Karli Wiinanen of Grand Marais took over management of Devil Track Resort this winter. She has some fun ideas for summer events at the popular lakeside restaurant, The Landing.
Devil Track Lodge & Landing is under new management and it is hoped that the popular lakeside resort and restaurant will thrive. New manager Karli Wiinanen of Grand Marais has plenty of enthusiasm and ideas to attract visitors and diners.
Wiinanen is working hard, but one obstacle is coming up with the funding to acquire the building that houses the restaurant, bar, downstairs meeting space and four lodge rooms. She has reached out in a novel way—through a “crowd funding” website, www.fundable.com —to raise the $200,000 down payment needed to keep the resort open. She is seeking people who want to see Devil Track Lodge & Landing remain open to make an investment. Those who invest will see a return of 3 percent interest on their contribution.
Asked how the money will be paid back, Wiinanen said she would follow the crowd funding guidelines. She said managing repayment wouldn’t be terribly difficult. “Setting up the spreadsheet will be the hardest part,” she said.
Wiinanen has done well in her fundraising efforts. She has raised a significant amount—$26,000 at press time—and she hopes to be close enough to her goal by May 15 to be able to stay open. If she doesn’t reach her goal, all of the money is returned to investors.
Wiinanen stresses that the funding is not operating money. She notes that she has been adamant about sticking to a budget. “That’s the biggest thing,” she said.
The resort has held its own since Wiinanen took over this winter, despite loss of rental because of broken water pipes and restaurant only being open Thursday through Sunday. Starting May 1, The Landing will be open every day with the kitchen open from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. and the bar open later. Wiinanen and her staff—four servers and a cook—are getting excited.
Much of the “closed” time was spent cleaning and adding personal touches to The Landing’s décor. With help from the Cook County Historical Society Wiinanen has acquired an interesting collection of photos from the county’s past. Friends and family have loaned artwork and there is a bit of whimsy thrown in such as the “Big Foot Area” sign in the fireplace room.
Many of the old Landing favorites are still on the menu, but Wiinanen said she has simplified things a bit. She said over the winter, the menu has been primarily burgers, as the staple winter customers— snowmobilers and busy year-round residents— generally want something quick and tasty. She plans to add entrees as her snowbird customers return, but will still keep it simple with single steak, chicken and fish option. “We have to have a nice walleye dinner,” she said with a hearty laugh.
She’s also added an interesting burger with a gluten free bun called “The Commish” in honor of Devil Track area county commissioner Heidi Doo- Kirk. Her personal favorite is the Hot Dish Burger. And under development is the Picnic Burger with some surprise ingredients.
In addition to menu planning, Wiinanen has plans for activities such as an outdoor movie night with marshmallows to roast or canoe races on the lake. She definitely wants to bring back the very popular “Music by the Lake” to showcase local musicians while offering a simple outdoor dining menu. “I’ve heard from a lot of people that they want that to come back,” she said.
A 2000 Cook County High School graduate, Wiinanen earned her bachelor of fine arts degree from UMD. She also has a solid background in the hospitality business. She loves being at the lodge on the lake as she grew up on Seagull Lake at Wilderness Canoe Base. She has worked as a bartender, something she puts to use at The Landing. “It’s like getting back on a bicycle,” she said with a grin.
She worked at Edgewater Resort and Water Park in Duluth for seven years, in several different departments, so she said, “I’ve pretty much been doing everything I’m doing now.”
Wiinanen added that she appreciates the immense support from fellow resorters, Trail Center and Hungry Jack in particular. She’s gotten positive feedback from the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, which would like to continue to have its Mid- Distance Race finish at The Landing. And The Landing got great reviews from the Cook County RidgeRiders, which hosted its annual poker run wrap-up there.
And what about that theater background? It may come in handy. Wiinanen has talked to Grand Marais Playhouse Director Sue Hennessy about hosting dinner theater at The Landing. In fact, Wiinanen chuckled, “I look at this whole building as one big musical!”
. For more information about Devil Track Lodge & Landing, email Karli Wiinanen at deviltracklodge@gmail.com or call 218-387-9415.
. To learn more about the crowd funding process or to make a donation, visit www.fundable.com and search “Devil Track Lodge & Landing.”
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