Click to View the Full Thread

Author	Message Text
gravelroad	10/05/2024 06:36PM   Findian: Ely is a dying town you have to drive to Duluth just to find a dentist. " No, you don't: Ely Family Dental
gravelroad	10/06/2024 08:17PM   No, I live in Duluth.
bkebs	10/04/2024 08:22AM   This makes me sad. I am going to need Britton's to stay open or I won't know what to eat!
Pinetree	10/03/2024 08:27PM   Chocolate Moose gone
Pinetree	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
billconner	10/04/2024 07:28AM   Thanks for posting this. Steakhouse and now Moose. I guess things change.
timatkn	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
BWPaddler	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.
billconner	10/04/2024 12:53PM   Of course the store hours will probably shorten a little since they don't need to stay open for restrooms for the restaurant.
outofgas	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!
LaVirginienne	10/05/2024 08:53AM   Yeah I had that experience a few times as well
Findian	10/05/2024 06:50PM   Good to see. They had a 4-year waiting list. Web site says they have a new dentist. I go to Virginia. Gravel, is your dentist in Ely? I had Anderson for years until he closed up.
plmn	10/04/2024 10:12AM   bkebs: "This makes me sad. I am going to need Britton's to stay open or I won't know what to eat! " When I was there a month ago their sign said they should be open but they weren't.
OneMatch	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.
timatkn	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
Findian	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.