Duluth's Paddle North Store Shuts Down After Short Run

Downtown Duluth has seen another business close its doors, and this time it's Paddle North. This store, which sold kayaks, paddleboards, and outdoor gear, opened just a few months ago in June. It was located at 3 West Superior Street, right next to North Shore Tattoo. The store was open from Wednesday to Sunday, but now it's permanently closed. The closure was not announced on social media, and no reason was given. However, the store's website no longer lists the Duluth location, and both Google and Yelp have marked it as permanently closed. The store's physical location is now empty. For those who loved Paddle North, there's still hope. There's another location in New Brighton at 401 West County Road E1. The Mall of America location is also permanently closed, so New Brighton is the only remaining brick-and-mortar store. The closure of Paddle North is a bummer for the community. It's always sad to see a business close, especially one that seemed to fit so well with the Duluth lifestyle. But it's not the only business that has closed recently. Snyder's, a popular store in the Holiday Center, has also shut down. It's unclear what will take the place of Paddle North in downtown Duluth. The community will have to wait and see what comes next. In the meantime, it's a reminder of the challenges that small businesses face, especially in today's economy.