SOLON SPRINGS, Wis. – U-Roast-Em sells more than forty kinds of green coffee beans sourced from growers and suppliers around the world. The company ships them to customers who roast their own coffee. “Once you’ve tried fresh roasted coffee, you will never go back to store bought again,” explained U-Roast-Em co-owner Jane Russo. Russo and her husband bought the business…
DULUTH, Minn. – Essentia Health announced Monday a plan to reduce non-medical staffing levels by 500 employees next week as the company prepares for a surge of COVID-19 patients in the communities it serves. The employees affected are not involved in direct patient care, according to hospital officials. “These plans include redeploying our workforce to best position Essentia Health to…
ESKO, Minn. – Schwan’s Home Delivery has been swamped with orders due to the coronavirus outbreak. The Minnesota-based company has a depot in Esko, and their drivers are seeing a rise in customers wanting frozen foods delivered. Schwan’s management says their employees are even limiting interactions with customers by doing simple drop-offs right at their doors. “And that’s a change…
CLOQUET, Minn. – It all started on Tuesday when a State Farm employee in Cloquet donated one-hundred pounds of ground beef to the local B&B market. “And the ball just started rolling. We’ve had just people come in and donating,” B&B Market Owner, John Lind says. After the market posted a push for donations on Facebook, hundreds of dollars worth…
MINONG, Wis. – Small-town grocery stores are getting slammed with unusual demand amid the coronavirus outbreak. And for one grocery owner in Minong, there’s a fear there won’t be enough inventory out there to be stocked up for summer tourism season — a time that carries many small businesses through the slow winter months. “I don’t think anybody is prepared…
CLOQUET, Minn. – Gordy’s Hi-Hat, a popular restaurant in the Northland still plans on being open during the order all while celebrating their 60th year. The owners, Gordy and Marilyn, are currently healthy and quarantining down in Florida. Although an opening date isn’t set in stone, Gordy’s is expected to welcome curbside customers in early April. With forty percent of…
CLOQUET, Minn. – Amid the Covid-19 crisis some small essential businesses, like newspapers, remain operational and one local publication has received a big grant. On Wednesday, the Facebook Journalism Project announced that several media outlets will receive money to help them cover the news while reporting on the coronavirus. The Pine Knot News, a locally owned publication out of Cloquet…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – Restaurants everywhere have switched their business over to carry-out and delivery. Now, one Superior business is delivering grocery products to its customers. KD’s Restaurant has seen a big decline in business since dining is no longer allowed. Now, they’re selling and delivering customers the bulk products they get directly from suppliers. The owner tells us the new…
Many workers in the Northland have been laid off from jobs due to the response to the coronavirus pandemic. If you are currently looking for work, there are businesses still hiring in our region. If you are a business looking to hire workers during the coronavirus pandemic and would like to be added to this list, email news@fox21online.com with the…
SUPERIOR, Wis.- As more families deal with life stuck at home, video game stores have seen sales go up. But after Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers’s safer-at-home order, they hope those sales continue online. Last week the owners of Games Then and Now on Tower Avenue said they saw a huge jump in people buying games. It’s not just kids buying…
DULUTH, Minn.- As SuperOne grocery stores across the Northland remain packed with people shopping for essentials, the store has installed acrylic barriers at cashier stations to limit the spread of Coronavirus. At the end of Tuesday, the new barriers were outfitted at all 41 grocery and liquor store locations across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Products scan and carts screech by…
SUPERIOR, Wis. (AP) – Husky Energy has suspended rebuilding its oil refinery in Superior that was damaged by an explosion two years ago because of the coronavirus outbreak. A spokeswoman for the Alberta, Canada-based company said Tuesday that Husky has “begun a systematic and orderly suspension of major construction activities related to the Superior rebuild project.” The fire and explosion…
DULUTH, Minn. – Councilors took action Monday to help ease extra anxiety on grocery store workers during the COVID-19 outbreak by postponing the implementation of the 5-cent plastic bag fee. Councilors voted unanimously to wait until January of 2021 to enforce the new law that will charge customers 5 cents for each plastic bag used. Councilor Barb Russ was absent…
DULUTH, Minn.- With colleges and universities across the Northland moving all classes online for the rest of the year and asking students to leave dorms, many are heading to their nearest U-Hauls to pack up and head home. The only truck that Complete Auto Repair Service (CARS) has left is a cardboard model that sits on their front desk. Their…
(Glen Stubbe/Star Tribune via AP)ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed a series of executive orders Monday to help curb COVID-19’s spread through the state and mitigate its effects on the economy. One of those orders authorized the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) to create a small business emergency loan program for those who have…
DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Louis County Board approved multiple measures on Monday to help combat the spread of coronavirus. This includes a resolution that will transfer $1 million from the emergency administration fund to support efforts to fight the spread of the virus. The money will allow government organizations to have cash on hand in case of emergencies. It…
SUPERIOR, Wis.- A popular Pizza place in Superior is making the most of having to close their business to dine-in customers. Pizza Man on Tower Avenue is using their time closed to remodel their dining area, allowing for more seating. The owner said some of his employees are helping out with the renovations, and he’s trying his best to keep…
SUPERIOR, Wis.- Superior Family Restaurant, who started offering free meals to those in need last week, just received some help form other community organizations. Enbridge has paid for 300 meals to be given out. The Restaurant also received a $100 donation from an anonymous donor. In a Facebook post the Restaurant said the donations will help ensure they are able…
SUPERIOR, Wis.- Wisconsin has just gone through their first weekend with bars, restaurants and other public gathering places closed indefinitely by Governor Tony Evers. This pushes more customers to businesses considered essential, such as grocery and liquor stores. “We can’t complain here, yeah,” said Belknap Liquor and Lounge owner Alan Jaques. “There’s a lot of other people that have it…
DULUTH, Minn. — Fitness and wellness businesses in Duluth are fighting to keep revenue going as they have had to shut their doors to clients amid the coronavirus pandemic. Two of the businesses we spoke with are Movo Studio and Runa Yoga. Jessica Rossing, owner of Movo Studio, opened her business in its new home on East First Street just…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced Saturday that small businesses in the state are now eligible for disaster assistance through the Small Business Administration (SBA) for economic injury during the COVID-19 pandemic. “COVID-19 is placing significant economic strains and unforeseen hardships on our business community,” said Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Steve Grove. “The Governor’s…
DULUTH, Minn – One Duluth company is taking measured steps towards combating COVID-19. GeaCom produced a medical device called Phrazer-Kitsune. The device matches the language, culture and literacy levels of the patient to a virtual person who helps guide the patient through a series of medical-related questions. The device helps medical staff avoid exposure to contagious situations and creates a…
DULUTH, Minn. – Staff members at Ursa Minor Brewing in Duluth’s Lincoln Park Craft Distract are doing their part to practice social distancing, while also keeping the lights on inside the facility. The brewery is offering a new beer delivery service as of Thursday, March 19. A valid ID is required at the time of delivery that must match the…
DULUTH, Minn. – Even during this uncertain time, businesses are helping out the community. Culver’s locations in Duluth, Two Harbors, Ashland and Superior are providing value baskets free of charge to health care workers. This includes a choice of a free entree with fries and a beverage. All those who qualify have to do is show their ID badge at…
DULUTH, Minn. – Ruby’s Pantry is not stopping its food distribution on Thursday at Duluth’s Coppertop Church, but the way it’s being handed out is much different. Normally people are welcomed into the church basement where they can select their food. For this month, Ruby’s will be operating outside the church in the parking lot with drive-thru service. Cars will…
SUPERIOR, Wis.- Only one day after Wisconsin Bars and Restaurants were abruptly ordered to close, one restaurant in Superior is offering all they can to those in need. Superior Family Restaurant off Tower Avenue is offering free meals to anyone facing hardship who are figuring out where their next meal is coming from. The offer is not limited to children…
SUPERIOR, Wis.- One of Superior’s busier child care centers reacts to Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers’s decision to scale back staff and amount of children in child care settings. The order dictates that organizations are not allowed to operate with more than 10 staff and 50 kids present. Meanwhile in Minnesota on Tuesday, Governor Tim Walz offered support to child care…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – People are packing local gun stores to stock up on ammunition amid the coronavirus outbreak. In the last couple weeks, handgun ammunition sales have tripled at Superior Shooters Supply on Winter Street. The sales rush started with 9mm rounds and has expanded to all kinds of ammunition store-wide. People have recently started buying up handguns too. Owner…
DULUTH, Minn. – An estimated $4 million has already been lost by the Duluth tourism industry because of canceled sporting events, conferences, and performances. Tourism is the third largest industry in Duluth, so all those cancellations have been devastating to local businesses. Visit Duluth has been limiting its promotions while the shutdowns continue. “We are pulling back on our promotions…
DULUTH, Minn.- Grandma’s Marathon has not decided yet if the race of more than 9,000 runners will be cancelled because of the Coronavirus. Race officials told us they are right now discussing whether they need to cancel or postpone the race in June 19th. As for now, the race is still on. But officials are urging runners and spectators to…
SUPERIOR, Wis.- Wisconsin business owners had just three hours to get ready for a 5 p.m. hard shutdown of bars and restaurants ordered from the very top in Madison. “We all thought it was kind of a short notice, we all probably should’ve got a 24 hours notice,” said Superior Flame Nightclub owner Alvin Berg. “We’re gonna comply and we…
DULUTH, Minn. – As the coronavirus continues to spread, businesses like Yarn Harbor in Duluth are implementing new ways to deliver products to customers. The business has introduced a new curbside pickup. Customers can order and pay ahead of time before picking up their supplies in front of Yarn Harbor. Leadership from the business say this new business model will…
DULUTH, Minn.- Governor Tim Walz has ordered bars and restaurants across Minnesota to temporarily close to customers who dine in, as the number of Coronavirus cases in the state reaches 54–a dramatic jump in just a few days. This follows an increasing number of states across the country closing their bars and restaurants. The San Francisco Bay Area has gone…
ASHLAND, Wis. – “It’s just a nice, warm family run business.” Come April 1, their corner store will be closing. Once customers found out, they came running. “That first I’d say 14 days was like a panic city for everyone to come in and make sure that they were going to get some of our product. So it kind of…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra is canceling programming for the next two weeks. This comes as the CDC recommends all events with more than 50 people be canceled. This means the cancellations of two DSSO concerts — Beethoven Fifth on Mar. 21 and Beethoven Adventure Casual Concert on Mar. 22. DSSO officials say it was a difficult…
DULUTH, Minn.- The President of the Duluth Local Restaurant Association is commenting on how some restaurants in the city are coping with the impacts of people taking precautions and staying home because of the Coronavirus. Currently, all bars and restaurants in Illinois, Ohio, California and Massachusetts have been ordered by their Governors to close to slow the community spread of…
DULUTH, Minn. – Even though it’s Eat Downtown Duluth week, restaurants like Zeitgeist have seen a decline as the week has gone on with growing concerns over the coronavirus. Because of this, management has installed more protocols to ensure the health of both staff and customers. “We have some additional hand sanitizer and Lysol wipes around so that people can…
DULUTH, Minn. — Conventions at the DECC are beginning to cancel because of coronavirus fears. And if business continues to drop out, the DECC could shut down for some time. “It’s possible that we would shut down, definitely. It depends on how long this goes. We have things we can do in the building to keep us busy. We have…
DULUTH, Minn. — The city of Duluth’s largest union – AFSCME Council 5 — is calling on Mayor Emily Larson’s administration to reverse its decision to cut two maintenance worker positions. And the union is asking for residents of Duluth for support because it says the city is not respecting public workers and access to critical services that the community…
DULUTH, Minn. – Christian Fraser and Kelly McMohon are both avid outdoorsmen. And in a quiet woodland neighborhood, they began making their passion come to life. “Making leashes on our own time. So however you prefer to do that. I’ve done quiet a bit down here when I’m trying to get something done quickly or experimenting with dog toys and…
DULUTH, Minn.- A big portion of a retaining wall collapsed at a busy Duluth McDonald’s. It happened around 5:30 Tuesday evening at the McDonald’s on the corner of 21st Avenue East and London Road. The railing detached from the parking lot, and chunks of the wall fell down below along the road. City officials told FOX 21 that contractors were…
DULUTH, Minn.- Organizations from across the Northland learned ways to make their social media accounts more accessible to people with disabilities. The Great Lakes Aquarium in Duluth was one of those organizations. The workshop was held there by Minnesota Access Alliance–a non-profit with a mission to raise the bar for accessibility in the state. Today’s event focused on the use…
DULUTH, Minn. – March 9 – 14 is a special week for Northlanders looking to try out local restaurants in downtown Duluth. Spring Eat Downtown Week offers the opportunity to enjoy special multi–course meals from fifteen local restaurants. Lunch specials are all $10, and dinner specials are $25. Event organizers say it’s a special chance to taste some new menu…
DULUTH, Minn.- A new short-term stay hotel could be coming to Duluth’s East Hillside Neighborhood. Developer Nick Christensen wants to convert the old commercial building at 808 Second Street into a 6-unit hotel for students, hospital employees, and construction workers to stay in, while they find a place to live nearby. “People will come form out of area to do…
SUPERIOR, Wisc. — In this weeks Active Adventures Fox 21’s Brittney Merlot heads to a YMCA class with the SilverSneakers! This a group of 65+ year olds working out together to keep their bodies healthy. They focus on stretching, warm ups, exercises, a yoga cool down and more! Increasing flexibility and helping with balance to prevent falls, the class builds…
DULUTH, Minn. — In this weeks Cooking Connection Fox 21’s Brittney Merlot headed over to the brand new pizza place in town, LULU’S PIZZA! With their grand opening just under their belt and a changing menu to feed Duluthian’s needs, they offer a calm and welcoming environment when you walk through the door. Delivery will soon be offered to businesses,…
SUPERIOR, Wis.- A Twin Ports CBD Store is growing its business model by making their own product mostly in-house. Sutherland CBD is a family-run business that includes Superior City Councilor Craig Sutherland. The business is now getting its crude oil from cannabis directly form a farmer in Bloomer, Wisconsin. It’s then dissolved in organic Coconut Oil in a certified kitchen…
MELLEN, Wis. – Enbridge is rerouting part if its Line 5 pipeline around the Bad River Reservation. Line 5 is now designed to pass through Mellen, Wisconsin. On March 3rd, a deal was finalized between the city of Mellen and Enbridge allowing the pipeline to be built underneath a piece of land just north of the city. Enbridge presented a…
