FYI to those who make this a regular part of your trip. When in Grand Marais two weeks ago they had a big sign on the window looking for workers for darn near every aspect of the restaurant.

Isn't it just for the building?

Darn near every business is looking for workers, in any location

How does looking for workers equate to the business being for sale?

https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-lifestyle/sven-and-oles-building-in-grand-marais-for-sale-pizza-business-will-continue

I stand corrected! Resume anticipated stops on future trips. The add on the realty site I saw did not make that clear, but I made the assumption they owned the building. And no specific connection to needing workers and thinking the business was selling - just an observation. I have seen help wanted signs all over the place, but not one with such a specific list of needs at one time.

Hard time finding staff especially with limited housing opportunities in the GM area. Part of the problem, IMO, is that when small to medium houses come up for sale someone buys them, fixes them up and turns them into VRBO rentals.

There isn’t housing in that region, unless owned by the business doing the hiring, that is affordable on a seasonal hourly wage.

I sincerely hope Svens can find a solution, maybe just do a food truck or two around town for awhile.

I'd be more concerned if the doughnut shop closed.

jhb8426: "I'd be more concerned if the doughnut shop closed."

Staff-strapped Grand Marais

Looking at the advertisement, it states "The median home value in Grand Marais, MN is $370,000".

Just crazy.

The seasonal service industry has, for many years, relied on imported labor. College age men and women mostly from eastern Europe can finance as much as 2 years tuition and living expenses from 4 to 6 months of work in the US. In the tourist towns of northern Wi. I worked with mostly Russian and Polish kids in restaurants. (A Polish law student gave me the 2 year financial info) I remember Scandinavian youngsters working in Grand Maris.
I know of a resort in northern Wi. that was so desperate for summer help that they provided free meals and converted a guest rental cottage into a dorm for the help.
Covid and travel restrictions plus the high cost of air travel are IMHO to blame.
I hope Sven and Oles manages to hold on. I can't hardly remember a trip that I didn't stop even though last year was only take out.

I know that many of the resorts along Hwy. 61 bring young adults over for the summer. They provide housing, meals, and even activities. They treat them like extended family. Many of the "kids" come back year after year and recruit their siblings and friends as well. They are very nice people, very friendly and hard working. I enjoyed speaking with them and learning their culture even though they don't spend much time with guests. It's too bad that the resort owners don't take advantage of their various cultures more and have them cook, do crafts, and even teach their language. Treat it like a work exchange program, or cultural exchange program. If my boys were younger I would love to send them up there for the summer so they could work and learn new skills and meet people in a "work camp" setting.

Pretty sure that J1 and H2B visa programs ended or were put on hold several years ago. Regardless, there is a housing shortage and also wages will play a part, as well.

The donut shop was closed 2 days a week and had shorten hours last summer cuz she couldn’t find staff.

It’s time for all the free programs to end that encourage people to not work since the programs pay more than a job wage would pay.

I live in a county that has way too many people taking advantage that are capable of working even part time, but don’t because it would affect how much free money the county gives them. The county also does nothing to educate these people on how to get ahead in life and off assistance.

Last I knew our McDonald’s and taco johns and subway were drive thru only since there aren’t people willing to work for $15/hr.

It’s frustrating everywhere, but more so in communities that rely on tourism as their main source of income.

As I think more about the possible reasons why I am reminded of a co-worker who has 3 phones and is on them constantly, regardless of company policy.

The “device” has become something akin to air… people, not just younger people, just NEED to have access at all times to their phones.