Duluth doctor navigates loss of clinic due to fire 2 weeks before opening

DULUTH, Minn.– In two short weeks, Palisade Direct Primary Care was set to open its doors.

“I was kind of like speechless,” said Dr. Jay Allen, the founder of Palisade Direct Primary Care. “We’ve been spending the entire time renovating. Mike and Deb, the owners of Uncle Loui’s and the owners of the building, have been putting a lot of work into mudding, taping, putting in a wall here, taking out a wall there.”

But two days ago, a fire broke out at the building complex on the 500 block of 4th St.

Uncle Loui’s Cafe and the brand new primary direct care facility were both affected.

“I watched the firemen go in and out of the building just thinking, well, this changes things quite a bit,” said Dr. Allen.

There is not yet a determined cause; however, officials suspect it to be electrical.

Dr. Allen said the motivation to open his own practice stemmed from wanting to offer more affordable health care.

“The reason why I did that is because I had so many people coming to me over the past few years in my practice of the in the insurance system saying I can’t, I can’t afford to come back and see you,” said Dr. Allen.

But after the fire, the community has wasted no time returning the favor.

“I had 40, 40, plus texts on my phone of people that are just like, ‘Hey, what can we do to help you? Hey, what can we do to help you?’ And I’m just like, I’m so grateful for everyone,” said Dr. Allen.

As a temporary fix, Lakewalk Surgery Center has stepped up, and Dr. Allen will be practicing out of an exam room there.

In addition, he will be continuing in-home and telehealth appointments.

“I’m honored. I’m humbled. I keep thinking, as you know, I’m doing this on my own, right? My wife and I have put our own money into this place,” said Dr. Allen.

At this time, it’s unclear when exactly the space will be able to reopen.

But Dr. Allen told FOX 21, it could be months.