Cloquet MN Community Development

07/09/2026

If you haven't checked out this business expansion, you must! Cloquet Antique Marketplace – Where Every Visit Holds a New Treasure!

Listen to Podcast Here: Cloquet Antique MarketplaceIf you've driven through downtown Cloquet lately, you've probably noticed something exciting happening at 901 Cloquet Avenue. What started as a small antique marketplace has quickly become one of the area's fastest-growing destinations for vintage l...

07/07/2026

Be sure to check out deals downtown next week & support your small businesses, thank you!

07/07/2026

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07/06/2026

Stories of Business Transition from Minnesota – Good and Not-so-Good - Jul 16, 2026 12:00 PM:
Passing the torch on a business you’ve built, or stepping into one someone else shaped, is more than a transaction. It is a deeply personal process filled with timing pressures, family dynamics, employee concerns, and the emotional weight of letting go. University of Minnesota Extension began asking business owners what it really looks like to hand off, or take over, a business. This webinar shares what they found.

Join Michael Darger and Anna Luepke as they present the latest research on business succession and transition, including a series of qualitative case studies surfacing the themes owners face: maintaining a business’s integrity through transition, the role of small business as the touchstone of community, personal relationships , and knowing when the time is right.

Passing the torch on a business you’ve built, or stepping into one someone else shaped, is more than a transaction. It is a deeply personal process filled with timing pressures, family dynamics, employee concerns, and the emotional weight of letting go. University of Minnesota Extension began aski...

06/28/2026

Welcome!
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06/20/2026

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Here's this year's schedule of events.

06/18/2026

On December 1, 2025, Graceful Strides Thrift Store officially opened its expanded location at 1309 Avenue C in Cloquet, having outgrown its previous space. The new facility has allowed the organization to create dedicated areas for sorting, pricing, repairing, and displaying merchandise, making the shopping experience more organized and enjoyable for customers.
The larger facility has also created opportunities for future growth. Plans are being explored to expand the Farm & Country Store concept and create a dedicated ReStore-style area featuring building materials, fixtures, and home improvement items.

Graceful Strides is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission extends far beyond selling donated goods. The organization provides meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities while offering affordable household goods, furniture, clothing, décor, and everyday essentials to families throughout the region.

The organization employs approximately 20 staff members and serves a variety of populations, including low-income families, veterans, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. Every purchase made at Graceful Strides helps support the organization's broader mission. Excess proceeds are reinvested into programs and services that benefit target populations throughout Carlton County and the surrounding communities. The store's motto, "Changing Lives One Stride at a Time," reflects its commitment to creating opportunities for independence, dignity, and community connection.

Donations are accepted during designated drop-off times, and store staff are available to coordinate larger pickups when needed. Looking ahead, the organization hopes to expand its reach even further by offering select merchandise through online sales, allowing shoppers from outside the region to support the mission while discovering unique finds. Check out our feature and listen to the podcast here:

Listen to the Podcast Here: Graceful Strides Thrift StoreWhat started as a small thrift store along Cloquet Avenue has grown into something much bigger than a place to shop. Today, Graceful Strides Thrift Store serves as a community resource, employment center, donation hub, and nonprofit organizati...