Stokeyard Outfitters provides services that deliver authentic Sauna experiences virtually anywhere, from wellness programming at venues like the Hewing Hotel, to custom sauna builds and bespoke activations.

As the science catches up to the well known health benefits of Thermaculture, and the popularity grows, Stokeyard Outfitters rolls ahead bringing magical Sauna experiences your way.

John Pederson and Rodney Buhrsmith created Stokeyard Outfitters in 2017 with the intention of multiplying the options for public sauna access across the Twin Cities and beyond.

Pederson and Buhrsmith met during the formation of the 612 Sauna Society – John as Founder, Rodney as the Cooperative’s first President.

In 2018, commissioned by Surly Brewing’s Omar Ansari to design/build the Surly Sauna, they formed Stokeyard Outfitters to address the growing demand for quality experiences, a set of experiences they like to call Thermaculture.

In 2019, the duo partnered with Custom Mobile Saunas and Saunatimes.com to create Twin Cities original Sauna Village while building up their weekly programming at the Hewing Hotel Rooftop Sauna & Pool.


The Sauna Village offered sold-out hosted community sauna sessions until closing due to COVID. After the pandemic, Stokeyard Outfitters relaunched the village by partnering with The Great Northern to create the Great Northern Sauna Village—an annual celebration of the mobile sauna revival that has made Minneapolis the Sauna Capitol of North America, featuring more authentic public sauna experiences than any city in North America!