Business

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….

Feb. 1, 2018: Historic NorShor Theatre Reopens With ‘Mamma Mia!’

DULUTH, Minn. – Tuesday marked the historic NorShor Theatre’s five-year anniversary since its $30 million re-opening in downtown Duluth. Opening night was Feb. 1, 2018 with the popular musical “Mamma Mia!” It was a special moment after 19 months of construction and renovations. The NorShor first opened as the Orpheum Theatre in 1910. The building ran into trouble in the…

EMTs Meet in Duluth

Duluth, Minn. — Emergency Medical personnel, fire fighters and law enforcement professionals are meeting in Duluth. Attendees come from throughout the state and Wisconsin to learn more about new and different ways to deal with traumatic events. The job can be stressful, sometimes very stressful, but there ae many people who want to get into the field, generally known as…

Knowing Your Neighbors: Clyde Brewing

DULUTH, Minn. – “People have been asking, “When’s the beer going to come? When’s the beer going to come?” for the last almost two years. So, the day is finally here,” Clyde Brewing Head Brewer, Dale Kleinschmidt says. Clyde Brewing officially opened its taps on January 16th in the Clyde building in Lincoln Park. The kick-off had taste testings of…

Question To Duluth City Councilors: Are You Running For Mayor?

DULUTH, Minn. – As a third candidate says he’s running for Duluth’s next mayor, FOX 21 is confirming if anyone on the Duluth city council – current and former – is up for the challenge. Over the past week, we’ve heard back from all but one city councilor on whether they are running or thinking of running for mayor this…

Simply Ballroom Hosts Art Showing

DULUTH, Minn.– Simply Ballroom in Lincoln Park hosted their first art showing of the year. Since the opening of the dance studio in October, every month they welcome artists from across the Northland to display their art. This month featured artists are from Duluth’s TBI Residential and Community Services, created by people suffering from traumatic brain injuries. The art gallery…

Ciders Highlighted in DECC Event

Duluth, Minn. –It was a first in Duluth,the Cider North event at the DECC, featured ciders from around the area and around the state. So what is cider, it’s not beer and it’s not wine? So cider making is wine making,” said Jason Dayton the co-founder of MN Cider and V.P. of MN Cider Guild said, ”We’re actually all bonded…

DEDA Denies Duluth Business Owner’s Proposal To Redevelop Former Kozy Building

DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth business owner has been shot down with his proposal to restore and develop the condemned former Kozy building in downtown Duluth, also known as the historic Pastoret Terrace. The city of Duluth issued a press release Friday about the decision: “The Duluth Economic Development Authority (DEDA) has declined a recently submitted proposal in response to…

Janet Kennedy Becomes Duluth Council’s First Black President

DULUTH, Minn. – Councilor Janet Kennedy is making history as the first Black president of the city council. It was a unanimous vote by the council to elect Kennedy for the top spot. She replaces Arik Forsman, who remains on the council. “This is an historic time for all Duluthians and this election lifts up the voices of our African…

All Aboard! North Shore Scenic Railroad Opens Summer Ticket Season For Excursions

DULUTH, Minn. — Believe it or not, the North Shore Scenic Railroad is already thinking summer and fall excursions. Tickets went on sale Monday at DuluthTrains.com and at the Depot ticket office. Train lovers can now reserve a spot for dinner trains, dome car rides and the Pizza Party Express. And in the coming weeks, tickets will open up for…

New Brewery Opens At Clyde Iron Works

Clyde Brewing features 6 different traditional beers and a non-alcoholic root beer.

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth’s Clyde Iron Works is celebrating a big expansion into the brewing business. Clyde Brewing is located in the Clyde building in Lincoln Park. Monday, the kick-off had taste testings of their 6 new brews, plus a root beer for those not wanting alcohol. All of the traditional style beers are dedicated to the manufacturing history of…

Restaurants After Covid

Duluth, Minn. — There are still many companies an businesses that are still looking to fully recover from the Covid Pandemic and the crushing impact it had on businesses. Restaurants are finally beginning to see more and more customers come back in. They are wanting to visit friends and family while enjoying a meal together. Two local restaurants, New London…

Roger Reinert Launches Campaign For Duluth Mayor

Announcement means incumbent Larson will face a challenger

DULUTH, Minn. — Roger Reinert made it official Thursday morning in Duluth. He is running for Mayor. FOX 21’s Dan Hanger first reported the news Wednesday, and today Reinert appeared with supporters to say he would campaign under the slogan, “Expect More-Do Better.” The announcement ended any chance that Mayor Emily Larson will run unopposed this November. Reinert made his…

What’s in Store for Cirrus Aircraft?

DULUTH, Minn. — Less than four months ago Cirrus Aircraft announced that it’s refurbishing a 189,000 square foot building north of the airport to be its Innovation Center. Innovations to the company’s planes have been an integral part of the company’s growth and its future. At this afternoon’s Duluth Chamber of Commerce’s Let’s Do Lunch event, Cirrus Aircrafts president Patrick…

Great Lakes Aquarium Sets New Attendance Record

DULUTH, Minn.– For the past few years, the Great Lakes Aquarium in Duluth has had a goal of boosting its attendance to break the 200-thousand visitor mark. The organization  just announced that it surpassed that goal in 2022, welcoming  206-thousandvisitors through its doors. The executive director of the aquarium is Jay Walker., says he’s been working at the aquarium since…