Cloquet Happenings 2022

cember to May; the program is offered typically every

‘INVESTING IN THEMSELVES’ Cloquet Chamber program helps cultivate lifelong skills

By Jen Zettel-Vandenhouten Cloquet Pine Journal

CLOQUET — When Ruth Casper participated in the Cloquet Area Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Program, she was in her first management role.

“I was young and still learning how to be a manager and lead a team, so I jumped on it because I was like ‘This couldn’t come at a better time for me,’” she said.

Over more than 20 years, the leadership program has served employees of large Cloquet companies all the way to smallbusiness owners and staff at smaller businesses, said Kelly Zink, chamber president.

The sessions are offered every other year and run from December to May. Participants meet once a month, with a maximum of 24 people in the program.

The program is aimed at anyone in business looking to grow in their leadership skills, Zink said.

“If you are a leader of a business and you have 100 employees, or maybe you own your own business … our goal was to be able to build a program that would help all levels of leadership, and I believe that we’ve attained that,” she said.

All about leadership Casper works as the area sales manager for ZMC Hotels, but at the time she participated in the program, she worked at Kolar Chevrolet.

The program helped her learn more about herself and her leadership style, as well as different types of leadership.

“A lot of the things I really liked about the program were the ways that you learned about yourself. There were a lot of opportunities for you to learn why you do things the

way you do and whether they were good or bad and how they affect people,” she said.

In her role at Kolar, Casper managed a variety of people. The leadership program taught her about the expectations people from different generations tend to have about leadership, from millennials to Gen Xers to baby boomers.

“It was very interesting for me to find my place in that,” she said. “And learning about different generations and different expectations that were there helped me communicate better and hold myself a little more professional in a lot of different situations.”

Ted Schick, owner of Schick Corporate Learning, kicks off the leadership program’s first session and is there when the program concludes.

A professional speaker and trainer, Schick said he loves speaking about

leadership and has been involved with the Cloquet Chamber’s program since its inception.

Schick focuses on three things during his presentations to the group: leading yourself, servant leadership and community service.

“You can’t lead others if you can’t lead yourself,” Schick said. “It’s one of the very first things I talk about when we open this program, and it’s a common theme all the way through.”

On servant leadership, Schick said he is a huge proponent.

Through 20 years in the U.S. Navy, Schick saw firsthand how servant leadership can make an impact on people.

“The best officers I knew, the best leaders I knew, they served their teams,” he said. “It’s taking care of your crews.”

INVESTING: Page 7

Manufacturing employers tackle industrywide issues

By Jake Przytarski Cloquet Pine Journal

CLOQUET — As the manufacturing industry’s landscape changes, two of Carlton County’s largest employers have taken a proactive approach to tackling some of the most pressing issues related to the industry’s future.

Cloquet-based companies Sappi North America, a pulp and paper mill, and United States Gypsum (USG) Interiors LLC, a manufacturer of construction materials, have employed similar strategies in navigating the hurdles contributing to the shrinking workforce, including an aging workforce and a lack of qualified candidates due to a skills gap.

Sappi talent manager Brittany Bonk said the pulp mill is approaching near-optimal staffing levels, but she acknowledged an aging workforce at the plant has required the hiring

process to be expedited in order to maintain productivity.

“We have a high population at our mill that is retirement eligible. We have a number of individuals retiring at this point, so we’ve been working very proactively to fill those positions and get people on board as quickly as possible,” Bonk said.

The labor force in Carlton County, while younger than the Northeastern Minnesota regional average, is older than the statewide average, according to data provided by Northeast Minnesota regional analyst Carson Gorecki of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Office.

The labor force in Carlton County is expected to decline by 1.6% between 2023-2033, according to projections from Local Area Unemployment Statistics provided by DEED.

Participants of the Cloquet Area Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Program listen during

other year.

Carlton County businesses open, expand, change hands

CLOQUET — The end of 2020 and the beginning of 2021 brought several changes to local businesses in Carlton County.

A few new businesses opened their doors, while a few longtime businesses were purchased by new owners. Some decided to expand, either in space or in their offerings.

Know of a business we missed? Let us know by emailing news@pinejournal.com.

Dot & Anne

Sisters Jill Gaffke and Jess Lindvall opened the boutique from Gaffke’s home in Esko in December 2020.

The boutique offers women’s clothing and accessories.

Their sales are mainly online, but they offer in-person shopping by appointment, according to the Dot & Anne website.

CreativEdge Designs gets artsy

The Carlton marketing company first hosted art classes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Owner Jessie Waldorf said the classes were a way to use extra space in the office and put her and assistant Katie Bottlia’s skills to use.

Some of the sessions — like the clay gnome class — were so popular that Waldorf had to add sessions to meet demand.

Curves comes to Cloquet

About a decade after the city’s previous Curves gym closed, Janelle Coleman opened one of her own.

The gym features a structured 30-minute workout, or circuit, where participants spend 30 seconds at each station. The circuit includes 11 machines, with a mat in between each machine. While on the mats, participants take part in a cardio exercise of their choosing.

Northern Lights Community Action aims to fill void

The thrift and consignment store opened in the former Wood City Lights and Hardware storefront to fill a need after the city’s Goodwill and Salvation Army thrift stores closed. Items in the store range in price from 25 cents to $20 and include clothes for all ages, some furniture, kitchen supplies, toys and more, said owner Heather Wright.

High Ropes Minnesota opens

Swiftwater Adventures owners Cliff Langley and Brian Pfeifer saved for years to open a ropes course and they made that dream a reality in June 2021. High Ropes Minnesota offers five poles, two levels and 12 different challenges for climbers to negotiate.

Our Patient Promise

Our goal is to help you grow from your struggles, heal from your pain, and move forward to where you want to be in your life.

“5/5 stars for my experience at Paradigm Therapy Services. I have been attending individual and family sessions at paradigm since November 2019. The services are beyond all of my expectations! It is a very warm and welcoming atmosphere and all of the therapists are absolutely amazing. I could not have asked for a better team of people to care for me and my family. I would highly recommend these services to anyone that may need them.”

“I’ve been going here for a few months now. I like that we have a separate time to talk away from the children so that we can get ideas on how to handle the kids when they are out of control. It has calmed the whole house down because now my husband and I are on the same page.”

Izabel Johnson / Cloquet Pine Journal

A 30 minute workout at Curves typically consists of two rotations through the circuit.

Contributed / Dot & Anne Jess Lindvall models an outfit from the Dot & Anne collection.

Jed Carlson / Superior Telegram

Elizabeth Kortie, right, laughs with classmates while they create gnomes out of clay at CreativEdge Designs in Carlton Monday, Feb. 22, 2021.

Jamey Malcomb / Cloquet Pine Journall

Heather Wright and Vivian Sarrala smile for a photo behind the cash register at Northern Lights Community Action Tuesday, June 1, 2021.

Bearaboo stretches out

Bearaboo Coffee Escape expanded its footprint over the summer, converting the self-serve car wash into additional dining and kitchen space. Owners Chris and Natalie Swanson said they decided to add the extra space as dining rooms opened for full capacity after being limited because of COVID-19.

More room in the kitchen would also give staff more space to work.

B&B Market is sold

John and Kim Lind announced in September 2021 that they sold B&B Market to longtime employee Jake Richardson.

The Linds purchased the business in 1988 from Kim’s parents, Gary and Dorothy Huard.

They added a catering business and a food truck over the years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they gave back to the community through the viral food train and by hosting food distribution events.

Richardson worked for the Linds for nearly a decade before he purchased the business, and said he plans to continue B&B Market’s tradition of giving back to the community. He also hopes to be able to grow and expand the business the way the Linds did.

Pedro’s finds a new home

The popular Cloquet restaurant moved to a new location at 7 Eighth St., Cloquet, in October.

Owner Erika Aranda purchased the building, after renting space previously. The space features a brand-new bar and two spacious areas with table and booth seating, as well as patio seating.

Vintage store opens in West End

Jean Farleigh said she has always enjoyed searching for vintage treasures and decided to take the next step to open a storefront dedicated to them in October 2021.

‘Ant’cetera Art & More has an ever-changing inventory that depends on what Farleigh finds. She also hopes to sell up-cycled items she makes.

New owner takes helm at Burger’s Shoes

Fifty-four years to the day Ludwig Burger opened his shoe store in Cloquet, Carmen LaPlant formally took ownership of the business.

LaPlant, a longtime employee of Burger’s Shoes, seemed like the right person for Maria Leyrer, Ludwig Burger’s daughter, to hand the baton. “It’s been all part of the bigger picture of making this legacy go forward,” said Leyrer. “It was really important for me and my family for sure, and the community. I mean what would we do without a shoe store?”

Alex Comstock / Comstock Creative / Special to the Pine Journal

Erika Aranda, owner of Pedro’s Grill & Cantina, is seen outside the restaurant’s new Cloquet location recently. They celebrated the restaurant’s grand opening on Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021.

Jamey Malcomb / Cloquet Pine Journall

The updated dining room at Bearaboo Coffee Escape in Cloquet was previously a self-serve car wash.

Steve Kuchera / Duluth News Tribune Burger’s Shoes owner Carmen LaPlant, left, and former owner Maria Leyrer pose in the store Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021.

Samantha Erkkila / Duluth News Tribune New owner of B&B Market Jake Richardson, left, stands next to former, longtime owners Kim and John Lind outside the store in Cloquet on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021. Richardson has worked for the Linds at the store for eight years.

Dylan Sherman / Cloquet Pine Journal

owner Jean Farleigh holds a red ant sculpture, which is also the store’s mascot.

Jamey Malcomb / Cloquet Pine Journall Addison Homstad of Cloquet makes her way across one of the 12 challenges at the newly opened High Ropes Minnesota course Saturday, June 12, 2021, in Scanlon.

Carlton County housing market follows statewide trends

By Jake Przytarski Cloquet Pine Journal

CLOQUET —

Prospective home buyers in Carlton County have been presented with a challenging dilemma during the past year: The inventory of available houses on the market has seen a steady decline while prices continue to soar beyond original asking prices.

The total number of listings in Carlton County dropped from 549 to 503 between 2020 and 2021, amounting to an 8.4% decrease, according to reports from the Minnesota Realtors Association. The median sale price for homes over that same span increased 12.8% to $220,000 in 2021, a $25,000 rise in cost compared to 2020.

While the pandemic has played a role in these trends, Adolphson Realty Agent Michelle Kuklinski said the cyclical nature of the housing market has made an impact as well.

“I think it’s multiple

factors,” Kuklinski said. “I think the pandemic certainly contributed, less so now than in 2020 when things first came out with the pandemic. There were some that were worried about letting strangers into their home to look at them, and open houses, all of that stopped. And those haven’t come back really at all.

“Also, I think if you look at real estate trends over the course of 30-40 years, you’ll see that it’s very cyclical, and we’re kind of at the top of the market right now. Depending on what

interest rates do, and pricing and things like that, I think eventually we’ll see things dip down again where it will turn into more of a buyer’s market,” she added.

The housing market in Carlton County has followed statewide trends when it comes to availability and cost, according to data from the Minnesota Realtors Association. New listings in Minnesota decreased by 1.6% to 105,490 from 2020 to 2021. The median sales price climbed 11.5% to $306,750 over the

same span.

As of the middle of January, Kuklinski estimated there were 24 active listings for residential, single-family homes on the market in Carlton County.

While the volume of listings is low, Kuklinski explained it’s not uncommon to have limited inventory during January. As the winter season ends and spring begins, the market outlook for the year usually becomes more clear.

“The spring is usually how we kind of gauge

what the market is going to look like for the year, but our inventory has been really low for the past couple of years,” Kuklinski said.

In December 2021, reports showed that Carlton County saw a nearly 82% increase in new listings with 20, compared to the monthly total of 11 in 2020.

Kuklinski is cautiously optimistic the number of active listings will continue to grow over the course of the new year.

“I think we’ll have a little more inventory

this year than we had last year, just because there’s a lot of people that have the mindset of, ‘Well if I’m going to sell, I should sell now, because I’m going to get more for my house now than I will say two years from now.’ So, I think we might see a little bit more inventory this year, but purely a guess, of course,” Kuklinski said.

On the flip side, those in the market to buy a home have been pushed to the limit, with asking prices far beyond the actual value of the home. The result, Kuklinski forecasts, will be a tipping point where prices will begin to fall.

“I think we’ve reached a threshold now where things are kind of at the tippy top of where they’re going to be value wise, because buyers are finally getting to the point where they’re like, ‘OK, is this house really worth what it’s listed for? Is it really worth what I’m paying for it?’ And we’re certainly on the high end of that,” Kuklinski said.

From the editor: We’ve got more on the horizon

This is the third issue of Cloquet Happenings, and the second that has included stories about Carlton County businesses pushing through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last year, we spoke to business owners who found creative ways to keep their operations running during a time like no other. We recapped the businesses that opened or made big moves, in addition to coverage of the B&B Market food train, how outdoors stores fared during the pandemic and more.

This year, we did another recap on business news from the past year because we think it’s important to highlight folks who are taking a leap with their respective endeavors.

We also touched on trends in hiring and the housing market, spotlighted a local business and learned about the Chamber’s Leadership Program.

This section and its stories have become a highlight for me, and

JEN ZETTELVANDENHOUTEN Editor 

that’s why I wanted to take some space here to catch you up on a few things you may have missed with us.

We had a bit of a perfect storm at the end of the summer when one of our reporters decided to pursue other opportunities at the same time another was promoted to the Duluth News Tribune’s sports department.

So, the search for new reporters began. We welcomed Jake Przytarski and Dylan Sherman to our staff in October, and they hit the ground running. I’m thankful for their hard work and dedication.

You probably noticed my byline appearing

more regularly, as well. Thanks to some changes on our production desk, I have more time to do reporting, which is something I have always enjoyed.

Just a few weeks ago, we launched a new website. Don’t worry — you can still find us at pinejournal.com — but the look and usability of the site were revamped and polished. You can still count on us to post stories as they happen, including coverage of local government meetings and local prep sports.

We launched a curated newsletter, as well. Every week, I highlight some of the biggest stories we produce. It’s called Carlton County, dontcha know (see what we did there?).

The newsletter is sent around 7 a.m. on Thursdays. If you’re interested in signing up, visit pinejournal. com/newsletter, select “Carlton County, dontcha know,” and enter your email address at the bottom of the page.

We have several other big projects on the horizon, and I’ll share more on those with you when they come together. But for now, I just want to thank you

for your support of local journalism. Our work wouldn’t be possible without you.

If you have a story idea, a question or feedback, don’t hesitate to contact me.

Desiree

and more

By Dylan Sherman Cloquet Pine Journal

CLOQUET — Rebecca

Center started Crumbles when she moved to Cloquet three years ago, after she had been baking cakes for family and friends for eight years.

Crumbles is a bakery in Cloquet that offers personalized cakes, cupcakes, cookies and more.

“It is definitely a 24/7 job, but I love every minute of it,” she said. “I’m always baking, always sketching up new designs, thinking of new creative techniques and different things to do on cakes.”

Baking with her grandmother when she was young was what got Center started on baking, and she has been passionate enough about it to make it a full-time job.

Then it grew into trying to recreate cakes she would see on TV, and from there it evolved to what it is today.

Being able to work from home was another draw as it gives Center more time to spend with her daughter.

Center said a lot of the fun she has had while making cakes has come from the more challenging and elaborate cakes she has had to make.

She has made things from a beer bottle or can-shaped cake, a turtle cake, a Starbucks cake and many more.

One that sticks out to Center was when she made a pork chop cake for a customer’s family member who was nicknamed “pork chop.”

“I made the cake look

like an actual pork chop, and then I made an edible plate, and then I made mashed potatoes and green peas,” she said. “That was just so much fun to make.”

Since starting the business, Center has done no advertising, other than starting her own Facebook page, and she said her business has grown mostly through word of mouth.

“I have a lot of repeat customers, and I haven’t done any marketing at all,” she said.

It is not uncommon for Center to be baking to fill eight to 10 orders over a weekend, sometimes even baking and decorating for eight hours straight.

“My biggest weekend was 22 orders a weekend, which I don’t know if I’ll ever do that again because I really didn’t sleep that week,” she joked. “But, yes, it is constant, it never stops, which I love and I would never change that.”

Despite sometimes having to fill large orders, Center only has one double oven that she works with.

“I try to bake the day before and then decorate them the same day just so they are super fresh,” she said.

The design process for a cake depends on each customer and what they want. Some have specific ideas they want incorporated into the design and others give her a theme and wait to be surprised by the design.

Once she has an idea, it usually takes Center around an hour to come up with a design and another hour to finalize the design.

Depending on the design, decorating the cake can be time-consuming.

“A unicorn cake takes me about three hours from mixing, baking and applying the decoration,” she said. “A more elaborate cake, like a sculpting cake, that could take me upwards of six to eight hours.”

Justine Groshens, one of Crumbles’ customers, heard about the business through a friend and has made somewhere between 10 and 20 orders in the last three years.

“I have been going

to her for every order I have,” she said. “She catered all the desserts at my wedding.”

Consistency and communication is what sets Crumbles apart from other bakeries, she said.

“There has not been a time where it has been anything other than what she has said it was going to be, and I really value that in her work,” Groshens said.

She said Center asks the questions other places don’t to ensure customers get exactly what they want.

“She puts everything into every design she

has. ... People are missing out if they don’t (get a Crumbles cake),” she said.

The customer reaction is the best part for Center, as she puts a lot of time and effort into making the cakes.

“One of the things I try to do for all of my customers is try and go above and beyond, like something that they don’t expect,” she said.

Creating new things and taking on challenges is something that Center enjoys doing. One customer asked for an Australian cookie, one she had never heard of before and decided

to learn it for the customer.

“I am up to any new challenge of something someone wants me to bake,” she said.

Sometimes new techniques or designs require a lot of trial and error, which is not an issue for Center.

“My family loves trial and error because then they get extras,” she said.

Customers interested in one of Center’s cakes or other bakery items can reach out to her through the Crumbles Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ CloquetCrumbles.

Center decorates a cupcake for an upcoming order.

Contributed / Crumbles

Rebecca Center started Crumbles, her bakery business when she moved to Cloquet.

Focus on service

A service project was added to the program several sessions ago.

During each session, the participants are split into groups and asked to partner with a local nonprofit organization. The groups work with their nonprofit partners to figure out a need the leadership program attendees can fill.

Casper’s group threw a St. Patrick’s Day and St. Urho’s party for Sunnyside Health Care Center residents, complete with green milkshakes, games of bingo and fun costumes. Groups have helped nonprofits host fundraisers, or complete construction work they’ve long wanted to pursue. The annual YoungLife 5K, for example, started as a leadership program service project, Zink said.

Schick said he brought the idea to Zink as a way for participants to take what they learn in the

INDUSTRY WIDE ISSUES

From Page 1

The projected decline of the Northeastern Minnesota region is 4.9%, while the statewide percentage is expected to grow by 2.8%.

Bonk noted that finding qualified candidates for vacant positions has taken longer than usual.

“Some positions are taking a little bit longer to get a qualified candidate pool, if you will, so (it’s taking) a little bit longer (than) we’re seeing maybe on certain positions,” Bonk said.

Creating a job-alert system to maintain a pipeline of qualified candidates eager to fill vacant positions has been one way in which Sappi has worked to

leadership program and put it into practice.

“It’s really to come together and provide some good for Cloquet and the surrounding area,” he said. “It’s a chance to put all those principles to work — what it means to serve on a team, how do you plan, foresight, forethought, communication all the way through.”

At first, Zink said she was skeptical about how

combat this issue.

According to a Minnesota Hiring Difficulties survey conducted in 2019 by the DEED Office, published in “Hiring Difficulties in Manufacturing,” 62% of job vacancies in skilled production occupations by manufacturing firms in 2018 were reported to be difficult to fill.

Manufacturing companies under the umbrella of food, furniture, paper printing and textile were among the hardest positions to fill when compared to the seven different manufacturing categories included in the report, with 70% reporting difficulties in filling positions.

Much like Sappi, USG has been able to maintain a desired workforce at its plant thanks in part to a variety of proactive hiring strategies.

the component would be received, but people have loved it.

“At the end, people say the best part (of the leadership program) is the service project,” she said.

Valuable connections

Another valuable aspect of the program for Casper was networking with the people in her session. In fact, she said she’s still in contact with a lot

USG production engineer Joe Jameson said its near-optimal staffing level ties into the company’s goal of seeking out career-oriented candidates, who are focused on staying with the company until retirement.

“We’re looking for people who want to make a career out of USG and not be a transient. We’re not looking for temporary people. We’re looking for people to join the family, so to speak,” Jameson said. “They want to stay in the area. They want a decentpaying job. They want good working conditions and benefits, and USG offers all of that.”

USG plant manager Jenna Leger credits the cultivation of a strong pool of candidates seeking employment with the company

of the people she met through the program.

Like Casper, some of them have gone through transitions since they participated in the course. She said some have moved to other parts of Minnesota, and some have retired, but they still stay in touch.

“When you’re a young professional and starting out and you’re just learning how to network, what better place to meet people? People who are learning, who want to invest in themselves and their careers,” she said.

And the networking doesn’t end when the program does.

Past participants are typically invited to the graduation ceremony at the end of each session, which Casper said is another benefit.

“Things have been a little messy because of COVID, but I do try to show up because those are great people to meet — those are people who are investing in themselves,” Casper said.

The chamber currently

as one of the biggest keys to their success in navigating the dwindling workforce.

“It’s definitely a tight labor market and skilled trades like mechanics and electricians are always in demand. We maintain a pipeline of qualified candidates for several critical positions, so we’ve been able to stay almost fully staffed in recent years,” Leger said in an email to the Pine Journal. “We’re also committed to training and development for our employees, so we take time to invest in building someone’s skills. For example, we have provided on-the-

has a session of the leadership program under way. For more information on how to attend the next session, call the chamber at 218-879-1551 or email chamber@cloquet.com.

Consultant Scott Blatchford are participants in the chamber’s current session of the leadership program.

job training for an operator who wanted to move into an open mechanic role.”

The positive reputation in the community, which has often led to generations of families being employed with the company, has been another factor in their success.

“Some of it’s the culture. I think we’re a great place to work. We have a lot of generational (hires), like we get referrals of people wanting their kids to work there and that gets around in the community,” Jameson said. “People wouldn’t want to work in a place

where their neighbor doesn’t want their son to work or something to that effect.”

Hoping to get ahead of the issues related to a shrinking workforce, USG has made it a point of emphasis to provide resources to college students about the benefits of working in the industry in hopes they will pursue employment at companies like USG.

“USG also has partnerships with local community colleges and trade schools to help students understand the benefits of a career in manufacturing and get exposure to the field early,” Leger said.

Olson

Contributed / Sappi North America, Inc.

Pictured is the inside of the Sappi North America, Inc. plant in Cloquet.

Contributed / Cloquet Area Chamber of Commerce Ted Schick, owner of Schick Corporate Learning, speaks during a past session of the Cloquet Area Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Program. Schick focuses on leading yourself, servant leadership and community service during his presentations to the group, he said.

Contributed / Cloquet Area Chamber of Commerce

A list of skills from a previous session of the Cloquet Area Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Program. The program educates attendees on different types of leadership.