Business

Lester River Sawmill Changes Ownership After 42 Years

The Lester River Sawmill in Rice Lake Township has been a long supplier of locally harvested timber products for Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin.

RICE LAKE TOWNSHIP, Minn.–A locally owned sawmill, that’s been around since 1980, has changed ownership and there’s plans to expand it’s product. The Lester River Sawmill in Rice Lake Township has been a long supplier of locally harvested timber products for Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin. New owner Will Feyder has a background in mechanical engineering. He’s keeping the operational side…

Downtown Duluth: Small Business Saturday Specials

DULUTH, Minn. — If you plan on participating in Small Business Saturday on November 26, Downtown Duluth released a list of member businesses who are participating. A Place for Fido: 10am to 9pm, Raffle entry with purchase Bookstore at Fitger’s: 10am to 9pm, 3 Book signings, Grand Prize drawing Canal Park Gifts: 10am to 5pm, Holiday treats and 15% off select…

Thanksgiving 2022: What’s Closed, What’s Open And Where To Dine

(FOX 9) — For years, major retailers like Walmart and Target opened their doors on Thanksgiving, giving shoppers a head start on Black Friday madness or a place to buy last-minute items for the dinner table. The pandemic has led to a change in that trend. In 2020, companies announced they were closing their stores on Thanksgiving to give overworked retail workers some much-needed rest….

Knowing Your Neighbors: Casino Pizza & Subs Shop Under New Ownership

CLOQUET, Minn. – “Casino Pizza is about reaching the community, giving them what they had before, but improving it,” said Casino Pizza & Subs Shop Co-Owner, Tyrell Beckom. The Casino Pizza and Subs Shop in Cloquet, an establishment that has been around since 1983, is now under new ownership after business partners Lamont Hines and Tyrell Beckom took it over…

Taylor Swift Tickets Breakdown Probed By Attorneys General

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The breakdown in Ticketmaster’s sales of Taylor Swift tickets is a mess some attorneys general aren’t shaking off. With fans sharing outrage and heartache over the fruitless hours they spent trying for seats for Swift’s upcoming concert tour, top legal chiefs in Nevada, Tennessee and Pennsylvania have launched investigations into the fiasco. “Trouble, trouble, trouble,” tweeted Pennsylvania Attorney…

Superior’s Jamrock Cultural Restaurant To Relocate In Duluth

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Jamrock Cultural Restaurant has announced it’s leaving Superior to reopen a bigger location in Duluth. Owner Antonio O’Neil made the announced late Friday on the restaurant’s Facebook page. O’Neil said he is more than appreciative of Superior’s support to help get his business up and running, but that the success simply grew out of the space he…

The Social House Doubling In Size With Second Location In Canal Park

DULUTH, Minn. — After 3 years of being in Hermantown, The Social House restaurant is doubling in size with a second location in Canal Park. The breakfast restaurant is taking over the old Famous Dave’s location after those owners moved from Canal Park to Hermantown. The Social House’s new restaurant will have the same hours as the original and same…

Indigenous Business Event Draws Protest From Water Protectors Group

DULUTH, Minn. — About a dozen protesters were near Pier B on Tuesday evening, rallying against the Minnesota Tribal Contractors Council that was holding its yearly fall networking dinner inside the hotel. The event brought together indigenous and non-indigenous business leaders to connect and talk about the trades industry. The conflict on Tuesday was over the protesters wanting indigenous workers…

Walmart Offers To Pay $3.1 Billion To Settle Opioid Lawsuits

(AP) — Walmart proposed a $3.1 billion legal settlement on Tuesday over the toll of powerful prescription opioids sold at its pharmacies, becoming the latest major drug industry player to promise major support to state, local and tribal governments still grappling with a crisis in overdose deaths. The retail giant’s announcement follows similar proposals on Nov. 2 from the two…

‘BRUCE IS BACK!’: Black Woods Replaces Its Mascot; Original Head Still Missing

DULUTH, Minn. – Black Woods Grill and Bar in Duluth has its beloved mascot, Bruce, back in the lobby welcoming guests once again – but it’s not the original, which has been around since Black Woods opened in 1997. The new Bruce is a replacement after the head of the original was stolen from the lobby just before Halloween.  Black…

3 Furniture Stores Celebrate Being Under One Roof With Ribbon Cutting

DULUTH, Minn. — A ribbon cutting was held on Wednesday to celebrate 3 furniture stores all being under one roof. Furniture Mart, Ashley Furniture, and Ashley Outlet all took over the former Shopko near the Miller Hill Mall in Duluth. Customers are able to walk through each store in the 120,000 square foot location. Management says they had a soft…

Vitta Pizza Close To Opening Second Duluth Location

Newly hired pizza makers have been busy getting trained at the Central Entrance location.

DULUTH, Minn.–Vitta Pizza’s second location in Duluth is getting ready to start cooking wood-fired pies in the next week or two. Newly hired pizza makers have been busy getting trained at the Central Entrance location. The doors even opened for a few hours Tuesday so employees could get a test run with real customers while trying out a new drive-though…

USPS Hiring Postal Service Workers for Holiday Season

The Duluth Post Office Held a Job Fair Friday

DULUTH, Minn.–If you’re looking for some extra cash this holiday season, the Postal Service is hiring. Friday a job fair was held looking for eligible applicants to join the USPS team for the upcoming busy couple of months ahead. The Postal Service wants to be as prepared as possible for the demands of online shopping and gift giving. Those attending…

City and Ecolibrium3 Promote “GetGreen” App To Duluth Residents

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth has become a pilot city to test out an app called “GetGreen” that encourages residents to make choices with the climate in mind. “GetGreen” is a startup that’s based in Seattle, but the smartphone app was tailored to Duluth residents by local nonprofit Ecolibrium3. The app encourages users to make small changes to reduce their carbon…

Renovations Complete to St. Luke’s Rejuvenation Center

A ribbon cutting is held for St. Luke’s Rejuvenation Center remodel on October 24, 2022.DULUTH, Minn. – St. Luke’s recently celebrated the new home of their Rejuvenation Center. A ribbon cutting was held Monday, October 24, 2022 at their location inside their Medical Office Pavilion. The $140,000 remodel allows the center to expand its offerings. Services provided include aesthetic procedures,…

Solar Plant in Mountain Iron Expanding

MOUNTAIN IRON, Minn.–I started just 13 months ago, and on Thursday people gathered on the Iron Range to celebrate it’s finish. The Heliene Solar Plant in Mountain Iron was unveiled today with a ribbon-cutting. The newly expanded plant will manufacture solar panels in a facility described as the newest and most automated in the country. It’s named after a long-time…

Salvation Army Thrift Store in Superior Hoping to Avoid Closure

With donations rolling in by the truckload, and only three employees, the store needs more volunteers to help put things on the shelf. 

SUPERIOR, Wisc.–A thrift store in Superior, Wisconsin may have to close it’s doors for good, simply due to a need for more customers and volunteers. The Salvation Army Thrift Store is located on Belknap St. in the heart of Superior. Staff tell us they have a consistent clientele of older adults that come in, but they’re really aiming to target…

4 Buildings Could See Future Redevelopment In Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — Four buildings in Downtown Duluth have been targeted to be a future redevelopment site, including one damaged by a fire last month. The Duluth Economic Development Authority passed a resolution this week to declare the buildings on the 500 block of East Fourth Street, “Structurally Substandard.” That includes Lake Superior Medical Equipment, which had a fire inside…

US Economy Returned To Growth Last Quarter, Expanding 2.6%

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. economy grew at a 2.6% annual rate from July through September, snapping two straight quarters of contraction and overcoming high inflation and interest rates just as voting begins in midterm elections in which the economy’s health has emerged as a paramount issue. Thursday’s better-than-expected estimate from the Commerce Department showed that the nation’s gross domestic product —…

City: Reconfigured Parks Fund Referendum Critical, Equals $94 Annually For $200K Home

The Parks Fund levy referendum would replace the current levy from 2012 and will be voted on at the ballot Nov. 8.

DULUTH, Minn. – The November 8th election is just around the corner, and Duluth residents will be voting on whether to approve a new Parks Fund levy that would replace the current levy that took effect in 2012. Jim Filby Williams, the city’s Property, Parks and Libraries director, told FOX 21’s Dan Hanger Wednesday that many of Duluth’s 120 invested…

Turkeys Out, Hams In For CSS Thanksgiving Buffet At DECC

Supply chain issues are to blame for sidelining the turkeys.

DULUTH, Minn. — Imagine Thanksgiving without a turkey and only ham. Well, that is the reality for this year’s Thanksgiving Day Buffet at the DECC. Organizers say supply chain issues are to blame for pushing the birds to the curb. The traditional turkey buffet has been put on by the College of St. Scholastica for more than 30 years, serving…

Update: UMD Teamsters Workers Reach Tentative Deal Before Planned Strike

(10/22/22) Update:  University of Minnesota workers with Teamsters Local 320 have reached a tentative deal, which avoids a strike planned for next week, according to the union. The three-year agreement was made early Saturday morning at the negotiating table. “Next week’s strike has been called off, and the agreement will be voted on by the membership. More details will be…

St. Louis Co. Plow Drivers Among Teamsters Workers Moving Closer To Strike

Teamster Local 320 represents 165 county public works employees.

DULUTH, Minn. — St. Louis County Public Works employees with Teamsters Local 320 are not seeing eye-to-eye with the county involving a new three-year contract, and that means a strike could happen again in the heart of the upcoming winter plowing season. “As it stands right now, we’re poised to if we have to hit the streets again in January….

Plans in the Works for Former Bagley Building Downtown

DULUTH, Minn.–The new owner of the former Bagley Jewelry building in downtown Duluth gave us a tour today of the historic property and an update on what’s moving inside. Maria McKechnie is the new owner of the building. She’ll be moving her current business, Northland Special Events, inside of the Bagley Building after housing her business across the street for…

Lake Superior Art Glass Halloween Events

DULUTH, Minn. – Lake Superior Art Glass is celebrating the Halloween season with several festive events. At the shop in Canal Park, they are offering ‘Design Your Own Pumpkin’ and on October 29th will be putting on the third annual Great Pumpkin Hunt. 10 custom glass pumpkins will be placed around the city in historic places and clues will be…

Mascot Bruce’s Head Stolen From Black Woods Restaurant; ‘He’s Been Kind Of An Icon For Us’

Bruce has been greeting guests at the London Road location since it opened in 1997.

DULUTH, Minn. — Halloween is just around the corner, but tricks are already happening — and not in a fun way for the staff and customers at Black Woods in Duluth. The restaurant’s beloved mascot has been beheaded. His name is Bruce, and he’s been in the lobby of Black Woods on London Road for the past 25 years when…

Mesabi Metallics Says Its Paid Late Taxes To Nashwauk And Itasca County

NASHWAUK, Minn. — Mesabi Metallics says it’s paid off its tax debt to Itasca County and the city of Nashwauk. The company says it also paid the penalties for the overdue taxes and paid its property taxes due this month “in advance.” In July, city and county leaders held a news conference airing their frustrations that they had to publicly…

Fitger’s Gets Decked Out In Halloween, Plans End-Of-Month Party

DULUTH, Minn. — With Halloween right around the corner,  Fitger’s is getting into the spirit with decorations all throughout the property. It’s an annual tradition for Fitger’s, and they say the collection of spooky decor grows every year. The shops, brewhouse, hotel, and a haunted fake “daycare” are decked out with ghosts, goblins, skeletons and more. Even leaving the parking…

Labor, Supply Shortages Postpone 2022 Taste At Fitger’s

DULUTH, Minn. – The labor and supply shortages that don’t seem to be going away anytime soon have forced next week’s Taste at Fitger’s fundraiser to be postponed. Organizers said too many local restaurants that make the event possible are continuing to struggle, especially with staffing. All purchased tickets will be refunded. The plan now is to try the event…

Busy Pumpkin Stands

DULUTH, Minn. – With Halloween coming up at the end of the month, pumpkin stands around the Northland are seeing a rise in demand. DC’s Best Produce has been around for nearly 30 years, and currently hosts 30 acres of pumpkins and 5 acres of squash. One needs all that space with over 30 variations of pumpkins and 10 variations…

Sara’s Table Chester Creek Cafe Celebrates 20th Anniversary

DULUTH, Minn.–Sara’s Table Chester Creek Cafe celebrated 20 years in business with a ribbon cutting and open house Friday. The business originated in a coffee house and feminist bookstore on Superior Street with two microwaves and two crockpots. Friday’s event included appetizers and a preview of an upcoming cookbook that will include recipes, stories from over the years, and various…

Retail Sales Flat In September As Inflation Takes A Bite

NEW YORK (AP) — The pace of sales at U.S. retailers was unchanged in September from August as rising prices for rent and food chipped away at money available for other things. Retail sales were flat last month, down from a revised. 0.4% growth in August, the Commerce Department reported Friday. Retail sales fell 0.4% in July. Excluding sales of…

Maurices Associates Spend Day Supporting Organizations That Help Children In Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — More than 350 maurices associates are visiting the corporate office in Duluth this week to connect with the company and also give back to the community. Formerly known as “The Best Day Ever,” maurices is now calling the community service day the “Difference Making” event, held between the training and bonding experiences the company has put on…

Duluth Parking Meter Rate Hike Hits Duluth’s Medical Dist. Months Late, Concerns St. Luke’s

St. Luke's calls the increase a "significant financial burden on our staff."

DULUTH, Minn. — St. Luke’s spoke out Tuesday about a recent rate increase to about 400 parking meters within the Medical District in downtown Duluth. But city officials told FOX 21’s Dan Hanger, the increase was actually supposed to happen months ago in January when a city wide increase took effect after 13 years of that rate standing still. A…