Ely businesses off to a great start in 2023

by Parker Loew

So far in 2023, businesses in Ely have been seeing near-record numbers of customers, but the consensus is it hasn’t been quite as busy as during Covid.

It seems much of this tourism boom over the last few years can be contributed to Ely’s location just south of the Canadian border.

When Canada shut down, those who had plans to visit or travel to Canada had no choice but to look for another option, and often found themselves in Ely.

“What has potentially happened is those folks who came to Ely during and after Covid have continued to stay and have come back year after year,” said Eva Sebesta, executive director of the Ely Chamber of Commerce.

This tourism boom has made it near impossible for tourists to come to Ely without preparing and booking months in advance.

“It’s still really challenging for people to find vacancies in town,” said Sebesta. “Reservations are being made months, even years in advance right now.”

Having to plan so far in advance is annoying and inconvenient for tourists, but full hotels, motels, and lodges often mean full restaurants and grocery stores, and Ely businesses couldn’t be happier.

“We’re actually seeing close to record numbers in food and beverage,” said Mary Zupancich, manager of Grand Ely Lodge. “With the snowfall we had this winter, it brought us some really great months, and then it just never calmed down.”

Grand Ely Lodge is one of the biggest and most well-known businesses in Ely, but its success has been shared across the community.

Kerry and Sandy Davis, owners of White Iron Beach Resort for the last 29 years, have seen their busiest seasons over the last few years.

“The last three seasons have been our best,” said Sandy Davis. “We’ve just had phenomenal years the last three years.”

While business has slowed down marginally since the initial Covid tourism rush, the difference between now and then is marginal for White Iron Beach Resort.

“We are pretty booked until August, there are a few cabins available here and there but not very many,” she said. “In July, I have one, two, three, I only have four cabins open for the whole month of July.”

All the outfitters also seem to be doing quite well in 2023.

“Outfitting is still really solid this year as well,” said the Chamber of Commerce’s Sebasta. “There’s a lot of people looking to do outdoor activities these days, and they usually need the outfitters for that.”

Piragis Northwoods Company said their retail store and outfitter have been packed.

“As far as business goes, we’re having a great start to the summer,” said general manager Elli Piragis. “Our outfitters are doing well with big groups coming through. We’re excited for the rest of the summer and for the Fourth of July.”

Some outfitters, however, such as Canoe Country Outfitters, may be starting to see some signs of a slowing in tourism.

“It’s not quite as busy this year as it was during the Covid years in 2020 – 2021,” said owner Mark Olson.

Olson also touched on how more and more people are hoarding BWCAW permits and then canceling last second, which doesn’t allow the permit to be used. (See related story).

Since so many people are coming to Ely for vacation, they want to make sure they get the permit they want and prefer flexibility when it comes to choosing when the time comes, so they buy several different permits.

Every permit which goes unused is business lost for the outfitters of Ely.

Zup’sgrocery store has also seen business slow somewhat since the initial Covid boom in 2020 and 2021.

Manager Jimmy Zupancich believes people are starting to slowly go back to Canada now that the border is once again open.

Zupancich described business at Zup’s as “steady” but not like it was a few years ago.

“I think now that Canada opened back up, people are starting to go on fishing trips there again and booking in advance now because they know it will likely be open,” Zupancich said. “We did very well during Covid. I think a lot of people came up fishing here because they couldn’t go to Canada.”

Many are happy about the slight cool down of tourism in 2023, including Billy Muelken, who has been the owner of Glenwood Lodge on Lake Vermilion for 23 years.

“It’s finally about back to normal,” Muelken said. “People are entering Canada for fishing trips now, and are also going home to work instead of to their cabins.”

Muelken described the two years during Covid as “unmanageable” and “hectic.”

“Every day was like the 4th of July. Every single solitary day for the two years of Covid. Monday, Saturday, Sunday, didn’t matter. It was crazy out here,” he said.

Muelken said while it is still busy this year, he is very grateful it isn’t as chaotic as the past few years, and is happy he can catch his breath.