Bent Paddle Speaks Out Against Ban in Silver Bay

Silver Bay city council banned the sale of Bent Paddle in their municipally owned store.

Enjoying a sip of a Duluth favorite went away a few weeks ago in Silver Bay. The city council there decided to ban the sale of Bent Paddle products at their municipally run liquor store.

The city council says the reason for banning Bent Paddle in their liquor store is purely economic and not at all political.

The council gave representatives from Bent Paddle a chance to clarify their stance on the issue.

Bent Paddle says they’re pro mining but want best practices used in the industry. However, they say they still oppose copper nickel mining and have become a member of the seventy plus Downstream Business Coalition.

Besides the municipally run store, several other accounts have dropped Bent Paddle from their shelves.

“We really miss the people and the relationships and we hope they’re doing it for their own reasons and not because they’re scared or bullied because of it,” said Bent Paddle Vice President of Outreach and Events Laura Mullen.

The council also said their intentions with the Bent Paddle issue have been misrepresented.

They said they’re one hundred percent for clean water and that they identify the community’s deep connection with the mining industry.

Council members also added they have nothing against Bent Paddle or the coalition and that this decision is not set in stone.

At the city run Silver Bay liquor store, Bent Paddle sales only represent .3% of the store’s total sales.