6.1. EDSR 12-17-2018
Request for Action
To Item Number
Economic Development Authority 6.1
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
General December 17, 2018 Amanda Othoudt, EDD
Item Description Reviewed by
Commemoration of Ebner’s Bait Cal Portner, City Administrator
Reviewed by
Action Requested
1. President Tveite to commemorate Joanne Rousseau, as long-standing business owner of over 69
years in the Elk River community.
2. President Tveite to invite comments from the public.
3. President Tveite to present the plaque to Joanne Rousseau.
Background/Discussion
Joanne Rousseau’s grandparents, Alfred and Laura Ebner, founded and built Ebner’s Bait in 1949 and
sold it to Joanne’s parents, Ronald and Norma Ebner, who owned the operation from 1968 to 1992.
Joanne Rousseau and her brother, Mark Ebner bought it in 1992. Joanne took full ownership in 2007 and
continued operations through November of this year. Ebner’s Bait was open 24 hours a day.
It all began with Joanne’s grandparents trapping minnows out of ponds and rivers and raising sucker
minnows in ponds they leased on local farms. The Ebners lived in a home attached to the store. It wasn’t
unheard of for Ron to get up and wait on customers in his pajamas and bathrobe in the late evening or
very early morning.
After many dedicated years to Elk River, Ebner’s Bait officially closed their doors on November 18, 2018.
Joanne plans to do some volunteering and join the YMCA.
Financial Impact
N/A
Attachments
None
The Elk River Vision
A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional
service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity