TIMELINE:
Early 1960’S—Gretchen & Emil Gimese build “The Red Horse Ranch” on Big Shag Lake in Gwinn. Hot chocolate and hot dogs are served out of that little red cabin to children who came out for horseback riding…at one time the Gimese’s had over 26 horses!

1973—Realizing they needed a bigger building, the Gimese’s build a 12,000 square foot building that housed 13 hotel rooms, a restaurant and a tavern. They specialized in catering to local folks, snowmobilers and personnel from K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base.

1989—Barbie and Jerry Melchiori buy the business from Gretchen (Emil had passed on years before, and Gretchen ran the place by herself)

1993—The Melchiori’s sell the business to Susan and Paul Pentecost.

April 23rd, 1996-- Scott and Sally Searle buy the business and rename it the “Up North Lodge”. The entire building is refurbished and business is a booming success!

June 9th, 2005—Fire completely destroys the structure. Two weeks later, Scott and Sally decided to rebuild. Along with new owners Larry and Eunice Bertocchi, Roy Meni, Vince and Mona Jean Rose and Cheryl Wootton, the Up North Lodge gains new life…and a new location (Serenity Drive & County Road 557 in Gwinn)!

July 2005—Land begins being cleared for the new Up North Lodge. An actual log package is purchased from Strongwood Log Homes and along with the owners, and a core group of guys like Hank St. Aubin, Roger Hiironen & Gary Vallier (who were all over 50) the rebuilding begins. Don’t worry…professionals like U.P. Engineers and Architects are hired to handle the “big stuff”!

Fall 2005-Spring 2006—Work, Work, Work!!!

June 21, 2006 (first day of Summer)—Doors open to the NEW Up North Lodge. (The building inspector gave the “go ahead” at 3pm and the first beer is sold at 3:20pm). We’re happy to report we’ve retained 98% of our original staff, I guess they really like it here! Phase I officially complete!

Present Day—We hope you’re as elated as we are with our new location and “at home” feeling! Stop by and enjoy a drink at our 60 foot custom made bar, inlayed with Woods of The Up North & eye catching stonework. Or grab a bite to eat, our “almost” world famous BBQ ribs are back by popular demand.

Future—We’re kicking around some ideas on Phase II and Phase III, but we really don’t have any concrete decisions yet…we’ll keep you posted.