Business

DECC Needs New Energy, New Use Of Spaces Inside — And Outside, Says New Exec. Dir.

Exec. Dir. Dan Hartman has his eyes on Harbor Drive behind the DECC for live entertainment, food trucks and special events, among other ideas.

DULUTH, Minn. – Excitement is building at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center as its new executive director of just a few weeks is already brainstorming ways to bring new energy to spaces within the DECC – and especially outside. Hartman, who most recently had a successful eight-year run rethinking the experience at Glensheen Mansion, says the level of opportunities at…

Superior Fire Department Trains on Old Manning Motel

SUPERIOR, Wisc.– The Superior Fire Department had its turn to practice on the old Manning Motel today after the Superior and Douglas County SWAT teams used it yesterday. The crews began the first of three days training, as new and former firefighters practiced rescue scenarios. Firefighters were eager to have a flat roof to train on, which they don’t encounter…

Community Crisis Intervention, City Hall Ventilation Among Proposed COVID Relief Spending Discussed by Duluth Council

More than a dozen citizens spoke out in support of what they call a community crisis response team independent of law enforcement.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth City Council discussed accepting almost $60 million of federal funding for recovery from the pandemic and Mayor Emily Larson’s recommendations for how to spend that money. Council unanimously tabled the resolution, to further discuss the Mayor’s following suggestions to allocate the money: Affordable Housing: $20,678,130 Job Training and Workforce Services: $550,000 Utility Infrastructure and Broadband: $13,850,000…

Lake Superior Art Glass and Love Creamery Offering Special Glass Blowing Sessions

DULUTH, Minn.– Lake Superior Art Glass and Love Creamery have partnered up for a special designer class this month. People of all ages are able to come to the glass blowing studio in Canal Park to design an ice cream dish with a professional, and receive a free pint of ice cream from Love Creamery as well. With a variety…

Bent Paddle Flips City Street Into Year-Round Green Space

DULUTH, Minn.– The dreary weather on Tuesday was actually perfect for Bent Paddle Brewing Company’s new green space in development on what used to be a city street. It’s located on 19th Avenue West between the brewery and Bent Paddle’s production warehouse in Duluth’s Lincoln Park Craft District, which was approved by the city. The goal is to not only…

Workforce Development Creates Guide to Help with Employee Shortage

DULUTH, Minn.– Duluth Workforce Development is finding a way to help out, to hopefully prevent more local businesses from having to close its doors due to labor shortages. Workforce Development put together a guide with strategies both current and long term, to suggest ways employers can recruit new employees, and find a way to fully-staff their businesses again. This comes…

Northwood Children’s Services Steps in to Fill Gap Left After The Hills

Programs will resume through Northwood on July 12th. 

DULUTH, Minn. — The Hills Youth and Family Services in Duluth is officially closed. The facility announced its closure in June because of an due to extraordinarily high fixed costs, the state’s inaction on rate adjustments and the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic. Now stepping in, Northwood Children Services will be taking on 40 children ages 10-18 along with ten…

DTA Looking for Feedback on New Transit Routes

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Transit Authority (DTA) is continuing the Better Bus Blueprint, which is a re-design of its transit route to be more accessible for new housing and employment areas around the city. In the public outreach part of the process, the DTA is looking for feedback from the community about what they think of the recommended draft…

Visit Duluth’s Future Uncertain As Mayor Larson Reevaluates City’s Tourism Marketing Vision, Dollars

The city has typically given Visit Duluth $2 million in tourism tax revenue every year.

DULUTH, Minn. – Visit Duluth, the city’s main tourism marketing arm since 1935, could be no more when its contract is up with the city at the end of the year. This comes after Mayor Emily Larson and her administration opened the job up through a new application process for a one-year contract through 2022. The “request for qualifications,” as…

Housing Development Plans for Duluth’s Enger Park Golf Course Driving Range Area Are On Hold

DULUTH, Minn.- The city is pausing the residential development idea for the Enger Park driving range due to the cost of moving and building the range in a new location. New estimates show it would cost around $1.2 million for a new driving range. Because that is much higher than anticipated, the Public Golf Committee is planning to keep that…

New Thrift Store Opens in Cloquet

Northern Lights Community Action is a non-profit thrift store and a community center with all of the profits going back to the community and low-income families.

CLOQUET, Minn. —  A new thrift store opened in Cloquet in the beginning of June. Northern Lights Community Action is a non-profit thrift store and a community center with all of the profits going back to the community and low-income families. With other thrift stores in the area closing, the executive director saw a need for the area… the majority…

Newly Opened ‘The Garden,’ Greysolon Ballroom Getting Busy with Post-Pandemic Events

It's the summer of comebacks for event venues with private events like weddings getting planned and booked again across the Northland.

DULUTH, Minn.- It’s the summer of comebacks for event venues with private events like weddings getting planned and booked again across the Northland. New venues like Canal Park’s The Garden, and historic ones like Greysolon Ballroom are jumping back into planning. “It almost feels surreal to be back,” said Brian Daugherty, President of Grandma’s Restaurant Company. “To tell you the…

Final Phase Of Superior Street Reconstruction Begins

Some of businesses owners say while it's another few months of construction cones and rumbling machines, they're excited for the finished product.

DULUTH, Minn.- The final portion of the Superior Street reconstruction project has broken ground. Work has started on Superior between 3rd and 4th Avenues East. The 3rd Avenue East intersection will remain open and sidewalks will be open to access businesses within the work-zone. Some of those businesses owners, like managers at the Sheraton Hotel, which has just finished their…

City of Duluth Reveals COVID Relief Fund Recommendations

DULUTH, Minn.– Mayor Emily Larson and members of the City Administration announced their recommendations today on how the city should spend the $58 million dollars it received from the American Rescue Plan. The City of Duluth has now received half of the $58 million dollars from the American Rescue Plan, and today Mayor Larson proposed a way to invest that…

Burlington Station Preparing for 4th of July Weekend Festivities

TWO HARBORS, Minn.– Businesses that just opened along the North Shore are excited to welcome both locals and tourists this summer. Burlington Station in Two Harbors tells us they’re looking forward to the busy upcoming 4th of July weekend. The gift and sweets shop will be getting in the holiday spirit with a barbecue on Friday and some outdoor games…

Parks up North Shore Expecting Crowds for Holiday Weekend

TWO HARBORS, Minn.– The future looks bright as businesses and parks up the North Shore are anticipating a busy 4th of July weekend. Gooseberry Falls and Split Rock Lighthouse are two highly visited areas up the shore, it’s an exciting time with big crowds expected to come through this weekend. “Visitation is still up, as it was similar to last…

Uber And Lyft Drivers Disappear In Duluth, While Taxis Make A Comeback

DULUTH, Minn. — If you’ve tried ordering an Uber or Lyft in Duluth recently, you may have noticed the “few drivers available” warning on the apps. It’s a national problem Americans are dealing with after the country has reopened for business, and there’s no telling how much longer it’s going to continue. Some college seniors in Duluth say that when…

Hayward Fly Fishing Company Offers Advice for Musky Fishing

HAYWARD, Wisc.– For those planning to take part in the fishing contest in Hayward this weekend, one shop has its doors open to answer any potential questions. The Hayward Fly Fishing Company is now operating under new ownership, and after being a fly fishing guide for 8 years prior, Stuart Neville offered a little advice on how to catch a…

Renegade Theatre Programs Reopen to Public

The Zinema at Zeitgeist is currently open for community rentals. 

DULUTH, Minn. —  Programs at the Zeitgeist Renegade Theatre are now back open. The Renegade Improv group has been performing in the atrium for the past two weeks on Fridays and is working towards getting back into the theatre. Meanwhile the first Zeitgeist and Renegade produced musical will be back in the theater in August. The Zinema at Zeitgeist is…

New Coffee Bar Opens up at Glensheen Mansion

DULUTH, Minn.– At the Glensheen Mansion, another addition launched this morning that sells coffee from the Duluth Coffee Company, and doughnuts from Johnson’s Bakery. These items are being served out of the newly re-decorated carriage house garage space, and Glensheen is excited to see what it adds to the experience. “We really enjoy working with local businesses, Chester and Clara…

Big Bottle Liquor Store Closing After 50 Years

DULUTH, Minn.– After 50 years of operation, another small family business is closing it’s doors. In Lincoln Park, the Big Bottle Liquor Store’s building has been sold, and they are discounting their remaining inventory in preparation for their official last day, July 24th. The owner shared his appreciation for the customers over the years saying, “I’m sure there will be…

Lake Superior Art Glass Offering Monthly Themed Classes

DULUTH, Minn.– Lake Superior Art Glass is continuing their monthly classes, as June offered a make-your-own drinkware segment that also honored Fathers Day. In a 30 minute window, people are able to come in to design their piece while watching the glass blowers create it. Although the class also offered a Fathers Day element, anyone is allowed to take the…

Northern Waters Smokehaus Opening Order Windows

DULUTH, Minn.– Northern Waters Smokehaus in Canal Park has decided not to re-open their store front in the DeWitt-Seitz building due to efficiency concerns and overcrowding and instead have installed new outdoor-ordering windows. They hope to cut wait times down whether it is a large or smaller order as they also look to continue great customer service and are eager…

Businesses Preparing Days in Advance for Grandma’s Marathon

TWO HARBORS, Minn.– Preparations have begun for this weekend’s Grandma’s Marathon and there is a lot more work to be done behind the scenes. It looks empty now, but by Saturday morning, thousands of fans and racers will be out here to get ready, set, and go for the 45th annual Grandma’s Marathon. This the largest event to return to…

Essentia Health Fitness Expo Kicks Off Thursday

There will be close to 75 vendors displaying the latest and greatest in runner gear and fitness items.

DULUTH, Minn. — The official kick off of events for Grandma’s Marathon begins on Thursday with the Essentia Health Fitness Expo at the DECC. There will be close to 75 vendors displaying the latest and greatest in runner gear and fitness items. Although the Expo will look a bit different with Covid-19 protocols still in place, organizers still wanted to…

Portion of Superior Street Reopens

Superior Street between First and Third Avenue West reopened Wednesday night after being closed since late April.

DULUTH, Minn. — A section of Superior Street reopened to traffic on Wednesday. Superior Street from First through Third Avenue West reopened Wednesday night after being closed since late April. Just in time for the start of the busy tourism season, businesses like the Lyric Kitchen which officially reopened on Monday, are excited about seeing more traffic in the area….

Strapped for Staff: Northland Restaurants Balance Business, Employee Burnout through Labor Shortage

For some restaurants, it means cutting back on hours of operation while trying to balance the quality of life for the workers they do have.

DULUTH/CLOQUET, Minn.- From Duluth to smaller cities like Cloquet, restaurants big and small are experiencing the effects of being short on labor. For some, it means cutting back on hours of operation while trying to balance the quality of life for the workers they do have. Just last week, Family Tradition Restaurant in Cloquet has had to close their restaurant…

The Hills Youth and Family Services is Closing After 112 Years

DULUTH, Minn.– A local Duluth youth treatment center that has helped children and families for 112 years must close its doors. The Hills Center has served as a juvenile residential treatment facility for over 100 years, but in less than a month, they must shut down their operations permanently July 2nd. After the group opened a mental health facility in…

Boomtown Holds Soft Opening

Boomtown restaurant on Martin Road in Duluth, held a soft opening on Monday with plans of fully opening in early July.

DULUTH, Minn.-A popular restaurant on the Iron Range has made its way down to Duluth and is getting ready to open fully. Boomtown Restaurant on Martin Road in Duluth, held a soft opening last week with plans of fully opening in early July. “Locations typically don’t fail. Once you find a good location you go for it,” Boomtown Owner, Erik…

Lyric Kitchen and Bar Reopens After Being Closed Since Pandemic Began

Management says roughly 35-40 employees, which is about a full staff, returned after being laid off this whole time.

DULUTH, Minn.-  A downtown Duluth restaurant which has been closed since the first COVID shutdown reopened Monday. Lyric Kitchen and Bar in the Holiday Center Downtown opened its doors for the first time since last march. Management says roughly 35-40 employees, which is about a full staff, returned after being laid off this whole time. After more than a year…

Trader’s Village Continues at Douglas County Fairgrounds

More than 50 vendors brought their vintage, new, farmed, and handmade items. 

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The Douglas County Fairgrounds in Superior were packed with baubles and knick-knacks this weekend for its third monthly Trader’s Village market. More than 50 vendors brought their vintage, new, farmed, and handmade items, among others with stands indoors and outdoors.  A petting zoo was also available for kids to enjoy. Organizers say it’s a great way to showcase…

City of Duluth Helping Recruit Women, People of Color for CDL Training

With highway heavy construction projects like the Twin Ports Interchange in the area drivers are needed for equipment delivery and dump trucks.

DULUTH, Minn.- Women and people of color in Duluth are being urged to apply for construction jobs requiring a commercial driver’s license as the nationwide hiring shortage hits that industry. With a grant from the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Workforce Development is ramping up recruitment to get women and people of color into CDL classes. With highway heavy construction projects…

Vitta Pizza Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary with Fundraiser for Domestic Violence Victims

10 percent of all of Vitta Pizza's sales Friday went to Safe Haven Shelter & Resource Center for battered women. 

DULUTH, Minn.- It’s been ten years since Vitta Pizza opened their doors in Canal Park, and on Friday they celebrated by donating to a good cause. 10 percent of all of Vitta Pizza’s sales Friday went to Safe Haven Shelter & Resource Center for battered women. Staff say customers are to thank for them serving wood-fired artesian pizzas, salads &…

Hotels Are Seeking More Employees, and Offering Incentives

SUPERIOR, Wisc.– Through the up’s and down’s of COVID, the Twin Ports have consistently seen traffic in the the hospitality department. Hotels have been busier than ever trying to keep up with customers, but they are struggling to find new employees, while trying not to work current ones too hard. In areas such as restaurants or front desks, some members…

US Drops Trump Order Targeting TikTok, Plans Its Own Review

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House dropped Trump-era executive orders intended to ban the popular apps TikTok and WeChat and will conduct its own review aimed at identifying national security risks with software applications tied to China, officials said Wednesday. A new executive order directs the Commerce Department to undertake what officials describe as an “evidence-based” analysis of transactions involving apps that are manufactured…

A Place for Fido’s ‘Yappy Hour’ Brings Wagging Tails Back to Fitger’s Complex

There's treats and goody bags for the dogs and "doggy drinks" from the Boat Club for their two-legged friends.

DULUTH, Minn.- With summer returning, so is A Place for Fido’s weekly “Yappy Hour” event in the Fitger’s courtyard. There’s treats and goody bags for the dogs and “doggy drinks” from the Boat Club for their two-legged friends. A Place for Fido staff are excited to see so many furry faces again after not having the event last year. “Just…

Maritime Visitor Center Back with Outdoor Information Desk in Canal Park

The director said until they open the doors again hopefully next month, people can always get shipping times and other info at the desk and online.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center in Canal Park is sharing all the ship times and updates outside again as it prepares to open its doors next month. On Tuesday afternoon, the Federal Dart left underneath the lift bridge, and just to the right visitor center staff were at their information desk. Staff said they’ve been helping with…

Ursa Minor Starts Expanding Patio Space

The parking lot will be replaced with locally mined taconite pavement, with expanded seating and a space for live music.

DULUTH, Minn,.- Ursa Minor Brewing in Duluth’s Lincoln Park is expanding its patio. Construction has begun for the expansion, with plans to keep the patio open year round. The parking lot will be replaced with locally mined taconite pavement, with expanded seating and a space for live music. They will also build a grain silo outside. Ursa Minor founder Ben…

Flame Nightclub Receives Barstool Grant, Looks Forward to Nightlife Resurgence

The Flame is the second bar in the state of Minnesota to be selected to receive grant money from the $39 million raised by Barstool Sports.

DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth’s first gay bar and nightclub The Flame received a big grant to help with costs as they go into what they hope is a busy season for Twin Ports nightlife. The Flame is the second bar in the state of Minnesota to be selected to receive grant money from the $39 million “Barstool Fund,” raised by Barstool…

Business Booming at Love Creamery

DULUTH, Minn.– Record high temperatures this past weekend have been keeping ice cream shops busy with customers flooding through their front doors. A supervisor from Love Creamery in Lincoln Park says they have seen crowds lining up since May and the heat is bringing in new faces. “I think the kiddo’s and all the families that come in really are…