Business

New Self Pour Bar to Open in Superior

Staff say they are excited to bring this experience to the city of Superior.

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – A new self-pour bar will soon be open in Superior. Owners of the Duluth Tap Exchange have a new location on tower avenue called ‘Tap on Tower.’ The establishment will have 40 beers on tap, a full bar, and food. Staff say they are excited to bring this experience to the city of Superior. “I think it’s…

Senator Klobuchar Positive About Border Opening For Trade With Canada

MINNESOTA — Senator Amy Klobuchar tells us she’s thrilled to see the Canadian border opening back up and says the financial impact goes far beyond tourism. Klobuchar says Canada is the best trading partner in Minnesota, so it’s important to keep communication and relationships open with them to do business. Nationally, about $1.4 billion worth of goods goes back and…

Vino with a View: Inside Lutsen’s North Shore Winery

North Shore Winery and Sawtooth Mountain Cider House Opened Back in 2016

LUTSEN, Minn. – When it comes to the birthplace of a good chardonnay or merlot, chances are Minnesota doesn’t come to mind. One business located in Lutsen, however, is looking to change that perception. “Just trying new things is very important. You don’t know what you like until you try it,” said Jayden Corliss, general manager at North Shore Winery….

Cruise Industry Could Cause Boost in Duluth Economy

In January of 2022, the Viking ship will sail to Antarctica and the Great Lakes.

DULUTH, Minn. — In 2022 the Viking cruise ship will be in the Great Lakes and Duluth is poised to reap the benefits. A report published by UMD’s Bureau of Business and Economics revealing initial visits would have a small economic impact, but over time it could add 60 jobs annually and more than five million dollars in added spending…

City Seeking Public Input with Broadband Survey

The goal is to get every community member connected in their homes allowing for a master broadband plan.

DULUTH, Minn. — “One of the things we have learned in the past 18 months, the past two years is the urgent need we have in this community for every resident in this community to have access to reliable high-speed internet or broadband,” Duluth Mayor, Emily Larson says. On Friday the city of Duluth announced they are looking for the…

All City of Duluth Employee Unions Reject Mayor’s 2022 Healthcare Proposal

DULUTH, Minn. – FOX 21 learned Monday that all six employee unions with the city of Duluth have rejected the administration’s new healthcare proposal for 2022. This comes after a rally outside City Hall late last week where union members said they have a strong health fund and want to keep it that way. The proposed changes to employee health…

Apple Fest Still Success for Orchards Despite Crop Shortage

The drought reduced crop yields at apple orchards in Bayfield some as much as 40%.

BAYFIELD, Wis.- The drought reduced crop yields at apple orchards in Bayfield some as much as 40%, so many orchard stands offered fewer apple products at Apple Fest than in years past. “Usually every year we make around 8,000 caramel apples but this year we were only able to do 5,000,” said Madison Gingras, working at the Apple Hill Orchard…

Bayfield Businesses Thankful for Apple Fest’s Return before Quiet Winter

The Festival provides a boost for the many seasonal businesses in the area.

BAYFIELD, Wis.- Having Apple Fest back is a big economic boost to Bayfield and its surrounding towns and communities. And this comes after businesses like ‘Bayfield Inn’ saw a busier summer than last year. The Assistant General Manager telling us, it was at times difficult to keep up with, with the cost of goods going up. The inn is one…

Bayfield Businesses Looking Forward to Apple Fest

It's an occasion that is the biggest weekend of the year for the town.

BAYFIELD, Wisc. — “I think people are excited to be outside again and to gather,” Apostle Island Booksellers Store Manager, Kristen Sandstrom says. After having a different variation of the event last year, Apple Fest is coming back to downtown Bayfield this weekend. “We expect to have at least 20,000 people in and around the area this weekend,” Bayfield Chamber…

Local Businesses Thankful for Extra Boost in Traffic as Fall Foliage Pops

Visit Cook County says Local Businesses Rely on a Boost in Tourism During Autumn Adventures

GRAND MARAIS, Minn. – As summer winds down and fall settles in across the region, local businesses along the North Shore are thankful for a final push before snow begins the fly. “Nice cool weather and beautiful scenery,” said Eric Humphrey, co-owner of Lake Superior Trading Post. If you ask any local along the North Shore, every day is a…

New Iron Range Coffee Shop Helping to Support Mental Health Wellness

Loonies Coffee Shop is Donating 10 Percent of Profits to Mental Health Wellness

VIRGINIA, Minn. – As we head into the colder months, a cup of coffee is wonderful at any time of the day. When you pair it with compassion and empathy, the customers just keep coming back. “The coffee’s good, but the pizza is even better,” said Aaron Bialke, a customer from Grand Rapids. It’s hard to pinpoint a favorite part…

Federal Reserve Bank Of Minneapolis Meets With Diverse Group Of Business Owners In Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. –For the first time in Duluth, the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis held a roundtable on Monday to learn about how businesses owners who are women and/or people of color are doing during the pandemic. The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis is a part of America’s central banking system, which oversees financial institutions and creates economic policies. The…

New Affordable Housing Opens on Decker Road

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth’s newest affordable housing development is officially open for tenants. Tuesday, One Roof Community Housing cut the ribbon for Decker Dwellings, on Decker Drive. It’s a three-story building with 42 units including one, two, and three bedroom apartments. Construction started last September, all with a goal of helping addressing the affordable housing crisis in the city of…

Former Longtime Duluth City Attorney Headed to City of Hermantown

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Former longtime Duluth city attorney Gunnar Johnson is now going to work in that same role with the city of Hermantown. The city council voted unanimously Monday night to hire Johnson, who will start in January. He is replacing Steve Overom who held the city attorney position for 42 years.  Overom is scaling back duties with the…

UWS Sees Rise in Enrollment

Currently, enrollment is just over 2,600 students which is consistent with what the college has seen prior to 2020.

SUPERIOR, Wisc. — Enrollment has jumped up at UWS this year. After what was a challenging 2020 for most area colleges, the University of Wisconsin-Superior was down nearly four percent. The college also saw a dip in transfers and international students. This year, however, they have seen a 23 percent increase in the freshmen class something admissions is excited about….

Duluth Workforce Development Makes Moves to Decrease Unemployment Numbers

DULUTH, Minn.- September is Workforce Development Month and is the end of unemployment benefits for many, and Duluth’s Workforce Development team is offering their services to job seekers. In the Twin Ports, 19,000 people were taken out of the labor force since the beginning of the pandemic, and workforce development has recovered nearly 70 percent of those jobs lost. “We’ve…

Council Bypasses ‘Travel Superior’ For Commission to Handle Future Tourism Tax Distribution

An amendment was also approved stating that anything requiring $25,000 or more of tourism revenue would have to go out for bid to other entities, then approved by council.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The Superior City Council decided to shake up the way they allocate tourism tax dollars, voting in favor of establishing a commission put forward by Mayor Jim Paine to handle the city’s tourism revenue, a role currently held by Travel Superior. According to the Mayor, this does not cut out Travel Superior from the equation but opens the…

Duluth Mayor Emily Larson Proposes 2022 Budget with 6% Property Tax Levy Increase

Larson brought her proposed general fund budget of $97.1 million dollars for next year before council.

DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth Mayor Emily Larson brought her proposed general fund budget of $97.1 million for next year before council Monday evening. “I have always believed that budgets are moral documents. Every single Duluthian needs to know that, in some way that is meaningful to them, we are in their corner,” Mayor Larson said. “There is no more important way…

Mayor Paine Proposes 2022 Budget, No Tax Increase for Superior Citizens

SUPERIOR, Wisc.– Superior Mayor Jim Paine is touting his 2022 budget proposal as one that won’t increase taxes or fees. He says it eliminates $3 million in debt, improves areas of public transit, invests nearly a million dollars into public art and community grants, and fully funds the street maintenance program in 2022, and for the next 5 years. “Citizens…

Vue at Bluestone Celebrates ‘Grand Opening’

DULUTH, Minn.– The Bluestone property has continued to expand, and become a more vibrant and sought-after area to live over the past years. Today, Bluestone, which opened back in late July, held the official grand opening of its most recent luxury apartments called the ‘Vue at Bluestone’ where both residents and contributors came together to officially celebrate this new property….

Superior Council Delays Vote on Future Handling of Tourism Tax Revenue

Paine is calling for the creation of a tourism commission made up of six members to delegate the money as they see fit as long as it falls within state statutes.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- At Tuesday night’s council meeting, Superior Mayor Jim Paine’s proposal to create a tourism commission to handle how the city spends its tourism tax revenue — a role currently held by Travel Superior — was referred to a special Committee of the Whole Meeting for more discussion. The decision was made after more than an hour of public…

DECC Parking to Double to $10 to Help Offset Maintenance Costs

DECC officials say it will help pay for on-going maintenance needs on the lots and ramps of the parking structure.

DULUTH, Minn.- Starting Tuesday, anyone parking at the DECC will have to pay double, as the rate will increase for the first time in 13 years. Parking at the DECC will now cost $10, up from $5 previously. The rate will also be $10 at Marcus Cinema, though you will still get reimbursed once you buy a movie ticket. DECC…

Fitger’s Complex Shuts Down Sunday Due To Natural Gas Issue

DULUTH, Minn. — A natural gas issue forced the entire Fitger’s Complex to shut down on Sunday evening, cutting the night short for local businesses inside. That’s according to a Facebook post from the Boat Club Restaurant And Bar. The restaurant said it would reschedule Sunday reservations by calling customers individually. It’s unclear when the building will reopen. Categories: Business,…

Duluth Central Labor Body Celebrates Annual Holiday

The Duluth Central Labor body held their annual picnic cooking hundreds of hot dogs and corn on the cob.

DULUTH, Minn. —  The Duluth Central Labor body held their annual picnic cooking hundreds of hot dogs and corn on the cob. “We normally have a children’s area. But this year due to the fact that twelve and under can’t get vaccinated as a committee we decided to cancel that. But we are happy to be here,” Duluth Central Labor…

Duluth Superior Pride Fest Among Biggest Weekends of Year for Main Club

The Main Club is normally staffed with five bartenders year-round. But Pride, the busiest weekend of the year, requires more.

SUPERIOR, Wis.-  Duluth Superior Pride Fest weekend isn’t just uplifting for the community, it’s also great for local businesses, like the Main Club. The nightclub in Superior dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community is normally staffed with five bartenders year-round. But Pride, the busiest weekend of the year, requires more — even some from out of town. “For a lot of,…

Coleman Plant in Sauk Rapids Closing, Eliminating 175 Jobs

Coleman, owned by Newell Brands, notified the state that the plant would close by the end of the year.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The Coleman Co. will close its plant in Sauk Rapids, resulting in 175 people losing their jobs. Coleman, owned by Newell Brands, notified the state that the plant would close by the end of the year. In the filing, Coleman said it is ceasing production at Sauk Rapids and that layoffs will be permanent. Layoffs will be…

‘Travel Superior’ CEO Speaks Out Against Mayor Paine’s Tourism Commission Proposal

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The president and CEO of Superior’s visitor’s bureau, known as Travel Superior, is speaking out against Mayor Jim Paine’s proposal to create a tourism commission to handle 100 percent of the city’s tourism tax revenue. Taylor Pedersen believes the process to potentially do away with Travel Superior has been rushed and he doesn’t believe a six-person commission…

Finland Businesses Take Care of Greenwood Fire Crews from Incident Command Post

Firefighters have been coming through the Finland Co-Op for daily essentials like snacks, clothes, and coffee they get for free.

FINLAND, Minn.- Other businesses in the small town of Finland have seen more firefighters coming through after the Eastern Area Incident Command Post moved there from Isabella while fighting the Greenwood Fire. The Finland Co-Op a staple of the community since the 1900s, has been there for the firefighters’ daily essentials like snacks, clothes, and coffee they give them free….

Bayfield Orchards Looking Forward to Apple Fest

Apple Fest will be the first weekend of October.

BAYFIELD, Wisc. — Orchards in Bayfield are already looking forward to Apple Fest for a variety of reasons. Despite losing the majority of their strawberry crops in the spring, Erickson Orchard just outside of Bayfield is banking on a healthy apple crop and a large turnout of people during the festival. “We lost 95-100%. The little bit that I got…

Mayor Paine Looks To Change How Superior’s Tourism Tax Dollars Are Allocated

SUPERIOR, Wis. – After Duluth had its own battle with changing the way tourism tax dollars are allocated for marketing purposes, Superior Mayor Jim Paine is proposing his own changes when it comes to using hotel-motel taxes. Paine is calling for the creation of a tourism commission made up of six members that would handle making all of the decisions…

‘Get Ready’ Notifications Issued For Portion Of Gunflint Trail As Wildfires Grow

BWCAW –  The Cook County Sheriff’s Office and Gunflint fire personnel are alerting people along a northern portion of the Gunflint Trail to “get ready” for potential evacuations because of growing wildfires in the BWCAW. The pre-evacuation alert is for property owners from Seagull Lake to the south end of Loon Lake. Sheriff Pat Eliasen posted on social media Monday…

Knowing Your Neighbors: UpDawg Switching Up the Traditional Hotdog

Owners welcome creativity and unique flavors when customers craft their hotdogs. 

DULUTH, Minn.- A new food truck in the Twin Ports is pushing the boundaries of what goes on the hotdog.  “Hotdogs are fun. You can just put anything on a hotdog,” said Cory Netland. “We just have a book full of recipes and ideas.”  So, what’s UpDawg?  It’s the newest food truck in the Twin Ports launched by Netland and…

Feasibility Study Underway For Possible Convention Center In Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The city of Superior is looking into whether the city should be home to the area’s next convention center. A feasibility study is underway right now by a company out of the Twin Cities. The city’s planning director, Jason Serck, said the convention center wouldn’t be as big as the DECC in Duluth, but a size that…

Duluth School Superintendent Given More Power Over District Regulations

This comes after the school board voted last night following a recommendation from the Minnesota School Board Association.

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth School Superintendent John Magas will continue to have executive power over the Duluth School Board during the 2021-2022 school year when it comes to the safety of students related to Covid-19. This comes after the school board voted last night following a recommendation from the Minnesota School Board Association. Magas says, he is looking to maximize…

Council Approves Outsourcing Duluth’s $1.8M Tourism Marketing Contract

Councilors also voted to table a $400K contract offer to Visit Duluth to handle the city's convention sales and visitor center.

DULUTH, Minn. –  The city council made a historic vote Monday evening to approve a new $1.8 million tourism marketing contract to a firm in Minneapolis – Bellmont Partners and its partner Lawrence & Schiller — instead of Visit Duluth, which has held the job since 1935. Councilor Joel Sipress voted against the contract resolution.  Councilor Zack Filipovich abstained because…

Council To Vote Monday On Mayor’s Plan To Outsource Duluth’s Tourism Marketing

Monday’s Council meeting will remain virtual, according to Forsman, due to the county's recent spike in COVID cases.

DULUTH, Minn.- At their Monday meeting Duluth City Council is set to discuss Mayor Emily Larson’s plan to put Duluth’s next marketing contract out for bid for the first time since Visit Duluth got the job in 1935, and why the winner went to Minneapolis-based Bellmont Partners — not a local firm. Mayor Larson says she believes Bellmont Partners is…

Zeitgeist’s Renegade Theater Company to Require Proof of Vaccination or Negative COVID Test to Attend Shows

According to Zeitgeist, all casts and crew and staff are fully vaccinated. Capacity at Renegade Theater shows will also be reduced from 120 seats to 88.

DULUTH, Minn.- A staple of Duluth’s theater scene prepares its comeback after 18 months dark with a stronger step to curb the spike in COVID cases in the Northland. Vaccines, or a negative COVID test will be required for audience members hoping to catch a Renegade Theater Company show at Zeitgeist’s Teatro Zuccone. The Company announced that in addition to…

Mayor Larson Provides Detailed Response To Critics Of Plan To Outsource Duluth’s Tourism Marketing

Larson's full e-mail to council with answers to critics can be found at the bottom of this story.

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Mayor Emily Larson addressed city councilors at Thursday night’s agenda meeting — three days after announcing her plan to outsource the city’s 2022 marketing contract and no longer use Visit Duluth. It’s a bold move Larson acknowledges, and one that’s fueled a lot of pushback from the local creative community. As FOX 21’s Dan Hanger reports,…

Critics Grow Louder Over Mayor Larson’s Plan To Outsource Duluth’s Tourism Marketing; Councilors Weigh In

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth city councilors are getting an earful and raising questions — one day after Mayor Emily Larson boldly announced plans to pass up longtime Visit Duluth for the city’s next tourism marketing contract worth nearly $2 million and instead choose Minneapolis-based Bellmont Partners and its partner, Lawrence & Schiller. Mayor Larson told FOX 21 she stands by…

Bayfield Seeing Successful Summer Tourism Season

Apple Fest will take place the first weekend of October.

BAYFIELD, Wisc. —  Tourism in Bayfield has been up this summer. Hotels are being completely booked and businesses are seeing peak Apple Fest numbers. The weekly foot traffic throughout the summer has been due to events being back in session like the Point to LaPointe swim and weekly concerts by the lake held every Tuesday. This most recent concert was…

One-On-One: Mayor Larson Explains Choosing Minneapolis Agency Over ‘Visit Duluth’ For Tourism Marketing

Visit Duluth is being offered a significantly smaller second contract for "convention and visitor center operations."

DULUTH, Minn. – After 85 years as Duluth’s main tourism marketing arm, Visit Duluth will no longer have that title come 2022 — pending council’s approval — as Mayor Emily Larson continues to scrutinize how millions of dollars in tourism tax revenue is handed out every year. Larson made the big announcement Tuesday by saying her team has chosen Minneapolis-based…

Larson Chooses Minneapolis Agency Over ‘Visit Duluth’ For City’s Main Marketing Contract

Visit Duluth is being offered a significantly smaller second contract for "convention and visitor center operations."

DULUTH, Minn. – After 85 years as Duluth’s main tourism marketing arm, Visit Duluth will no longer have that title come 2022, as Mayor Emily Larson continues to scrutinize how millions of dollars in tourism tax revenue is used every year. Mayor Larson made the announcement Tuesday saying her team has chosen Minneapolis-based Bellmont Partners and its partner, Lawrence &…