Business

Homeless Rate Goes Up In St. Louis County

Last year more than 500 people in the county said they were experiencing homelessness, but this year, it's up to 600 people.

DULUTH, Minn. – A study completed by St. Louis County in January uncovered an increase in the number of people dealing with homelessness The County conducts what it calls the “Point in Time” survey every year. This year, surveyors found that homeless people living in shelters or on the streets jumped by nearly 20% compared to last year. The study…

Jamrock Cultural Restaurant Finds New Home After Eviction Complicates Business

After being evicted due to serving the food to cars lined up outside his home, the owner and chef said, a Superior bar helped him out.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- A local cook who’s Caribbean food business was sidelined after his landlord evicted him is teaming up with a Superior bar owner to serve his food once again. Average Joe’s Pub off Hammond Avenue was packed Tuesday evening, but people weren’t just there for a drink — but for Jamrock Cultural Restaurant in the back of the building….

Wild State Cider Expands

Patrons are welcome into the taproom during the process.

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s been more than a year since Wild State Cider in Duluth opened its doors for the first time. Now it’s expanding. The popular cidery is extending its existing space to make room for six new tanks. A new canning line has already been added and some other building upgrades are taking place. Wild State distributes its…

Emergency Ordinance Proposal Could Require Everyone To Wear Masks Indoors

As an effort to ensure mass compliance with this proposed ordinance Essentia Health has offered to donate 20,000 masks to the public.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth City Council is proposing an emergency ordinance to require everyone to wear masks while indoors From a statistical standpoint, many health officials believe wearing masks is a no brainer. As the number of Covid-19 cases keeps fluctuating daily around the nation, it can be difficult to see an end to the pandemic. Health experts believe…

Multiple Bars Voluntarily Close After Customers Test Positive for COVID-19

SUPERIOR, Wis.– At least five bars in Superior, South Superior and South Range have voluntarily shut their doors for the time being after getting notified they’ve each had a customer in their establishment recently who has tested positive COVID-19. The bar closures come as the health department recorded 30 positive cases in Douglas County since the pandemic began. Log Cabin…

Propane Prices Are Beginning To Go Up

In the last few months, the cost of propane has jumped by 30 cents.

DULUTH, Minn. – At the start of the pandemic, the cost for fuel and other energy resources dropped drastically. But as the world inches closer to an economic recovery those prices are steadily climbing. Fuel companies like Superior Fuel in Duluth are now urging their customers to take advantage of the low pricing while it lasts. In recent weeks, the…

ER Visits For Heart Attack, Stroke, And Diabetic Issues Drop During Pandemic

A national study found that visits for heart attack or stroke were down by at least 20% between March and May.

DULUTH, Minn. – Hospitals around the nation are experiencing declines in emergency room visits that are not Covid-19 related, but is a direct impact of the pandemic. A study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is showing a noticeable drop in emergency room visits for people suffering from heart attacks, strokes, and those living with uncontrolled diabetes….

North Shore Scenic Railroad Poised to Reopen

DULUTH, Minn. – The North Shore Scenic Railroad and Lake Superior Railroad Museum are set to reopen on Wednesday. The two will open together after being shut down for several months allowing directors to take a look at other attractions open around the country to see what was working for them. Now, with an increased emphasis in safety and touchless…

Stokke’s Liquor Expands to Lakeside Neighborhood

Stokke's Liquor Store in Lakeside is located at 5631 East Superior Street. 

DULUTH, Minn. – After decades of being a dry neighborhood, there’s now an additional liquor store in Duluth’s Lakeside neighborhood. “I know that for a really long time, Lakeside didn’t have a liquor store. So it’s kind of cool to open in a certain period of time,” assistant manager of Stokke’s Liquor Store Destanie Michelizzi said. Stokke’s Liquor Store expanded…

New Owner of Greysolon Plaza Says Much Will Remain the Same

Historic downtown building sold for $17.45 Million.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Greysolon Plaza located in downtown Duluth has been sold to Orbach Affordable Housing Solutions for a reported $17.45 million. JLL Capital Markets announced the sale on Monday between Sherman Associates and Orbach Affordable Housing Solutions, based out of New Jersey. The Plaza currently offers 150 one-bedroom affordable housing apartments, along with the Greysolon Ballroom and Black…

Virtual Driver’s Education Courses Helps Get Teens Prepared For The Road

Young drivers are required to take 30 hours of classroom instruction, but the pandemic has put limitations on in-person classes.

DULUTH, Minn. – Many teens hoping to begin the process of getting their driver’s license, may have thought they lost their chance this year, as the Covid-19 pandemic continues. Fortunately, a local driving school is offering virtual driver’s education courses, so those teens get that opportunity. Northern Lights Driver Education is accepting sign-ups for its upcoming virtual class. The course…

Cancellation of 2020 Apple Fest a Big Test for Bayfield Businesses

It is arguably the cities largest event, and at times, can bring in over 60,000 people to a town with a popular of under 500.

BAYFIELD, Wisc. – This year, the fall season in Bayfield will be looking different. “Certainly overwhelming. Very large crowds come into town over the weekend. When the weather is nice, typically the streets will be packed body to body with people,” Howl Owner, Mary Thiel says. That won’t be happening with the cancellation of the 59th annual Apple Fest, and…

Liila Boutique in Lincoln Park Moves Store to Sidewalk

Store holds sidewalk sale to make up for not being able to open interior.

DULUTH, Minn.- Another local business in Lincoln Park is trying new ways to open back up while also following public health guidelines. Liila Boutique on West Superior Street has been bringing their store to the sidewalk the past few weekends. Since they’re located in the Duluth Folk School building which remains closed, they can’t open their doors to the public….

Zenith City Horror, Main Club in Superior Support Black Lives Matter with Twin Cities Supply Drive

Production company collected 4 carloads of items to send to communities in need.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- To celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month, Zenith City Horror Production Company and the Main Club on Tower Avenue teamed up to send supplies to communities in the Twin Cities, and show support for the Black Lives Matter Movement. “Just like the Black Panthers did with the Queer community in ’69 at Stonewall, we think it’s important to stand together…

Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation Appoints an Interim President

President Holly Sampson has lead the foundation for 30 years and is officially retiring next week.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation is welcoming an interim president until a replacement is found. Dave Montgomery, who serves on the organization’s Board of Trustees and is Chair of its investment committee, will take over for current President Holly Sampson. Sampson is officially retiring next week. Previously, Montgomery served as Chief Administrative Officer for the City…

Duluth-Based IKONICS Corporation Announces Employee Furloughs

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth-based IKONICS Corporation has announced it will furlough about 40 percent of its 81-employee workforce through the end of July. Furloughed employees will continue to receive benefits, but the company is suspending retirement plan contributions. The furloughs are designed to offset revenue lost during the COVID-19 pandemic. Glenn Sandgren, IKONICS CEO, released this statement in regard to…

Wilderness Health Gets An $800,000 Grant To Develop A Telehealth Program For Mental Health

"There is just a tremendous need. We have rising rates of mental health in our region. We have rising suicide rates," said Executive Director Cassandra Beardsley.

DULUTH, Minn. – Wilderness health, a collaborative of independent health providers for rural communities, was recently awarded a grant worth nearly $800,000. The grant will be used to support the development of a telehealth program to offer mental health and other services to be used within its ten health system network. The funds will also be used to provide the…

e2ip Technologies Shutting Down Bigfork Facility By End of 2020

Economic Officials in Itasca County Provide an Update on Residents, Businesses Financially Impacted by COVID-19

BIGFORK, Minn. – Friday morning during a press briefing, economic officials in Itasca County provided new details regarding the economic impact COVID-19 is having on residents and businesses in the region. According to Tamara Lowney, President, and CEO of Itasca Economic Development Center, by the end of 2020, Montreal based e2ip Technologies will close its Bigfork location for good. The…

‘Face Covering’ Now Required For Shoppers, Staff At Whole Foods Co-Op

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth’s Whole Foods Co-op locations are increasing safety measures against the coronavirus pandemic by requiring all shoppers and staff to wear some type of face mask while in the stores. The rule goes into effect Friday, June 26.  And if a customer doesn’t have a “face covering,” there will be a stock of single-use masks available at…

Twin Ports Food Shelf Continues To Offer Help To Those In Need

The agency will continue to offer the curbside service until September 30th.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Northwest Wisconsin Community Services Agency in Superior is continuing to help people in need with their week food shelf. The agency began giving out food to people at the start of the pandemic. The organization has implemented some protocols to ensure safety. They screen all employees and require them to wear masks. Also, the weekly food…

Birkie Plans to Buy Telemark Property, Attract New Development

American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation plans to demolish existing lodge and work with private developer for new opportunities

CABLE, Wis. – The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation is hoping the Telemark Resort property will become a prime destination again. The iconic Birkebeiner ski race starts at Telemark every February. Now, the race foundation wants to buy the resort property, and could close on it as early as September. It will cost the Birkie about $2 million to buy the…

Duluth’s Parks and Recreation Division Reinstates Some Staff — For Now

Only three-quarters of staff will be brought back.

DULUTH, Minn. – In April the City of Duluth laid off nearly 100 full-time, temp and seasonal employees, including park maintenance staff. The parks and recreation division announced Wednesday some of the park maintenance crew are being partially reinstated. City staff say with more people visiting the parks and trails, it is causing a need for continuous upkeep. Only about…

A Task Force Is Being Assembled To Help Spirit Mountain Through Financial Problems

Application closes on July 8th.

DULUTH, Minn. – Spirit Mountain in Duluth has suffered many economic blows within the last year. The City of Duluth is working in partnership with spirit mountain to put together a task force to help find solutions for the tourist attraction’s financial problems. Currently, the city is accepting applications to fill up to 11 positions on the task force. It…

Maurices Brings Back Furloughed Employees

6,000 retail employees and 54 corporate office employees were temporarily laid off during shutdown

DULUTH, Minn. – Maurices has brought back almost all its employees who were temporarily laid off during the shutdown. The Duluth-based women’s clothing chain has already reopened most of its stores. The remaining stores are opening in the next week or so. 6,000 retail employees were furloughed in March. Maurices tells us they are all being hired back. The store…

UWS Offers An Alternative Online Program For First-Year Students

DULUTH, Minn. –  A recent national survey discovered one out of six high school seniors are unsure about their fall college plans as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to be a threat to health. This statistic is pushing the University of Wisconsin Superior to create alternative options for students to begin their college education. The university is introducing planU, which is…

Bayfield Farmers Reflect on Cancellation of Apple Fest

"It's all the orchards together that makes Apple Fest what it is. It's not just one orchard or one property."

BAYFIELD, Wisc. – “Apple Fest is a lot of work and its the most fun I’ve ever had,” Bayfield Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, David Eades says. But because of Covid-19, the lack of Bayfield’s largest event will leave hole in the heart of city. “The energy. The community. The food vendors, the orchards, the parade the contests. There’s something…

Local Food Truck Serves Gourmet Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Grilled cheese fans tasted some gourmet creations while listening to live music at the Cedar Lounge in Superior. Guests enjoyed culinary creations from the K&B Grilled Cheese Food Truck. The local business serves several original sandwiches like a bacon and cheddar grilled cheese, a spinach and artichoke grilled cheese, and a buffalo chicken grilled cheese. “No one…

Subaru of America Donates Over $100,000 in Automotive Equipment to Lake Superior College

Most graduates of the automotive program typically remain in the region to fill a growing demand.

DULUTH, Minn. – Lake Superior College is sending a big “thank you” to Subaru of American and Miller Hill Subaru for donating more than $100,000 worth of equipment for the automotive program. The extra equipment will help to further expand training for students to allow them to have a long-standing career. The automotive industry took a hit due to the…

St. Luke’s Hospital Uses Technology To Identify Bacteria And Viruses Faster

"It allows us to deliver the right treatment and right therapy much soon than we have in the past," said Infectious Disease Physician Andrew Thompson.

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Luke’s Hospital is the first healthcare facility in the region to utilize a spectrometer to help identify microorganisms much faster. Traditional methods to classify bacteria, viruses, and fungi typically take days to return results. The equipment uses a laser to break down the microorganisms for identification in a matter of minutes. “It allows us to deliver…

Amazon’s Fulfillment Center in Shakopee One of Larger Warehouse COVID Outbreaks

  (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File) SHAKOPEE, Minn. (AP) – State health officials say the Amazon fulfillment center in Shakopee has one of the larger coronavirus outbreaks in a warehouse or distribution plant setting. At least 88 of its approximately 1,000 workers have tested positive for the disease caused by the virus. Another 99 workers at other Amazon sites in the…

Wade Stadium Reopens For Small Public Events

Parties are limited to 25 people.

DULUTH, Minn- If you are looking for ideas on where to host a party, now that small gathering are allowed to take place, Wade Stadium might be the perfect location. While the Duluth Huskies are on hiatus due to the pandemic, the City of Duluth’s Parks and Recreation Division is reopening the stadium to the public for small group events….

North Shore Federal Credit Union Opens In Lincoln Park

The branch is open Monday through Friday.

DULUTH, Minn. – The North Shore Federal Credit Union has now opened its newest branch location in Lincoln Park. North Shore Credit Union is a full-service banking institution, which now has seven locations between Grand Portage and Duluth. But this is the second location in the Duluth area. There are a variety of products and services, such as an on-site…

Ecolibrium3 Gets Gifted $10,000 From “Lifting Up Lincoln Park” Campaign

Nearly $70,000 was raised during the thick of the Covid-19 pandemic.

DULUTH, Minn. – At the start of the pandemic, owners of OMC Smokehouse and Duluth Best Bread started the “Lifting Up Lincoln Park” campaign to help the community support local businesses and charities. Thanks to the fundraising efforts the group presented Ecolibrium3 with a $10,000 check, on Friday. The pair of owners began selling cookbooks, with OMC’s most popular barbecue…

Grandma’s Marathon Pop-Up Shop Encourages Runners

The pop-up shop runs through Saturday.

DULUTH, Minn – A pop-up shop in Canal Park is encouraging runners who planned to run this year’s Grandma’s Marathon. Something as simple as Grandma’s Marathon merchandise might be the added motivation for runners as they deal with this new way of participating in the annual race. Leadership for the Grandma’s Marathon had to make the difficult call to cancel…

DTA Receives $3 Million From C.A.R.E.S Act

"Keeping our level of service high during these times to meet demand is very important," said DTA's Director of Marketing David Clark.

DULUTH, Minn – The U.S. Department of Transportation recently awarded a $3 million grant to the Duluth Transit Authority as a response to the coronavirus pandemic. The grant is part of $25 billion set aside from the C.A.R.E.S Act to support transportation systems in the nation. During the pandemic, DTA has offered free bus rides to minimize financial constraints for…

Local Steelworkers Union Use Billboards To Send Message Regarding Essentia Layoffs

More billboards are expected to go up throughout the Northland including Ely, Spooner, and Ashland.

DULUTH, Minn. – New billboards may catch your attention the next time you are traveling on the Blatnik Bridge or on I-35. The  United Steelworkers Union Local 9460 is using the platform to send a strong message to the community for support and to Essentia Health as they are planning to lay off nine hundred employees in the northland. The…

Itasca County Tourism Industry Impacted by COVID-19

Businesses and organizations ready to serve tourists despite the unprecedented circumstances

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – Downtown Grand Rapids is bustling with summer in full swing. “Outdoor recreation is not closed and, in Grand Rapids, we are a mecca for outdoor recreation,” said Megan Christianson, Executive Director of Visit Grand Rapids. With a million acres of public forest and more than a thousand area lakes, tourism is the heart of the local…

Volunteers Chalk The Walk At Twin Ports Hospitals

"I think just seeing a nice message and putting a smile on someone's face for the day, that's all that matters," said Northwestern Mutual's Director of Operations and Development Lindsey Dueland.

DULUTH, Minn. – Patients and staff at Essentia Health and St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth are receiving the gift of joy through street art. Interns and staff at Northwestern Mutual, a local insurance company, spent the afternoon chalking the sidewalks at Essentia and St. Luke’s. They drew beautiful pictures and wrote encouraging messages. “We hope it means as much to…

Aunt Jemima to Change Logo

After 130 years, Aunt Jemima will vanish from packaging.

(Paul Taggart/Bloomberg via Getty Images) NEW YORK (AP) – Pepsico is changing the name and marketing image of its Aunt Jemima pancake mix and syrup. A spokeswoman for Pepsico-owned Quaker Oats Company said it recognized Aunt Jemima’s origins are based on a racial stereotype and that the 131-year-old name and image would be replaced on products and advertising by the…

7 West Taphouse Re-Opens Amid Superior Street Reconstruction Downtown

Longtime customers say they're still excited to get back to their favorite restaurant.

DULUTH, Minn.- 7 West Taphouse is one of the bars and restaurants which has opened their locations this week, including in downtown Duluth  — on top of the reconstruction of a portion of Superior Street happening right outside their door. On their first day open Monday, about 20-30 people came in for lunch. Customers are asked to wait at the…

Visit Duluth Furloughs Six Employees, As Summer Tourism Remains Uncertain

Six out of the 11 employees were temporarily furloughed.

DULUTH, Minn.- Six employees have been temporarily furloughed at Visit Duluth, the tourism bureau tasked with marketing the city to outsiders. “We are at a point now where it was the harsh reality of what we’re facing in our industry,” said President Anna Tanski. “We have the resources and took these steps to stretch our operation at least through the…

Fond-du-Luth, Black Bear Casinos Open After Three Months Closed

The casino has increased the space between people at machines, and is not allowing smoking on the gaming floor.

DULUTH, Minn.- After being closed for three months, Fond-du-Luth Casino in downtown Duluth and Black Bear Casino in Cloquet are now back open for businesses, with some noticeable changes. Fond-du-Luth was busy on its first day re-opened. The slot machines were ringing, and their colorful screens flashing once again. But before getting to the excitement, guests must be checked. “When…

Amazing Grace to Become Canal Park’s First Grocery Store and Cafe

The longstanding bakery and cafe is doing a total overhaul, changing what it offers to the area.

DULUTH, Minn.- The bakery and cafe that has sat in the basement of the DeWitt-Seitz Marketplace for 25 years is not only getting a makeover, but a do-over — from a bakery to a grocery store. “Changing with the times you have to just, you can’t dig in your heels cause then those are the places that don’t survive,” said…

It’s National Red Rose Day

The Rose Man in Duluth sells roughly 100,000 roses a year.

DULUTH, Minn. – The flower of love doesn’t have to only be given to those you care for on Valentine’s Day. It can also share the love on National Red Rose Day. The red rose has been dubbed the symbol of love for many years. The popular flower is typically given by the dozen. The long-standing history suggests each rose…

The City Of Duluth Wants To Help Laid Off Workers

Those on the job hunt can also utilize services such as resume building and workshops.

DULUTH, Minn – Many companies throughout the northland have recently laid off hundreds of employees as a way to recover from the financial difficulties of the Covid-19 pandemic. And the City of Duluth and CareerForce is stepping in to help It can be difficult for many of the laid-off employees to know where to start. CareerForce staff says they are…