Business

Lakeside Bakery Closing

Will be Open Through Easter at Least

DULUTH, Minn.-The Lakeside Bakery in the east end of Duluth has announced it will be closing. Owner Scott Johnson tells us his heavy work schedule is to blame for the closing, running two locations, seven days a week. “It’s more of a fact of survival for myself and we’re plenty busy all the way around,” Johnson said. “So we don’t have…

MN Psychological Association Takes Nominations for Healthy Workplace Awards

MN Psychologically Healthy Workplace Awards

DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Psychological Association’s Annual Psychologically Healthy Workplace Awards competition is now taking nominations and applications. Nominations for the awards program are open through Feb. 16. The awards program recognizes organizations that make a commitment to programs and policies that foster employee health and well-being while enhancing organizational performance and productivity. To enter, all companies need to…

Duluth Flower Farm Offers Valentine’s Day Arrangements

Duluth Flower Farm Takes on Valentine's Day for the First Time

DULUTH, Minn. – Valentine’s Day is just two days away and if you haven’t purchased a gift for your sweetheart yet, you’re in luck. Duluth Flower Farm is providing Valentine’s Day flowers for the first time. The program is featuring Minnesota-grown flowers. The Duluth Flower Farm is offering eight arrangements to choose from and is providing free delivery. To purchase…

Vanilla Bean Opens New Restaurant in Duluth

Restaurant Located at 1608 Woodland Ave.

DULUTH, Minn.-Vanilla Bean has opened a new spot in Duluth. The mainstay in Two Harbors has been around for about 20 years, and the new owners thought now is a good time for an expansion. One of the big changes for the restaurant will be having a dinner menu running all year long, rather than having a seasonal one like…

Superior Ice Cream Maker Expanding

Love Creamery Will be Opening Storefront in Lincoln Park This Summer

SUPERIOR, Wis.-You will soon have a new spot to get your sweet tooth fix. This summer Love Creamery in the Superior incubator, will be opening a brick and mortar shop in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Duluth. Owner Nicole Wilde said she is excited about this new venture which will allow her to offer even more ice cream. She said…

Dow Plunges 1,000 as Market Swoons Again

Dow is 10 Percent Below Record High From Two Weeks Ago

NEW YORK-The Dow Jones industrial average plunged more than 1,000 points as a week-long market swoon continued. The Dow is 10 percent below the record high it set just two weeks ago, putting it in what is known on Wall Street as a “correction.” The Standard & Poor’s 500, the benchmark for many index funds, is also 10 percent below…

Local Business Owners to Brainstorm Solutions to Workforce Gap

NE MN Workforce Solutions Series

DULUTH, Minn. – Next week local leaders and business owners will be coming together to find a solution to the looming workforce gap. This is part of the “NE MN Workforce Solutions Series” event. The workforce gap is currently developing as baby boomers retire and the population in the Northeast region stays stagnant. According to Ian Vincent with Northforce, it…

Gander Outdoors Opens in Hermantown

Store Opened Today

HERMANTOWN, Minn.-Gander Outdoors has opened in Hermantown. According to a Facebook post from the store, they will have a grand opening celebration beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 17. Kids can paint a lure from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and build a duck call from 1-3 p.m. that day. The store closed over the summer due to bankruptcy, but a new…

Corktown Deli and Brews coming to Lincoln Park Craft Dist.

Business owner also owns Duluth Grill, OMS Smokehouse

DULUTH, Minn. – The businessman behind the Duluth Grill and OMC Smokehouse is getting ready to open up another restaurant in Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. The business is called Corktown Deli and Brews and will be located at 1906 West Superior Street, which is right across the street from OMC. Owner Tom Hanson describes the restaurant as a fast-casual dining experience…

Twin Ports Project Recycles Hotel Amenities For Those In Need

La Quinta Inn & Suites Duluth and has partnered with Safe Haven Shelter and Union Gospel Mission.

DULUTH, Minn. – A new project in the Twin Ports turning one person’s trash into another person’s treasure. Eleven area hotels are collecting gently used linens, pillows and bottles of shampoo and conditioner. They’ll donate these items to local agencies instead of just tossing them out. It’s called the Heart of Hospitality Project and the woman who started the effort…

Best Buy Ending CD Sales in All Stores

Some Record Stores Selling More Vinyl Albums Than CDs

DULUTH, Minn. – Best Buy is saying goodbye to the sale of compact discs at its stores come July. This comes as music CD sales are down 18.5% compared to last year. While Best Buy is passing on CDs, you can still buy them at some local record stores like Electric Fetus in Duluth. The staff there tell us they…

Dow Falls By Record Number, Bounces Back

Experts Say No Reason to Panic After Market Correction

DULUTH, Minn. – Monday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped by more points than any day in history, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to panic. Though the Dow fell by more than a thousand points, it was only four and a half percent of the market. Financial experts tell us yesterday’s plunge was a normal correction of the market,…

SpaceX Launches The Falcon Heavy with Sports Car on Top

“They nailed it. Good for them.” - former NASA deputy administrator Dava Newman

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — SpaceX’s big new rocket blasted off Tuesday on its first test flight, carrying a red sports car aiming for an endless road trip past Mars. The Falcon Heavy rose from the same launch pad used by NASA nearly 50 years ago to send men to the moon. With liftoff, the Heavy became the most powerful…

Dow Jones Down 1,100 as of 2 p.m.

Dow Drops 666 Points Friday

UPDATE: The Dow Jones industrial average plunged as much as 1,500 points, erasing its gain for the year, as the market extends a slump that began Friday. The Dow’s point loss would be its biggest of all time, though in percentage terms, its 5.6 percent decline wasn’t as big as its worst drop during the financial crisis. The slide Monday…

Bent Paddle Brewing Company Releases New Symphony-Inspired Beer

DSSO Music Director Dirk Meyer also helped brew the beer.

DULUTH, Minn. – Bent Paddle Brewing Company released a brand new beer. The brewery collaborated with the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra (DSSO). They created the DüsselDirk  named after Dirk Meyer, the music director at the (DSSO). The special brew took a little over a month to make. “This is the first time it’s been on and we’ll also be at…

Bent Paddle Brewing Company Releasing DüsselDirk Altbier

DSSO Music Director gets a beer named for him

DSSO Music Director Dirk Meyer smiles proudly with a pint of DüsselDirk, Bent Paddle’s latest creation named for the “Maestro.”Duluth, Minn. – Bent Paddle Brewing’s latest collaboration may have you singing their praises.  The brewing company has teamed up with the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra to create a Düsseldorf Altbier, which they named DüsselDirk, after the DSSO music director, Dirk…

Best Buy Shares Tips for Creating Optimal Super Bowl Experience

Best Buy has created a Tech Zone at the Mall of America. Former NFL Star Linebacker for the Minneapolis Vikings Ben Leber and Best Buy’s Geek Squad Chief Inspector Nate Bauer told FOX 21 about the best tech available, tips, and deals relating to the “Big Game on Super Sunday”. For more information, head to www.bestbuy.com. Categories: Business, Community, Entertainment,…

Search Begins for New Executive Director at Duluth Seaway Port Authority

CFO Kevin Beardsley Appointed as Interim Director

DULUTH, Minn.-The Duluth Seaway Port Authority director’s Vanta Coda’s will resign effective Feb. 9. They have appointed the organization’s CFO, Kevin Beardsley, as interim executive director while the search for a successor gets under way. Coda, who became the Port Authority’s chief executive on Oct. 1, 2013, achieved some milestones in his time at the Port Authority, including completion of…

310 Pub Opening in Canal Park

Pub Is at the Former Grizzly's Location

DULUTH, Minn. – 310 Pub is opening on Friday at the site of the former Grizzly’s Saloon and Grill in Canal Park. Wednesday the pub held a soft open to get ready for the weekend where they offered free food to invited guests. 310 has the same owner as 7 West Taphouse and Grizzly’s. His new restaurant has a lot…

Video Vision in West Duluth Closing

Video Vision Superior Remains Open

DULUTH, Minn. – One of the last video rental stores in the region is closing its doors for good this week. Video Vision opened thirty-five years ago and once had six locations across the Twin Ports. Their Superior store remains open but as their Spirit Valley location closes this week, so does a once-successful industry in Duluth. “We were the…

Couture Floral Design in Duluth’s Woodland Neighborhood

Saffron and Grey is Located at 2303 Woodland Avenue in Duluth, Minnesota

DULUTH, Minn. – When you think of flowers, a special occasion probably comes to mind. Technology has since changed the way many of us order flowers, as it’s now easier than ever to go online, place an order and have it delivered. However, owners of one flower shop in Duluth are looking to keep as many orders as they can,…

Winter Market is Best Time to Buy and Sell Homes

DULUTH, Minn. – During these cold winter days heading out to look at homes isn’t the ideal way to spend time. However, winter is actually just the time to purchase a new home. According to real estate experts, this is the best time to make the purchase. “They’re motivated, they’re looking for a smooth, fast and easy transaction,” said Amy…

After Years of Work, Duluth’s NorShor Theatre Reopens This Week

Coffee Conversation: Mamma Mia! Kicks of NorShor Entertainment

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s a big week for the city of Duluth as the highly-anticipated opening of The NorShor Theatre is taking place this week. After several years of work to make this a reality, performers will once again be on the stage. “It’s incredibly exciting, it’s stressful, it’s such a momentous moment. There’s so much leading up to this…

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker Visits Superior

Gov. Walker addressed health care and sales tax rebate.

SUPERIOR, Wis.-  Governor walker traveled to the Northland Saturday meeting with the Republican Party of Douglas County. The Republican Party of Douglas County held its annual Lincoln Day dinner in Superior. Governor Walker spoke to on-goers addressing issues, including what he hopes for the future of healthcare. “Affirms that preexisting conditions will be covered in the State of Wisconsin,” Gov….

Some Summer Tourism Uncertainty For Irvin, Vista With Delayed Seawall Reconstruction

City Projects Seawall Project Complete After Grandma's Marathon Weekend

DULUTH, Minn. – There’s some slight uncertainty involving the summer tourism season for Duluth’s Vista Fleet and William A. Irvin. This comes as the multi-million dollar seawall reconstruction project is roughly two months behind schedule and won’t be complete until sometime mid-summer after Grandma’s Marathon weekend. Last week, the Irvin was moved away from the seawall in the Minnesota Slip…

Duluth Coffee Company and Earth Rider Join Forces

The new coffee beer can be found in Superior and Duluth.

DULUTH, Minn.– Two brewers of different kinds have teamed up to create the perfect coffee beer. Earth Rider Brewery and Duluth Coffee Company released the pale ale Thursday night. Workers say told the coffee beer is created using an imperfect pale ale but made complete with the help of the Duluth Coffee Company. “Overall in the flavor you might not…

Plans Underway for New Unique Hotel

Officials say the hotel aims to attract millennials to Duluth.

DULUTH, Minn.– New details are being revealed for a new hotel like no other planned for Duluth’s central entrance. The hotel is called “Tru by Hilton” it’s aimed at giving young professionals, a fun affordable place to stay.  The rooms will cost $100 a night and be smaller than an average hotel room. City officials say although there are many hotels, none…

Former ‘Chicken Spur’ Showing Signs of Demolition

Owner of the property is taking down the canopy and digging out old gas tanks.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The former longtime home of the Chicken Spur gas station in Superior is showing signs of demolition. Superior city planner Jason Serck said Wednesday the owners of the property are simply tearing down the gas station’s canopy and digging out the old gas tanks. Serck says it’s all in an effort to better market the prime property on…

Local Engineers Design New Fitger’s Pedestrian Bridge

Bridge Investment Is Focused On Access to Fitger's From Superior Street

  DULUTH, Minn. – The old corroding bridge from the Pick Wick parking lot to the Fitger’s ramp is being replaced. The new and stronger bridge will soon be painted bright red and installed for easier pedestrian access from Superior Street to the lower level of the historic Fitger’s complex. AMI Consulting Engineers in Superior is behind the design and…

Duluth City Council Approves $1.8M In Upgrades For City Hall

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth’s City Hall has been approved by the city council for $1.8 million in upgrades. The money will go toward replacing inefficient, non-compliant building systems like lighting and electric, as well as information technology infrastructure. Carpets, ceiling tiles and paint will also be part of the deal, while improving space that’s currently not being used to the best…

Snowmobile Trail Conditions ‘Good’ in Douglas Co.

The Brule River Riders Snowmobile Club is Responsible for Grooming Nearly 130 Miles of Trails Every Winter

BRULE, Wisc. – Snowmobile riders from near and far often travel hundreds of miles to experience the best trail conditions. Right now, the Brule River Riders Snowmobile Club in Douglas County says their trails are some of the best in the area. The club is responsible for grooming nearly 130 miles of trails every winter, and also maintaining them in…

Hotel For Millennials Planned Along Central Entrance in Duluth

Planning Commission To Vote On Project Feb. 13

DULUTH, Minn. – Plans are in the works to bring a new hotel to Duluth that’s nothing like any hotel in the area. The hotel chain is called Tru by Hilton. Parent company Hilton Worldwide describes Tru as the company’s newest brand designed with millennials in mind and affordable prices at around $100 a night. The rooms are smaller to…

Hotel Pikku to Open in Lincoln Park Craft District

Three Suite Hotel Expected to Open This Spring

DULUTH, Minn. – A new hotel is coming this spring to Duluth’s Lincoln Park Craft District. The Hotel Pikku is being created to give visitors to Duluth a place to stay that highlights what the hotel’s owners love about the city. Located on the 1900 block of West Superior Street right above Hemlocks Leatherworks, the little hotel will soon be…

Duluth City Council To Have First Read For Possible Tobacco Flavored Products Ban

If this ordinance does pass businesses would be given a 120 day notice to comply.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth City Council will have the first reading of an ordinance that could ban the sale of flavored tobacco products in convenience stores. Staff at the Piedmont Milk House in Duluth say they don’t want to sell flavored tobacco products to minors, but don’t agree with the city picking and choosing who can and can not sell those products. The store…

City Seeking Developers For Land In Gary New Duluth

The lots are located at the 1100 block of U.S. Highway 23 at McGonagle Street.

DULUTH, Minn. – The city of Duluth is planning to redevelop some tax forfeited land to increase housing around the city. The 13 lots are located in Gary New Duluth and equal almost one acre of undeveloped land. The city is looking for developers to get creative and see what they can come up with for these lots. The goal is to get the…

Superior Celebrates Winter with Annual Festival

Coffee Conversation: Lake Superior Ice Festival

SUPERIOR, Wis. -The City of Superior is celebrating the winter season. The Lake Superior Ice Festival is being held Friday, January 26 through Sunday, January 28. There will be The Great Lakes Pond Hockey Classic, ice sculptures, a snow slide, an ice bar, bonfires, a kid’s zone, ice racing, and more. The entire festival is taking place on Barker’s Island…

Blush Offers a New Space for Artists in Duluth

Bar and Event Venue Is All About Making People Feel Welcome

DULUTH, Minn. – Since last summer, there’s been another artist run venue in Downtown Duluth. Blush was founded by members of the Duluth music scene to create an inclusive space for artists on First Avenue West in Downtown Duluth. Since last August, Blush has offered performances and gallery showings by artists for artists. “It’s not really like heavily invested in…

Minnesota Liquor Stores Busy on Championship Sunday

Sunday Is Usually a Slow Day at Bottle Shops, But Not When the Vikings Play

DULUTH, Minn. – Liquor stores in Minnesota are finding a boost in sales now that liquor sales are allowed on Sundays throughout the state. Employees at Shanty Bottle Shop in Duluth say football fans have been in a lot the past two weeks buying their favorite beer and spirits to cheer on the Vikings. “Sundays, I mean, compared to the…

Emergency Responder Training in the Cold

Duluth Hosts the State's Largest EMS Expo

DULUTH, Minn.-  EMS workers in Minnesota face many tough situations and harsh weather conditions on the job. To provide the best care workers are taking part in the state’s largest EMS Expo in Duluth.  Around 1,000 EMS workers from Minnesota, Iowa, and South Dakota come take part in Arrowhead’s EMS Expo. The training courses offered help workers learn more about advancing…

Discount Duluth Offers More at Larger Location

Discount Duluth aims to supply affordable big brand products.

DULUTH, Minn.- Two brothers are creating jobs and bringing affordable shopping to their hometown. Discount Duluth opened one year ago, now the retail shop is moving to a new location. The store is now five times larger than before. Discount Duluth sells overstock big brand products at a discounted price. “It means a lot to us because we always use…

Local Businesses Honoring Minnesota Vikings

Would you decorate your home with purple gear?

DULUTH, Minn.- The Vikings victory last Sunday not only has fans shouting SKOL but businesses are getting into the spirit as well. Duluth’s own Riverside Soy Candles now has a purple edition. The candles are typically colorless, but the creator says she knew she needed to honor the team. “I think it kind of brings the community together and people…

Addressing Sexual Harassment in Small Businesses

The Northland Human Resources Association is hoping to help small businesses.

DULUTH, Minn.- Lately sexual harassment allegations against high profile individuals are making headlines. One local group is training individuals how to handle incidents in the work place. The Northland Human Resources Association is hosting sexual harassment training explaining how to create a safe work environment and help employers recognize inappropriate behavior. “Sometimes it’s just not knowing where to go to and…

Paper Mill in Duluth Looking to Expand

Verso Paper Mill Hoping to Get $1 Million Loan

DULUTH, Minn.-The city of Duluth is working on submitting an application for a $1 million loan to help along an expansion of the Verso paper mill in Duluth. The mill is planning on having an expansion project worth an estimated $21 million so the plant can stay more competitive by being able to process scrap paper into pulp. The city…

Developer Says It’s Moving Forward With Keystone XL Pipeline

500,000 Barrels a Day Will Move Through Pipeline

LINCOLN, Neb.-The developer of the Keystone XL pipeline says it is moving forward with its plans and hopes to begin construction next year. TransCanada Corp. said Thursday that its decision builds on the Nebraska Public Service Commission’s decision to approve a route through the state on Nov. 20. The company based in Calgary, Canada, says it has secured enough long-term…

Minnesota Misses the Shortlist for Amazon’s Second Headquarters

Amazon to Make Final Decision on Site Later This Year

ST. PAUL, Minn.-Minnesota has missed the cut in the race to land Amazon’s second headquarters. The Seattle-based tech giant released its list of 20 finalists on Thursday morning, including major cities like New York, Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago and many more. But Minneapolis and St. Paul weren’t on the list. Amazon opened a casting call for its business this summer…

Government Shutdown Could Happen This Week If Agreement Isn’t Reached

The Republicans control both the House and Senate.

DULUTH, Minn. – Congress has a lot of work to do with the possibility of a government shutdown hanging in the balance. The last time there was a government shutdown like that the year was 2013. History may repeat itself if an agreement isn’t reached by Friday. A government shutdown can delay services or anything that people receive from the federal…

Fly Tying Classes at Great Lakes Fly Shop

Learn how to tie your own flies for spring

DULUTH, Minn. – Being that it’s winter, the only kind of fishing there is to do is through a hole in the ice.  But that’s not stopping some fishing enthusiasts from thinking about spring time. Great Lakes Fly Shop in Duluth offers fly tying classes furring the winter months, helping fly fishing fans learn the craft of tying their own…

Growing Season Sprouts at Engwall’s

Spring Officially Begins on March 20, but the Staff at Engwall's are Already Ordering, Planting and Watering

DULUTH, Minn. – The Northland is still a little over two months away from the official start of spring, but when temperatures plummet as low as they have been, it’s hard not to think of warmer weather. Spring in the northern hemisphere begins on Tuesday, March 20, and one business in the Northland is already growing more and more excited….

New Restaurant Opening Downtown Two Harbors

'McQuade's Pub and Grill' Will Use Locally Sourced Ingredients

TWO HARBORS, Minn. –  The owner of McQuade’s Herbs, Spices and More in Two Harbors is working on a new project spicing up a bar formally known as The Pub. Frank McQuade is transforming the vacant bar into McQuade’s Pub and Grill, which aims to open in February. The restaurant will offer a lunch menu with sandwiches and burgers, and full-course…

Tax Pros: File Sooner Than Later

Tax Pros at H&R Block on Grand Avenue in Duluth Have Already Helped Dozens of Taxpayers this Year

DULUTH, Minn. – This year the IRS will start accepting tax returns on January 29. According to the IRS, nearly 155 million individual returns are expected to be filed this year. Business is already booming at H&R Block on Grand Avenue in West Duluth. Tax professionals say they’ve already had a few dozen customers walk through the door. This year…