Business

County Auditor’s Service Center Reopening At Miller Hill Mall After Roof Collapse

DULUTH, Minn. — The St. Louis County Auditor’s Service Center will fully reopen Friday in its usual location at the Miller Hill Mall following a major roof collapse in a section of the mall more than a week ago. All service center operations were temporarily moved to the Courthouse in Duluth March 15. The Service Center is located on the…

Full Transcript: Mayor Emily Larson’s State Of The City Address

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Mayor Emily Larson held her State of the City Address Wednesday evening at The West Theatre.  Click here for the complete transcript from that speech. The mayor covered a broad range of topics which she believes need to be addressed. Larson has served as Duluth’s mayor for the past seven years. She’s running for another term,…

Mentorship Program Fundraiser Kicks Off At Hoops Brewing

DULUTH, Minn. — Mentor North kicked off a month-long fundraising drive at Hoops Brewing Monday night. The nonprofit matches kids and teens with adult mentors who inspire creativity and learning. Throughout the next month, Hoops Brewing is hosting a variety of events, closing with a comedy show. One of the leaders of the organization explained how role models who take…

Mall Businesses and Employees Feeling Economic Impact of Roof Collapse

DULUTH, Minn — Ever since the roof collapse at the Miller Hill Mall last Tuesday, dozens of businesses ranging from local stores to chain stores to Essentia have been waiting for the go to reopen their doors.  While some have been given the green light, others remain closed as workers continue to repair the damage and ensure the structural integrity…

UMD Study Shows Positive Impact of Film Industry on Local Economy and Future Potential through Investment

DULUTH, Minn — The film and content industry in St. Louis County is booming. That’s according to a recent study done by UMD, published earlier this month. They found that in 2022, the film industry created 106 jobs with a total economic impact of $6.9 million. With a larger investment into the industry, the study projected over 200 jobs could…

Miller Hill Mall Management Informs Tenants Of Phased Reopening After Roof Collapse

DULUTH, Minn. —  Management for the Miller Hill Mall sent the following email to its tenants late Sunday evening about the phased reopening of the mall property after a partial roof collapse last Tuesday shut the mall down. Thank you for your continued patience as we work to safely reopen the Miller Hill Mall. We are returning leased premises to…

New Video, Pictures Inside Miller Hill Mall Roof Collapse

The mall remained closed Thursday for the third day since the collapse

DULUTH, Minn. – Thursday marked Day 3 of clean-up and repair efforts after a major roof collapse at the Miller Hill Mall. Crews were again on scene Thursday working to remove a lot of snow off that roof. FOX 21 observed snow removal beyond the area of the collapse near the Applebee’s entrance. A crane was also removing snow above…

Snow-Heavy Roof Concerns Evacuate Michaels Store, County Building In Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — More snow, more problems Thursday with at least two more structures in Duluth dealing with roofing issues just days after the Miller Hill Mall’s roof collapsed. Michaels, and arts and craft store, is the latest Duluth business to temporarily close because of roof damage from heavy wet snow. St. Louis County Public Works maintenance facility Construction crews…

Dubh Linn Brew Pub St. Patrick’s Day Preps

DULUTH, Minn. – Are you still making St. Patrick’s Day plans? Look no further than your local Dubh Linns Brew Pub. Starting at 11am the doors will be open for a full day of family friendly fun, this will include games, contests, and even Ceili dance lessons. Enjoy an array of authentic Irish meals with live music including a group…

Bridgeman’s Restaurant Offering St. Patrick’s Day Themed Menu Items

DULUTH, Minn. — Bridgeman’s restaurant in Duluth is looking green for St. Patrick’s Day on Friday. They’re offering festive items on their menu with the main course offered all day Friday being the corned beef and cabbage dinner. It comes with slow roasted corned beef, roasted veggies, bread, and a creamy mustard sauce. But at Bridgeman’s the mega malts are…

Students, Potential Employers Converge At Spring Career Fair

The Northeast Minnesota Office of Job Training hosted dozens of businesses at a career fair Tuesday. The primary focus was to highlight careers that are accessible with general education and also provide a ladder of opportunities. The event was held at Black Bear Casino. Employers ranged in fields like human services, business and natural resources. Rowdy Egger, a senior at…

‘Central Pub’ Opens In Downtown Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. – A new pub with a familiar flavor opened its doors in Superior Tuesday. Central Pub, located on the southwest corner of the Central Flats apartment building on Belknap Street, has been in the works for about a year and a half. The owners are the same people who ran Tavern 105 in Superior before its doors were…

FOX 21 Participates In ‘Hunger Bowl Twin Ports’ Bowling Tourney

FOX 21 was once again representing at this year’s Hunger Bowl Twin Ports bowling tournament. The event raised money for Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank. FOX 21’s Dan Hanger, Rusty Mehlberg and Ken Slama greased up their bowling shoes for the cause.  News Director Steve Goodspeed cheered them on. The tournament was held a Superior Lanes in Superior. For…

Wild State Cider Quadrupling Production Capacity

DULUTH, Minn. — Wild State Cider in Duluth is quadrupling its production capacity thanks to the demand for its products rising. Wild State Cider, located in the Lincoln Park Craft District has been in business for almost 4 years now. And with the success of the business, it has quickly outgrown its 10,000 square foot taproom space. Wild State expanded…

Maple School Board Reverses Decision To Consolidate 2nd Grade Classes

There’s some good news for parents within the Maple School District as that district faces a nearly $600,000 deficit next school year. Supt. Sara Cronley said Thursday the school board has decided to not relocate Iron River Elementary School’s second-grade class to Northwestern Elementary School’s second-grade class. This comes after parents expressed serious concerns to the board — from students…

Two Lumber Yards In Grand Marais Merge Into One

GRAND MARAIS, Minn. — Two lumber yards in Grand Marais are now merging into one. According to a press release from a Cook County Home Center representative, Sawtooth Lumber Inc will become the Westside branch of the Home Center located just east of Grand Marais. The representative says this will provide customers who go to both businesses with more inventory…

Knowing Your Neighbors: Exploratorium in the Works

HIBBING, Minn. – “Anything that you could possibly imagine of why or how, we like to explore. The world is an endless supply of curiosity,” Electrified Imagination Co-Founder, Steven Sanders says. Why is the sky blue and the grass green? Why do lizards crawl and birds sing? Entrepreneurs in Hibbing are laying the groundwork to find all the answers of…

Design Your Own Pint Glass

DULUTH, Minn. – For the month of March, Lake Superior Art Glass is collaborating with Ursa Minor Brewing to put on a ‘Design Your Own Pint’ event. Each month, the glass blowing business switches up what kind of creations customers can make. You can choose from a variety of colors and designs to customize your pint, then a professional glass…

Parents Express Concern Over Superior School Dist. Consolidation Plan

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Some concerned parents in Superior spoke up at Monday night’s school board meeting about the district’s plans to possibly consolidate its elementary schools from six to five. A half-dozen parents took to the podium to speak against closing either Lake Superior or Four Corners elementary schools. They said they want more information about the financial benefit of…

New Video Production Studio Open In Hibbing

HIBBING, Minn. — A new video production studio is now open in Hibbing. Leedrick Studios helps bring their customers ideas to life by providing the latest technology and resources to make videos. The female and veteran owned business puts together all kinds of work from educational and explainer videos to general commercials. The studio is available for rent and includes…

Tourism in Minnesota Coming Back

Duluth, Minn — After taking a step back for a couple of years, the tourism industry is starting to rebound again. In 2022, Minnesota had over 77 million people visit the state, bringing in over 13 billion dollars to the economy.  To keep the tourism momentum going, governor Walz recommended increase covers all industries including the outdoors, parks, attractions, and…

Singing With The Stars: Ness, Hanger Are Nervous But Excited

DULUTH, Minn. — FOX 21’s Dan Hanger and former Duluth Mayor Don Ness discussed their nerves Thursday night about the Duluth Playhouses’ ‘Singing With The Stars’ event happening Friday night at the NorShor Theatre. Needless to say, they are both nervous but excited to help raise money for the Playhouse.  Click the video for a listen. For tickets, click here. …

Northern Waters Smokehaus To Move Into Former Amazing Grace Café Space

DULUTH, Minn. – Northern Waters Smokehaus announced Tuesday it will be moving the business within the DeWitt-Seitz building and into the former Amazing Grace Café location. This announcement comes just one day after Amazing Grace closed its doors after nearly 30 years.  The decision to close, according to the owner Connor Riley, was very difficult to make but the right…

Burger Paradox Coming to Lincoln Park

DULUTH, Minn. – The owners of the Lincoln Park businesses Duluth Grill, Corktown, OMC Smokehouse and more are set to open a new restaurant in the neighborhood. Burger Paradox is what they are calling it, and it will be where the Coach’s Bar and Grill had been on West Superior Street. The name Burger Paradox stems from their concept of…

Cirrus Releases Statement About Plane Crash That Killed Company’s Longtime Engineer

Courtesy: Cirrus DULUTH, Minn. —  Cirrus Aircraft released a statement to FOX 21 Monday involving the death of their longtime employee, David Rathbun, who died in a plane accident Friday in Duluth’s St. Louis River. Courtesy: Daniel Rathbun “Dave Rathbun, Vision Jet Chief Engineer, was involved in a fatal aircraft accident while on a personal flight Friday afternoon in a…

Future Of Bergquist Imports In Cloquet ‘Uncertain’ After Fire

CLOQUET, Minn. – The future of Bergquist Imports in Cloquet is uncertain after fire ripped through a large portion of the business Wednesday night. While most of the warehouse houses Bergquist Imports, part of the building also housing Erbert and Gerbert’s as a storefront along the 1400 block of Highway 33. Alan Kurtz, owner of the sandwich shop, told FOX…

Parents Speak Out About Maple School Dist. Cuts, 2nd-Grade Changes

MAPLE, Wis. — Concerned parents spoke up Monday about cuts for the Maple School District next school year as it faces a nearly $600,000 deficit. The school board held a special meeting Monday evening about the cuts after approving them Feb. 13. There are more than a half-dozen teacher positions being eliminated. And while the parents FOX 21 spoke to…

Maple School Dist. Plans To Eliminate Teacher Positions Amid $575K Deficit

MAPLE, Wis. – More than a half-dozen teacher positions are planning to be eliminated within the Maple School District next school year because of an anticipated $575,000 deficit, according to Supt. Sara Croney. As of Friday’s announcement, a full-time math teacher, social studies teacher and part-time library aide are being eliminated at the high school. At the middle school a…

Duluth’s Amazing Grace To Host ‘Last Hurrah’ After 27 Years In Business

Amazing Grace Cafe & Grocery, a staple in Canal Park for 27 years, will close the doors for good at the end of February. The decision to close, according to the owner Connor riley, was very difficult to make but the right one after trying to fight through the pandemic and its aftermath. Amazing Grace has been providing locally sourced,…

Bent Paddle Turns Original Tap Room Into THC, CBD ‘Cann-A-Lounge’

DULUTH, Minn. – Gov. Tim Walz declared Feb. 16 Beer Day in Minnesota.  That means breweries in Duluth were celebrating with specials. The Minnesota Craft Brewers Associations said it’s a day to celebrate not just the past of beer in the state, but also how far it has come, and what the future holds. In the past 20-plus years, more…

Superior School Dist. Considers Consolidating Schools

SUPERIOR, Wis. — The Superior School District is beginning discussions to potentially consolidate its elementary schools from six to five. Superintendent Amy Starzecki said a 2022 district study showed the elementary schools are being underutilized — sitting at only 71 percent capacity. So, because of that and a significant budget shortfall coming in 2024, the district believes downsizing into five…

Cohasset Mayor: Loss Of Huber Timber Plant Development ‘Devastating’

DULUTH, Minn. – “Frustrated, disappointed and angry.” Those were the words from Cohasset Mayor Andy MacDonell Thursday after learning plans for a $440 million timber plant have fallen through. Huber Engineered Wood said in a statement the company can’t handle any more delays in getting approved for the new Oriented Strand Board facility. “Due to delays that jeopardize our ability…

Old Town Antiques and Books Reopens

DULUTH, Minn. – Old Town Antiques and Books is back open for business in Duluth after being forced out of their previous location last year. Now located on East 4th Street next to Thrifters, the new space is much smaller than the previous spot on Superior Street, transitioning from 10-thousand square feet to 800. Last year, they were given 45…

Minnesota Sets Goal Of Having 100% Carbon-Free Energy by 2040

Duluth, Minn. — Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed a bill into law on Tuesday that mandates Minnesota’s public power companies become 100% carbon-free by 2040. Power companies and political leaders are not sure how this will be accomplished. What is clear, is that there is a need for many more solar, wind and biomass facilities to be added to replace…

Knowing Your Neighbors: Superior Fun Land

SUPERIOR, Wisc.–Fun Land owners Desiree Hughes and Paul Bothun both grew up in Superior Wisconsin. While living in Minneapolis they visited an indoor play area with their two young daughters, and they knew then what their hometown was missing. “We wanted to bring a little bit of Minneapolis back with us, so we are like, why not an indoor playground….