Local Businesses Archives - Cascade Vacation Rentals

22 01, 2025

Scruffy Dog Vintage Emporium

Velena Addams2025-01-22T19:44:01+00:00Grand Marais, Local Businesses|

Step into Scruffy Dog Vintage Emporium, and it’s like opening a treasure chest full of stories located in Grand Marais. Nestled at the edge of town, the shop might be easy to miss—but for the curious and nostalgic, it’s a haven. Owner Annette Block-Valdivia has traveled miles across the country, most recently exploring Vermont. Her latest trip was so fruitful that her friend is shipping home an overflow of treasures she couldn’t fit in her car. Annette has a knack for spotting the extraordinary. Guided by her keen eye, she curates a collection that feels like a journey through [...]

8 01, 2025

Trail Center Lodge
Trail Center Lodge

Trail Center Lodge

Velena Addams2025-01-08T18:02:45+00:00Activities & Attractions, Dining and Food, Gunflint Trail/BWCA, Local Businesses|

Located on the stunning shores of Poplar Lake, Trail Center Lodge has been a beloved landmark on the Gunflint Trail since 1938. Originally built as a logging camp, this versatile destination has transformed over the decades into a hub for adventurers, locals, and visitors alike. Today, it serves as a restaurant, gas station, gift store, grocery shop, and information center—a one-stop shop for anyone exploring the Northwoods. Under the ownership of sisters Anna and Sarah Hamilton, Trail Center Lodge has gained a reputation for its delicious home-style cooking, warm hospitality, and rustic Northwoods charm—and I have to say, their [...]

22 10, 2024

Best Coffee Shops on the North Shore
Best Coffee Shops on the North Shore

Best Coffee Shops on the North Shore

Jaye2024-12-30T17:39:28+00:00Activities & Attractions, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail/BWCA, Local Businesses, Lutsen, Schroeder/Tofte|

Discovering the Best Coffee Shops on the North Shore If you’re heading to Northern Minnesota along Lake Superior, either for skiing at Lutsen Mountains or to explore the breathtaking North Shore of Lake Superior, one thing’s for sure: You’ll need a good cup of coffee to fuel your adventures. This scenic area may be known for its outdoor beauty, but it also boasts some fantastic local coffee spots. Whether you’re looking for a cozy cafe after a day of exploring or simply want to experience local Minnesota coffee, this guide will introduce you to some of the best coffee [...]

26 06, 2024

Objects to Crave
Objects to Crave

Objects to Crave

Jaye2024-07-02T19:28:17+00:00Hovland/Grand Portage, Local Businesses|

Objects to Crave isn't your average North Shore gift shop. You won't find a store filled with "Lake Superior" and "North Shore" merchandise here. Instead, Objects to Crave is a one-of-a-kind eclectic mix of fun and interesting found items curated by owners Shel and Bob. From unique old-timey photographs to mossariums to incense to handmade soaps to record albums, this unique gift shop has them all and more! Located in Hovland, Objects to Crave also stands out in its unique location between Grand Marais and Grand Portage. From the Past to the Present The story of Objects to Crave [...]

17 04, 2024

Lady Superior Bottle Shop and Harbortown Goods
Lady Superior Bottle Shop and Harbortown Goods

Lady Superior Bottle Shop and Harbortown Goods

Jaye2024-06-26T17:19:19+00:00Grand Marais, Local Businesses|

Are you enjoying a Sober Summer/Sober January/Sober life? If avoiding alcoholic beverages without sacrificing the social aspect of social drinking, stop in at the area's first non-alcoholic (NA) bottle shop: Lady Superior Bottle Shop. While you are there, check out Harbortown Goods, located in the same storefront. About Lady Superior NA Bottle Shop Lady Superior Bottle Shop is the brainchild of Abby Tofte, owner of The Big Lake, an artsy gift shop located in the same building. Last year, Abby, a sober sister, had the idea to dedicate a small portion of The Big Lake to a [...]

28 06, 2023

Fire at Papa Charlie’s
Fire at Papa Charlie’s

Fire at Papa Charlie’s

Jaye2023-07-06T17:42:57+00:00History, Local Businesses, Lutsen, News & Updates|

While many were enjoying and celebrating a local man's victory at the Lutsen 99er, just a mile away another scene was playing out. Up on the hill at Lutsen Mountains, a fire had started at the beloved Papa Charlie's restaurant and events center. The fire started sometime before 6 am. While crowds were gathering at the nearby golf course for the bike race, fire crews from six area fire departments were rushing towards Lutsen for to try to battle the fire. Many of those called had also volunteered to help at Lutsen 99er Aid Station. Instead, they were battling [...]

12 04, 2023

Sydney’s Frozen Custard & Wood-Fired Pizza
Sydney’s Frozen Custard & Wood-Fired Pizza

Sydney’s Frozen Custard & Wood-Fired Pizza

Jaye2024-07-09T19:09:26+00:00Grand Marais, History, Local Businesses, News & Updates|

Around 11:30 AM on April 10, 2023, a fire broke out at Sydney's Frozen Custard & Wood-Fired Pizza. On what was otherwise a beautiful spring day in Grand Marais, Minnesota. Responding fire departments fought the fire for over two hours, extinguishing it around 1:30 PM. Unfortunately, the intense fire destroyed the interior of this beloved downtown eatery. Luckily, through quick thinking and a little ingenuity, Sydney's reopen a short time later in a temporary location, not missing a season. Then, less than a year and a half after the fire, Sydney's Frozen Custard & Wood-Fired Pizza reopened at the [...]

5 08, 2022

Cook County Airport and Seaplane Base
Cook County Airport and Seaplane Base

Cook County Airport and Seaplane Base

Jaye2022-08-05T21:12:35+00:00Activities & Attractions, Grand Marais, Local Businesses|

Did you know that Cook County has its own airport? The Cook County Airport and Seaplane Base is a small municipal airport located about 8 miles from Grand Marais on Devil Track Lake. While you won't find commercial flights flying in and out of this one-runway airport, you will see small privately owned planes zipping in and out. The airport also offers private scenic flights that you can do during your next trip to Lake Superior's North Shore. Just imagine chasing waterfalls or enjoying the fall colors from above. Down on Devil Track Lake, seaplanes can land at the [...]

14 07, 2022

Points Unknown Summer Adventures
Points Unknown Summer Adventures

Points Unknown Summer Adventures

Jaye2024-05-07T16:19:05+00:00Activities & Attractions, Hovland/Grand Portage, Local Businesses|

Located up the Arrowhead Trail in Hovland, Points Unknown is most well-known for its dog sledding experiences in the wintertime. Recently, they started offering unique adventures in the summertime, as well. Here are some of the Points Unknown Summer Adventures that you can enjoy during your next trip up the North Shore. Guided Mindful Paddle Experiences A mindful paddle is not about paddling the hardest, fastest, or furthest. It's about going slow and being present to the experience. With Points Unknown, a Mindful Paddle and Hike takes you into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA) for a 4-6 [...]

2 03, 2022

Sisu + Loyly Nordic Sauna
Sisu + Loyly Nordic Sauna

Sisu + Loyly Nordic Sauna

Jaye2023-09-21T15:50:06+00:00Activities & Attractions, Grand Marais, Local Businesses|

Located on the shores of Lake Superior, near downtown Grand Marais, you will find Sisu + Loyly Nordic Sauna. Opened in 2021, the sauna provides a unique experience complete with breathtaking views of Lake Superior's East Bay. A Sauna Revival Using a sauna for health and wellbeing has been a tradition in Nordic countries for centuries. The tradition came to the US with the many Finnish immigrants who decided to settle in the Duluth area. There was once a time when many traditional community saunas dotted the Duluth hillside as recent immigrants created the traditional sauna experience [...]