R.I.P. Posts

R.I.P. Jim’s Hamburgers

Feb 06, 2012 9 Comments

Jims-Hamburgers-West-End

The paper over the windows at this classic restaurant on the ground floor of the Seaway Hotel, 2005 W. Superior St. in Duluth’s friendly West End, reveals it is out of business. (Jim’s Hamburgers was included in the “Breakfast in Duluth” post just 10 months ago.)

This was the last of four Jim’s Hamburger locations in Duluth. Jim Overlie was the founder, opening the first one in 1937. I think the West End location opened in the 1940s. Overlie sold in 1985 to Dick and Mary Christensen. Dick died in 2000 and Mary died in 2006. Their son Denny took over ownership.

Other Jim’s Hamburger locations were at:
502 E. Fourth St. (closed in 2005)
414 W. Superior (closed in 1995)
502 E. First St. (closed in 1982)


R.I.P., Restaurants ,

R.I.P. Mike Colalillo

Dec 30, 2011 3 Comments

Minnesota’s only living Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, Duluth’s Mike Colalillo, died last night.


R.I.P.

Is Kenny Wong’s in Superior closed?

Dec 23, 2011 1 Comment

I drove down Tower Avenue in Superior today and saw the sign for Kenny Wong’s Oriental Express was gone! Instead, it says there is some sort of hibachi place coming soon.

Did Kenny Wong’s go out of business, or is it changing to a new format? They had some great food there, and as a former employee, I’d like to know what’s going on!


R.I.P., Restaurants

R.I.P. West Duluth ICO

Dec 09, 2011 27 Comments

West-Duluth-Ico-2010

The West Duluth ICO on Grand Avenue and 46th Avenue West has been torn down. A CVS pharmacy will be built in its place. I don’t have any ICO memories that are springing to mind, other than that one night in 2010 I decided to shoot a photo of it.

By the way, I think it might have technically been a Spur station, even though everyone called it ICO and there was an ICO sign on it. I’m not really sure how gas-station naming works.


History, R.I.P.

William (Billy) Harper found dead at UMD

Dec 06, 2011 1 Comment

Billy Harper UMD studentUMD  released the name of a student found dead in his dorm Monday. William “Billy” Harper, 19 from Coon Rapids, was discovered dead in his room at Heany Hall on Monday. Lisa Erwin, chancellor of student life, says it appears he died of natural causes.  Billy Harper was enrolled in the Labowitz School of Business and Economics. He was very active in sports and talented football player in high school. My prayers are with his friends and family.


News and Current Affairs, R.I.P.

Jeno Paulucci dead at 93

Nov 24, 2011 11 Comments

[This post originally contained an embedded video that is no longer available at its source.]


News and Current Affairs, R.I.P.

R.I.P. Clearwire in Twin Ports

Nov 14, 2011 12 Comments

I got this email last week.

Read More


R.I.P.

RIP, Saigon Cafe

Nov 07, 2011 30 Comments

The best Vietnamese restaurant in the City of Duluth is gone. (Thank goodness we still have Lan Chi’s in Superior.)

Read More


R.I.P., Restaurants

RIP Lew Latto: 1940-2011

Aug 24, 2011 21 Comments

It’s being reported that local broadcast legend Lew Latto passed today while preparing for work.


R.I.P.

Jani Lane found dead in his hotel room

Aug 12, 2011 3 Comments

jani lane warrant dead

Lead singer for 1980’s hair band Warrant was found dead at the Woodland Hills Comfort Inn in L.A. last night. Jani Lane was 47 years old and was probably best known for the hit “Cherry Pie.”  The cause of death is unknown.

Maybe a band at this years Duluth Tribute Fest, at Bayfront Park Aug. 26-27, will cover a Warrant song or two in memory of Jani?

Read More


R.I.P.

R.I.P. Scott LeDoux — The Big French Canadian from Northern Minnesota

Aug 12, 2011 3 Comments

Read More


R.I.P., Sports ,

Photos from Clifford E. Johnson of Cliff’s Barber Shop

Jul 09, 2011 23 Comments

CliffsBarberShopApril2010

Cliff’s Barber Shop in West Duluth is for sale. The proprietor, Clifford E. Johnson, died two years ago. I took the photo above in April, when Cliff’s shop was being cleared out after an estate sale.

The sale included boxes upon boxes of old slides. Most of them were of vacations to Hawaii and so on, but I found two boxes that had some local images, so I plopped down $10 and brought them home for a slide show. The folks at Swim Creative have scanned a few of the more interesting slides so I can share them on Perfect Duluth Day.

Read More


History, Photos, R.I.P. , , ,

R.I.P. Lester Park Elementary

Jul 06, 2011 26 Comments

A few snapshots from today’s demolition. I’m not sure how far they got, I could only stay about 15 minutes.

Read More


Photos, R.I.P.

Teen zombies descend on Duluth

Jun 30, 2011 11 Comments

How did we not know about this???

Duluth News Tribune: Teen zombies descend on Duluth


Events, News and Current Affairs, R.I.P. , ,

Final Trip Through Original Laura MacArthur Elementary School

Jun 09, 2011 18 Comments

An open house was held at MacArthur Elementary School yesterday as the last day of classes was wrapping up. I brought my camera on a final tour before the place is demolished and turned into a field. A new MacArthur is being built across the street from the original.

Read More


History, Photos, R.I.P. ,