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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum Listening Point - General Discussion No more Chocolate Moose |
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10/03/2024 08:29PM
Timberjay
ELY- For forty years, the prominent log building near the corner of Sheridan and Central- and the good eats served within- have been like a beacon for warm-season visitors to the end of the road.
But the Chocolate Moose will not return to Ely’s culinary scene next spring as Piragis Northwoods Company, which owns the building once again, is turning the page to something new.
“It’s bittersweet,” said Elli Piragis. “It’s sad to lose a restaurant that’s been in Ely for so long. My parents started the Chocolate Moose with Millie and Barry
ELY- For forty years, the prominent log building near the corner of Sheridan and Central- and the good eats served within- have been like a beacon for warm-season visitors to the end of the road.
But the Chocolate Moose will not return to Ely’s culinary scene next spring as Piragis Northwoods Company, which owns the building once again, is turning the page to something new.
“It’s bittersweet,” said Elli Piragis. “It’s sad to lose a restaurant that’s been in Ely for so long. My parents started the Chocolate Moose with Millie and Barry
10/04/2024 09:14AM
I don’t think this is a surprise, I think it has closed a few times and it seems like Piragis has been trying to unload it for years. Still sad.
Thanks for letting us know.
T
Thanks for letting us know.
T
“Many go fishing all their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.” Henry David Thoreau
10/04/2024 11:36AM
timatkn: "I don’t think this is a surprise, I think it has closed a few times and it seems like Piragis has been trying to unload it for years. Still sad.
Thanks for letting us know.
T"
According to the article, Piragis is not unloading it but turning it into a bookstore instead. So Piragis will still own the property and now use it as an addition to the original store.
We all have to believe in something. I believe I'll go paddle.
10/05/2024 07:57AM
Of the many recent business to leave Ely I miss Sir G's Italian the most. They also lost another grocery store, Northland grocery. Luckly the town still has Zup's.
This has been happening for 50-60 years now. Many great places gone Vertins, Sears, Pennys, A&W, several car dealerships, more resorts than I can count and so on.
Silver Rapids might be the next victim. In spite of Silver Rapids getting the approval and all their legal ducks in a row for updates a group is Sueing them. Seems odd first we need to get rid of mining and logging to save tourism. Now we don't want tourist and tourism?? Go figure.
Ely is a dying town you have to drive to Duluth just to find a dentist.
I have/had hopes for Pulsar Helium to start production in the area. Minnesota has already put a 20% tax on helium even before one ballon could be filled. After the 20% state tax put on helium Pulsars stock went from about 1 dollar to 40 cents a share. Even if Pulsar gets going it will not replace the jobs lost from mining and logging.
The Moose at 8:30 Saturday am.
This has been happening for 50-60 years now. Many great places gone Vertins, Sears, Pennys, A&W, several car dealerships, more resorts than I can count and so on.
Silver Rapids might be the next victim. In spite of Silver Rapids getting the approval and all their legal ducks in a row for updates a group is Sueing them. Seems odd first we need to get rid of mining and logging to save tourism. Now we don't want tourist and tourism?? Go figure.
Ely is a dying town you have to drive to Duluth just to find a dentist.
I have/had hopes for Pulsar Helium to start production in the area. Minnesota has already put a 20% tax on helium even before one ballon could be filled. After the 20% state tax put on helium Pulsars stock went from about 1 dollar to 40 cents a share. Even if Pulsar gets going it will not replace the jobs lost from mining and logging.
The Moose at 8:30 Saturday am.
10/09/2024 09:04AM
Ely is a dying town....
Hard to admit but true. My extended family has been going there every summer for 2-3 weeks for 60+ years. So many changes that it really isn't the same place it was so we finally quit going last year. Sad, but it seems as though the town leaders and politicians want it to become a Key West or Taos - crafts and festivals. Mining, boating, fishing, expanded resorts, restaurants, portages, entry points, permit system are all kind of in disarray. I knew it was over a few years ago when I'd go into town for minnows/leeches on a Sunday and most places would have little stock - in the middle of prime season. Asked when they might get some in - Thursday!
10/09/2024 09:02PM
The end of an era. So bummed. My kids would plan the trip around stopping there for food either before or after the paddle - or both.
It probably will make a good bookstore. Moving from the upper level of Piragis I assume. Kids have also spent time sitting up there reading.
Sad, but hopefully it works out for them.
It probably will make a good bookstore. Moving from the upper level of Piragis I assume. Kids have also spent time sitting up there reading.
Sad, but hopefully it works out for them.
Wherever there is a channel for water, there is a road for the canoe. -Thoreau
10/09/2024 11:59PM
outofgas: "Ely is a dying town....I knew it was over a few years ago when I'd go into town for minnows/leeches on a Sunday and most places would have little stock - in the middle of prime season. Asked when they might get some in - Thursday!"
You still may be correct, but judging by live bait is not a good measure…
There are many factors affecting this.
1. A few bait dealers have almost a monopoly in MN, Ely isn’t a high priority location.
2. A bait dealer near Ely that typically supplied the whole area retired recently.
3. Extremes in temps and algae blooms have killed off many leech and minnow ponds. All across the state live bait availability is reduced. By your definition Mille Lacs, Kabetogama, Leech Lake, LOTW are all a dying town too. Just saying…it’s more complicated…
T
“Many go fishing all their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.” Henry David Thoreau
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