island Beach and maybe taking a tour of the lake on the M.S. Kenora. We would relax with a Drink and your at the Lake of the Woods Brewery or on the water at the Boathouse Restaurant. In the morning we would go for breakfast at The Hungry Pug cafe (amazing vegan options) and grab a coffee from Hojoe Coffee and Eatery and head out on the street to do some shopping. We have some amazing stores. Boreal, Boardanyone, Poplar and Birch, Claymoon Co, Playa Vida and so many more! Now to finish every day we would of course try some of our amazing local restaurants. If you love Greek like I do you must try out Dino’s or a family favorite- The Plaza. If you like locally sourced and feel good food try the Cornerstone. But if you have a hankering for some good home cooking check out the Log cabin and their amazing Blooming onion or Wing Wednesday. Afterward head to Sweet Lake of the Woods for some handcrafted chocolate. Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
A huge shoutout will go to my original partner in the boutique, Ashley Moore. My daily support and inspiration and labourers are my parents- Mike & Gina. And lastly the community for ALWAYS supporting my dreams and helping the shop become what it is today.

Website: hoolio-goober.shoplightspeed.com

Instagram: @hoolioandgoober