our story

Derek Medved created the KornerStore brand in 2014 when he purchased the Gary Milkhouse as a way of keeping a local store in the Gary neighborhood.  In 2017, he purchased two more stores, Lakehead Oil locations in Hermantown and Chisholm.  

Derek looks to keep locally owned stores in the neighborhoods that need them.  He says “We know Joe down the block, we know Sammy up the block, and that’s the beauty of it. You get to know your customers and the friendships you build, the relationships, nothing can compare to it.” 

In 2022, Derek purchased 6 more stores to expand his brand, with KornerStores now in Duluth, Hermantown, Cloquet, Superior, Chisholm, and Sturgeon Lake.