Talking Business - The Hidden Gems of Cloquet

In this episode of Talking Business, Shelly Peterson, Founder and CEO of Promoting Me, LLC and Holly Hansen, Community Development Director for the City of Cloquet celebrate B&B Market as a Hidden Gem of Cloquet.  &B Market is your locally owned small town meat market and convenience store with a ton of character.  John and Kim have owned the store for more than 30 years.  Sitting down with them and seeing the sparkle in their eyes as they talk about the store's history and taking it over from Kim's parents in the late 1980s was very enjoyable.  John grew up on a farm but didn't know anything about cutting meat when they took over the store.  He went to the library, got a book on cutting meat, and taught himself what to do.

The store is known for its large selection of meats, beef sticks, cheeses, and their specialty of over 25 different types of brats. They sell homemade salads, vegetables, fruit, baked goods, chips, canned goods, lottery tickets, gas, and seasonal items - pumpkins and Christmas trees. It is your one-stop specialty store.  You can order a wide variety of meat bundles and they.  They also provide catering for any event by providing a large variety of food options, beverages, desserts, paper products at affordable prices.  One of their largest services is their cookout trailers that can cook hotdogs, brats, burgers, steaks, and anything in between.  They also have a B&B wagon outside the store during the summer to offer customers hotdogs, brats, and burgers all day long. It's an excellent option for a quality lunch when you may be pressed on time or want to spend some time with the family.

In this episode of Talking Business, Shelly Peterson - Founder and CEO of Promoting Me, LLC and Holly Hansen - Community Development Director with the City of Cloquet are talking about Park Avenue Therapies and Fitness in the Hidden Gem Series.  Rhonda Johnson started Park Avenue Therapies in a 12 X20 room of the Cloquet Racquetball and Fitness Center, owned by Neil Nemmers nearly 30 years ago, to help injured people restore their health.  Five year's into her physical therapy business, Rhonda took over the fitness portion of the business from Nemmers to add exercise therapy. She eventually moved her business to the old Norwest Bank building at 1204 Cloquet Avenue. She will tell you that her success in the community is the result of solid business relationships and getting to know the community.

Today, Park Avenue Therapies and Fitness is the first choice for people seeking physical therapy to restore their strength and range of motion. Athletes come here to develop strength and stamina to excel at their sports and regain their edge after an injury. Others come to stay fit, maintain their good health and build their strength using the latest fitness machines and free weights. Some come to relax in the heated indoor swimming pool, hot tub, and sauna. Families and other groups have a blast renting the pool and hot tub area for private parties for all occasions.

In this episode of Talking Business, Shelly Peterson - Founder and CEO of Promoting Me, LLC and Holly Hansen - Community Development Director for the City of Cloquet are talking about the Hidden Gem, Daugherty Appliance Sales and Service.  Daugherty Appliance Sales and Service is your locally owned appliance sales and service store with a big personality and hometown customer service. Owners Scott B and Tom B carry all the major brands: Whirlpool, Maytag, Kitchen Aid, Amana, Samsung, GE, Speed Queen, Rheem, and Frigidaire. Stepping inside the store, you will see many different models of washers and dryers, refrigerators, freezers, ice makers, ranges, cooktops, microwaves, wall ovens, range hoods, and range tops, dishwashers, garbage disposals, trash compactors, air conditioners, water heaters, and outdoor kitchens.   Inventory is limited due to the pandemic; however, they have been working with customers to help them find solutions to fit their needs.

In this episode of Talking Business, Shelly Peterson - Founder and CEO or Promoting Me, LLC. and Holly Hansen - Community Development Director for the City of Cloquet talk about the Hidden Gem, Medicine Shoppe. The Medicine Shoppe has been serving the communities of Cloquet, Esko, Carlton, and the surrounding Northern Minnesota communities since 1976. Owner John Gust and his pharmacists have over 120 combined years of experience, and their friendly staff will treat you like family. At  The Medicine Shoppe of Cloquet, they are dedicated to providing customers with customized services to meet their needs.

In this episode of Talking Business, Shelly Peterson - Founder and CEO or Promoting Me, LLC. and Holly Hansen - Community Development Director for the City of Cloquet talk about the Hidden Gem, Bearaboo Coffee Escape.  You don't know what you've been missing if you've never visited Bearaboo Coffee Escape located at 1005 Stanley Avenue.   Newbies should look carefully at the menu before ordering since they have over 40 different flavors. Try the caramel macchiato to satisfy your sweet tooth, or enjoy a panda mocha for a one-of-a-kind experience. The options are limitless.  Not only will you satisfy your caffeine cravings, but you also won't find a better selection of bakery items, gluten-free options, or sandwiches.  Under new ownership since January of 2020, Natalie and Chris Swanson invite you to visit whether you opt for the drive-thru or order inside the restaurant, expect outstanding service and competitive prices.

Shelly Peterson, Founder and CEO of Promoting Me, LLC and Holly Hansen, Community Development Director for the City of Cloquet highlight the Hidden Gem, Pack & Mail, in this episode of Talking Business.  Pack & Mail Station, a family business owned by Crysta Reeves and her husband Jason, located at 1110 Cloquet Ave, Cloquet, MN, is the go-to resource for packing, shipping, printing, and business service needs of the residents and businesses of Cloquet.  Their team of dedicated, professionally trained experts understands the meaning of Super-Star Customer Care—they focus on saving you time and money by ensuring you get the right products and services at the right price—in a single, quick visit.

They can pack and ship [almost] anything to [almost] anywhere in the world.  They stock over 50 sizes and keep plenty of styrofoam peanuts, bubble wrap, tape, specialty boxes (artwork, laptops, double-wall, etc.), and other packing materials on hand. They can even custom-make a box for those elk antlers or car bumpers. Their  “Packed to Perfection” guarantee gives you peace of mind to know that your items are packed to meet or exceed all carrier requirements, so if any damage or loss occurs during transit, Pack & Mail Station stands behind their packaging.

In this episode of Talking Business, Shelly Peterson - Founder and CEO of Promoting Me, LLC. and Holly Hansen - Community Development Director from the City of Cloquet talk about The Hidden Gems of Cloquet.  Morning Star Woodwork high-quality craftsmanship, flexibility in styles and designs, and experience to work with any budget, Morning Star is fast becoming a "one-stop" supplier for their clients' interior woodworking needs.  They specialize in providing distinctive design options, including a wide variety of wood species in stock, classic ornate woodworking,  rustic Northwoods accents, and unique design services for cabinetry and custom woodwork for any room.  They also sell interior and exterior doors, stairways, and moldings.

In this episode of Talking Business, Shelly Peterson - Founder and CEO of Promoting Me, LLC. and Holly Hansen - Community Development Director from the City of Cloquet talk about The Hidden Gems of Cloquet, Community Printing - Your first stop shop for your print promo and apparel.   Kris and her long-term staff are there to help you promote your business, organization, or event.  Whether it be business forms to promotional advertising, they can handle all of your needs. They specialize in banners, envelopes, brochures, flyers, letterhead, forms, postcards, posters, screen printing, promotional items, and wearables.  Their goal is to be your one-stop-shop for your print, promo, and apparel.  For businesses, they can even set you up a custom corporate portal, "Your Storefront," with customizable templates so that your employees will be able to order their business cards and promotional items without worrying about brand consistency.

In this episode of Talking Business, Shelly Peterson - Founder and CEO of Promoting Me and Holly Hansen, Community Development Director for the City of Cloquet, discuss their recent visit with Stephanie Hulett owner of Wood City Nutrition.  Stephanie offers many products to choose from to help you achieve balanced nutrition with the help of Herbalife protein shakes, weight management programs and nutritional supplements.  Herbalife is a global leader in nutrition with over 40-years experience in developing world class products. 

A summer job in 1969 turned into a lifetime career for Rick Luke, Owner of Northern Printery, located at 206 Avenue C in the historic west end in Cloquet, MN.  Northern Printery has been around since 1923.  You won't find Northern Printery on the internet or Facebook.  Rick is focused on personally helping his customers who come into the store or call with specific needs.  He is very appreciative of his loyal customers and repeat business.  When asked what his niche is, Rick says "Anything Paper": Cards, wedding invites, raffle tickets, brochures, calendars, graduation invitations, restaurant menus, holiday cards, business cards.