Business

Knowing Your Neighbors: Canal Park Toystore Brings Back Traditional Toys

Toys For Keeps in Canal Park preparing for Easter rush.

DULUTH, Minn.- In an age where many kids are glued to screens, toys can be an important tool to use their imagination and build social skills. The owner of Toys for Keeps hopes her traditional toys can help everyone feel like kids again. “This is a family friendly store,” said Cindy McCabe. “We have the grandparents and the parents and the…

Industry Leaders Talk Future of Mining at 92nd Annual Minerals Conference

92nd annual conference held by SME Minnesota chapter.

DULUTH, Minn.- Future innovations and improvements in mining were among the topics discussed at the 92nd annual SME Minnesota Minerals Conference at the DECC on Monday. The theme of this year’s conference is “Mining for a Modern World.” Organizers brought together industry leaders who explored topics such as gold and surface mining. “They’re looking, as all of us are, to how…

UMD Stores Prepare for Bulldogs Championship Merchandise

National Championship Gear Arrives on Wednesday

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD bookstore is already starting to fill with Duluthians eager to sport their Bulldog pride. The store has sales on last year’s championship merchandise, and this year’s will be getting in on Wednesday. “It will be crazy,” said customer service employee Kim Pichetti. “Lots of traffic, lots of excitement, really looking forward to it.” Due to the…

1 Arrested, Light Pole Toppled During Bulldogs Celebrations In Canal Park

Overall, Duluth police said the large crowd mostly remained in control

DULUTH, Minn.- Canal Park was alive Saturday night after the UMD Bulldogs’ historic National Championship back-to-back win. Soon, a large crowd flooded Lake Avenue near 310 Pub, causing Duluth police to block off the road to traffic. Some fans took their excitement a little too far. “The guy got up on the light post and started shaking it real hard,…

Community Preps to Sew Bags, Rid Duluth of Plastic Bags on Earth Day

Bag-A-Thon event happening city wide on April 20th.

DULUTH, Minn.- To raise awareness about the climate impacts and pollution caused by plastic bag use, the Bag It Duluth campaign is preparing for a city wide event on Earth Day. “Bag—A—Thon” will occur at locations across the city on April 20th. Different locations will accept donations until the 17th. Then people would be invited to come and sew reusable…

Duluth Police Hold Coffee with a Cop at Starbucks

Conversations held between police and community.

DULUTH, Minn.-Duluth Police officers heard from their community in a unique way on Tuesday. They hosted a Coffee with a Cop session at Starbucks in downtown Duluth. Officers say they wanted to provide a casual and welcoming opportunity for law enforcement and the community to come together. “A large part of law enforcement and the job we do is knowing…

Knowing Your Neighbors: Reimagined by T. Underwood

Home staging store in Duluth helps you transform your home.

DULUTH, Minn.- For some, it can be hard to make your house or apartment feel like home. The owner of Reimagined by T. Underwood says her philosophy can help with that. Tammy Underwood once ran her store out of her garage and storage units, but now has a place of her own. “When this spot become available I signed the lease…

Martha’s Daughter Restaurant Closes In Downtown Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – A downtown Duluth restaurant that’s been open for only about a year has announced it is closing its doors for good and solely offering a “pop-up service.” Martha’s Daughter opened in the former Coney Island location on East Superior Street in early 2018 to serve locally sourced and sustainable food. A GoFundMe created by the owner, Nyanyika Banda,…

Ski Season Successful, said Spirit Mountain

Officials say profits are good, but not as good as previous year.

DULUTH, Minn.- The end of season numbers have come in, and it appears it’s been another successful one for Spirit Mountain. According to the resort’s General Manager, they’ll be rounding out the fiscal year with a profit of $180,000. This is a bit short of their $302,000 profit from the previous year. They say they’re happy with business despite the…

Phase Two of Superior Street Reconstruction Begins

Kickoff event held with Mayor Larson and City Officials.

DULUTH, Minn.- The barricades are up on Superior Street as construction season begins. While the ground was broken for the project on Monday, the real heavy work will start next week. Until then crews will be focused on staging and preparation for a project that will include improving utilities, adding a closed loop hot water heat system, and other streetscape amenities….

Portland Malt Shoppe Open for Season

Popular malt and ice cream stop bringing customers in the cold.

DULUTH, Minn.- Is it cold? A little. Too cold for ice cream? “This is Minnesota. Nothing, nothing’s cold about Ice Cream,” said Joel Heller. Heller joins dozens of others in a long line at Portland Malt Shoppe, for their first day open for the season. The chill and the drizzle aren’t enough to stop Northland malt lovers, and for some,…

Husky Energy Announces Rebuild of Superior Refinery

Continued use of controversial chemical Hydrogen Flouride facing backlash.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Nearly a year after the explosion at Husky Energy Refinery, the company announced their plans for a $400 million rebuild, expected to create 350 jobs at its peak. However, the plan to continue using the controversial chemical Hydrogen Fluoride (HF) in the Refinery’s operations, is raising some eyebrows. Investigations found the initial explosion took place in the Fluid Catalytic…

Harley Steelworkers Reject, Machinists Accept Contracts

Harley-Davidson Execs say They are Disappointed in the Vote

MILWAUKEE – Steelworkers at Harley-Davidson have overwhelmingly rejected a new contract offer, while machinists have accepted a deal. United Steelworkers Local 2209 in the Milwaukee area and Local 460 in Tomahawk rejected the new deal Monday. WTMJ-AM reports the current contract between steelworkers and Harley took effect in 2012 and was set to expire Monday. But, the union will continue…

Knowing Your Neighbors: De-Cluttering Your Life

Live Simply with Kim helps Northlanders tidy up.

DULUTH, Minn.- Spring is a time of renewal and rebirth, and that means out with the old to make room for the new. The weather’s warming up, flowers are in bloom, and you want to start cleansing your home of dirt. There’s just one problem. Clutter. “How do you sweep and mop the floor if the kids’ toys are all over?”…

Vikre Distillery Remodeling in June

Owners plan to remodel cocktail room, add event spaces.

DULTUH, Minn.- A popular distillery in Canal Park will be getting a makeover this summer. In June Vikre Distillery will be moving their bar upstairs and adding event spaces throughout the building. They’ll also be changing the furniture in their cocktail room to make the vibe more comfortable. “Be able to just serve more people in a comfortable way,” said…

City Holds Last Meeting Before Superior Street Reconstruction Begins

Project leaders met with business leaders and residents at Greysolon Ballroom.

DULUTH, Minn.- The City of Duluth plans to close down Superior Street from Lake Avenue to Fourth Avenue West this summer for a four–block reconstruction project. The work starts next Monday, so city officials met with business leaders and residents to talk strategy, get feedback, and answer questions about the remodel. Their big message: it’ll be a rough construction period, but…

Duluth’s First Mobile Market in Chester Bowl

Four food trucks gather in Chester Bowl.

DULUTH, Minn.- Those admiring the nature at Chester Bowl could also pick up some locally made goodies at the first ever Duluth Mobile Market. “It really means a lot to individuals and businesses to have people come out and support, and bring out the best of Duluth,” said Sara Clifton, co-owner of Makers Mercantile. Visitors could shop food from local food…

Hillside Toasty’s Location Closes

Employees moved to downtown location.

DULUTH, Minn.- As of Monday the Toasty’s Sandwich Shop on East Ninth Street closed because of structural problems in the building. In one area, the foundation is even caving in. The owner of Toasty’s said the closure was a blessing in disguise for their downtown location. “The employees all came down to our location downtown here, so we’ve been looking forward…

WHEDA Hosts Homebuying Forum for Realtors

Share new programs, tips and tricks to help those looking for a home.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- For first-time homebuyers and homebuyers needing assistance in Wisconsin, finding the right property can be difficult, according to the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority. So WHEDA and North Shore Bank of Commerce at V.I.P. Pizza in Superior to discuss programs to help buyers broaden their horizons. Among the new services they have a financing option where first-time homebuyers…

Two Harbors Shopko’s Closing Will Make Noticeable Impact

The Two Harbors location will be shutting its doors at the beginning of the summer and dozens of people will lose their jobs.

TWO HARBORS, Minn. – Shopko recently announced they’ll be liquidating all of their stores including Two Harbors. The Two Harbors location will be shutting its doors at the beginning of the summer and 30-40 people will lose their jobs. The Two Harbors Area Chamber of Commerce says apart from the loss of jobs many people who live in the area…

Gov. Walz Talks Healthcare Reform in Duluth

Roundtable held at Snooty Fox Tea Shop.

DULUTH, Minn.-  Over a month after releasing a new budget proposal, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz shared more about a feature of that proposal, his OneCare health care reform. At a roundtable discussion at Snooty Fox Tea Shop, the governor promised to “cut out the middleman” by not paying insurance companies hoping they lower costs. Instead he plans to provide direct subsidies…

Workshop Helps with Climate Change Conversations

AICHO and Climate Generation hold two day Climate Institute.

DULUTH, Minn.- The American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO) and Climate Generation hosted a climate institute in Duluth. The two-day event aims to open up meaningful conversations about climate change, humanizing what they say is a normally science-dominated discussion. “We’re really beyond the science because we know that information alone is not enough to move someone to behavior change,” said Jothsna…

Majority of Duluth-Based Maurices  Bought Out by European Investment Company

Longstanding Duluth-based clothing retailer Maurices has had the majority of its business bought out by a European investment company.

DULUTH, Minn.-Longstanding Duluth-based clothing retailer Maurices has had the majority of its business bought out by a European investment company. The group OpCapita Consumer Opportunities Fund II LP made that announcement today. Maurices’ current parent company, Ascena Retail Group, Inc., will retain a significant equity interest in the business and will continue to provide brand support services. Maurices currently has…

Tyson Recalls Chicken Strips due to Metal Fears

WASHINGTON (AP) — Arkansas-based Tyson Foods is recalling more than 69,000 pounds of frozen, ready-to-eat chicken strips because they may be contaminated with pieces of metal. The U.S. Agriculture Department said Thursday the products were produced on Nov. 30, 2018, and have a best if used by date of Nov. 30, 2019. The products have the establishment number “P-7221” on…

East Superior Street Reconstruction To Start April 8

DULUTH, Minn. – Phase two of the Superior Street reconstruction project is about to get underway on the east side of downtown. Starting Monday, April 8, city crews will close down East Superior Street from Lake Avenue in front of Pizza Luce up until 3rd Avenue East by Greysolon Plaza. Pending weather conditions, a public kick-off event will happen at…

Facebook Stored Millions of Passwords in Plain Text

The Company Says Passwords Were Stored on Internal Company Servers

SAN FRANCISCO – Facebook had stored millions of user passwords in plain text for years, the social media company confirmed on Thursday after a security researcher posted about the issue online. Facebook says there is no evidence that employees had abused access to this data. The company says the passwords were stored on internal company servers, no outsiders could access…

Five Mistakes to Avoid When Paying off Credit Card Debt

Thursday, March 21, 2019 is National Credit Reduction Day

DULUTH, Minn. – According to a recent study credit card debt is at a record high. Recent interest rate hikes mean we’re paying even more to carry that debt. Thursday, March 21 is National Credit Card Reduction Day and Financial Advisor Barry Bigelow from Great Waters Financial offers five mistakes we should avoid making with credit cards. Why do we…

Convenience Stores Find Loophole to Sell Flavored Tobacco

Korner Store in Gary New Duluth opening up smoke shop.

DULUTH, Minn.- At least two convenience stores in Duluth have found a way around a year-old city ordinance that bans the sale of menthol and flavored tobacco products. Derek Medved, owner of the Korner Store in Gary New Duluth, is creating a separate retail establishment as a smoke shop within his convenience store. The 10 foot by 10 foot section…

William A. Irvin’s 2019 Season Opener Postponed Until July

Ship museum won't be open for the beginning of the 2019 season

DULUTH, Minn. – DECC officials confirmed Tuesday to FOX 21 that the William A. Irvin is expected to reopen for tours in July instead of Memorial Day as it waits to get work done at Fraser Shipyards in Superior. The DECC’s executive director, Chelly Townsend, tells us the Irvin accounts for about $200,000 in revenue every year. The attraction wasn’t…

Shopko to Close all Remaining Stores

Stores Will Close by June 16

DULUTH, Minn. – Shopko has announced they will be closing all of their remaining store locations by June 16. The company says additional store closings include Ely, Moose Lake, Two Harbors, Aitkin, Spooner, and the Duluth location at 801 West Central Entrance. Officials with Shopko say there are approximately 30-40 people employed at the Duluth store. “This is not the…

Foxconn Says Wisconsin Factory Will be Operational in 2020

Construction Will Begin Later This Year

(AP) MADISON, Wis. – Foxconn Technology Group says its manufacturing facility in Wisconsin will be producing liquid crystal display screens by the end of 2020, with construction starting later this year. The news Monday comes after worldwide electronics manufacturing leader sent mixed signals earlier this year about whether it planned to suspend work in Wisconsin. The Taiwan-based Foxconn in February…

Skating through St. Patrick’s Day at World of Wheels

Rink hosts annual St. Patrick's Day Party.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The Irish jig is a longstanding tradition, especially on St. Patrick’s Day. But in Superior, another type of fancy footwork has become a St. Patty’s Day tradition for many families. Rollerskating at World of Wheels’s Annual St. Patrick’s Day Party. Not only will you escape a pinch, wearing green here also gets you a free light stick to wear…

More Northlanders Buy Flood Insurance Ahead of Rain and Warmth

Insurance Agency details change in business.

DULUTH, Minn.- The potential for flooding has homeowners thinking about flood insurance. Pat Shelton, an agent at Farmers Insurance in Duluth said people are worrying about heavy snow and the potential for flooded basements. Shelton added that you don’t have to be in a flood zone, to get protection. “It can be a good idea, it’s piece of mind,” he…

Cleaning at Beijing Restaurant Begins After 2018 Fire

Crews remove furniture, re-open unsure.

DULUTH, Minn.- Cleaning crews are now on site at Beijing Restaurant in Duluth, after fire closed the business down last October. The owner of Beijing on London Road tells us cleaning will take at least a month. She is hoping to re-open sometime this year, but she says that all depends on how long the building remodel will take. It…

City Crews Tackle Storm Drains in Superior, Cleaning Businesses Prep for Flooding

City of Superior and SERVPRO of Twin Ports Share Tips and Tricks

SUPERIOR, Wis.- There are 3067 storm drains, 91 miles of sewer, and 181 miles of ditches, swales and culverts in the City of Superior. Now crews are rushing to have those near homes clear, before any flooding can begin. “If that drain gets plugged up, whether it’s plugged up with debris like leaves, grass, sticks, garbage, or ice like we’re…

Duluth Ordinance Possible Solution to Child Care Shortage in the Northland

City Council is Expected to Vote by the end of the Month

DULUTH, Minn. – Finding quality child care in the Northland has been a challenge for many parents in the area. In Duluth there are about one hundred fifty licensed family child care homes and centers, but it is not enough to meet the demand of more than one thousand openings still needed to cover the deficit in Duluth. Local leaders…

Honda recalls 1.2M more vehicles with dangerous air bags

The Recall Covers Certain Honda and Acura Models Largely in the U.S. and Canada

DETROIT (AP) — A type of Takata air bag inflator once thought to be safe has now come under scrutiny after a crash and explosion in Maryland injured the driver of an older Honda minivan. The incident forced Honda on Tuesday to recall about 1.2 million vehicles in North and Central America from the 2001 to 2016 model years that…

Sammy’s Pizza Opens new Location in Hermantown

The new Space is the Fifteenth Sammy's Location

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Sammy’s pizza has officially opened the doors to its new Hermantown location. The new space is located at 4310 Menard Drive and will be the fifteenth Sammy’s location. The new restaurant is owned and operated by the Perrella family who also owns Sammy’s Pizza restaurants in Downtown Duluth and in the Woodland neighborhood. “It’s hard to put…

Rep. Pete Stauber Visits IPS Cranes

He got an up close look at IPS Cranes, a local business that builds, rebuilds and refurbishes locomotive cranes.

DULUTH, Minn. – Congressman Pete Stauber stopped in Duluth this weekend to visit a local manufacturing facility. Representative Stauber says Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District has every form of transportation from rail to air. Stauber got a chance to meet some transportation workers this weekend. He got an up close look at IPS Cranes, a local business that builds, rebuilds and…

Northland Springs Into Spring Cleaning

Cleaning services give tips and tricks.

DULUTH, Minn.- Even though it may not feel like it, we are less than two weeks away from Spring. That means many Northlanders have started their Spring Cleaning routines. Some even hire professional services to clean their homes and offices. Marianne’s Professional Cleaning in Duluth is one of those services. The owner says she sees her business increase around this…

Order Up! Gordy’s Hi-Hat to Host Hiring Event Saturday

The Hiring Event is Happening Saturday, March 9 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at Gordy's Hi-Hat in Cloquet

DULUTH, Minn. – After many months of cold temperatures and heavy snowfall, Gordy’s Hi-Hat is preparing to open for the 59th season. The family-owned eatery is hosting a hiring event on Saturday, March 9 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Gordy’s grandson, Sever Lundquist, says positions available range from cooks to janitors and even teens looking for their first summer job. Lundquist invites everyone interested…

All Charlotte Russe Stores Closing

DULUTH, Minn. – Charlotte Russe has announced it is closing all of its stores and will begin “going out of business” sales starting March 7. The Charlotte Russe website says, “Our online store has closed, going out of business sale, starts March 7, all stores, all sales final.” The company plans to close all of its stores over the next…

FDA Warns of Asbestos in Claire’s Makeup

Asbestos was Confirmed in Three Claire's Products

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. regulators on Tuesday warned people not to use certain Claire’s makeup products after samples tested positive for asbestos, but the retailer disputed the findings. The Food and Drug Administraiton said it issued the warning because it said Claire’s refused to comply with its request for a recall, and that the agency doesn’t have the power…

Dollar Tree to Close up to 390 Family Dollar Stores

The Company Will Reconate 1,000 Stores This Year

CHESAPEAKE, Va. (AP) — Dollar Tree is closing up to 390 Family Dollar stores this year and rebranding about 200 others under the Dollar Tree name. The company closed 84 Family Dollar stores in the fourth quarter, 37 more than originally planned. The company has said that it will renovate at least 1,000 stores this year. Dollar Tree Inc., based…

Cleveland-Cliffs Delivers State of the Business

Business leaders, city and state officials gather in Chisholm.

CHISHOLM, Minn.- Chisholm business leaders, city and state officials, and employees heard a state of the business update from the iron ore mining company Cleveland-Cliffs. President, Chairman and CEO Lourenco Goncalves spent the beginning of his presentation detailing Cleveland-Cliffs’s growth since he took over in August 2014. But soon he delved into the environmental impacts of iron ore mining, clean steel-making…

County To Hire Exec. Dir. To Oversee Duluth Depot

DULUTH, Minn. — St. Louis County is hiring a Heritage and Arts Center executive director to handle operations at the Duluth Depot. Commissioners say the position will help with collaboration among the eight tenants at the Depot while also taking away some of the politics among the tenants. The director will be a neutral party making between $67,000 and roughly $90,000…

New Outdoor Consignment Shop to Host Pop-Up Event in Duluth

The First Ever Great Lakes Gear Exchange Pop-Up Event is Happening Saturday, March 9, 2019

DULUTH, Minn. – Since January, items new and used have been coming in rapidly to the Great Lakes Gear Exchange. Owners Brooke Wetmore and Emily Richey decided two years ago to begin developing an outdoor consignment business. Northlanders are able to sell their items to the owners, which then are resold to other folks looking to purchase new or gently used…