Talking Business - The Hidden Gems of Cloquet

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 are talking about the Hidden Gem of Game Play Stay.

 "We have a Chronicles game night," said Game Play Stay's owner, Sara Kenwood. 

By day, Sara Kenwood is an employee of Sappi in Cloquet. By evening, Sara works in gaming. She grew up a "game nerd" through school, and the dream for this business has been to sell games and create a space for kids and young adults, in particular, to learn how to play games and meet up with their friends in a safe space. Sara stocks snacks and drinks for purchase at the store, so the experience is very relaxing and welcoming. She and her sister help staff the store. You may also have seen her name featured in a Cloquet Public Library event she held for local homeschooled students. Her future goals include adding Dungeons and Dragons and Magic the Gathering, more trading cards, more board and card games, and adding game tournaments. In need of a gaming gift? Let Sara and her team assist you. Check them out today!

In this episode of Talking Business, Shelly Peterson -

NDGNS (pronounced indigenous) BEADS N GIFTS is located at 612 Cloquet Avenue and is owned and operated by Jennifer S. Martineau. Martineau is a proud woman, native, and veteran (Dessert Storm) business. The shop showcases a variety of native artists and local bead artists. The shop also has an online platform involving auctions throughout the United States.

Martineau is an enrolled member of the Bad River Tribe of Lake Superior Ojibwe. She grew up in Duluth until age 13 when she moved to Bemidji and graduated from the Fond du Lac Ojibwe School in Cloquet. At age 19, she joined the military and actively served for eight years, sharing that the military saved her life. She had her children in the 1990s and, in the 2000s, gained college and graduate school education with an undergraduate degree in psychology from Bemidji State and a Master of Social Work graduate degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth. By day, Jennifer is a licensed clinical social worker and hypnotherapist in the behavioral and mental health field.

Martineau started her business after her mother's death, opening as an online business via a Facebook page in 2013. In 2018, she moved back to Cloquet to be closer to her father, who was sick. She was a vendor at pow-wows and vends at pow-wows all over the Midwest. She has a toy hauler with a walk-in shop.

Opening this storefront has been her dream. "This is my happy place; my daughter helped me set up this store," she shared. The vision for NDGNS BEADS N GIFTS is family community-based. The closest bead store is in Bemidji or the Twin Cities; people are driving hours away to get to this store. "This store is a place to express culture, to be seen and heard, appreciated, and acknowledged," said Jennifer S. Martineau.

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 of Cloquet VFW Post 3979.

Hebert-Kennedy Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3979 was named in honor of Arthur Herbert and Wallace and John Kennedy, who heroically died in WWII as members of the U.S. Air Force. The VFW Post 3979 has been located at 210 Arch Street since it was purchased in 1947. The VFW is open to the public to enjoy food, beverages, events, and more. Their VFW Bar and social clubs offer happy hour specials, excellent food, pool and dart leagues, entertainment such as BINGO, karaoke, games like smear and cribbage, and gambling. They also have a spacious Banquet Hall for rent and a commercial kitchen.

 We interviewed Ron Stigers, Commander of Post 3979, and Gary Dahl, past Commander of Post 3979, both huge advocates of the VFW and veterans. The mission of the VFW is to provide comradeship, assist families and veterans in accessing services and programs, foster patriotism, and more. They have several programs, including the Honor Guard, Community Service, POW / MIA, and Veteran Outreach. VFW Post 3979 continues to support improvements to Cloquet’s Veterans Park and has been instrumental in developing memorials such as the Veterans Memorial Wall and Plaza. 

 In recent years, the Cloquet American Legion #262, Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 18 of Carlton County, and Cloquet Eagles #1163 have consolidated their location at the Cloquet VFW. The Cloquet American Legion is a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. The Carlton County DAV is an organization that ensures veterans and their families have access to the full range of benefits available to them as they transition back to civilian life. The Cloquet Eagles is a fraternal organization providing social events for members.

 The VFW began in 1899 with the core mission of securing rights and benefits for veterans who have served their country. The VFW has been instrumental in establishing the Veterans Administration, creating a G.I. bill for the 20th Century, the development of the national cemetery system, and the fight for compensation for Vietnam vets exposed to Agent Orange and for veterans diagnosed with Gulf War Syndrome. In 2008, VFW won a long-fought victory by passing a GI Bill for the 21st Century, giving expanded educational benefits to America’s active-duty service members and members of the Guard and Reserves fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. The VFW has also fought to improve V.A. medical center services for female veterans.

 Those wishing to become VFW members must be U.S. citizens, having had Honorable Service, a Service in war, a campaign, or an expedition on foreign soil or hostile waters. Those with family members who meet these criteria may join as VFW Auxiliary members.  

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, introduce the Hidden Gem of The Nest Wellness Studio.

Carolyn Ripp, or CJ Ripp as she also goes by, has owned The Nest Studio at 207 Avenue C, in Cloquet’s West End Historic District for almost ten years. Carolyn met her husband in Utica, New York, working at St. Joe’s Hospital, and later moved to Duluth, Minnesota. Carolyn moved to Cloquet in 1994 with her husband, who was employed at Community Memorial Hospital. They chose Cloquet to raise their children and be proximate to schools and sporting facilities.

Her yoga journey started by teaching fitness classes in the late 1980s. She later became certified as a Physical Therapist and Registered Nurse and obtained her Master of Education from UMD in Health and Wellness. She is a RYT-500 (Registered Yoga teacher with over 500 hours of training), ACE Certified Fitness Instructor, and Usui Reiki 2 Certified. She particularly enjoys helping those injured or recovering post-surgery heal effectively through yoga.

She has found her RN background and depth of medical knowledge and parasympathetic nervous system particularly useful as a yoga instructor.

She offers a variety of live classes, from chair yoga, basic yoga, and slow flow to advanced yoga, and for established yoga clients, classes can also be accessed via Zoom (and in weather emergencies). “I love to motivate people to stay active; the calm of yoga drew me in,” said Ripp.

Carolyn has taught yoga at various locations in Cloquet, including the Cloquet Library, Park Avenue Fitness, Evergreen Knoll Senior Living, and WebMed, helping those with addiction get centered and focused on healing. She teaches classes at the local community college FDLTCC.

The meaningful depth of yoga has been Carolyn’s hook. She loves to bring about awareness to help others awaken on the mat. “Yoga is emotional and body self-care; it’s about breath, awareness of negative self-talk is about release and being your best secure self,” said Ripp. “I love what I do and am passionate about it; my passion is meant to be shared; there is nothing here you can get in a Hallmark card.” She teaches 2-3x/day, five times a week. She recently received a grant to help kids utilize yoga classes held at the library. “Yoga is about communication between the body, mind, and heart. I ask my clients to have an open mind and open heart, which will flow communication within their body,” said Ripp. If you’re ready to invest in yourself and commit to attending, check out The Nest's offerings.

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 of Atkins-Northland Funeral Home.

Losing a loved one is one of life's most overwhelming challenges. The first step toward finding a way to manage your grief and confusion is working with an experienced, compassionate advisor at Atkins-Northland Funeral Home & Cremation Service. They provide helpful information and trusted expertise so your arrangements accurately reflect your needs and budget. You get the support you need, from planning a personalized funeral or life celebration to selecting permanent memorialization.

Manager Ed Nielsen, originally of Kingston, MN, went to the University of Minnesota, where he studied mortuary science. He interned at a funeral home in Hutchinson, MN, to gain career experience. His family owns ten Gunderson Funeral Homes, most of which are in Wisconsin. He moved to Cloquet to be the Manager of Atkins-Northland Funeral Home, where he started in August 2021. "The goal here is to continue Bob and Karen Atkins's legacy, the former business owners," said Nielson. Atkins-Northland Funeral Home & Cremation Service is owned by Formation Partnerships of Orlando, Florida, which owns ten funeral homes in Minnesota and 225 across the United States.

"We are here to help families," said Nielson

During challenging times of loss, staff at Atkins-Northland Funeral Home can help you navigate the complexities of life insurance, death certificates, social security, pre-paid funeral services, and more. They provide the important services of cremation and burial, host funerals and life celebrations, and honor veterans. They also navigate the complexities of shipping related to this industry. They can guide you through selecting urns, stones, caskets, and more.

Last year, they served 167 families and had a strong core business surrounding the greater Cloquet area, often providing services to families in Barnum, Proctor, and Floodwood.

During the holidays, a particularly difficult time for many, they host a special banquet dinner where they light candles to remember loved ones lost during the year, which provides solace and healing for many families. They can host such events with the large banquet reception hall and kitchen added to the facility and seats 150 people where food is catered.

At Atkins-Northland Funeral Home & Cremation Service​, your comfort and safety are central to everything they do. If you cannot meet with them face-to-face, you can make burial or cremation arrangements by phone, online, or via video chat. They have many digital resources with easy-to-read, relevant information, including care guides and a monthly e-newsletter. Get the support you need through our website 24/7. Contact them today.

In this episode of Talking Business, Shelly Peterson -

Scott Nelson launched Stock Tire & Repair in August 2023. Nelson purchased the former Stock Tire from Steve Stavang, who had owned the business for 38 years. Stavang had also been a part owner with his father; before that, his dad and uncle had owned it. Originally, Stock Tire was opened by former Cloquet Mayor Walter Stock in the 1960s.

Scott Nelson had worked at Stock Tire for the past four years and formerly owned automotive businesses. He retained the seven employees of Stock Tire but wanted to rename the company by adding “Repair” to market the array of other services they provide.

Nelson started sweeping the floor at his grandpa’s automotive shop in the 1970’s. “My grandpa taught me about vehicles,” said Nelson. 

Then, in the mid-1970s, Nelson worked for his uncle at a gas station, working on radiators, and ran that shop for 13 years. By 1980, Nelson had shifted to automotive bodywork. Nelson moved to southern Minnesota to work with his other uncle in Wilmington; from there, we worked in the Cities, at dealerships, and in apprenticeship programs. “I like figuring things out and helping people,” said Nelson. Nelson shared, “Stock Tire & Repair is a place to fix it right the first time.” Nelson is a father of six children.

As the business name describes, they stock an array of tires. They stock Goodyear, Kelly, Cooper, Firestone, Continental, Generals, and Bridgestone. Uniquely, they stock a semi-tire inventory close to Sappi, USG, and Upper Lakes Foods and have the equipment for big tires and forklifts. They also have RV and skid steer tires. They also stock batteries.  

While they don’t do exhaust work, the rest of their repair services are extensive, from transmissions to front and rear differentials, transfer cases, timing chains, and belts, or specialty muscle car work; their service list can be reviewed here: https://www.stocktire.com/ 

Contact Scott Nelson and his team today for your tire and repair service needs.

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 of Tidy Details.

Tidy Details isn’t so much a storefront to shop or visit; instead, it’s a customized session in your Twin Ports Area home with a team of experts trained to help you live your best lifestyle or to stage your home asset. Business owner Kaitlyn Beise described her business as Stage to Live - home décor and organization, Stage to Sell - home staging and Residential cleaning.

“About 70% of our business is Stay to Live / Stage to Sell, while 30% of our business is residential cleaning,” explained Beise. “We are one one-stop shop for realtors and help provide solutions to improve sales, offering a non-judgmental professional buffer between the seller and realtor, taking the time to educate involved parties,” said Beise. If this wasn’t enough, the team also makes natural cleaning products, soaps, and lotions for sale, most often found at regional festivals.

We met with Hillary and Kaitlyn, and they shared that the home-selling season kicks off with the Super Bowl Party, runs through Labor Day, and is their busiest season. Then their business transitions into fall, and people return to the home for organization projects and home restyling. Hillary shared, “We do walk and talk consults in homes, preparing them for sale and focusing on decluttering. We also do appliance and fridge cleanouts, with our end goal being more money for our clients related to sales. Investing in our services will show your home at its best.”

Kaitlyn and Hillary were social workers who found themselves depleted and heavy and wanted more joy. Kaitlyn started Tidy Details LLC as a business in 2019.

She was inspired to do so, having grown up watching her entrepreneurial parents run a small business in the Grand Rapids area. Tidy Details provided Kaitlyn with a positive and creative outlet. Hillary is a mother of three and lives in Proctor, while Kaitlyn is a mother of two and lives in Cloquet. The business is at 1401 Cloquet Avenue, where it stores home décor and furnishings used for staging to base its services for its nine employees. Kaitlyn became accredited in staging, and realtors have begun selecting their business due to their staging skills and knowledge. Hillary said, “If you sell in the fall, it may sit longer than the spring season. That is all the more reason to invest in staging your home effectively for sale.”

Kaitlyn described, “We sell a lifestyle, and people want our product.” They are talented interior designers and often stage for professional photo shoots, assisting architects in capturing professional photos of their work after a completed kitchen remodel. “Homes that are vacant don’t sell well,” said Beise, “we leverage sales by furnishing them as a lifestyle.”

Contact the Tidy Team for a “Walk and Talk” today for your home reset, stage for sale, or transition by cleaning.

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 are talking about the Hidden Gem of Lake Superior Dental, Cloquet Clinic.  

Lake Superior Dental Cloquet is staffed with 20 employees and is a bustling clinic located at 716 14th Street.  For 25

 “We estimate, then decide what to treat. Our motto is patient-first treatment plans,” said Hannah Serre the Operations Manager of Lake Superior Dental.  Kelsey Duffy the Business Office Manager for Lake Superior Dental shared their office mantra is, “Happy Team, Happy Patients!”  She shared that they are  a connected team of staff across the four clinics and hold events, meetings, and parties and are active stewards of their

 They offer dental care for the whole family and love watching children grow up within their practice which provides the services of:

They provide care for clients with different insurance coverages and programs, uniquely offering their Oral Health Plan (OHP) which is a flat fee for those without insurance covering a 12-month period of care providing two child and two adult exams, cleanings, and x-rays, plus 15% off restorative care.  They also offer care credit.

Lake Superior Dental – Cloquet Clinic

716 14th Street

Cloquet, MN 55720

(218) 879-5271

https://lakesuperiordental.com/

https://www.facebook.com/lakesuperiordental

In this episode of Talking Business, Shelly Peterson -

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 are talking about the Hidden Gem of US Bank.

Shelly and Holly toured the beautiful Downtown Cloquet US Bank Brach Office and met with Tony Vittorio, Assistant Vice President of Cloquet’s Downtown US Bank Office and Consumer Banking Manager, who has been with US Bank for 20 years. Caitlin Hurley, Assistant Vice President, Public Affairs & Communications, and Business Line Communications Manager with US Bank, accompanied him. They shared that local bankers are passionate about their skills in offering local support to customers. The Cloquet Branch employs seven staff who are embedded in community projects such as clean-ups on the Lakewalk. “We are embedded in our local communities and contribute to countless charities,” said Vittorio. The local Cloquet staff supports customers with personal interaction through the stages of life, such as setting up accounts for kids, a first car loan, a business loan, a house remodeling loan. They also help identify ways to save money to support your life goals, such as weddings or vacations. They also provide support, helping you through credit and debt hurdles to get stabilized.

Caitlin Hurley summarized, “Our value proposition is our customer service. We put our hearts and minds to power.” US Bank has over one million customers in Minnesota. Across the US, they offer a strong presence and access to banking facilities. Their digital resources are strong, offering co-browsing with your local banker to view your accounts during video meetings and virtual appointments jointly. US Bank accounts also offer Zel for online banking. They also promote financial IQ for all ages, empowering and educating people to be financially savvy, including young students.