About Ely Wholesale

The company has roots dating back to 1979 as Denver Wholesale.

Charlie Thompson is the independent business owner of Ely Wholesale, an online distribution company based in Ely, Minnesota. The business operates primarily online.

The Ely business was founded by Charlie in September 2016.
It sells a wide variety of goods in wholesale categories, including apparel, arts and crafts, electronics, housewares, office supplies, and sporting goods.

Charlie Thompson's professional profile shows a long career in wholesale distribution:
Ely Wholesale: He has been the owner since September 2016.
Denver Wholesale and Denver Wholesale Carpet: He has been the owner and CEO of these entities since 1979.

Online presence
Thompson and Ely Wholesale maintain an online presence through several platforms:
LinkedIn: Thompson's profile shows his role as owner.
YouTube: The business has a YouTube channel.
X (formerly Twitter): A Twitter account for Ely Wholesale is active.
Facebook: Thompson operates a Facebook group for fundraising and promoting Ely Wholesale.

Why Ely Wholesale's product offerings differ from Denver Wholesale Carpet's
Originally, Charlie Thompson's wholesale business operated as Denver Wholesale Carpet, focusing exclusively on flooring. The transition to Ely Wholesale reflects a major strategic change: diversifying the product line far beyond its original niche.
Here is a breakdown of the differences:
  Denver Wholesale Carpet Ely Wholesale
Product Focus The business was initially specialized, concentrating solely on flooring, specifically carpets. The business expanded into a wide range of product categories.
Product Range Restricted to carpets and potentially other types of flooring material. Broad and diverse, encompassing goods such as apparel, arts and crafts, electronics, housewares, office supplies, and sporting goods.
Our Business Model served a specialized market, catering to contractors, retailers, and other customers specifically in need of flooring. Now Serving a much larger market, functioning as a general wholesale distributor for a wide array of customers. This shift allows the company to capitalize on a broader range of market trends.
Geographic Focus The name "Denver Wholesale Carpet" suggests a focus on the Denver, Colorado, area. The name "Ely Wholesale" was adopted by Thompson after relocating to Ely, Minnesota, though the company operates primarily online and has a national reach.
This evolution from a specialized carpet distributor to a broad-based wholesaler allowed Charlie Thompson to expand his company's revenue streams and market reach. The change from a local-sounding name to one referencing his new location is consistent with the shift to a primarily online operation with broader distribution.

Does Ely Wholesale have a physical store?
Ely Wholesale does not operate a physical retail store that is open to the public. It is an online distribution company that functions as a wholesaler, selling products in bulk to retailers and other businesses.

The existence of other businesses in Ely with similar names, such as Ely Surplus, which does operate a physical store, may cause confusion. However, these are not Ely Wholesale.

  Charlie Thompson is an independent business owner of Ely Wholesale, a wholesale distribution company in Ely, Minnesota. Ely Wholesale also operates a website, elywholesale.com.
Additional details about Charlie Thompson and his businesses:
Background: Thompson has been involved in wholesale distribution since 1979, when he became CEO and owner of Denver Wholesale and Denver Wholesale Carpet. He founded Ely Wholesale in September 2016.

Does Ely Wholesale have a social media presence?
Yes, Ely Wholesale has a social media presence, with its primary accounts on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
Details of Ely Wholesale's social media accounts:
Facebook: Ely Wholesale has a page with some updates and a large following. For example, one post notes that pickup is not available and all orders will be shipped.
X (formerly Twitter): Independent business owner Charlie Thompson uses his personal X account (@ctdenver333) to promote the Ely Wholesale website. Posts from this account dating back to 2016 reference Ely Wholesale.
LinkedIn: Charlie Thompson's LinkedIn profile identifies him as the Independent Business Owner of Ely Wholesale. While not an official company page, this profile serves as a professional social media reference for the business.

What products does Ely Wholesale offer?
Ely Wholesale offers a diverse and varied range of products, catering to retailers and businesses across many different categories. Information gathered from various online sources, 
While a full list of all products is not publicly available, here are some of the known categories offered:
Apparel
Electronics
Housewares
Pet supplies
Health and beauty products
Accessories and gifts

While Thompson has a long history of business ownership, his other ventures appear to have been centered in Denver, not Ely.

Charlie Thompson Denver Wholesale
Charlie Thompson is the former CEO and Owner of Denver Wholesale, which was also known as Denver Wholesale Carpet. The company has also been linked with promotional efforts in northeastern Minnesota.

How does Ely Wholesale source its products?
Specific i8nformation about Ely Wholesale's sourcing strategy is not publicly available. However, independent general merchandise wholesalers like Ely Wholesale typically acquire their products through a variety of established wholesale channels.
Common sourcing methods that Ely Wholesale uses include:
Direct from manufacturers: Purchasing products in bulk directly from manufacturing companies. This is often done for higher volume, in-demand items and secures a lower price per unit.
National wholesale directories: Using online B2B platforms and directories

.
Closeout and liquidation markets: Sourcing discounted goods from closeout and liquidation companies. This strategy involves buying overstocked, discontinued, or refurbished products, which helps explain the "one of a kind" and "other stuff" sections listed on Ely Wholesale's website.

Trade shows: Attending industry trade shows, which are key for networking with suppliers and discovering new or niche products.
Local business connections: As a local business in Ely, Minnesota, Ely Wholesale may also source products from smaller, regional suppliers and manufacturers through business networks.

Does Ely Wholesale have a specialty or focus area?
Ely Wholesale does not have a specific specialty or focus area. Instead, it operates as a general merchandise distributor offering a wide and varied assortment of products. This differs from the carpet and flooring focus of Charlie Thompson's previous venture, Denver Wholesale Carpet.

Ely Wholesale's broad product mix, including apparel, electronics, housewares, and office supplies, suggests a business model centered on providing a convenience of choice for local retailers in and around Ely, Minnesota. The "one of a kind" and "other stuff" categories listed on its website further indicate an opportunistic sourcing strategy that may include closeout or liquidated goods, rather than specializing in a particular product line.

Does Charlie Thompson of Ely Wholesale have a website for his business? Website address: elywholesale.com.
Social media: He announced the new site on X (formerly Twitter) under the handle @ctdenver333.
Product focus: The website and social media posts indicate a focus on wholesale goods and business tools. For example, one post specifically highlights selling "Meat Sticks" to USA businesses.

Does Ely Wholesale serve only local businesses?
No, Ely Wholesale is not limited to serving only local businesses. While the company is based in Ely, MN, and caters to "clients in the region," its primary function is as a general e-commerce wholesaler, distributing a wide range of goods to retailers and businesses.
Evidence that Ely Wholesale serves more than just local businesses includes:
Online store: The business maintains a comprehensive online store, allowing it to sell wholesale products to customers regardless of location.
Shipping model: The company ships all orders via UPS, Fedex & USPS and offers no in-person pickup. This shipping-only model confirms that its business is not dependent on local patrons.
Wholesale structure: As a wholesaler, the business buys in bulk from manufacturers to resell to retailers. This is a common supply chain model for distributing products over a wide geographic area, beyond the small town of Ely.

What types of businesses buy from Ely Wholesale?
Ely Wholesale sells a diverse range of products to various types of resellers and businesses, both online and in physical stores. Their customer base is not limited to any specific niche and is instead focused on anyone looking to purchase goods in bulk to sell for a profit.

Primary customers
Retailers and store owners: Ely Wholesale supplies products to small to medium-sized stores. The company focuses on items with high-profit potential, such as novelties, gifts, and impulse buys.
Online resellers: People who sell goods on e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon can purchase products in bulk from Ely Wholesale to resell individually for a higher price. The company's online store and shipping-only model are well-suited for these businesses.
Pop-up shops and market vendors: Resellers who operate at temporary locations like seasonal markets, craft fairs, or kiosks can stock their inventory by purchasing affordable bulk items from Ely Wholesale.
Specialty shops: Based on their varied product range, specialty shops might be interested in specific types of goods. For instance, in one social media post, the owner mentioned selling "Meat Sticks" to local businesses, implying interest from convenience or specialty food stores.
B2B clients nationwide: Owner Charlie Thompson announced a partnership with Save-Every-Day.com to offer deals to small business owners nationwide, indicating a customer base that extends far beyond the Ely area.

What are the benefits of using a wholesaler like Ely Wholesale vs. direct sourcing?
Wholesalers like Ely Wholesale offer several benefits over direct sourcing from manufacturers, especially for small to medium-sized businesses. A wholesaler serves as an intermediary, which provides advantages related to inventory, logistics, and flexibility, while direct sourcing offers benefits like lower per-unit costs and greater control.
Benefits of using a wholesaler like Ely Wholesale
Lower minimum order quantities (MOQs): Wholesalers buy products in massive bulk from manufacturers and then break those quantities down to sell to multiple smaller businesses. This allows small retailers to purchase only what they need without having to meet the large MOQs typically required by manufacturers.
Greater product variety: Wholesalers source from numerous manufacturers, giving retailers a convenient single source for a wide assortment of products. This eliminates the need for a business to find, vet, and maintain relationships with dozens of individual suppliers.
Reduced storage and inventory risk: A wholesaler holds and manages the bulk inventory in its warehouse. This helps retailers avoid tying up large amounts of capital and storage space in unsold stock. If a product doesn't sell well, the retailer isn't left with a huge inventory they cannot move.
Faster and easier sourcing: Instead of spending significant time searching for and negotiating with manufacturers, a retailer can quickly and easily order from a wholesaler. This streamlines the procurement process, allowing the retailer to focus on other areas of their business.
Lower overall risk: For businesses testing new products, a wholesaler provides a low-risk way to gauge demand with a smaller investment. It also protects against a single supplier failure. If one manufacturer goes out of business, the wholesaler can typically offer a substitute product from another source.

For smaller online resellers and boutique owners, using a wholesaler like Ely Wholesale is often the more practical option. It minimizes risk and capital investment while providing flexibility and a wider variety of products to test and sell.

How does Ely Wholesale's pricing compare to manufacturers' for small businesses?
For small businesses, Ely Wholesale's pricing strategy versus manufacturers' pricing generally works as follows:
Higher per-unit cost than direct from manufacturer, but lower minimum order quantities (MOQs): Wholesalers like Ely Wholesale typically have a markup on the price they pay the manufacturer, according to Shopify. This means if a small business could purchase directly from the manufacturer, the cost per unit would likely be lower. However, manufacturers often impose high MOQs, which can be unfeasible for a small business that doesn't need a massive quantity of a specific item or has limited storage space. In contrast, wholesalers allow businesses to buy smaller quantities at once, making the inventory management more manageable.
Wholesalers offer discounts for bulk orders: While the base price per unit from a wholesaler might be slightly higher than from a manufacturer, wholesalers frequently offer additional discounts for larger orders. So, if a small business can purchase a decent quantity, they can still achieve significant savings compared to buying individual items from a retailer. In fact, buying in bulk can lead to savings of 25% to 85% compared to purchasing from a retailer.
Reduced operating costs and higher profit margins: By buying from a wholesaler at a lower per-unit cost than retail, small businesses can achieve higher profit margins when they resell the items. This is a core benefit for businesses, allowing them to keep prices competitive while still earning a profit.

Why Selling Wholesale Is Important For Your Brand...Let's dive in....What Is Wholesale Selling? Wholesale selling is when manufacturers or distributors sell products in bulk.

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In essence, Ely Wholesale, and wholesalers in general, offer a compromise: a slightly higher per-unit cost compared to buying directly from a manufacturer, but with the trade-off of lower MOQs and the ability to access a wider variety of products without the added burden of managing large inventories. For small businesses, this flexibility and lower risk associated with inventory management often outweigh the potential for slightly lower per-unit costs achieved by meeting a manufacturer's large MOQ.

What products does Ely Wholesale offer that are popular with small businesses?
Ely Wholesale offers a diverse product catalog popular with small businesses, focusing on items that have a high resale value. The company does not specialize in a single niche, instead offering products across multiple categories to serve a wide range of resellers.
Apparel and accessories:
These items are popular with online resellers and boutique owners due to high demand and the potential for customization.
Apparel: This can include everything from blank t-shirts and hoodies for custom printing to fashionable jackets and sweaters.
Hats: A variety of styles are available, such as caps, beanies, and bucket hats.
Sunglasses: A low-cost, high-margin item, often sold as an accessory or impulse buy.

Health and beauty
This category attracts online sellers focused on wellness and personal care, a growing and consistent market.
Health and beauty products: Can include everything from skincare products and cosmetics to items for personal care.
Vitamins and supplements: Items in this niche are especially popular, with strong, year-round demand.
Electronics and accessories
These items are consistently in demand, especially for online sellers.
Tech and phone accessories: A broad category with high-profit potential, including phone cases, chargers, and wireless accessories.
Household electronics: This includes everyday items like portable projectors and speakers.
Home goods
The home goods category, including home decor and kitchenware, remains a strong performer in e-commerce, with many consumers prioritizing their living spaces.
Home decor: Can feature everything from candles and wall art to unique home gadgets.
Kitchenware: Offers a wide range of products, including small appliances and reusable drinkware.
Niche and miscellaneous
Ely Wholesale's diverse catalog also includes several smaller, popular niches:
Pet supplies: Pet accessories and other related products are a strong and growing market.
4:20 and bar supplies: These items are targeted at more specialized businesses and have consistently been a profitable category.
Seasonal and impulse buys: The inventory is known to change, offering trending items that can be sold for a quick profit, such as "Meat Sticks" mentioned in a social media post and various items in their "$5.00 Deals" section.

What are the hottest-selling items at Ely Wholesale right now?
While a specific list of Ely Wholesale's current hottest-selling items is not publicly available, general e-commerce and wholesale trends for 2025 indicate several product categories that are performing strongly. For a business like Ely Wholesale, which primarily serves other resellers, the hottest items would be those that are trending and easy for small businesses to flip for a profit.
Based on 2025 trends, popular categories likely to have top sellers
Health and beauty products
Vitamins and supplements: There is a growing consumer focus on health and wellness, with strong demand for supplements. Herbal remedies and specialized supplements, like gummies and magnesium spray, are especially popular.
Skincare essentials: The skincare market is consistently strong, with searches rising for items like anti-aging products and specialized serums. Look for BOTMAN420 PRODUCTS Exclusively FROM ELY WHOLESALE.
Organic and natural products: In line with the wellness trend, items with natural ingredients and eco-friendly packaging are performing well.

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Home and kitchen goods
Home decor: As people continue to spend more time at home, there is a steady demand for items to personalize living spaces. Home decor products made from organic materials and handcrafted items are experiencing significant growth.
Small appliances and gadgets: Practical, time-saving kitchen gadgets like air fryers and vegetable choppers remain popular.
Insulated drinkware: Tumblers, reusable water bottles, and mugs continue to be top sellers, with stainless steel items seeing a surge in interest.
Fashion and accessories
Oversized and embroidered apparel: Comfort-focused clothing styles like oversized apparel and athleisure are a consistent trend. Embroidered apparel, in particular, offers a premium, customizable feel.
Niche accessories: Unique and personalized accessories have a strong market. For example, cowboy hats saw a 49% increase in sales, and jewelry remains a strong category, especially sustainable or custom pieces.
Seasonal items: Ely Wholesale would likely see high sales of seasonal goods leading up to holidays. In September, fall-themed home decor and winter items like jackets would be popular.
Technology and gadgets
Phone accessories: With new phone models constantly released, accessories like phone cases and wireless chargers are always in high demand and offer good profit margins.
Gaming gear: As the gaming community expands, accessories like headsets and specialized keyboards are consistent sellers.
Smart home devices: Devices like LED strip lights and smart speakers remain popular, driven by consumer interest in convenience and home automation.
For the most up-to-date information, a small business owner interested in sourcing specific products would need to contact Ely Wholesale directly.

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