Photos courtesy of Sanborn Canoe Co.
Something remarkable happens in a Winona woodshop under the handpainted Sanborn Canoe sign, the place Todd Randall and his team transform the utilitarian canoe and paddle into works of art. Producing watercraft and home goods with a signature paint that is distinctly Sanborn and Minnesota, the company creates everything from cribbage boards, blankets, and wall art to mugs, kitchen utensils and, of course, paddles—which are ready for the water or to be perfectly mounted to make a bold décor statement. Todd, whose grandfather also made canoes in the 1960s for Boy Scouts and locals, reminds us that “any stick can push water,” but a quality product can be a thing of beauty and last for generations.
Midwest Home features local makers in each issue via The Collective. Find more on midwesthome.com/thecollective. Curated by Jerrod Sumner, founder of Brandtabulous, a Minneapolis-based marketing and brand storytelling agency that specializes in promoting American makers, including the one featured on this page. brandtabulous.com
