Kremer Toy and Hobby Brings Nostalgia, Creativity to Albertville Commons

A resurgence in hobbies–from sewing to beermaking and everything in between–is something that's being noticed across the nation. 

Why else would things like Pinterest exist? Or beermaking clubs on Facebook? 

But the struggle for any hobby, as anyone who has taken one up will tell you, is access. 

Where can I get my beer making ingredients? Who has kits for cross-stitching? What place carries the best remote control car or airplane. 

Enter Ruth and Ken Kremer, who recently opened Kremer's Toy and Hobby near the intersection of County Road 37 and County Road 19 in Albertville, west of the Mobil Station. 

"It gets frustrating, for anyone, to have to go miles to find what it is your looking for. We've had this idea for like the last 10 years to get it all under one roof. And thanks to people who have supported us in the first month, we're still expanding what we have here every day," Ruth said. "It's really exciting." 

If you're an RC collector, welcome home. If you want to brew beer, they've got you covered. And Kremers has leather, wood working, candymaking and other hobbies on the supply side as well. 

Now, combine that with the best items from your favorite toy store, and that's what you have in Albertville. 

"Really, it's a family business we've always wanted to try," Ken said. "The support so far has been amazing. People are really excited to see all the things we have." 

The couple has always had ties to Wright County. Ken has been a Wright County Sheriff's Deputy for the past 23 years (and will continue to work patrol when he's not working at the store). Ruth worked at New River Medical Center back when it was still Monticell-Big Lake Hospital, and headed up some of the information technolgy programs. 

"I stayed as long as I could, and now I'm doing this full time," Ruth said. "The timing was right." 

The couple has a handful of kids from ages 1 to 20. All are helping in their own way.

"My oldest daughter is in Amsterdam," Ruth said. "She can actually place orders through our computer system during her day, and then when I come in, it's all done, and she's sleeping. It's kind of cool."

"The youngest kids," Ken said, "are toy testers."

Kremer Toy and Hobby is open from 10 a.m. to 8p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. 

Visit the store at 11011 61st St. NE. in Albertville, in the old Anytime Fitness spot.