Excelsior resident Corey Wilcock has been running Minnesota Trophies & Gifts in Hopkins since 1989, creating tangible reminders of triumphs and experiences for people in the west metro. His knowledge and dedication to his practice keep clients returning for quality products that capture the memory. Awards aren’t just a way to declare a winner; they’re keepsakes of a moment deemed important enough to remember.
Wilcock bought Minnesota Trophies & Gifts from its previous owner in 1989. At the time, he and his wife were looking to get into business, but weren’t sure which direction they wanted to go. “We made a list of everything we knew anything about, and she had experience in the awards business,” Wilcock says. “We were going to open a shop, but we found this one for sale.” Timing was everything, and Wilcock built his career around the purchase.
After 25 years, Wilcock has found that his shop focuses on three main areas of business: engraving for businesses and individuals, youth sports, and corporate awards. Although his business has a pretty steady flow, he does notice trends within these areas. “Corporate awards are probably our biggest market,” Wilcock says, “but that fluctuates a lot with the economy.”
Although much of the work revolves around personalizing already available products, there is an opportunity to get creative if the client is willing to put in some extra time for collaboration. “Some of the most fun projects are ones that are designed from the ground up,” Wilcock says. “One-of-a-kind things. I did a poker plaque once with stacks of chips sticking out of it. Something that was unique, and became an heirloom.”
Knowing the story behind trophies that carry significant meaning for the recipient adds a unique perspective to the business. Kelsey LaFremiere, Wilcock’s granddaughter, has worked on and off during the summers at her grandfather’s business since she was 14, starting full time at age 17. She recounts similar scenarios of being a part of a personalized project for a customer. “A little boy came in with his mom once, and he had recently caught a fish,” LaFremiere says. “But the fish got away, so his mom came in to make a fish trophy for him. It had a marble base and a little bass on it. It was really cool to see the story behind the trophy because it was something really different.”
If anyone appreciates the sentimental value of a made-to-order trophy, it’s LaFremiere. Having a grandfather in the business makes for an even more personal experience when she receives a plaque or award. “The only trophies I still have are the ones my grandpa made.”
David Andraschko has been using Minnesota Trophies & Gifts for many years, typically for engraving services. Andraschko can also appreciate the sentimental value of a unique award: His fantasy football plaque displays the names of each year’s winner. “It’s got 29 years of bragging rights among longtime friends,” Andraschko says. The plaque, purchased from Minnesota Trophies years ago, is brought back to the shop every time Andraschko is crowned the winner to add his name to this list. “[Minnesota Trophies] does a good job. They are reliable and easy to work with,” he says.
Andraschko, father of three, understands the value of an award or trophy to celebrate an experience. “I think it’s something they can have as a lasting memory of their participation and achievement of a certain level of success,” Andraschko says. “Having that reminds them of an exciting moment they experienced, that they can look back at for many years. It’s another way to keep those memories.”
Minnesota Trophies & Gifts
1814 Mainstreet, Hopkins
952.933.1596
