Zup’s Food Market in Cook will reopen next month after being fully reconstructed following a fire in November 2018. The lone grocery store in the Cook area serves thousands of rural Minnesota residents located within an 80-mile vicinity, making it an essential service any time and especially during the COVID-19 public health pandemic. The rebuild project was supported by Development Infrastructure grants from Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation to the city of Cook.

The newly rebuilt 18,000-square-foot store is a fully-featured modern food market with a fresh deli and catering service. Zup’s Cook location originally opened in 1998 and employs up to 40 people including full and part time positions. In addition to serving local residents year-round, the store is a key shopping destination for visitors to Lake Vermilion and other nearby lakes.

Zup’s is a family-owned business originally established in Ely in 1916 by John Zupancich. “Grandpa John” operated the business with his seven sons, and it quickly became popular for its wide variety of products and Old-World sausages. Today Zup’s has four other locations (in addition to Cook) across the region including Ely, Babbitt, Tower and Silver Bay. All are owned by Zupancich Brothers, Inc. and operated by the founder’s grandsons and great grandsons.

“Our family and staff are looking forward to opening the store in Cook and reconnecting with the community,” said Matt Zupancich, Cook store manager. “We are very pleased to offer quality food at good prices, especially during a time when people are spending more time at home.”

Following the fire, the city of Cook immediately implemented measures to provide food to vulnerable individuals who were unable to shop out of town. Theresa Martsinson is Cook’s city administrator-clerk/treasurer. She explained that local convenience stores boosted inventories to help provide basic grocery and household items to area residents, and a local delivery service was established through Zup's in Tower.

According to Martinson, special circumstances once again surround the Cook grocery store as it strives to reopen during a global pandemic. Martinson said the collaboration has been steadfast among the Zupancich family, the city of Cook, the general contractor DBS Group, grocery supplier Spartan Nash, and Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation. All project partners share the same goal of opening the facility in order to provide a greatly needed essential service.

“Zup’s is very thankful to everyone who worked to make the rebuild possible,” said Jim Zupancich, co-owner of Zupancich Brothers, Inc. “Our stores are located in great communities with great people. We've been in business 104 years, and I hope my family supplies groceries to them for another 104 years."

The infrastructure grants from Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation totaled $600,000, and Zupancich Brothers, Inc. invested $3.8 million making the total project investment $4.4 million.

“Zup’s and its five locations have been a part of our region’s economy for over a century,” said Commissioner Mark Phillips. “The company provides jobs and tax revenue, and it has made vital products accessible and within reasonable driving distance for our residents and tourists. Our agency’s infrastructure investment supported a solid business and the quality of life in the Cook community.”

For infrastructure grant information email Chris Ismil or call him at 218-735-3010.

The Giants Ridge golf season will begin on Friday, May 1 with the opening of The Quarry. The Legend will open shortly after as weather permits.

The Legend and Quarry courses have been a part of Minnesota’s golf landscape for more than 20 years and have earned a variety of awards and recognition. The most recent accolade was garnered last month from Golf Digest when Giants Ridge received the coveted 2020 “Editors’ Choice Award” in the “Best Golf Resorts in the Midwest” category.

Giants Ridge was one of only eight resorts listed in the Midwest and the only destination in Minnesota. The accolade placed it in the company of other nationally acclaimed courses such as The American Club, Arcadia Bluffs, Erin Hills, Forest Dunes, French Lick, The Inn at Bay Harbor and Sand Valley.

“We’re thrilled to once again be recognized by Golf Digest as one of best golf resorts in the Midwest,” said John Kendall, director of golf. “The award is a testament to the incredible work our team has done to provide guests with a variety of attractive accommodations, great customer service and an extraordinary golf experience.”

The opening date for the courses was not impacted by Minnesota’s recent Shelter In Place order. Late April or early May is a typical opening time for courses located in the state’s most northern region. What will be different this season are social distancing guidelines the facility is putting into place as a result of the current COVID-19 public health pandemic.

“Golf is a sport and recreational activity that inherently has social distancing qualities. It is played outdoors in small groups as opposed to gatherings in venues with large crowds,” said Kendall. “We are taking the recommended measures for the safety of our guests and employees while still ensuring a relaxing and quality golf experience.”

Giants Ridge is owned by Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation and managed by Guest Services, a premier hospitality management company in the United States since 1917.

Book a tee time or learn more about Giants Ridge.

View Golf Digest rankings.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, northeastern Minnesota families may be facing difficult times due to layoffs from work or reduced work hours. Help is available to those struggling to pay bills and find food to stay healthy.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services has temporarily modified procedures to make it easier for people to get, keep and use essential programs including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which offers monthly food benefits.

People who currently use SNAP and don’t want to leave their homes to get food can authorize a trusted relative, friend or neighbor to pick up and deliver groceries using their electronic benefits card. They must contact their county or tribal financial worker to make the authorization.

If you or someone you know is struggling with food or hunger, share with them this new food emergency webpage that contains information about SNAP and other hunger resources: https://mn.gov/dhs/food-emergency/.

In addition, there are more than 20 food shelves and meal distribution centers across northeastern Minnesota. 

Locate a local food shelf within your community, county or tribal nation.

The American Legion has launched a COVID-19 impact survey to track trends in response to this pandemic. The survey will track the impact on veterans and their families throughout the pandemic's duration.

Participants can elect to be connected with a representative from The American Legion for assistance with VA benefits, employment, emotional wellness and personal contact for support.

Please take a few minutes to fill out the survey; your identity will be anonymous unless you choose to be contacted for assistance.

Take the survey.

The survey deadline is April 30.