SMALL BUSINESS

New Minnesota law lifts hot tub regulations for short-term rentals

Mary Murphy — Thu, 03 Jul 2025 17:44:06 GMT

ST. PAUL — Hot tubs are now fair game for Minnesota’s short-term rental properties, thanks to a new law that declassifies them as “public pools” and ensures uniform regulations across the state.

Effective July 1 and passed during the June 9 special session in the state’s Health bill, the “free the hot tub” law declassifies hot tubs offered at short-term rentals as “public pools,” effectively allowing hosts across the state to more easily offer hot tubs as an amenity for guests.

Second-term Rep. Isaac Schultz, R-Elmdale Township, authored the bill after he heard from one of his constituents who hosts short-term rentals that she was at risk for not only shutting down her hot tub, but her rental facility in its entirety over the regulations. After the bill became law on July 1, Schultz said the same host reported four new bookings in four hours.

Hot tubs as ‘public pools’

Previously, hot tubs at short-term rentals were classified as “public pools” by the Minnesota Department of Health. Hosts were expected to meet requirements such as daily chemical testing, proper signage, fencing, entrapment protection, operator training and recordkeeping. If hosts didn’t meet the requirements and didn’t obtain proper licensing, they could receive a cease-and-desist order.

In 2021, the Minnesota Department of Health cracked down on regulations of public pools, including hot tubs for short-term rentals, with concerns over sanitation — such as rashes and bacterial outbreaks — as well as safety hazards like drain entrapment. Minnesota’s entrapment regulations date back to 2008, following the death of a 6-year-old Minnesota girl who was severely injured by the suction of a pool drain and later died from those injuries.

New requirements

Now these short-term rentals can have hot tubs as long as the water temperature in the spa pool does not exceed 106 degrees Fahrenheit and the resort or property owner tests the water before check-in for the concentration of chlorine or bromine, pH and alkalinity to ensure it meets the requirements for disinfection residual, according to the bill language.

The new law also states that hot tubs must have a notice conspicuously posted for guests to see that states: “This spa is exempt from state and local anti-entrapment and sanitary requirements that prevent disease transmission waterborne diseases such as Legionnaires’ disease, Pseudomonas folliculitis (hot tub rash), and chemical burns and is not subject to inspection.”

Evening the playing field

Before the “free the hot tub” law was passed, Schultz said enforcement across the state wasn’t uniform. Some counties, such as Cass, would actively enforce the requirements, while others, like Crow Wing, were lax about it, leading to inconsistent compliance, often based on whether that county has a point person from the Department of Health to enforce the licensing, he said.

“You had these counties across the state where they had told their short-term rental operators that they could use the hot tub, but then the people in the neighboring county weren’t able to,” Schultz said, explaining that on some lakes like Gull Lake, rules were not uniform. “You’re literally talking about the same lake, and you could have ... owners and operators of short-term rentals getting two different rules.”

Schultz said the bill is not only about allowing guests to enjoy amenities, but also about helping small business owners across the state to compete in the tourism industry.

“Every corner of the state will see this, and it should be about helping make Minnesota just the most attractive state to vacation and to enjoy the outdoors at all times of the year, which is important,” he said.

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Bemidji Chamber Column: Tax dollars collected locally should be spent locally

Scott Turn, Bemidji Chamber — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 11:50:00 GMT

Most people these days shop for vehicles online. You can search thousands of cars for sale in our state, as well as all sorts of equipment.

Buying online has become so easy; in some cases, you can purchase a vehicle online and they will drop it off at your driveway. It seems crazy to me to buy something unseen, but for some people, convenience is the most important part of the buying process.

It's been a long time since I have bought a vehicle or equipment from out of the area. Maybe I could have saved some money buying elsewhere, maybe not. I like searching for a deal as much as anyone, but I also find a lot of value in buying from our local dealers.

I like knowing who I am buying from. I like being able to do that in person. I like knowing who to contact if I have a problem. I like supporting a business that supports our community.

I know selling local also means something to our auto and equipment dealers. I think they take pride in selling a piece of equipment that is now being used on a local job site or see a vehicle driving down the road with their dealer tag on the back. It matters to them because they live in this community too.

I don’t like to see city or county vehicles and equipment purchased out of our area. It doesn’t seem right. Tax dollars collected locally should be spent locally, or at least make buying out of town a last option.

I realize not every piece of equipment can be bought locally, but I think you would be surprised how many of our great local dealers have access to all sorts of equipment and vehicles.

We have four dealers in Bemidji that sell new vehicles. We also have many great equipment dealers who sell new skid steers, loaders, snowplows, trailers, commercial mowers and more.

All of them have made large financial commitments to our community in recent years with building upgrades and expansions. They pay a lot of taxes and employ hundreds of people collectively.

There have been just a handful of vehicles purchased locally by our city and county over the past 10 years. Equipment purchases are not much better.

I would like to see our city and county make a stronger commitment to get local bids on vehicles and equipment. There is nothing in the Minnesota State statute that says you need to get a bid from out of town.

Our county and city buying practices are not unique to our area. There is a statewide program called the Minnesota Cooperative Purchasing Venture Program, which many cities and counties are members of.

This is a long-standing buying program in partnership with the State of Minnesota in which cities and counties can request bids for vehicles and equipment by entering the information into a state database.

It is not a requirement to be part of this program, but most cities and counties use it because it is a faster way to get multiple bids on vehicles and equipment and easily meet the bid requirements mandated by the State.

The program does not guarantee the lowest price, nor does it take into consideration the additional costs of picking up the equipment or vehicle. In some cases, it costs more money to buy out of the area.

Many equipment manufacturers have municipal pricing. The price of a snowplow or commercial lawn mower in Rochester is the same price as one in Bemidji, minus the transportation or shipping costs of buying local.

So why doesn’t every auto and equipment dealer in the state just be part of this program as a seller? As with most things in our state government, it is overcomplicated with reporting and documentation. It is more tailored to large dealerships that can hire dedicated staff to stay on top of all the bids and reporting back to the state.

Less than 800 dealers across the state participate as sellers in the program, and it’s usually a few dealerships that win most of the bids.

A metro dealership doesn’t care about what happens in our community beyond getting their payment for the purchase. You won’t see them here on a baseball field banner, a title sponsor for a nonprofit fundraiser or supporting a community festival.

They are not a part of this community, nor do they add to our economy. A sale is purely transactional.

When the city or county purchases a vehicle or equipment locally, it is a reinvestment into our community. It keeps money circulating here, directly supporting local jobs and businesses. It strengthens and increases our tax base, which becomes a return on investment on their purchase.

Buying local is one of the best investments our city and county can make.

Scott Turn is the president of the Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce. Email him at

scott@bemidji.org

or call

(218) 444-3541.

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Bemidji Brewing shares its origin story, offers an inside look at crafting a summer brew

Sue Bruns — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 12:30:00 GMT

Editor's note: This story was initially published in the Pioneer's Summer 2025 edition of inBemidji Magazine. To see the full issue,

click here.

Tom Hill had been thinking about opening a craft brewery for several years before Bemidji Brewing Company launched in 2012. Craft brewing was taking off in Minnesota when Tom and Megan Hill and Justin and Tina Kaney formed an LLC and started a nanobrewery at Harmony Food Co-op at 117 Third Street NW.

Tom and Justin (Bud) had met at Bemidji State University in the model design program. Tom’s father was a winemaker, so he was familiar with home fermentation and had done some home brewing. It was natural that he would introduce Bud to the process.

Fast-forward a few years, during which both of them pursued different career paths and lived in different parts of the country. Tom’s interest in brewing grew to be both a passion and a science. When he worked in Austin, Texas, he continued to brew as a hobby. Craft beers were just taking off there.

Eventually, he moved to the Twin Cities, closer to Minnesota’s budding craft brewing community. In 2008, he studied brewing at Siebel Institute of Technology in Chicago, the oldest brewing school in the nation. His desire to start a brewery continued to grow.

Bud graduated from BSU and moved to Rhode Island to work for Hasbro Toy Company. While there, he did a little home brewing with some friends, but it wasn’t something he was thinking about doing for a living. He spent a year working with AmeriCorps in Missoula, Montana, while Tina worked for the Montana Natural History Center. The Kaneys noticed that Montana was light years ahead of other states when it came to craft brewing.

Tom and Bud stayed in touch. Eventually, Tom says, “He and I decided to pursue opening a brewery.”

Realizing their vision

Bud and Tina are from Wisconsin, while Tom and Megan grew up in Hibbing. They chose Bemidji because they liked the community, its size and the outdoors. Tom and Bud welcomed the opportunity to return to Bemidji as community members rather than students.

“Also,” says Tom, “the name is unique. There’s no other Bemidji anywhere else.” (Shortened from the Ojibwe name for the lake, Bemidjigemaag means “water flowing crosswise,” as the Mississippi angles through Lake Bemidji.)

They used Kickstarter to fund a five-gallon system they started out with at Harmony Foods.

“We needed to prove to our lenders that we were doing this for real,” says Tina.

New laws governing craft breweries opened up possibilities. In 2011, the Surly bill had passed, creating a liquor license that allows craft breweries to sell pints of beer onsite, paving the way for brewer taprooms. Previously, small breweries could not produce more than 3,500 barrels per year and could not distribute to liquor stores.

The Bemidji Brewing team knew they wanted a taproom and moved into a 2,000-square-foot space on the northwest corner of Fourth Street and Beltrami Avenue.

“The new owners had put in new windows, HVAC, etc., so we were lucky to get it,” Megan said.

The two couples went to work chiseling off old carpet to expose the terrazzo floor below. They invested in a cooler and managed with minimal other equipment.

“The furnishings involved a lot of elbow grease. We made our bars and tables,” Megan added.

They outsourced electrical and plumbing needs, upsized to a three-barrel brewing system, and in July 2013, opened the taproom at 401 Beltrami Avenue.

“In the beginning, everyone involved did basically everything,” Tom explained, “but today, Bud focuses on business strategy and outreach, talking to financiers, bankers, etc.”

Tom’s focus has been on production/brewing. Two brewers, Chris Marty and Matt Magnuson, have been part of the Bemidji Brewing crew for 10 years.

Megan, the director of external operations, deals with sales and distribution and works with human resources.

Tina is in charge of business operations — handling accounting, insurance and coordinating community outreach like Pint Nights.

Tom says folks in Bemidji were supportive from the start, “We received a warm reception from the community — very welcoming.”

Building a brewery

The taproom on Beltrami Avenue quickly became a popular gathering place, and the location, just a block west of Lake Bemidji, brought in a lot of passersby.

“It was a surprise to us that our community was built so quickly,” Megan recalled. “Friendships flourish in relationships we and our staff have made with people. That was a wonderful surprise.”

From that taproom, Bemidji Brewing launched its distribution to local vendors. They started delivering to three downtown bars: Brigid’s Pub was first, then Keg & Cork and Tutto Bene — all conveniently just down the street, so deliveries were made via hand cart.

The goal was to expand to a 15-barrel system. Just three years later, when a building on America Avenue became available, they up-sized from 2,000 to 5,000 square feet.

The building had previously housed a small engine implement dealership and then cold storage used by Cenex. Zetah Construction completed the major work and installed repurposed glass panels that had been removed from the mall. The panels became a dynamic see-through wall between the taproom and the brewhouse. Again, the brewery crew built their own tables, did the woodwork and painted.

Brewing began at the new site about three months before opening the taproom, which opened just three weeks after the first one shut down.

The new location is farther from the lake, but craft beer aficionados tend to seek out breweries, and there are popular neighbors: Downtown Meats right next door, Harmony Co-op just two blocks away, Bemidji Woolen Mills and Grandma’s Attic close by.

The tap room has ample seating — indoors and outside — and offers Giovanni pizzas. An on-site parking space specifically for food trucks brings in a variety of foods throughout the summer months.

“I feel like we’ve been part of a regeneration of this corner of downtown,” Megan said.

The brewing process

By mid-March, Bemidji Brewing Company had already brewed 60 barrels (500 gallons) of their seasonal favorite Summer IPA. Early sales orders look good and indicate that craft beer-lovers and “hopheads” are ready for summer.

Starting out as a tap tender, Matt eventually moved into brewing and production. Matt says the goal is to have one season’s beer run out with a week to a month overlap on the seasonal brews — close to when the next season starts.

The winter season ran from December through February, featuring a new brew: a dark lager called Ice Box. Now it’s summer’s turn.

Beer ingredients include yeast, malt, hops and grains. Raw materials come from as far away as the Pacific Northwest, Europe and even New Zealand. Most are purchased through Maltwerks of Detroit Lakes, a malthouse that sources high-quality grains.

Bemidji Brewing uses mostly barley but other grains as well (wheat, oats, corn and rice). Matt points out varieties of barley in the mill, including malted barley with more starches and sugars. There are also specialty malts and roasted grains for brewing stouts and porters.

Brewing starts with an idea, then the crafting of a recipe, analyzing costs, checking out the sources of ingredients and brewing samples to evaluate — a single batch for the tap room first. Then, re-checking the numbers to make sure they’re correct and taste testing the brew. If it succeeds in the taproom, it might become a seasonal or year-round regular.

The taproom is the brewer’s playground. The brewery introduces one or two new beers each year.

The brewing process begins with the grinding of grain at the brewery’s on-site mill. Then the freshly-ground grain goes to the first tank. One batch (15 barrels) will use somewhere between 750 and 1,100 pounds of grain. German Blonde, the brewery’s top seller, uses about 825 pounds per batch.

As the head brewer, Chris pumps the grain into the first stainless steel tank to start the second batch of the day.

A slide gate lets the grain fall into the tank where it is mixed with hot water, somewhere between 148 and 158 degrees. Lower temps produce simple sugars and brews that are drier and more fermentable. Higher temps are required for longer sugars, which the yeasts can’t ferment as well, producing more full-bodied beers.

The left (south) side of the brew house is called the “hot side” because of the boiling that happens there. The hot water and grain mixture makes a “mash,” which activates the enzymes in the kernels of barley and breaks down the sugars.

The mash remains in the first tank for about an hour — the first stage of the brew; then it is transferred to a second tank, and the first tank is rinsed and sterilized.

The second tank has a steam jacket. The brew remains in this tank for about 90 minutes for a boil, producing sugary water. After boiling, hops are added for flavor.

The temperature of the brew and the timing of the addition of hops affect the flavor and determine how they’ll express themselves in the beer.

Adding the hops earlier in the process bitters the beer and gives it a longer shelf life. Adding the hops later in the process adds more flavor and aroma. In a batch of German Blonde, 11½ pounds of hops are used.

A “whirlpool” at the bottom of the tank collects solids — hops and proteins — in the center. The brew rests for about 15 minutes and is then pumped through the heat exchange, where hot water moves in one direction and cold water runs through another pipe in the opposite direction to cool down the beer after boiling. Removing the heat takes about 35 minutes.

Once the prescribed temperature is reached, the brew is pumped to the opposite side (the “cold side”) of the brew house into the fermenting tanks, where yeast is added. Ales are fruitier brews and ferment at a higher temperature (62 degrees); lagers ferment at cooler temps (48 degrees). The brew will ferment for about two weeks.

Finally, the brew is transferred to a bright tank to become clear and carbonated.

“We add oxygen to the beer to make the yeast happy," Matt explains.

In the bright tank, the yeast collects in the tank’s cone-shaped bottom. Dead yeast cells sink to the very bottom of the cone and are drained off and discarded. Healthy yeast can be reused in a new batch.

Once the process is complete, the beer is packaged (canned or kegged) for sale. Almost every drinking establishment in the Bemidji area stocks German Blonde from Bemidji Brewing, which accounts for 40 to 45% of the company’s sales, but their Summer IPA and Blood Orange IPA are perennial favorites.

A popular place

While summer months are the busiest in the taproom, Bemidji Brewing hosts a number of events year-round, from storytelling slams to Community Pint Nights to Oktoberfest celebrations and more. They also host beer festivals and serve at summer events like Mississippi Music at the Bemidji Waterfront, the Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival and the Park Rapids' 2nd Street Stage.

The current site’s 15-barrel system has tanks of different sizes to allow for flexibility in brewing and experimenting with new brews while keeping up with orders, growing in volume and expanding geographically.

Sales staff and brand ambassadors promote Bemidji Brewing products in other communities through tastings and taproom takeovers.

Today, the distribution of Bemidji Brewing products extends across the northern half of Minnesota from Duluth to Fargo/Moorhead and from the Brainerd lakes area to the Canadian border. German Blonde, their signature brew, accounts for 40 to 45% of their sales and is sold on tap in almost every drinking establishment in Bemidji.

When Bemidji Brewing opened, it was the 25th or 26th craft brewery in the state. Today, with over a decade of growth and success, Bemidji Brewing is one of 234 craft breweries in Minnesota (according to the 2024 listing by the Brewers Association).

With a finger on the pulse of the growth of downtown Bemidji, the Hills and Kaneys hope for continued growth for their company.

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Julie McFarlane opens Hooked on Quilts to fill a Bemidji fabric void

Dennis Doeden — Sat, 07 Jun 2025 12:15:00 GMT

BEMIDJI — Leaving her career as a nurse was not an easy decision for Julie McFarlane. But it was a little easier because her next pursuit was even more of a passion.

“It was bittersweet,” said McFarlane, who opened her Hooked on Quilts store a few weeks ago at 119 Paul Bunyan Drive NW. “I worked really hard for my (registered nursing) degree, and that's what I always wanted to do. So saying I was done was hard, but I was ready to be done, if that makes sense.”

With the recent closure of JoAnn Fabrics in Bemidji’s Paul Bunyan Mall, McFarlane saw an opportunity to open Hooked on Quilts to fill a void.

“With JoAnn's closing, I thought, ‘Where are we going to get our fabric?” McFarlane said. “I know I shop a lot online, but there's a lot to be said about feeling and seeing fabric. It looks different online than it does in person. And also, the other thing I miss is community. I think we've lost that and I don't want the younger generations to not know what quilting is.”

Besides fabric, Hooked on Quilts offers quilting kits and tools, patterns, thread, batting and interfacing. McFarlane also teaches classes for kids and quilters of all skill levels, and offers open sewing.

“Quilting has been in my family since I can remember,” McFarlane said. “My grandmother would quilt the old-fashioned way with templates and cut them out and piece them together. There were always quilts set up.”

Julie grew up on a dairy farm near Barrett, Minn. She completed her licensed practical nurse training at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls and worked as an LPN in Thief River until 2007, when she moved to Bemidji. She went back to school at Northwest Technical College, earning her registered nursing degree in 2014.

She worked in a clinic, at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center, was a home care nurse and a hospice nurse. Her last job in the field was RN supervisor at Autumn Hills Assisted Living in Bemidji.

“I quit that in April of this year to take another journey,” she said.

McFarlane looks forward to teaching classes and working with other quilters in her new business, especially if they need help finishing a project.

“You can Google things, you can watch YouTube, but what if you have a problem?” she said. “If you have a question, bring it in. I'm not a professional, but I've done this for a long time. We can figure out how to fix it or how to finish it. I'm there to answer your question or lead you in the right direction.”

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What small Minnesota town is candy-coated with sculptures, murals and movie magic?

Alex Haddon — Thu, 29 May 2025 10:01:00 GMT

PARK RAPIDS, Minn. — Park Rapids is the gateway to miles of lakes and pine forests, but travelers might want to take a long pit stop in the small town because its downtown has some unique charm, starting with its old-fashioned sparkle.

Park Theater

The most striking downtown feature is the bright red, retro sign of Park Theater. In the evenings, its flashing lights can be seen all the way across the river from Heartland Park.

Standing under its matinee by Cuzzin's Candy, it almost feels like you're inside an old-time movie with people taking in the latest releases while snacking on candy and popcorn.

The theater's co-owner, Tim Oberg, who bought the theater with his wife Rachel in 2022, said the nostalgic building was constructed in the late 1930s. The most popular "new release" back in those days? Gone With the Wind.

Middle of the road parking

Park Rapids' Main Avenue is wide enough to allow for four parking lanes and two driving lanes. It’s lined with historic buildings and fresh, hanging flowers in the summer. When visitors arrive downtown, they might be surprised to find two neat lines of cars parked down the center of Main Avenue.

It's a sight that often has newcomers doing a double take and wondering why in the world there would be cars parked right in the middle of the street.

According to Hubbard County Historical Society President Nancy Newman, the wide street originated when Doc Cutler, a man who owned half of the townsite, surveyed the street in the early 1880s.

“Cutler wanted a main street that was wide enough to turn a double team of horses and a bobsled around, so they would have a nice wide street,” Newman said.

At the time, horses were pulling huge stacks of logs down the street to a sawmill.

“Over the years, as the town developed, the businesses just kept building on the sides,” Newman said. “They didn't encroach into the middle at all.”

Newman isn’t sure when the tradition of parking in the middle of the street began, but guesses it may have started when cars became more popular in the 1920s and 30s.

An artistic destination

The sculpture trail meanders from Red Bridge Park to the downtown, adding a pop of creativity to the charming surroundings. This spring, it’s home to 12 brand-new works inspired by the Mississippi Headwaters, located north of Park Rapids in Itasca State Park.

“That’s focusing on the river’s origin and everything it represents, from the natural resources, landscape to the rich historical, cultural significance tied to this place,” said Laura Grisamore, chair of the Park Rapids Arts and Culture Advisory Commission.

One of the sculptures is a giant bow and arrow aimed at the Mississippi. Newcomer artist Jerry Mevissen, a Nimrod dairy farmer, created it from found objects. The arrow is made of a flagpole, the feathers are old saw blades and the tip made of the top of a security fence post.

All artworks are available for sale.

There’s even more art at the Nemeth Art Center, located in the Hubbard County Historical Museum, a stately brick building located on Court Avenue. The nonprofit exhibits contemporary artists in all stages of their careers, from local youths to established creators who have exhibited all over the world.

In May, the Nemeth had two exhibitions: one a collection of otherworldly wood and bone sculptures, the other a collection of energetic, colorful collages. The exhibition rooms have tall windows that illuminate the works with plenty of natural light.

Northern Minnesota artist Jesse Dermody created the sculptures in “The Deep Dreams of Roots” using driftwood, barn boards, stones and other objects he found while hiking. He said his art, like human beings, originates in wild nature.

“Wild nature is the greatest artist of all,” Dermody said. “The most inspiring one and the most enduring.”

Minneapolis and Mankato-based artist Daniel Kerkhoff is behind the collages in "The Least Among Us.” Kerkhoff has created his own artist residencies in Ghana, Ecuador and Vietnam. He creates his collages using old pieces that have been repurposed and a variety of other materials including glitter glue, tape, acrylic paint and soil.

If you want to see art on a massive scale and the weather is nice, there are three murals decorating downtown Park Rapids. A mural of the four seasons decorates the wall of Aunt Belle’s Confectionary at the corner of 1st Street West and Main Avenue South.

Twin Cities-based artist Lili Lennox designed it, and according to then-Aunt Belle’s owner Ray Carlson, it’s meant to convey the vitality of Park Rapids’ shops, restaurants and artistic community.

Lennox returned in July 2023 to add a new mural on the 60-by-20-foot wall on the side of the Whatnot building at 2nd Street West and Main Avenue South.

According to owner Eric Patenaude, the red, white and blue piece is inspired by Scandinavian decoration and the joy sparked by music.

The mural on the side of the Enjoy candy store facing into Pioneer Park was completed in June 2021. It contains images of natural beauty in the Heartland Lakes area, including sunsets, a bear climbing a tree, a leaping fish, a lady slipper in bloom and the headwaters of the Mississippi River.

“That park is a little oasis in the downtown area,” Preslicka said at the time.

Satisfy your sweet tooth

In addition to multiple restaurants, there are three candy stores in downtown Park Rapids: Aunt Belle’s Confectionary, Cuzzin’s Candy Store and Enjoy. Each store has its own unique flare and sweet specialty.

Aunt Belle’s and Cuzzin’s form a mini candy empire owned by local couple Bryan and Beth Hirt. They purchased Cuzzin’s in 2021. Gummies and taffy, for sale in rows of scoop-equipped jars, are a top seller at the colorful shop, which also features homemade “dirty sodas,” or creative combinations of soda, syrup and creamer.

Aunt Belle’s is known for its fudge, which passersby can see being stirred in a huge, copper pot at the front of the shop. When fresh caramel is being made, the sweet, rich smell wafts into the street.

There are a variety of handmade treats on display, including turtles and caramels. Customers can buy local, northern-themed gifts from a section in the back called Grandpa’s Cabin.

Enjoy, the store decorated with the park-facing mural, has a wide selection of candies, ice cream, fudge and roasted nuts. They sell custom hand-dipped and hand-drizzled ice cream bars called JOY bars.

Enjoy is also home to Specialty Bubble Waffle ice cream cones, lavish sundaes nestled in a waffle. Owner Stephanie Carlson said no one else in the area offers them.

Want to get a sneak peek before actually going there? The Park Rapids Downtown website features a livestream so people everywhere can take a look at what's going on anytime, day or night.

To check out more Lakes Country Treasures stories, click on the gems on the map below:

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Sundown Records opens in new location on Beltrami Avenue

Dennis Doeden — Thu, 22 May 2025 18:16:01 GMT

BEMIDJI — What a difference one block can make. That’s what Peter McKenzie is counting on after moving his Sundown Records store into a new space in downtown Bemidji.

Sundown Records, which was launched in October of 2023 at 209 Beltrami Ave. NW, opened its doors at 317 Beltrami on Wednesday, May 21. It’s now located in myBemidji's former location between Chocolates Plus and Brigid’s Pub.

“It’s at least twice as much space,” said McKenzie, who started the business with his brother, Bill. “I have some more inventory to put out. It will allow me to expand a little bit without expanding too much. I definitely expect more traffic at the new spot.”

While vinyl records are the store’s biggest sellers, it also has cassettes, compact discs and videos on VHS, laser discs, used turntables, and retro toys such as Transformers and G.I. Joe products.

“We sell a lot of vinyl,” Peter said. “A lot of the classic rock goes well. Just like when we started, I’m able to get new stuff in.”

Sundown Records will also be able to boost its participation in Record Store Day, a nationwide event held each April.

“It’s only for brick-and-mortar record stores,” Peter said. “Stores like Target and Walmart can’t do it. I have exclusive access to all the music labels that put out records only for RSD. And only record stores like this one can get those in on that day.”

This year’s Record Store Day attracted a large crowd to Sundown Records. It opened at 10 a.m., but the first customer was stationed outside the door at 7:30, and by opening time, the line stretched almost two doors down to Lucky Dogs.

“It’s pretty relaxed in here most of the time, but that day it gets hectic,” Peter said.

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Raphael's Bakery Cafe honored during 20th annual Awards of Excellence

TJ Rhodes — Wed, 21 May 2025 00:25:41 GMT

BEMIDJI — Raphael and Patricia Sweeney opened a bakery in 1973. Their son, Ray, worked under their wing as a 14-year-old boy, quickly developing a passion for baking.

Ray eventually met and married Brenda, and together the pair gained experience in Minneapolis before returning to Blackduck, prepared to open a new Bemidji bakery.

In 1989, the couple purchased the former Naylor Electric building and opened Raphael's Bakery Cafe. The bakery expanded in 1996 and has remained a staple of downtown Bemidji.

Now, in a "full circle moment," the Sweeney's were awarded the Charlie Naylor Lifetime Achievement Award during the 20th annual Awards of Excellence on Tuesday.

Named after Charlie Naylor, founder of Naylor Electric, it is the most sought-after award during the yearly Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce event.

"It's an honor, and we're humbled to accept this award," Ray Sweeney exclaimed. "Bemidji is a great place to live, work, start a business. Bemidji is just a great overall place and we love it. We're glad we came here 35 years ago. We met the Naylor boys, that was great. And then we met Tom Welle and Joe Welle and they helped us along the way too.

"Like Charlie says, 'Stand on your own two feet and give back.' Thank you very much."

Brad Olson, Bemidji Area Chamber Chair, introduced the award before playing a video announcing the winner and detailing the Sweeney's journey to this point. Excitement brewed among the crowd once Raphael's Bakery Cafe was named.

"For more than three decades, Ray, Brenda and their family have been serving more than pastries; they've been serving connection, comfort and care," Becky Bentfield, Bemidji Chamber marketing coordinator, said in the video. "Raphael's became a second home where the coffee is familiar, the faces are known and every table has a story.

"Brenda is known for treating every employee with dignity and care. Ray's standard has always been simple: the customer is always right. His real motto is clear in how he lives: help who you can, don't make a big deal of it. (The Sweeney's do this) day after day, decade after decade."

Raphael's Bakery Cafe is now a multi-generational business that has constantly practiced philanthropic endeavors to support the community through funding drives and donations of goods for countless locals.

Through the ups and downs of life, the bakery remained a constant, positive force in their life.

"There's something poetic in the fact that Raphael's first home in Bemidji was inside the old Naylor Electric building, a space held by one of the city's most dedicated civic leaders, Charlie Naylor," said Bentfield. "Charlie believed in working hard, giving back and helping others stand on their own two feet.

"He was the kind of man who connected people to projects, to build things that lasted and today in a beautiful full circle moment, Ray and Brenda Sweeney receive the honor that bears Charlie's name, for a lifetime of service, generosity and quiet leadership, for nurturing a business that has become a beloved gathering place, and for giving so much without ever asking for recognition."

New Business of the Year

Five other awards were presented during the Awards of Excellence event.

The first was the New Business of the Year award, which was presented to Splash Xpress Car Wash.

Splash Xpress Car Wash opened a Bemidji location at the beginning of 2024 and placed its stake in the community early. Splash Xpress jumped at the opportunity to sponsor school events and Bemidji High �� athletics. It also partnered with Habitat for Humanity and began offering free car wash days for teachers, veterans, first responders and law enforcement.

Customers nominated the car wash, highlighting the staff and service.

"Simply put, Bemidji is a better place because of them," said Ryan Welle, First National Bank Bemidji presenter.

Other nominees for the New Business of the Year award included 7 Brew, Blue Oyster, Mrs. Sippi and The Loft Event Center.

Entrepreneur of the Year

The Entrepreneur of the Year award was presented to Keng Dechawuth, owner of Tara Thai and the recently established Blue Oyster.

Dechawuth was described as a serial entrepreneur and it is easy to see why. Dechawuth has opened 15 different restaurants, many of which were sold back to employees once it was deemed successful. Dechawuth once owned Wasabi Sushi and Slurp Ramen in Bemidji.

He also sponsors other local restaurants, ensuring communal success. And his footprint reaches beyond Bemidji. Currently, he owns three other restaurants, with two in Crosby, Minn., and another in Fargo, N.D.

"Keng has brought cultural food to Bemidji in a big way," said presenter Britt Inkel, LaValley Industries marketing manager. "Our downtown restaurant scene is much more diverse today, thanks in large part to his work. He's passionate about sharing the richness of ethnic cuisine.

"His restaurants are more than just places to eat, they're welcoming spaces where culture and connection thrive, and his impact goes well beyond the kitchen."

Other nominees for the Entrepreneur of the Year award included Mike Kiewatt of The Party Store and Merchants Moving & Storage, Ben Stowe of NLFX Professional and Mitch Rautio of Specklebelly Properties and Back Country Construction.

Healthy Workplace

The Healthy Workplace award was presented to First National Bank of Bemidji, which was presented by Sanford Health of Bemidji.

Sanford served as an integral part of the event, with President and CEO Karla Eischens providing a keynote speech detailing the health care providers' effort to work with the community before awards were distributed.

First National Bank of Bemidji earned this award after utilizing a wellness committee that challenges the staff to create opportunities to improve physical and mental health in the workplace. This has helped implement a healthy pantry for the purchase of healthier snacks, meals and drinks on site.

In addition, the committee has helped implement activities such as walking groups, painting classes and monthly challenges while sharing wellness facts to instill a culture of health and wellness.

The committee even provides monthly guided workout plans for folks to complete at home. All of these strides helped First National Bank of Bemidji win the award.

Other nominees for the Healthy Workplace award included Bar 209 and Lake Bemidji Bed & Breakfast.

Community Impact

The Community Impact award was presented to Headwaters Music and Arts.

"For over 30 years, Headwaters Music and Arts has served as a musical arts corner in our region," said Rosie Berg, Paul Bunyan Communications presenter. "(It's) a place where creativity is not only nurtured but celebrated through music and other forms of art. They have opened doors for people of all ages and backgrounds to explore, express and act."

Berg mentioned that over 3,000 people have benefited from Headwaters Music and Arts programming within the last year.

"The ripple effect of their work can be felt far beyond the walls of the classroom," Berg continued. "They inspire confidence in young musicians and artists and they create opportunities to perform at recitals or other special music events. To them, it's more about more than just learning an instrument."

Examples included rock band programming, school partnerships, beginner-friendly music classes and visual art workshops.

Other nominees for the Community Impact award included Agape316 Thrift, Bemidji Downtown Alliance, Great River Rescue and Northern Dental Access Center.

Business of the Year

The Business of the Year award was presented to Zetah Construction.

Zetah Construction has operated in the area for 40 years with a consistent commitment to craftsmanship for the community. This includes an embraced attitude toward environmental responsibility and customer service.

Specifically, Howie Zetah, owner of Zetah Construction, is heavily involved with the community and has served on numerous boards.

Other nominees for the Business of the Year award included Buena Vista Ski Area, Country Inn & Suites, First National Bank of Bemidji, Karvakko Engineering Inc. and NLFX Professional.

All of the businesses honored shared similarities, chief among them a dedication to the community — a sentiment that extends to all the nominated businesses.

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Tutto Bene 'still thriving' as it celebrates 30 years in downtown Bemidji

Dennis Doeden — Sat, 03 May 2025 12:30:00 GMT

BEMIDJI — Thirty years after it opened, indeed, “everything is well” at Tutto Bene.

Founders Lori Forshee-Donnay, Jon Cameron and Dennis Bartz chose that name when they launched their Italian eatery in downtown Bemidji on May 9, 1995. Two ownership changes later, Tutto Bene is still thriving.

“I think it’s amazing that it’s still there,” Forshee-Donnay said. “I think it speaks to the community support of local businesses.”

The original owners operated Tutto Bene for 11 years. The late Tom Allen bought the restaurant in 2006 and sold it to current owners Justin Frederick and Jerusa Ricke in 2012.

“You’ve got to be proud of the fact that it’s gone through three owners … and it’s still there and thriving,” said Bartz. “That means the original concept was a good thing.”

How it began

Forshee-Donnay and Cameron were working together in 1994 at Stats Sports Bar on the top floor of what is now the Mayflower Building. Both were experienced in the restaurant business and had the ambition to open their own establishment.

Lori and her husband, Pat Donnay, had moved here in 1981 when Pat joined the faculty at Bemidji State University. They met when both worked at a pizzeria in St. Cloud, where they attended college.

“When we moved here, I had a degree in mass communications, specifically television production,” Lori said. “I wasn’t finding anything to do with that.”

So she went back to what she knew, taking the job at Stats and meeting Cameron, who was building a reputation as a creative chef.

“I had started in fast food,” she said, “I did cocktail waitressing, worked in bars, worked in family restaurants. “I knew about working the front of the house,” Lori said, “but I didn’t know how to run a kitchen.”

She told her husband about Cameron, “I work with this guy who’s incredibly talented and really should have his own restaurant.”

They teamed with Bartz, a local teacher who also had been Cameron’s cross country and track coach at Bemidji High ��, and purchased the former Luigi’s Pizza building. Bartz spearheaded an effort to sell shares in the restaurant to community members, and Tutto Bene was on its way to becoming a reality.

“I put together the team of people to basically contribute to getting the place started,” Bartz said. “I was sort of a behind-the-scenes kind of guy.”

Forshee-Donnay said, “My focus and interest was in Italian food because my mother is Italian.

Jon wanted food made to order. That was really important to both of us. All of the sauces were made from scratch. All the bread was baked there. His mom (Nellie Cameron) was our baker. She made the best focaccia, and her desserts were so decadent. She really had a following. Jon would love to experiment. I didn’t want him to be constricted with what he could do with the menu. He was fearless.”

Tutto Bene had only 66 seats for the first five years. The capacity nearly doubled in 2000 when the bar and secondary seating area was added, designed after a building Forshee-Donnay spotted on a trip to Italy.

Cameron said he rode his bicycle past the restaurant earlier this week and reflected on the 30-year legacy he and his partners started.

“I'm still proud that I was part of that,” said Cameron, who stayed on after the 2006 sale and remained through Allen’s six years. “I met a lot of great people there. I’m still in contact with some of them. I had three of my cooks leave to go to chef school, so I think I might have been doing something right.”

After Allen became owner, he told Cameron, “I don't know a damn thing about cooking or the kitchen, so it's all yours. Just keep doing what you're doing.”

A place of their own

Justin Frederick was entrenched in the Twin Cities restaurant scene. He had never visited the Bemidji area, even though he was dating his future spouse, Bagley native Jerusa Ricke. Both worked for several restaurants in the Minneapolis area. In 2012, Justin was chef at Le Meridien Chambers, and Jerusa was a chef at Masa, a Mexican restaurant. But they had dreams of owning their own place.

Frederick heard about a restaurant that was for sale in Bemidji in the summer of 2012.

“We had always talked about breaking away and working for ourselves,” Jerusa said. “Justin had never been home with me. He was telling me some restaurant is for sale up there.”

When she found out it was Tutto Bene, Jerusa told Justin, “We have to go. You have to see this building.”

It didn’t take long for the couple to turn their careers northward.

“I remember we pulled around the corner and I saw the color of this building,” Justin recalled. “I looked at her and asked, ‘Is that it?’ Something just kind of resonated with us.”

That was in June. They got the keys to Tutto Bene on Aug. 1. While maintaining the Italian flavor, Justin began creating dishes that featured seasonal ingredients, and added things like oysters and grilled octopus to the menu. Jerusa stayed on full-time for the first few years before taking a position with her family’s business, TEAM Industries in Bagley. She continues to curate the restaurant’s wine list.

She said a loyal workforce has helped keep Tutto Bene running smoothly.

“I’ve worked in a lot of restaurants,” she said, “and we’ve had very low turnover here. We have two people who’ve been here since the beginning.”

They also credited the Bemidji community for helping the restaurant weather the Covid pandemic.

“This community has been very good at supporting us through the tough times,” Justin said. “Without that we wouldn’t have been able to punch through to the other side.”

The owners have been able to use lessons learned in their Twin Cities food careers to help them at their own restaurant.

“You have to get into this for the right reasons,” Justin said. “If you’re getting into this to get rich and make a lot of money you’re a fool. I always told myself when I owned a restaurant that I wanted to be the boss that I always wished that I had. This is it for me in the restaurant industry. I’m not going anywhere anytime soon. I love Bemidji. ”

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Bemidji Chamber Column: Entrepreneurs are vital to economic development

Scott Turn, Bemidji Chamber — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 11:50:00 GMT

I feel very fortunate to work in downtown Bemidji. It has been home to the Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce for over 117 years. It’s fun to have a front row seat to the sights and sounds of a vibrant downtown.

About 90% of the businesses downtown are made up of entrepreneurs. From shops, restaurants, realtors, bookstores and more, downtowns are usually the heartbeat of any community. Ours is no exception, and these days it beats very strongly. I think this is the best our downtown has looked in many years, with updated storefronts and very few vacancies.

Our downtown is also a great mix of old and new businesses. Patterson's Clothing, Bemidji Woolen Mills and Kenny’s Tire and Auto are just a few of the core businesses that have been in our downtown community for many decades. It’s great to see new businesses like Merry Piglets, Blue Oyster and Ajijaak Creations open and improve the buildings where they are located.

It’s not hard to cheer for small business owners when you understand the commitment it takes to own and run a business, especially in Minnesota. The working life of a small business owner these days is more like 5 to 9 than 9 to 5. There is a lot to stay on top of. Entrepreneurs are not just the boss, they are often the HR director, head of maintenance, marketing coordinator, research and development and many other roles. It takes a special type of person to want to do it.

Years ago, I met with the late Joe Lueken of Lueken’s Village Foods. I arrived very early one morning for a meeting, but he wasn’t in his office. After a few strolls around the store, I finally asked someone to page him. He was in the bakery. I headed back there and when I arrived, I could see Joe outside the kitchen doors waiting to greet me … in dress clothes, apron and hair net. The kitchen was very short-staffed, but the bakery had to get stocked for the day. When your name is on the building, you do whatever job is needed to keep things going.

There has been a huge increase in entrepreneurs nationwide over the past five years. I feel that it even started earlier in Bemidji. Our community made new entrepreneurs a priority years ago with the creation of the LaunchPad, an organization that provides many resources, including startup space, to aspiring entrepreneurs.

A lot of great businesses in our area started in the LaunchPad. The Small Business Development Center, as well as the Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce, are great additional resources to help small businesses get started. We all work together to help support new and existing small businesses in this area.

New entrepreneurs are vital to economic development. They boost economic growth by introducing innovative technologies, products, and services. Almost all larger businesses started somewhere small. North Central Door, Wells Technology and Bemidji Steel all started with an idea and some determined entrepreneurs. We need to continue to support our small entrepreneurs in any way we can. They are the future of our business economy.

National Small Business Week is coming up May 4-10. This week-long celebration recognizes the contributions of America's entrepreneurs and small business owners. This is a great opportunity to celebrate and appreciate the unique small businesses we have in our community and surrounding communities.

Next time you are in one of our great local small businesses, take a moment to thank them for locating their business here. Shop, Share, Support Bemidji Area Businesses. Love Local.

Scott Turn is the president of the Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce. Email him at

scott@bemidji.org

or call

(218) 444-3541.

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Economic leaders 'cautiously optimistic' of The Shade Store's future use

Jennifer Parker — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 15:46:41 GMT

BLACKDUCK — Scott Peterson, the economic and community coordinator for the Blackduck Development Corporation, is cautiously optimistic about The Shade Store property's future potential.

The Blackduck community was left reeling after late February’s announcement that The Shade Store would close its operations there, resulting in the loss of about 120 jobs.

The company, which began as Anderson Fabrics in 1980, is Blackduck’s largest employer. The layoffs also include eight employees from the Anderson Fabrics Factory Outlet and Quilt Shop. The Shade Store, based in Port Chester, N.Y., acquired the business in 2021.

As layoffs go into effect Wednesday, April 30, and during the 14-day period thereafter, the Blackduck Development Corporation has partnered with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Rural Minnesota CEP, the Headwaters Regional Development Commission and the Greater Bemidji Economic Development Agency to soften the blow.

One priority is finding a business to take over the operations of The Shade Store building.

“We have reached out to various industries in the area about the potential for expansion into the former business,” Peterson said, “but so far, the response has not been favorable. However, we are also aware, through visiting with the broker, that multiple offers have been made on the facility with the potential for employment. So, once again, I am cautiously optimistic.

“It is very important for the community to understand that nothing is a lock yet. We have no details on the specifics of what potential business or industry may come in, so we don’t want people to get overly excited at this point. Equally important, however, is for folks to know that the Blackduck Development Corporation is working diligently on this, and we have been since The Shade Store announced its closing.”

Peterson noted that an economic impact study has been completed through the University of Minnesota Extension Office, which is set to be presented at a Blackduck City Council meeting, tentatively set for May.

More information can be found at blackduckmn.com/bdc.

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