Jordan Beck | Daily Press Hiawatha Chef, Bar & Janitorial Supply President Tracy Thompson is shown in his business’ back showroom.

Editor’s note: The Daily Press features a profile of an area business each week. This week’s featured business is Hiawatha Chef, Bar & Janitorial Supply in Escanaba.

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ESCANABA — Hiawatha Chef, Bar & Janitorial Supply has been active in the Escanaba area for decades. The business’ reach has grown since it was established.

Tracy Thompson, Hiawatha’s president, said he was not its founder. His mother, Lois Thompson, opened the business in 1955.

“She had an accounting background — she was doing the books for a restaurant supply house in Green Bay,” Thompson said.

However, she was looking to move back to Gladstone at the time.

“She looked at the area and we didn’t have any restaurant supply houses up here,” Thompson said.

Originally, the business was operated in the former Sherman Hotel building in downtown Escanaba. In the early ’60s, Lois moved Hiawatha to its current location, which was once a National Guard armory.

Thompson became involved with Hiawatha early in his life.

“I grew up in the business,” he said.

He and his brother Terry Thompson bought Lois out in 1995, and Tracy bought Terry out in 2003.

According to Thompson, things have been going well for his business. In 2010, he was able to establish a second location in Appleton.

At the Appleton store, Thompson said most of his business is related to restaurant equipment.

“It seems like a new restaurant goes in each week,” he said about the Appleton area.

In Escanaba, Hiawatha’s focus is somewhat different.

“Up here, we do about 50 percent restaurant equipment and 50 percent janitorial equipment and supplies,” Thompson said.

Additionally, the delivery of supplies plays a more prominent role at Hiawatha’s Escanaba location.

Along with the supplies it sells from various manufacturers — including cooking equipment, refrigerators, concession machines and dishwashers, along with products in other categories — Hiawatha manufactures its own cleaning and floor maintenance chemicals.

Thompson said his ability to design foodservice installations has also played an important role in Hiawatha’s success. His installations include — but are not limited to — bars and restaurants.

“I just did … the new kitchen at the (Delta County Correctional Facility),” he said.

Though the majority of its customers are businesses, Hiawatha also sells products directly to members of the public.

“We have a lot of stuff for people’s homes, when they want quality,” Thompson said.

In the future, Thompson said he will be retiring from his current role at Hiawatha.

“I plan on leaving it to my stepkids … I’m figuring probably four more years for me,” he said.

To learn more about Hiawatha Chef, Bar & Janitorial Supply, visit www.hiawathachef.com.