Merrill native Dave Nelson has turned a hobby into a business to serve his hometown. Nelson recently opened Nelson’s Power House, Ltd., a small engine sales and service shop located in the former Merrill Sheet Metal building at 123 S. Genesee St.

Dave worked for Packaging Inc. for many years as the Paslode pneumatic tools representative, serving manufacturers and contractors in northcentral Wisconsin, including the Merrill area.

“A lot of people will remember me as the Paslode guy,” Dave said.

His job took him to St. Cloud, MN, in 2005, but it wasn’t long before he was looking for a way to get back to Merrill. His passion for small engines, it turned out, would be his ticket home. He noticed that there hasn’t been a stocking dealer for Toro or Jonsered in Merrill for years.

“I saw a need in the community,” Dave said.

With the encouragement and guidance of Dennis Brandner, former co-owner of B & D Motors, Dave decided to make the leap from hobbyist to business owner. B & D had operated a successful small engine business in Merrill for many years. In fact, Dave’s father, Arlo Nelson, had worked part-time for B & D after he retired in the 1980s.

Dave’s site search led him to the former Merrill Sheet Metal building, which offered the space he was looking for. The building was in good shape, and with the help of family and friends, especially his son Bob, Dave did a little remodeling. He added some partition walls for a showroom and cut in a new customer entrance door.

 “This building fit our needs,” Dave said.

Dave knows small engines and is excited about the brands he’s chosen to stock. Nelson’s is a dealer for the respected Toro, Jonsered and Oregon brands.

The companies were likewise excited to get their products into the Merrill market.

Nelson’s offers Toro mowers and snowblowers, along with Jonsered chainsaws, trimmers and brush cutters. Oregon parts and accessories are also stocked.

“We believe in the product,” he said.

They will also service any brand of small engine powered equipment, with the exception of recreational products. Nelson’s provides authorized sales and service for Jonsered, Toro and Lawnboy products. The shop is also an authorized warranty service center for Briggs & Stratton engines, and will soon be likewise authorized for Kohler engines.

Set up is included with all new product sales at Nelson’s, with delivery and service pickup available.

Whether customers want to buy new or used equipment, or fix what they already have, Nelson’s Power House is happy to serve them.

Nelson’s Power House has several models of mowers, trimmers, brush cutters and chainsaws on the showroom floor, and has the ability to order any Toro, Lawnboy, Jonsered or Oregon product.

“If you don’t see what you’re looking for, please ask,” Dave said.     

Nelson’s Power House is a specialist in small engine equipment, with a knowledge of the products and the ability to provide technical support.

Dave has long been tinkering with small engines. While in high school, he had a job at the old Merrill Gambles hardware store setting up the new lawnmowers that came in, and later servicing them. Over the years he developed a particular interest in old Lawnboys.

“I’ve been working on Lawnboys as a hobby for years,” he said.