I'll be heading up to Duluth and then Ely in about a week. I will have Willow along but I want to be able to do a little shopping on the way up and while we're in Ely before our trip. If the weather is warm, I will NOT leave her in a warm car. So, do places like the Duluth Pack Store and Piragis allow leashed, well-behaved dogs in their stores? If those places do not, are there places that do allow them that anyone can recommend?

To start my memory is sometimes foggy so take that into consideration :)... I "think" there is a sign at Duluth Pak that says it's dog friendly. The last time I was there I think I remember hugging a big cuddly Great Dane. But maybe that was right outside the store? I don't have any recollections one way or the other about Piragis.

I think Ducks is right about Duluth Pack, and I think the Fitgers mall is too.

quote Jaywalker: "I think Ducks is right about Duluth Pack, and I think the Fitgers mall is too. "

I don't think I've been in the Fitgers mall. What's in there? Is it worth visiting? The only one I've been in down there on canal is the one with the Northern Waters Smokehouse (my favorite place to eat in Duluth). I wonder if I can take her in there, too. I doubt it.

Duluth Pack is very dog-friendly. Dogs often get greeted and treated while they're there. I've never seen a dog in Piragis or a sign welcoming dogs. I don't think the DeWitt-Seitz Building (Northern Waters Smokehaus) allows dogs. Fitgers is dog-friendly to an extent, but I don't know the limits.

quote canoegal: "Duluth Pack is very dog-friendly. Dogs often get greeted and treated while they're there. I've never seen a dog in Piragis or a sign welcoming dogs. I don't think the DeWitt-Seitz Building (Northern Waters Smokehaus) allows dogs. Fitgers is dog-friendly to an extent, but I don't know the limits."

Thank you, Canoegal! That is very helpful. I'm not sure how I will handle this. I want to do a little shopping, but if it's warm out at all, I won't leave her in the car. I might have to beg one of my trip mates to keep an eye on her while I go inside for a bit. I'm hoping it will be cool enough that she can sit in the car with the windows cracked open. It would have to be pretty cool out, though.

Another dog-friendly tip is the menu at Cold Stone in Duluth's Canal Park and at the frozen custard shop in Ely...they serve "canine cups" -- scoop of vanilla ice cream/custard in a cup with a dog biscuit on top. (not free, but fun) Both have outdoor seating areas too. Also, several restaurants at Duluth's DeWitt-Seitz Building have outdoor seating and I've seen dogs at some of them.

...and if you have to leave Willow in the vehicle for a little while, hopefully it's on one of our cooler-by-the-lake days. :)

quote canoegal: "Another dog-friendly tip is the menu at Cold Stone in Duluth's Canal Park and at the frozen custard shop in Ely...they serve "canine cups" -- scoop of vanilla ice cream/custard in a cup with a dog biscuit on top. (not free, but fun) Both have outdoor seating areas too. Also, several restaurants at Duluth's DeWitt-Seitz Building have outdoor seating and I've seen dogs at some of them.


...and if you have to leave Willow in the vehicle for a little while, hopefully it's on one of our cooler-by-the-lake days. :)"

Thank you Canoegal. That's helpful. She'll be happy to hear about the canine cups!

quote Goldenbadger: "
I don't think I've been in the Fitgers mall. What's in there? Is it worth visiting? The only one I've been in down there on canal is the one with the Northern Waters Smokehouse (my favorite place to eat in Duluth). I wonder if I can take her in there, too. I doubt it.
"

Fitgers has a good dog store and outdoor gear shop where I went to get my dog a clip on blinky light on way to bwca last year. Also a good little wine shop. Can't comment on anything else since Wintergreen closed there. I love Norther Smokehuas, but I think it's state laws against dogs inside where food is prepared.

I'd like to see the the US more dog-friendly, like in Great Britain. I worry WAY MORE about some people being in proximity of food preparation than most dogs. Ever visit a state or county fair or shopping mall to check out the people? YUCK!

Thank you everyone for the great tips. I won't be able to take her everywhere I want to go, but we'll make it work. I really hope Piragis doesn't mind if I bring her in. All I can do is ask. I want to spend some time in there.

I sent a fb message to Piragis today. They got back to me right away and said to do welcome dogs in their store. :) I'm very happy to hear that. And so is Willow.

All of the stores in Ely were welcoming to Willow. In fact some of them gave her treats, and many of them had water out for dogs.

quote Goldenbadger: "All of the stores in Ely were welcoming to Willow. In fact some of them gave her treats, and many of them had water out for dogs. "

Stopped in at Steger for some new mukluks a couple weeks back on a very sunny hot day. Folks inside helping me quickly said "bring him on in", which I did. He loved all the attention while I searched for my right size. Very dog friendly place.