Business

Virginia Co-Op Set to Relocate

New Building More than Doubles the Store's Size

VIRGINIA, Minn. – It’s an exciting time for members of Virginia’s Natural Harvest Co–Op. Next month, the co–op moves into a brand new 9,000 square foot store at 732 4th St N., which is double the size of the current building. The new co–op will feature a classroom, as well as a larger deli, including salad and hot bars. Natural…

New Real Estate Coming To The Water

Condos To Be Built Next To Pier B

Duluth, Minn New lake front property will soon be available for an experience like none other in Duluth. The Duluth City Council voted unanimously to allow Hoff & Giuliani to begin development of lot D, prime real estate next to Pier B Resort. Pier B being the last major development the group put together. Their newest project will be right…

Fuse Duluth Celebrates 12th Anniversary of Connecting Young Professionals

Since they started back in 2005, attendance at events has more than doubled

DULUTH, Minn. – Fuse Duluth is celebrating 12 years of connecting young professionals. The group gathered Wednesday night at Clyde Iron Works to network and celebrate with samples from local businesses. Fuse was started by the Duluth Chamber of Commerce to attract and retain young talent to the area. Since they started back in 2005, attendance at events has more…

Grandma’s Marathon Announces Musical Acts

Will Feature 90s Bands

DULUTH, Minn.-Grandma’s Marathon announced today that three huge 90s bands will play “Rock the Big Top” party June 16th in Canal Park. Everclear, Vertical Horizon, and Fastball will be playing some of their biggest hits, to kick off Grandma’s Marathon Weekend. “Whether you’re volunteering or running or just coming down to spectate…it is a community event and the music aspect…

Target Celebrates Stretch Marks in New Swimwear Campaign

NEW YORK (AP) – Target is celebrating the stretch mark as a thing of beauty. The chain has launched a swimwear campaign on social media that features four models in unretouched images as it promotes a focus on inclusivity. Social media star Megan Batoon, pro skateboarder Lizzie Armanto, model and body activist Denise Bidot, and TV host and model Kamie…

Aquatic Invasive Species Course

Stopping A Problem With The Public's Help

Duluth, Minn Invasive species have caught the attention of the St. Louis River Alliance and there doing what they can to take on the issue before it gets worse. Ordinary citizens are taking a course on how to identify invasive species and their possible impacts on the waters in the Twin Ports. They’ll also learn how to record data and…

Superior To Invest In Local Attractions

Wisconsin Point And Nemadji To Be Renovated

Superior, Wis Tonight the City of Superior is looking to make a splash in the tourism industry by revamping two of its most treasured pieces of land. Wisconsin Point will finally see the benefits of thousands of dollars giving visitors and citizens a destination to look forward too for years to come. Broken down by mankind and the elements of…

Gordy’s Hosts Charity Fundraiser Before Opening

Restaurant Offers Special Meal to Customers Who Bid the Highest on Local Charities

CLOQUET, Minn. – Gordy’s Hi-Hat in Cloquet opens for the season tomorrrow. The restaurant hosted a fundraiser tonight, allowing the highest bidders to enjoy a private party at the famous diner, all while giving to charity. The night before they open for their 47th season, the grills were frying up burgers, fries, and onion rings at Gordy’s. But only the customers…

Construction Begins on Slip Bridge

Will Also Get New Paint in Fall

DULUTH, Minn.-Construction began on the Duluth Slip Bridge today. The bridge has had major issues over the years, causing it to constantly close. The new system they are installing, will be much more reliable than it is now, according to city officials. The project is expected to be completed by the first week of June. It will also get new…

Hibbing, Virginia RadioShack Set to Close

(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)RadioShack has announced it will be closing hundreds of stores across the country, including seven in Minnesota. The retailer will be shutting down 552 stores, according to the Business Insider. Those that have been selected are reported to have high rent and low sales. The following stores are selected to close in Minnesota: Hibbing Marketplace – 141…

Saint Fennessy 4K Run A Success

600 Runners Including Children Participated

DULUTH, Minn. – No walk up registrations welcome at this year’s St. Fennessy 4k fun run as it sold out for the first time ever. 600 racers laced them up early this morning for the first leg of the 3 race KP challenge. The challenge is for runners to commit to 3 races including the Fennessy, the Fitgers 5k and…

Take Action Duluth Wants Paid Sick Leave

Could Sick Leave Become A Reality

DULUTH, Minn. – How would you like to earn paid sick leave from work no matter your yearly earning’s? Take action Minnesota met in 6 locations state wide today to join resistance efforts and take action on pressing issues including paid sick leave. According to recent surveys, employees not earning paid sick leave makes those on low income based salaries…

Duluth Pack Remodel is Finished

Has More Modern Look

DULUTH, Minn.-The remodel at Duluth Pack is over. After a seven-week process, the downstairs of the store has a new look with more of a cabin-theme. It’s all part of their goal of making the store look more modern. “A lot of people were attached to the feel of the old store, so we wanted to keep that same outdoorsy-woodsy…

JCPenny Closing 19 Stores Between Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan

Retailer JCPenny has announced that 138 stores nationwide will begin closing in mid April. In addition to the closure of retail locations, the company will be closing one of its supply chain facilities in Florida, and relocating another to California. Stores closing in Minnesota include Baxter, Fairmont, Faribault, Hibbing, Hutchinson, Red Wing, Thief River Falls, and Winona. Wisconsin locations include…

‘Great Harvest’ To Expand To Downtown Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – The popular Great Harvest Bread Company in Duluth is expanding to the downtown area. Owner Lee Davidson tells FOX 21 the second location will be in the Medical Arts Building on West Superior Street – across from Starbucks. The new space is the former location of How Sweet It Is bakery. Great Harvest plans to feature mostly…

‘Visit Duluth’ Moving To Holiday Center

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth’s convention and visitor’s bureau, known as Visit Duluth, is preparing to move to a new downtown location. That location is in the former Brownie Furniture building in the Holiday Center on West Superior Street. Anna Tanski, Visit Duluth’s CEO, tells FOX 21 the new 5K square-foot facility will have a better skywalk connection with great visibility…

Duluth Armory Building Redevelopment Shoots For ‘Rooftop Dining’

Plans also include turning the space into a mixed-use commercial building, along with some additional multifamily housing

DULUTH, Minn. – In 2001, the Duluth Armory was condemned by the city after sitting vacant for more than 20 years. Now, a new developer out of the Twin Cities is working to bring new life back to the historic site. Over the last two years, the Boisclair Corporation has been working through a due diligence phase, after signing a…

Art Of Local Food

Good Food And Art All In One Place

It was all about good food, local artist, and great company tonight at Clyde Iron Works. It was the 6th annual Art of Local Food fundraiser to benefit the Duluth Community Garden Program and the Arrowhead Professional Chefs Association. It was 40 years ago that a few gardeners saw the need for fresh locally grown food and now 220 families…

Preparations Underway for St. Patrick’s Day

Dubh Linn Irish Brew Pub Believes Record Numbers May Turn Out

DULUTH, Minn.- Many local pubs are gearing up for a big day of business, including Dubh Linn Irish Brew Pub. It was recently voted the second best event in Minnesota to attend on St. Patrick’s day. Dubh Linn representatives say they are expecting record crowds. “Most years you get two things: people come out on the day, or people come…

Former Bagley’s Building To Be Sold To Texas Investor

Two Remaining Tenants Will Stay Put After Closing Day

  DULUTH, Minn. – The downtown Duluth building that was, up until last year, once home to Bagley & Company Jewelers for 131 years has been sold to an investor in Texas. We’re told the building on the 300-block of West Superior Street will continue to house Apricot lane Boutique and Stout Chiropractic Care. Rick Heimbach, who owned Bagley’s and…

Downtown Parking Meters From 80 Minutes To 2-Hour Limit?

Downtown Businesses Are Being Asked To Weigh In

DULUTH, Minn. – Changes could soon be coming to a parking meter near you – at least in Downtown Duluth. As FOX 21’s Dan Hanger reports, it means the time limit on meters could significantly increase. “When folks got to go out and plug their meter, they often just get in their car and drive away. So let’s not make…

Lake Superior College Job Fair

Manufacturing Employers Ready To Talk Jobs

Duluth, Minn If you need a job in manufacturing hopefully you made it to Lake Superior College’s career night tonight. The demand for manufacturing jobs in the twin ports is high. Manufacturing Representatives were on hand to talk to potential future employees and the many diverse jobs our area offers. “There are tons of jobs available and in so many…

Superior Mayor Forum

Candidates Answer Questions For Citizens

We’re just weeks away from a new mayor in Superior. Two candidates Jim Paine and Brent Fennessey were left standing after February’s Primary. Tonight they met face to face trying to sway votes their way. The conversation between the two candidates included topics such as budget, personnel, services and facility concerns. The Superior Library was full of citizens eager to…

PetSmart Opens in Duluth

New Store Will Have Grand Opening on Saturday from 9 a.m. Until 9 p.m.

DULUTH, Minn. – PetSmart is now open in Duluth at the Village Mall near Hobby Lobby and Savers. Store managers say PetSmart has had its eyes on the Northland for years and they finally decided to open a store when their new location became available. They think Duluth has been an under represented area for pet stores and hope PetSmart…

Duluth’s Most Endangered Properties

Local Preservation Group Published List

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Preservation Alliance recently published its list of the city’s ten most endangered properties. Among the buildings on the list are Pastoret Terrace; otherwise known as the Kozy Apartments, the Temple Opera Block on Superior Street, Old Duluth Central High School, the Duluth Armory, and sections of the Lake Superior Mississippi Railroad line in West Duluth….

Volunteers Spruce Up Maritime Museum

Museum Cleaned Up Ahead of Tourist Season

DULUTH, Minn. – As Duluth slowly emerges from winter, local attractions prepare for tourist season. A crew of about 15 volunteers spent Wednesday cleaning the Duluth Maritime Museum. The workers cleaned the museum, made sure the electronic displays were ready, and polished all the brass in the museum’s engine room. According to park rangers, the museum gets too busy for…

Unemployment Rises in Wisconsin’s 32 Largest Cities

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Unemployment rates rose across all of Wisconsin’s largest cities between December and January. A new report from the Department of Workforce Development released Wednesday shows the unemployment rate went up in the state’s 32 largest cities. Racine had the highest unemployment rate at 5.7-percent, up from 5.4-percent in December. Madison and Fitchburg had the lowest rates…

Propane Leak the Cause of Fortune Bay Resort Casino Evacuation

TOWER, Minn. – Fortune Bay Resort Casino was evacuated Tuesday evening due to a propane leak. Several area law enforcement agencies and fire departments were called to the scene around 6 p.m. As a safety precaution, the entire Fortune Bay property, along with homes within a one-mile radius were evacuated. “We just wanted to take all the necessary precautions,” said…

Evacuation Order Lifted After Gas Leak At Fortune Bay

Fortune BayTOWER, Minn. – An emergency evacuation was lifted late Tuesday after a gas leak situation at Fortune Bay Casino. The alert was sent out just after 7 p.m. for people enrolled in the Honeywell Alert system. Law enforcement officials evacuated everyone in a one-mile radius of the casino. Evacuees were sent to the Civic Center in Tower, Vermilion Wellness…

Lake Avenue I-35 Exit Will Close Thursday

DULUTH, Minn. – The southbound I-35 ramp 256B to Lake Avenue and 5th Avenue West in Duluth will close at 9 a.m., Thursday March 16 to allow maintenance crews to clean plugged freeway drains. Southbound motorists traveling to downtown and Canal Park should take alternate routes. During the closure, MnDOT and the City of Duluth maintenance crews will clean the…

Wisconsin Legislators Introduce Family Medical Leave Insurance Act

Proposal gives working families needed benefit to care for family or themselves without giving up pay

MADISON, Wis. – State Senator Janis Ringhand (D-Evansville) and Representative Sondy Pope (D-Cross Plains) have introduced the Family Medical Leave Insurance Act (FMLIA). This Act creates a Family Medical Leave Insurance program which is completely paid for by employees. Under the program, a participating employee is eligible to receive a percentage of their pay during a time when they take…

House aims to stem health rate hikes, stabilize market

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota Republicans are preparing to plow more than $300 million into a new state program meant to reduce health insurance premiums next year. Minnesota has grappled with some of the largest rate increases in the nation. Premiums jumped by as much as 67 percent for shoppers buying insurance on their own this year, leading lawmakers…

Roseville bans sale of dogs, cats at pet stores

ROSEVILLE, Minn. (AP) – A Minnesota city is banning the sale of dogs and cats at local pet stores. The Roseville City Council adopted the ban Monday following a citizen-led movement to end the practice which has been criticized by animal rights advocates who say keeping the animals in cages is harmful. Minnesota state director Christine Coughlin of the Humane…

Celebrating Pi Day with Johnson’s Lakeside Bakery

On March 14, the Nation Honors the Mathematical Constant, While Indulging in a Slice of Pie

DULUTH, Minn. – If you’re looking for a reason to crunch some numbers on this Tuesday, math lovers can get excited! Tuesday, March 14 (3.14) is National Pi Day. Not the pie as in the dessert, but as in the math symbol. Megan Spitzley with Johnson’s Lakeside Bakery stopped by the FOX 21 Studios with a few fresh baked pies…

New Entry Way To Be Added At Superior Middle School

Safety Comes First With New Entry Way

Superior, Wis For the School District of Superior, safety and the student’s education come first. The Superior School Board met tonight to approve the go ahead notion to restructure their middle school entry way for security purposes. The cost of the project will be nearly 200 thousand dollars. The money will be coming from the already approved school improvement referendum….

Project Bringing Life to Forgotten “Pocket Park”

The Lincoln Park Business Group is asking for public opinion for the park at 19th Avenue West and Superior Street

DULUTH,Minn. – As the revitalization of Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood continues, a local group is working to bring life to a forgotten park. Tonight, the Lincoln Park Business Group heard feedback from residents about the “Pocket Park” at 19th Avenue West and Superior Street. The park sits in the heart of Lincoln Park. Businesses in the area saw this as…

Duluth City Council Takes Up Uber Ordinance

Cab Companies are Pushing Back

DULUTH, Minn.-Tonight, the Duluth City Council, will review an ordinance to allow ride-sharing services in Duluth. Businesses like Uber and Lyft have been clamoring to get into the area for months, but there has been push-back from local cab companies on the ordinance. Tonight at 9 we’ll hear more from Duluth City Councilors on what this ordinance means for the city….

Minneapolis Liquor Store Receives 30-Day Suspension, Starting on First Legal Sunday

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) – The city of Minneapolis on Monday handed down its penalty for Surdyk’s Liqour owner Jim Surdyk for opening his store for Sunday liquor sales this weekend, months ahead of the first legal date of July 2. Surdyk’s has been fined $2,000 and will face a 30-day license suspension, beginning July 2 – blocking Surdyk’s for participating in…

Slip Bridge to See Some Improvements Beginning Next Week

DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth has continuously been working since last year with its consultant engineer LHB Corp, on a new design for the blue, Minnesota Slip Bridge in Duluth’s Canal Park. The City’s consultant engineer has been working to design new custom manufactured parts for the 26-year-old bridge, which has been riddled with numerous repairs and closures…

Vikre Celebrates Anniversary with New Single Malt Whiskey

Iron Range American Single Malt is Vikre's 3rd anniversary blend

DULUTH, Minn. – Today is a happy birthday for Vikre Distillery and they’re celebrating with a brand new whiskey. Iron Range American Single Malt is Vikre’s 3rd anniversary blend.  This release is a little more special, because it’s the first batch of whiskey distilled when Vikre opened. “We sat down the other night with a bottle of it off the…

New MDI Facility Coming to Hibbing

100 New Jobs Expected Over the Coming Years

HIBBING, Minn.-Iron Rangers will be gaining more job opportunities at a new Minnesota Diversified Industry manufacturing facility in Hibbing. The facility, which will be 35,000 square feet, will be funded by a $1 million loan from the IRRRB and a $350,000 infrastructure grant. The new facility will improve working conditions from its current facility which is nearly 100-years-old, and expand…