Meet your Cook County Neighbors: Deb and Nan from Lockport Marketplace
Jul 07, 2025 11:03AM ● By Editor
Image provided: Deb (L) and Nan (R) with a work-study student Ana
A Boreal Community Media Exclusive - July 6, 2025
Deb and Nan are owners of Lockport Marketplace in Lutsen.
How did you land in Cook County?
Before purchasing Lockport in 1994, Nan raised her family in Duluth and spent many years enjoying family trips (including winter) into the BWCA before it was the BWCA, and was well acquainted with the North Shore. I (Deb) grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and discovered and explored northern Minnesota during my teaching days in Wisconsin and Minnesota. We were both working for Nordic Track in the Twin Cities and spent much time talking about having our own business in the Lutsen area. While skiing at Lutsen Mountains, we stopped at Lockport, discovered the owners were interested in selling, and finalized the purchase in July.
What journey brought you here?
For both of us, the love of the outdoors, years of experience from several jobs, and the desire to own a small business in Lutsen.
After spending several years teaching in the Midwest and in New England, we both found ourselves returning to Minnesota to be closer to family and aging parents. Back in Minnesota, we immediately began looking for an opportunity near Lutsen where we could implement a similar business model to the small towns in Vermont. Lutsen was similar to out east with its outdoor recreation of skiing, hiking, camping so why not provide offerings visitors would need.
How long have you been operating your business?
July 2025 will be the start of our 32nd year of ownership at Lockport. The last 3 owners didn’t operate the restaurant, therefore it was closed for nearly 50 years before we reopened it in the fall of 1994. This is when Lockport began a new identity and the beginning of our current model.
What are some of the customer favorites on the menu?
Interesting, it depends on the appetite of our customers as all of our breakfast menu items (including pancakes, burritos, and biscuits/gravy) seem to be pretty even with what is served from our kitchen. Breakfast sandwiches are common with customers who are in a hurry, and our lunch menu is unique with traditional sandwiches like the BLT and CLUB, and a traditional pastie that is native to Michigan and Minnesota mining communities.
Do you both have a favorite that you enjoy?
Enjoying a pastie brings back childhood memories for both of us.
What are your favorite seasons in Cook County and why?
That would be winter for both of us. Summer is a great time to be on the lake, enjoy local events, and spend time meeting new people at Lockport, but winter offers us clean, fresh, cold air, beautiful white landscapes, and shorter days for some R&R time.
When not working, is there a favorite spot in the County where you both love to go and unwind and relax?
Early spring, there is always a trip to High Falls to catch the spring melt and spray from the intensity of the waterfalls. Fall was spent with many seasons of hunting grouse, but now it’s a nice time for a walk in the woods to enjoy all the great smells of fall and its colors.
Lastly, do you have any regular visitors who come back year after year that stand out in your mind? If so, will you share what makes them so special?
Summer residents, our Canadian neighbors, couples celebrating their anniversary, campers, bikers, people fishing and now several generations of friends and family, Its amazing the number of folks that return whether its year after year or several years later. We are the 6th owner of Lockport that has been a destination for locals and visitors alike since 1928. Most people love the old north shore charm of the store with its history as a resort, a rest stop for travelers and offering everyday conveniences to summer and local residents.
A Boreal Community Media Exclusive - July 6, 2025
Deb and Nan are owners of Lockport Marketplace in Lutsen.
How did you land in Cook County?
Before purchasing Lockport in 1994, Nan raised her family in Duluth and spent many years enjoying family trips (including winter) into the BWCA before it was the BWCA, and was well acquainted with the North Shore. I (Deb) grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and discovered and explored northern Minnesota during my teaching days in Wisconsin and Minnesota. We were both working for Nordic Track in the Twin Cities and spent much time talking about having our own business in the Lutsen area. While skiing at Lutsen Mountains, we stopped at Lockport, discovered the owners were interested in selling, and finalized the purchase in July.
What journey brought you here?
For both of us, the love of the outdoors, years of experience from several jobs, and the desire to own a small business in Lutsen.
As owners of Lockport Marketplace in Lutsen, how did that story begin?
After spending several years teaching in the Midwest and in New England, we both found ourselves returning to Minnesota to be closer to family and aging parents. Back in Minnesota, we immediately began looking for an opportunity near Lutsen where we could implement a similar business model to the small towns in Vermont. Lutsen was similar to out east with its outdoor recreation of skiing, hiking, camping so why not provide offerings visitors would need.
How long have you been operating your business?
July 2025 will be the start of our 32nd year of ownership at Lockport. The last 3 owners didn’t operate the restaurant, therefore it was closed for nearly 50 years before we reopened it in the fall of 1994. This is when Lockport began a new identity and the beginning of our current model.
What are some of the customer favorites on the menu?
Interesting, it depends on the appetite of our customers as all of our breakfast menu items (including pancakes, burritos, and biscuits/gravy) seem to be pretty even with what is served from our kitchen. Breakfast sandwiches are common with customers who are in a hurry, and our lunch menu is unique with traditional sandwiches like the BLT and CLUB, and a traditional pastie that is native to Michigan and Minnesota mining communities.
Do you both have a favorite that you enjoy?
Enjoying a pastie brings back childhood memories for both of us.
What are your favorite seasons in Cook County and why?
That would be winter for both of us. Summer is a great time to be on the lake, enjoy local events, and spend time meeting new people at Lockport, but winter offers us clean, fresh, cold air, beautiful white landscapes, and shorter days for some R&R time.
When not working, is there a favorite spot in the County where you both love to go and unwind and relax?
Early spring, there is always a trip to High Falls to catch the spring melt and spray from the intensity of the waterfalls. Fall was spent with many seasons of hunting grouse, but now it’s a nice time for a walk in the woods to enjoy all the great smells of fall and its colors.
Lastly, do you have any regular visitors who come back year after year that stand out in your mind? If so, will you share what makes them so special?
Summer residents, our Canadian neighbors, couples celebrating their anniversary, campers, bikers, people fishing and now several generations of friends and family, Its amazing the number of folks that return whether its year after year or several years later. We are the 6th owner of Lockport that has been a destination for locals and visitors alike since 1928. Most people love the old north shore charm of the store with its history as a resort, a rest stop for travelers and offering everyday conveniences to summer and local residents.
