07/20/2026
I have an ask friends! 🖤 Long post alert 🚨
This weekend the Two Harbors Farmers Market made the tough call to cancel their market Saturday. Myself and several other small businesses and local farms lost an opportunity to share the products we create, and grow.
Next weekend Ely will lose the Blueberry 🫐 Festival. With several small businesses, food 🥘 trucks, and vendors who have been preparing for a considerable amount of time losing out. These decisions weee not made lightly.
Business on the North Shore, up the Gunflint Trail, and toward the Iron Range has taken a hit due to the air quality and the closure of the BWCAW at least until 7/24. Camps are closed or pushing dates back for the safety of their campers. Daycares are closing. It really does ripple all the way down to the community level.
This is an unprecedented time.
👋If you’re considering a trip up the shore—please come! 🖤 Many hotels/lodges have made accommodations to have more events/activities indoors. Restaurants and stores are open!!
💪If you have a favorite 🤩 small business who does craft fairs—hit them up! Small farm who does a farmstand—hit them up! Get an extra jar of honey 🍯, dozen eggs 🥚! Buy that candle 🕯️ for a Christmas gift 🎁
🥹Do you have a favorite 😍 restaurant up here? Call and buy a gift card for a future trip up! Call and snag a shirt or some merch—most will gladly ship!
🥰Favorite gift shop? Call them up!
‼️ And don’t forget to support the Outfitters who are packing, guiding, and prepping folks to go in and out of the currently closed BWCAW! They’d love to send you some of their merch!
Do you want some ideas 💡 of who to support? HIT. THIS. GIRL. UP!!!!
Send me a DM. I’ll get you a list. I know lots of options.
🆘also don’t forget to support your local fire crews! If you’re able. They’re always on the ready. And if you see a visiting crew out in the wild—buy them that energy drink or bottle of water. 🖤
The Blueberry Arts Festival brings over 240 vendors and thousands of people to Ely, but with ongoing wildfires cancelling the 46th annual event, small businesses are trying to move forward.
