2008: Bad year for Duluth
We lost Pasek Pharmacy (in its original incarnation), Bayside Market, European Bakery and Daugherty's Hardware. All were long, long-time Duluth business, and I would argue, institutions of the community.
We are all poorer for the loss of these businesses.
What does this say about Duluth? What does it say about the businesses themselves? Is this a factor of the current economy, or has this been a long time coming?
Discuss.
Comments
For me, not as tragic as losing my precious Daugherty's Hardware, but sad nonetheless. When possible, buy from your local merchants!
Posted by: Nick | December 31, 2008 11:13 AM
I once exploded a 6 pack of Pepsi in the Bayside Market. Ah, memories.
Posted by: Ro | December 31, 2008 11:32 AM
Pasek Pharmacy didn't close. The founder retired and the store moved to 113 N. Second Ave. W.
The pharmacy is still locally owned and still supplying all your favorite drugs.
Posted by: Paul Lundgren | December 31, 2008 11:37 AM
I thought Pasek's had just moved. The have a sign on 2nd avenue west in the Natchio's building between first and second street. But it's just cardboard so maybe it's only a temoprary location. Clarification anyone?
Posted by: jp | December 31, 2008 11:39 AM
The loss of a family owned bisiness in Duluth is a sad thing especially one who's product was as well respected as the European Bakery. Neal Glazman fought the battle of the bix box stores probably a little too long, but downtown shoppers and workers apprecaite his efforts. And his brother's, and father's and uncle's before him.
Posted by: top of the hill man | December 31, 2008 11:57 AM
The loss of a family owned bisiness in Duluth is a sad thing especially one who's product was as well respected as the European Bakery. Neal Glazman fought the battle of the big box stores probably a little too long, but downtown shoppers and workers apprecaite his efforts. And his brother's, and father's and uncle's before him.
Posted by: top of the hill man | December 31, 2008 12:01 PM
the european bakery is a huge loss. i remember that place, and the wonderful braided loaves of bread, so well.
Posted by: laurie | December 31, 2008 12:20 PM
who will the Pickwick and the Hammond buy their bread and rolls from now? Wal-Mart?
Posted by: girlfromnorthcountry | December 31, 2008 12:49 PM
Not to be heartless, but these places were overpriced. I wanted to support them, but mostly couldn't afford their wares. They can't be expected to be cheaper than the big box stores, but I would have been happy to avoid the drive up the hill if their prices weren't so out of range. Doesn't a basic law of economics say if you're lacking customers you should lower your prices?
Posted by: farglebargle | December 31, 2008 01:05 PM
If your car gets about 25 mpg, at the current cost of gas, you spend about a dime to drive 1.5 miles. Depending on where you live, paying a little extra at a local business saves you money in the end because you don't have to drive the 6 mile round trip up to the hill. Everyone is so focused on what you pay at the till, but few factor in other costs like the extra gas, extra time, and higher taxes you pay as a property owner as our overall tax base is depleted by the loss of local businesses. You pay or you pay. I'd rather pay at the till as my vote for a more locally based economy. I agree that all businesses have to adapt to changing times and tastes, but cutting prices shouldn't have to be at the top of the list when they can offer so much more in the way of service and save you money in the end because of convenience.
Posted by: locavore | December 31, 2008 01:56 PM
Whatever happened to paying more for quality? One of the biggest reasons Glazman had to close is the increased price of flour, eggs and milk, plus rising shipping costs. He chose not to sacrifice quality, or raise prices on his customers. Convenience also comes with a price. Now, we'll have fewer options, and more substandard products will glut the market.
Posted by: girlfromnorthcountry | December 31, 2008 02:10 PM
@ Paul Lundgren:
Not MY favorite drugs. I do agree that the loss of these local businesses is saddening. This is a sign of our financial times. Estimates show that 175,000 small businesses will close this year. A testament to the shoddy stewardship of the Bush administration.
Posted by: lojasmo | December 31, 2008 05:58 PM
Losing so-called 'mom and pop' run businesses is always hard to read about. It's a passing of tradition and familiarity. One of the few upsides of this economic 'downturn' is that small business incubators are getting more inquiries as people recently laid off investigate starting their own small business. Not an easy road but I'm sure it was a battle for the European Bakery, (I still miss the Danish Bakery)Daugherty Hardware and Bayside Market.
Posted by: Mike Simonson | December 31, 2008 06:23 PM
Oh no, where will I get my mediocre white bread now??
Now, if we lost say, Amazing Grace, I'd be mourning... but they just had their best Summer ever, they said.
Posted by: jenny | December 31, 2008 10:18 PM
Also, how could Daugherty's compete with Home Depot/Menards? So, I think this says more about the businesses than anything else.
Posted by: jenny | December 31, 2008 10:25 PM
I'm not sure the closing of these businesses says anything about Duluth in general, or anything about the businesses in general. I wonder if it's a matter of owners who are getting too tired to continue. Perhaps they're operating under a business model that used to work and needs to change. That's what I hope, anyway, and that new businesses will open to fill the "quality void."
Posted by: Beverly | December 31, 2008 11:49 PM
Here's an idea for these cold days... a book available at your local bookstore, "Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day". It's good. It's easy. You will love it. Not a replacement for European Bakery bagels, but, it helps.
Posted by: Harriet Lane | January 1, 2009 12:51 AM
Isn't Daugherty's just over by the members co-op in west duluth now? I'm pretty sure it is. But I've been wrong before.
Jeff
Posted by: Jeff | January 1, 2009 08:15 AM
It's not a full-scale hardware store anymore, but Daugherty Appliance Sales & Service is indeed open in West Duluth.
http://www.daughertyappliance.com/
Posted by: Paul Lundgren | January 1, 2009 12:17 PM
Daugherty's Hardware closed because SMDC offered them such a silly price. It had nothing to do with Home Depot. I wonder how many dishwashers, lawnmowers, hexnuts, and vitamin C tablets, it would take to profit as much as they did on the real estate sale. Besides nobody shops at Home Depot, just ask them. I miss Daugherty"s Hardware, shopped there often, and several times have run over there to grab a part or a nut or something only to remember that SMDC bought em out. Separately, I'd bet on the local business to weather a financial crisis before I'd bet on Home Depot.
Posted by: Rob | January 2, 2009 11:05 AM
I hate to sound like a party pooper, but businesses come and go. That's the breaks in business.
What makes me more sad is that Duluth does not have a strong pro-business community that fosters and strongly supports new business ventures.
Posted by: Bob | January 2, 2009 05:31 PM
I hate to sound like a party pooper, but businesses come and go. That's the breaks in business.
What makes me more sad is that Duluth does not have a strong pro-business community that fosters and strongly supports new business ventures.
Posted by: Bob | January 2, 2009 05:34 PM
Mom and pop kinds of hardware stores will never out-price the big boxes, but can you walk into a Home Depot and come out with 5 drywall screws (and only 5, not a box)?
A few years ago a colleague of mine was working full time for Home Depot. He wasn't handy, hell he had a PhD in water resources policy. But he worked there. shudder
Now walk into a small hardware store and ask for the best kind of ____ to do the job and they can usually show you. Worth paying an extra few bucks for that kind of hands on advice.
I'm *so* thankful for small hardware stores.
Second for the bread book. And in thinking local: the authors are Minnesotans.
Posted by: kerc | January 2, 2009 09:13 PM
Actually kerc, yes - Home Depot and Menards both sell screws and bolts, etc ala carte in big bins.
Posted by: jenny | January 2, 2009 09:59 PM
Harriet Lane mentioned: "Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day"
You can also save yourself some money by googling "no knead bread".
Posted by: huitz | January 3, 2009 08:11 AM
This is all very sad to me.
Posted by: jp | January 3, 2009 12:03 PM
Where were their government bailouts? Didn't they fill out the form?
Posted by: St.G | January 3, 2009 03:36 PM
Add to the list- The bookstore on 4th St., O'Gilbey's, Torke, DAC grill, Taj India, and Savories.
Posted by: chris m | January 4, 2009 01:02 PM
ditto:
Sunhillow.
and Frost River.
Posted by: zra. | January 4, 2009 01:26 PM