StoriesOctober 16, 1994

ELK RIVER This fall, hunters near Elk River may have one more stop before leaving town: Elk River Hide and Fur.

This new hide and fur company is a buying station for hunters with deer hides, elk hides or antlers, coyote furs or grouse tails to sell.

Owner and operator Curtis McLam said the business "utilizes a resource that a lot of people would just leave in the woods if they didn't have a place to drop it off."

The company, started by Curtis and Shelly McLam, is a collection point for larger fur sales operations.

The hides and furs collected will be sold and used in making gloves, leather jackets, costumes and leather for crafts. Some of the hides will be preserved for display.

McLam saw the need for the hide and fur business after moving from Moscow to Elk River last February.

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A fur trapper for 12 years, McLam had always sold his furs to a company in Moscow.

Because of the amount of hunting that goes on in the Elk River area, and because he faced the dilemma of traveling more than 50 miles to turn in his hides, McLam started his new enterprise.

Shelly McLam also had plans for a business undertaking in Elk River.

She owned and had worked as a cosmetologist at the beauty salon A Cut Above in Moscow. She decided to continue with the business after moving to Elk River and saw the opportunity to merge both ideas.

The McLams decided to construct a building to house both businesses. Elk River Hide and Fur and A Cut Above are located across from the airstrip at 112 Front St. in Elk River. Hours for the hide and fur company are Saturdays noon to 10 p.m. and evenings during the week. Patrons may call ahead for an appointment at A Cut Above.

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