Superior

Still curious?

Curious Goods in Superior

What’s the deal with Curious Goods in Superior?

If you’ve driven by 1717-1/2 Winter St. and wondered if the store ever opens, well, it doesn’t … but in a way it’s always open, on the Internet. For the past decade or so Curious Goods has basically been a warehouse for eBay items from the seller Curious-g.

Visit Uptown Superior … or Downtown Superior or the North End

Visit Uptown SuperiorThis past summer a new marketing effort was launched in Superior to attract people back to the downtown area, which struggled through a long Tower Avenue reconstruction project in 2013. The strip has seen a number of new businesses spring up on the fancy new avenue, but also still has numerous vacant buildings. It’s a work in progress. The joint effort of “collected businesses promoting each other” to “highlight the diamonds in the proverbial rough” is called Visit Uptown Superior.

Why is the downtown now the uptown? Isn’t “uptown” a word to describe a residential area? Well, this part of Superior is the North End, and people tend to think of north as up … and maybe these businesses intend to “Uptown funk you up.” Let’s not overthink it. Below is the back of a promotional postcard highlighting the collective businesses in said Uptown.

Visit Uptown Superior postcard

R.I.P. Norm’s Beer & Brats, Cedar Lounge as it once was and the Loading Zone in all it’s glory

Norm's Beer & Brats

A few notes on Superior bars:

Norm’s Beer & Brats held a “Final Bash” over the weekend. According to its Facebook page, the bar will be moving early next week. “The old building will still be open for business tomorrow for tacos (since last week got all kinds of messed up with the power outage), and all week including Friday and Saturday,” reads a post published today. “Our new home is currently known as the Cedar Lounge. Be sure to check it out!”

Update: It seems the Norm’s / Cedar Lounge deal fell through. (more…)

R.I.P. Frankie’s Tavern

Frankie's Pool Table

The Tower Avenue bar known for karaoke and bloody Mary’s is winding down operations. Owner Frank Rozowski Jr. is retiring and selling the building. (more…)

Goin’ Postal 2014 Fall Art Show

David Lynch by Becky BuchananI was going to write about the Goin’ Postal show in Superior. (Goin’ Postal is one of the major hubs of the art community in Superior.) But Ed Newman does it better, with pictures.

Water Film Fest at UWS – send in an entry

We will be having a Water Film Fest – films about water, life in water, importance of water, etc. Any season (winter through summer topics) would be fine. There will be local films, national, and international. We’d like the films to be under 10 minutes. The event will run from 6-8:30 p.m. on Feb. 13 at Swenson Hall Room 1012 (next to Yellowjacket Union). It’s free. If you’d like to submit an entry email grethenw @ ci.superior.wi.us. The film fest is sponsored by the City of Superior Environmental Services and the Lake Superior Research Institute. We love clean and healthy water.

Battery of a police officer or excessive force arrest? Here we go again.

Natasha Lancour was arrested in the parking lot of the Keyport Lounge on Jan. 5 for allegedly striking Superior Police Officer George Gothner. Above is the unedited dashboard-cam video; below is a report from WDIO-TV.

Ugly Stick Saloon

IMG_4512 (800x533)

A splash of Coyote Ugly is in the city of Superior, just minutes off of the Bong Bridge on Belknap Street, in the former dining area of the Shack.
(more…)

City’s 58th Street Diner in South Superior

City’s 58th Street Diner is bringing the 1950s back to South Superior. With its classic malt-shop feel and reasonable prices, it’s like taking a step back in time. (more…)

Save the Old Globe Elevator

When I feel like some couch surfing, I watch Ax Men. When I’m smart, I listen to Wisconsin Public Radio. The two came together for me yesterday when I found out that the Old Globe Elevator in Superior is in trouble:

Save the Globe

I love the shipping history of Duluth/Superior, I love Ax Men, and I love the environment. That’s a triple threat that caused me to contribute. How about you? Is it worth it? Go to oldglobewood.com for more information.

The 1962 UWS Football Squad

SSC-Football-1962

Today on PDD we present the 1962 gridders from the “Wisconsin State College Superior,” now known as the University of Wisconsin-Superior. Why? Well the fine folks at UWS’ Jim Dan Hill Library have digitized copies of the Gitchee Gumee, the college’s yearbook — from its inception in 1909 through 1972, when it ceased publication.
(more…)

Concrete work in Superior

I’m looking to have an old sidewalk pulled out, and a nice new one poured early this spring/summer if at all possible. I’m also considering adding a textured/colored concrete patio to my back yard. Can anyone recommend a good contractor in the area that I could call for a bid?

Go Anchor Bar!

Andrew Zimmern’s Favorite Midwestern Hamburgers

#8 – Anchor Bar, Superior, Wisconsin
A superb bar burger, ground fresh from Angus chuck, and it’s the only place I have ever seen a full griddle of burgers manned at the lunch rush by a cook with a full cigarette of ash hanging out of his mouth and he never missed a beat. The clientele could care less as long as the burgers stay this good and the beer is cold.
413 Tower Ave, Superior, WI 54880-1048. (715) 394-9747

R.I.P., Le Bistro

Le Bistro restaurant in the former City/County Complex in Superior will close April 16, a victim of the sluggish economy.

Northern Brewing Company in Superior

Northern Brewing Co

I work at what was the old Northern Brewing Company building in Superior, now Balcum Appliance, Inc. Some people stop in and tell me stories about when it was the brewery. I was just doing some research about the building and not much comes up. I was just curious if anyone had a little knowledge about the Northern Brewing Company or stories to share regarding it. I would really love to see pictures of it also. I hear that there was another section of the building which has been torn down. Any information is greatly appreciated.

Who’s running for mayor in Superior?

Dave Ross is out after two terms as Superior mayor. He’s taking a job as secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing.

Candidates must file the required number of signatures by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 4 to get on the ballot for mayor in Superior. (more…)

Art Opening Thursday @ Goin’ Postal

The Many Faces of Ed Newman will be on display at Goin’ Postal in Superior, from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9. Live music by Mark Anderson, finger food and a broad array of visually stimulating new paintings by Ed Newman will be on display for enjoyment or purchase. Art Card collectibles also available, a great stocking stuffer for artsy loved ones.

More details here:
qrcode

R.I.P. Nellie Bird, owner of Les Bird’s Bar

Nellie Bird, longtime owner of Les Bird’s Bar in South Superior, died Nov. 27. She was 90.

Nellie felt that everyone who came into her bar was a friend. The feeling was mutual.

Profile from the Superior Telegram:
Wisconsin bar celebrates 50 years

Guess I won’t be buying that island condo

Pioneer Press: Nature Conservancy chapters pay $1.47M for Clough Island

Androy Hotel: Superior’s Hidden Gem

Whether or not you appreciate the Androy, I believe it is all about expectations. If you are expecting a Marriott, this is not your place. You have to appreciate how vintage the Androy is. You have to want to totally geek out about the original 1920’s bathrooms with octagon tile, the old letter box and mail chute, the big chunky keys for the original wood doors, the step back in time lobby, the original hotel telephone switchboard, and rooms with two queen sized beds for only $50.

The Androy has almost a cult following. People either love it or hate it. But if you love it, you will come back again and again. That’s the category I fall into. Can’t beat the location — can walk to any number of live music or night life venues. Papa Don’s restaurant downstairs is one of the best greasy spoon breakfasts in town and open 24 hours. Walk across the street and get a Vintage Italian Pizza to take back to your room. Just minutes from all of the attractions in Duluth without having to pay out the nose for Duluth hotel prices (and couldn’t find this kind of character at those places anyhow). So many reasons to love the Androy!

Wine Tyme Winery in Superior

WineTyme

This winery recently began operating out of an old convenience store near the Choo-Choo Bar in Superior. It’s called Wine Tyme Winery, and is owned by Tom and Linda Anesi. The address is 4932 E. Second St.

They make wine from kits (for example, the Winexpert brand) and also sell the kits so you can make wine at home. Stop in and try a sample.

Tom said he also plans to sell beer-making supplies there in the future.

Moccasin Mike

I have a question — everyone knows to take Moccasin Mike Road to Wisconsin Point, but does anyone know who Moccasin Mike was? It is such a cool name. I’m jealous.

Love Lake Superior Artisan and Info Fair – Sunday, July 18

Over 25 local artists and info booths celebrating Lake Superior Day -3rd Sunday in July. Come shop. Come learn about the Lake. Come share your love of the lake via Open Mic- poetry, music, etc. Visit Tonya Borgeson’s WaterWorks exhibit at this event, too.

Dial 715 for Superior

Beginning July 17, Duluthians must dial area code 715 to call Superior. The good old days are over.

Starting Aug. 14, some new numbers in the 715 area code will be issued area code 534. What are local calls now will still be local calls, but you’ll have to dial the extra numbers, so it’s pretty much the end of the world as we know it.

Superior reeks with booze and filth

This headline and illustration are from the August 18, 1917 issue of the Duluth Rip Saw. The story is without a byline, but was no doubt written by the paper’s publisher, John L. Morrison.
(more…)