Business

It’s a Sweet 4th of July at Burlington Station

The North Shore candy store is treating the Two Harbors community to some Independence Day fun

TWO HARBORS, Minn. — Up the shore in Two Harbors, you don’t have to wait for the firework show for the festivities to begin! Joining the Annual Children’s Festival and Dinghy Parade. Burlington Station was getting in on the fun for the first time. The Sweetest Store on the North Shore had a 4th of July Bonanza, with activities and…

DECC’s ‘Taco Fest’ Faces Criticism For Not Including Local Mexican Restaurants

DECC officials said its kitchen-prepared event will break even and support staff during slow summer months.

DULUTH, Minn. – The DECC’s first-ever Taco Festival is drawing some criticism because the event does not include any local Mexican restaurants. The DECC describes the event as “a festival-style taco extravaganza,” “a street party with tacos,” and “signature margaritas.” The Taco Fest is happening outside Pioneer Hall Saturday, July 6, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.  The DECC’s kitchen…

Downtown Duluth Looking to Get In on Outdoor Dining

Options are increasing for summer outdoor dining in the Waterfront District as a part of the ongoing effort to revitalize downtown

DULUTH, Minn. — In the summertime, tourists flock to Duluth for the Lake Superior views and endless outdoor activities. They also begin to fill up restaurant patios, milling around the popular Canal Park and Lincoln Park neighborhoods. The nonprofit Downtown Duluth is looking to get Superior Street and the rest of the Waterfront District in on the fun. “Much of…

Bent Paddle Welcomes Two New Collaborative Brews

The Brewery taking a iconic cookies into a drink with a good cause, and supporting women with a brew made by women for women.

DULTUH, Minn. — Some new brews have hit the taproom at Bent Paddle. For the month of July, Bent Paddle has made a girl scout inspired crowler and growler. The Lemonade American Lager tastes like the scout’s famous Lemonades cookies. For every crowler or growler sold, it’s $5 that supports local girl scout troops in the northland. Each beverage sold also…

Swiftwater Adventures Closes Due To Flood Levels Causing Dangerous Conditions, Now Reopen

CARLTON, Minn. — A whitewater rafting business on the St. Louis River was forced to close for a few days due to high flooding levels causing dangerous conditions. Swiftwater Adventures owner and operator says last week’s rain caught up to them on Sunday. Water levels passed the company’s safe thresholds for rafting. The water was close to 25,000 cubic feet…

Minnesota Rural Health Conference Going on in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn — Health professionals from across the state are at the DECC for the Minnesota Rural Health Conference. The workforce shortage is one of the main topics during the two-day conference. The issue is not limited to doctors and nurses, but the whole spectrum of providers.This includes administrative workers who can help manage and keep costs in check. Alyssa…

Nothern Bedrock Historic Preservation Corps Gets Some Upgrades

DULUTH, Minn.– A new location means new beginnings for this nonprofit historic preservation group. Nothern Bedrock Historic Preservation Corps is an opportunity for young adults to get hands on learning experience. Through this nonprofit, they learn all the skills they need to help preserve and restore sites across the state. Before that is achieved, they offer the Americorps training program…

Kraus-Anderson Moves To Historic Duluth National Bank Building

DULUTH, Minn. — The historic Duluth National Bank Building in Lincoln Park has a new tenant after a big renovation there. It’s now home to the well-known Kraus-Anderson Construction company. The company is celebrating its 25th year anniversary as well. Over the last year, they’ve been looking for a new home for their growing team of 16 project managers and…

Demolition Announced for the Old St. Mary’s Medical Center

DULUTH, Minn. — In the next few weeks, the old St. Mary’s Medical Center will start its demolition process. The century-old building was vacated when the new 900-million dollar St. Mary’s Medical Center opened last July.  Construction is expected to take one year to complete starting with the removal of the connecting skywalks. The project will require heavy equipment and…

Guilty Verdicts in Massive Minnesota Food-Money Fraud Case

Millions of dollars in Covid-19 money diverted from food-for-children program.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A jury convicted five Minnesota residents and acquitted two others on Friday for their roles in a scheme to steal more than $40 million that was supposed to feed children during the coronavirus pandemic. The case received widespread attention after someone tried to bribe a juror with a bag of $120,000 in cash. That juror was dismissed…

Genereau & Company Jewelry Opens In Downtown Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — A sparkly new store opened in Downtown Duluth Friday. Genereau & Company is a jewelry store selling a wide range of pieces from bridal, gemstones, designer jewelry and timepieces. They have a full-service custom shop with Goldsmiths and a watchmaker who can create, restore and repair your treasures. The owners are starting the business with a combined…

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northland Receives Big Donation From Taco Bell Foundation

DULUTH, Minn. — The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Northland received their biggest donation yet from the Taco Bell Foundation. $31,500 was raised through Taco Bell’s Round Up Program and it is all thanks to customer donations. The Taco Bell Foundation annually gives to the Boys and Girls Clubs. They are proud to support an organization that supports youth…

Miller Hill Subaru Raised $47,000 Towards Best Christmas Ever

DULUTH, Minn. — Christmas may still far away, but it’s never too early to start to think about how to give a loved one their best Christmas ever. Earlier today, that’s just what was being recognized at Miller Hill Subaru. The car seller donated their largest check to date of $47,000 from their contribution from Subaru’s Share the Love campaign….

Manufacturing Organization Raising Money For Youth Programs

CLOQUET, Minn. — A non-profit organization focused on strengthening the manufacturing industry had their annual fundraiser on Monday. Arrowhead Manufacturers & Fabricators Association or AMFA had their annual golf social at the Cloquet Country Club. This is their primary fundraiser that benefits youth manufacturing programs. The organization serves the Northeastern Minnesota and Northwestern Wisconsin regions. They give grants to local…

DFL Convention In Duluth: Delegates Endorse Sen. Klobuchar For Reelection

DULUTH, Minn. – The DECC Arena was full of the DFL party this weekend for the Minnesota State Convention. Delegates endorsed Sen. Amy Klobuchar for re-election, selected final delegates to the Democratic National Convention in August and heard from Gov. Tim Walz, Sen. Tina Smith, Jen Schultz, among other DFL candidates and elected officials. As for Klobuchar, she was in…

Purr-fect Grand Opening for Wired Whisker

DULUTH, Minn. — A long awaited café has finally opened its doors in Duluth. One that looks to make a paws-itive impact for cat lovers and coffee aficionados alike. Wired Whisker looks to act like any other café, serving coffee and sandwiches. But owner Misha Smith wanted her claws to help rescue cats become adopted. The café is split between…

Chisholm’s Minnesota Discovery Center Has New Executive Director

CHISHOLM, Minn. — The Minnesota Discovery Center in Chisholm has a new executive director bringing a fresh perspective to the organization. Char Conger has been at the center for about 4 months now. The well-known 660-acre campus has a museum, trolley, and 19-hole mini golf course. She says throughout the years their services have expanded. And she is hoping to…

Changes Coming To The Clyde Iron Works Complex

DULUTH, Minn. — Alessandro Giuliani is proud of what his team has accomplished with the Clyde Iron Works Restaurant and meeting space. But now the owner and developer of the entire Clyde Park area says it’s time to make changes to ensure that Clyde remains relevant. “You can’t stay. You can’t stay in the past, there’s very few restaurants, centers…

Bent Paddle Brews Up New Partnership with Twin Cities Women’s Sports Bar

A Bar of Their Own is brewing up "A Beer of Their Own" in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — Bent Paddle Brewing in Duluth is partnering up with A Bar of Their Own in the Twin Cities to create a new beer! A Bar of Their Own is the first sports bar in the Midwest dedicated to women’s sports. The pale ale, aptly named “A Beer of Their Own” will be available exclusively at the sports…

Duluth’s Best Bread Opens Superior Location

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Duluth’s Best Bread celebrated the opening of their Superior location Tuesday. The bakery hosted a few pop-up shops earlier this year and they were very successful selling out each time. The new location was built with a bigger infrastructure to make more inventory for the store. One item that highlights Superior is their cheese curd bread that…

Dovetail Cafe Expands Menu

DULUTH, Minn. — Dovetail Cafe has been brewing new menu ideas, and now they’re here! With the busy months approaching, Dovetail Cafe in the Lincoln Park Craft District has been working on some additions to their menu. Aiming to be more inclusive, they’re hoping the new drinks will appeal to a larger fanbase. A few of the specialty items will…

Ski Hut Opens New Location in West Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — Ski Hut has officially opened its new location, an Adventure Center in West Duluth. A grand opening was held Friday afternoon for the new facility, which Ski Hut is calling an “one-stop-rental-shop.” The store has various types of bikes and ski’s for rent. Plus equipment and accessories for both sports are available to purchase. The new location…

Ace Hardware Stocked Up For Grilling Season

DULUTH, Minn. — Burggraf’s Ace Hardware in Duluth is keeping on top of the latest trends for grilling season. The store manager says as more people get into cooking, they are looking for the new and improved gas and pellet grills. People are also trying other ways to cook such as with griddles and pizza ovens. The store makes sure…

Old World Meats Ready For Memorial Day Weekend

DULUTH, Minn. — Memorial Day weekend may mean many things but to one Duluth meat shop, it is the start of their year. Old World Meats is fully prepared to welcome customers to make their weekend full of delicious food. The owner says after many years of business he knows what the people want- that’s brats, burgers and steaks. Popular…

Growing Season is Underway at Farm Lande and Across Minnesota

Farm Lande welcomes six sheep just in time for growing season

DULUTH, Minn. — Farm Lande just outside of Duluth is kicking off growing season with plant pickup and the chance to meet the farm’s six new fluffy residents! Memorial Day Weekend is largely considered the start of growing season in Minnesota and its no different at Farm Lande. Duluthians who placed their pant orders in advance were stopping by to…

New, Greener Pellet Plant Opens In Keewatin

KEEWATIN, Minn. — There’s a new $150-million pellet production plant In Keewatin. The new pellets contain less silica and more iron ore than traditional iron-ore pellets. Work began on the new U.S. Steel plant in 2022 and was completed last month on time and within budget. During its construction phase, 250 construction jobs were created. Now in its operational phase,…

Ice Is Gone, Rivers Are Flowing For Whitewater Rafting Season

The ice is gone, the temps are rising and the rivers are ready for rafting. Minnesota Whitewater Rafting are ready to get people out on the St. Louis River this Memorial Day weekend and the rest of the summer for wild adventures on the rapids. “You’re gonna to get wet. That’s the biggest thing. People always ask, is someone gonna…

Zenith Bookstore Highlights Summer Reads and Events

DULUTH, Minn. — With the weather warming up, one local bookstore is introducing book lovers to the latest reads and events happening this summer. Zenith Bookstore in Duluth says one new trend they are seeing is romance and fantasy books combined. There are also plenty of new mystery, literary fiction and non-fiction books. Popular non-fiction reads that are selling are…

Big “Thank You” to EMS Workers; Professionals and Extensive Volunteer Network

Annual St. Luke's cookout designed to show appreciation for everyone's role.

DULUTH, Minn. — The rains cleared early enough for a big thank you Wednesday, although this cookout had plenty of shelter. It was a big appreciation day for everyone who helps with emergency medical responses. St. Luke’s has been putting on the event for over a decade. Inside the emergency ambulance garage, there was warm food and a warm “Thank…

Women’s Business Alliance North Recognized With Excellence Award

The WBA North serves women entrepreneurs in seven counties in Northeast Minnesota and Douglas County, Wisconsin

DULUTH, Minn. — On Monday women operated businesses were recognized for their part in the community. Women’s Business Alliance North was named the 2024 Women’s Business Center of Excellence in Minnesota. The WBA North provides support to female entrepreneurs through advising, training and opportunities. A discussion was held at Mexico Lindo for female businesses owners who shared their experiences around…

Over Half Million Dollars in Grants From Northland Foundation

Targeting "basic" needs such as food, housing and shelter for those at risk of "falling through the cracks."

The people and programs working hard to help others, got some financial help themselves Monday. There are many efforts in our area to help those in need. Some prime examples would be the Damiano Center or the Salvation Army. They are just two of twenty-eight non-profits that will be receiving grants from the Northland Foundation. In the first quarter of…

Superior Woman Receives Electric Shock At Edgewater Hotel

DULUTH, Minn. — An enjoyable day swimming at the Edgewater Hotel ended badly for a Superior mom and her daughter. The family says the two received an electric shock, hospitaliizing the mother. The family says the mother, Heather Paquette, reached to open the gate to the outside whirlpool area and received a strong electric shock. According to her mother, Melissa…

MidCoast Catering Co. Expanding With New Small Event Space

DULUTH, Minn. — A Duluth-based catering company is expanding their operations with a new small event space. MidCoast Catering is located on Central Avenue in West Duluth. The owner purchased the law office next door to create the Tasting Room. The space can be used for business luncheons, groom’s dinners, birthday parties or any other private social gatherings. It can…

Authors Of Northern Waters Smokehaus Cookbook Talk Recent Award Nomination

DULUTH, Minn. — Northern Waters Smokehaus is receiving recognition for their cookbook, Smoke on the Waterfront. This is the first cookbook that has been written for the Smokehaus. It took years to complete and came out just in time for their 25th anniversary this last November. The book features recipes that were converted from industrial size to ones you can…