Business

Duluth Business Owners Helping Each Other

West Duluth Business Club Working to Make Things Happen

A group of Duluth business owners is welcoming new members as it works to help the area prosper. Members of the West Duluth Business Club gather the second Wednesday of every month at Mr. D’s. Wednesday was no exception. There is usually a guest speaker, and this month it was Amber Burns with the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation. One…

Erbert & Gerbert’s Reopens After Berquist Imports Fire In Cloquet

CLOQUET, Minn. — After fire ripped through Berquist Imports in Cloquet in February, it’s neighboring business Erbert & Gerbert’s is now reopen. The owner of the sandwich shop tells Fox 21 suffered extensive smoke and inventory damage from the nearby fire worth $40,000, but everything is back now. Meanwhile Berquist’s remains heavily damaged. A new post on its website says…

Two More Candidates Announce Run For Duluth City Council

DULUTH, Minn. — Two more people have announced they’re running for Duluth City Council seats. Wendy Durrwachter is running for Dist. 1. She says she will “focus on doing the work to ensure Duluth stays a great place to call home.” Durrwachter was a single mother of two who supported her family mostly as a restaurant server. She’s now a…

Twin Ports Pet Sitters Expanding To Superior

TWIN PORTS — For all the pet lovers out there, a local business is expanding its operations to help take care of even more animals. Twin Ports Pet Sitters is a 9-year-old company providing pet care to animals all around the Duluth area. Now, they’ve expanded their operations to Superior. The company now offers dog walks, cat bonding, and critter…

Discussions Continue Between City, P&R Properties To Keep ‘Lincoln Park Flats’ Fully Residential

DULUTH, Minn. – FOX 21 learned Tuesday that the city of Duluth is continuing discussions with a one-year-old housing development to try to avoid the second floor from converting into boutique hotel units. The development is known as the Lincoln Park Flats on West Superior Street, which is owned by P&R Properties out of Duluth. The city remains firm that…

Protest Over Duluth Apartment Building’s Partial Hotel Changes While Management Gives New Insight

DULUTH, Minn. – People protested Monday outside a one-year-old housing development in Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. The protesters said they don’t want to see one floor of the building converted into boutique hotel units. Lincoln Park Flats on West Superior Street is owned by P&R Properties. Company officials told FOX 21 Monday that turning the second floor into 24 short-term…

Spirit Mountain’s Season Extended To April 8

DULUTH, Minn. — Typically Spirit Mountain closes their operations at the end of March. This year is a little different. Spirit Mountain has extended their season until April 8. This is because the amount of snow we’ve had and temperatures staying lower than usual. There are also other factors they have to keep in mind with crews having to maintain…

Duluth Mayor, CAO Release Statements About ‘Lincoln Park Flats’ Partial Changes To Hotel Units

DULUTH, Minn. –  Duluth Mayor Emily Larson and Chief Administrative Office Noah Schuchman released joint statements late Friday involving a newly built apartment building in Lincoln Park that could potentially be changing a floor to boutique hotel units, which the city said was not what was originally presented for development. Statement from CAO Schuchman: “The City of Duluth and DEDA are…

Gronk’s Friday Fish Fry

SUPERIOR, Wis. – It’s the sixth Friday of lent and local restaurants serving fish frys are staying busy. At Gronk’s in Superior, the fish fry special includes three pieces of fish, with cod or catfish options, homemade tartar sauce, choice of potato, and a side of coleslaw. Staff there say it’s been a busy season so far with both snowmobilers…

Northern Lights Express Funding Closer Than Ever At MN Capitol

DULUTH, Minn. — The idea of a passenger rail service from the Twin Ports to Minneapolis has gained its best steam yet at the Minnesota Capitol. On Wednesday, the House Transportation Committee set aside full funding for the Northern Lights Express in its omnibus bill. The amount is $194,300,000, which is the state’s 20-percent share of the project. The remaining…

Former Duluth Councilor Speaks Out Against ‘Lincoln Park Flats’ Partial Hotel Conversion

DULUTH, MINN. — Former Duluth city councilor Joel Sipress says the news that P&R Properties plans to convert 24 rental units into hotel rooms at Lincoln Park Flats did not please him. “I voted for this with every expectation that what the development agreement called for is what would happen. And I am very disappointed and in fact, appalled that…

USPS Hosting Job Fair At Post Offices In Northwest Wisconsin

NORTHWEST WISCONSIN — The United States Postal Service is holding a job fair next week at 9 of its post offices in Northwest Wisconsin. The event is happening April 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and no appointment is accessary. Ashland, Bayfield, Birchwood, Hayward, Minong, Shell Lake, Solon Springs, Spooner, and winter post offices are all ready to hire….

Maple Syrup Tapping Underway At Longtime Brule River Farm

BRULE, Wis. – The state known for its cheese is moving full swing with another popular food product–maple syrup. FOX 21 photojournalist Nathaniel LeCapitaine takes us to the Brule River Farm where maple tapping is underway as long as temperatures cooperate.     Categories: Business, Community, Environment, News, News – Latest News, Weather in the News, Wisconsin

Vista Fleet Ready To Set Sail For 2023 Season

DULUTH, Minn. — Vista Fleet, a local sightseeing and dinner cruise company in Duluth, is getting ready to set sail for their 2023 season. Crews have been working all winter long to plan their cruises for spring and summer with the season starting May 5. Vista offers regular sightseeing and dining cruises along with ones for special occasions, such as…

Juice Pharm Celebrates 3rd Anniversary

DULUTH, Minn. — A downtown Duluth business celebrated its 3rd anniversary Sunday. The Juice Pharm on 1st Street threw a party for the occasion, and everyone was welcome. The band, “Multigrade” played some tunes, while guests could grab a birthday cake smoothie from the Juice Pharm and so some shopping with the local vendors who stopped by. The Juice Pharm…

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…