DULUTH —The Duluth Visitor Center will have a new home at Grandma's Saloon & Grill in Canal Park beginning Memorial Day weekend. The announcement was made during a press event Thursday in recognition of National Travel and Tourism Week.
Enger Tower was scheduled to be lit blue Thursday night in celebration of the Duluth travel and hospitality industry.
"We all know the tourism industry is such a huge part of our economy. Twelve percent of all jobs in Duluth are related to the hospitality and tourism industry. Thirteen percent of all businesses here in Duluth are in our tourism and hospitality industry," said senior economic developer Tricia Hobbs.
Merging the Duluth Visitor Center with the high-volume restaurant will provide synergy and benefits for everyone involved, according to Brian Daugherty, president at Grandmas Restaurants.
"Most importantly for the visitor, they're going to have the benefit of a one-stop-shop being in the heart of Canal Park," Daugherty said. "Tourism and hospitality is alive and well in Duluth right now."
ADVERTISEMENT
In addition to the shops, restaurants and bars in Canal Park, the visitor center is situated near the Lakewalk, Aerial Lift Bridge and Lake Superior.
"This is the starting point. This is the sightseers point. You check six attractions off your list when you come to Canal Park," said Daugherty.
"It really felt like this was the right home for visitors," Mayor Emily Larson said. "They know this place and they know you as a leader and it's the right home to bring all of these pieces together."
The Visitor Center, currently closed, was previously located at 345 S. Lake Ave., next to the Flagship store.
"It's been in Canal Park and we saw the volume of visitors that came through the doors increase exponentially when it was a little bit off the beaten path," said Tony Bronson, president of the Duluth Local Restaurant Association. "Now it's going to be in a high-visibility area in Canal Park, which we love because we think that Canal Park is kind of the jumping-off point for all things Duluth."
"Last year, we got more than 13,000 visitors, and we're expecting to at least double the numbers here," said Visit Duluth President Daniele Villa.
Visit Duluth has signed a one-year lease for its new space at Grandma's, according to Villa. The center will include a desk, seating and a brochure rack.
The Duluth Visitor Center will be staffed by Visit Duluth as a part of its contract and partnership with the city. There is free parking shared with Grandma's for visitors while they're at the center.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Trust Project
