The Dominoes are falling…

I just learned that Phil’s Myr Mar will be closing the bar/restaurant in a couple weeks for good. Done! Little surprise as this was more or less at the bottom of Mille Lacs establishments along with some other’s. This will leave little more than a shell as all that will be left is the marina, and the launch boats which are mostly done with the walleye crash? Liberty Beach on the east side which just reopened earlier this year is now closed again. Spirit Lake in Wahkon never reopened this past spring. The strong still survive as there are many others still with solid resources and frequent advertising and self promotions.
There was a $2.5 million relief package (handout) that was offered and accepted by many area businesses. There were $5,000 grants and $100,000 interest free loans payable over 5 years. Phil’s Myr Mar was one of many accepting the $100,000 loan which we know will not be repaid as likely other recipients as well. I certainly have mixed feelings about all this. I am saddened about these dying businesses around Mille Lacs but the government assistance (handout) is also something I question.
On another thread here there has been a lot of criticism about Native American being supported by our federal government payments. I know for certain that government payments (handouts) are not limited and exclusive to Native American or other “minorities”. The 2 guys that made Muskie fishing videos qualified and received government handout because if the Mille Lacs welfare program.

Spirit Lake in Wahkon never reopened this past spring.

Wasn’t it owned by Appledoorns and they basically just moved it back to their property and named it Sunsets?

munchy wrote:

Spirit Lake in Wahkon never reopened this past spring.

Wasn’t it owned by Appledoorns and they basically just moved it back to their property and named it Sunsets?

Yes…more or less. They had a Sunsets restaurant at Appledoorns before the new one. Bottom line is that there is now an empty building/restaurant/bar…vacant now where it was in Wahkon. Appledoorns is doing well, so far. They too I believe received some of the “relief assistance.”

That is sad news.

I was just there with my 5 yr old son earlier this summer. We have a place on the NE side, but came to the west side to get relief from the wind. I will say the harbor was in poor shape – old poles sticking out of the water just perfect to scratch your boat.

I also question why some of these establishments let things get so run down and at the same time seem to have employees with bad attitudes. Maybe it’s a product of the environment, but I remember thinking the same thing 10 years ago when walleye fishing and business was good.

Anyway.. still sad to hear.

The die was cast years ago. While much of the Minnesota resort industry transformed with the times from one trick pony resorts that had only fishing, fishing, and more fishing to offer, so many ML resorts stayed in the past and played the blame game for the decline in business.

The loans were a gag so that Governor Trustfund and the legislature could be seen “doing something”. Resorts have a business problem, not a fishing problem. Demographics have shifted, tastes have shifted, consumer preferences have shifted, and many of those resorts on ML look just like I first saw them in the early 1980s.

Just spent a few days with the kids at Wild Mountain in Taylors Falls at their waterpark and summer fun land. Hadn’t been there in years, but will certainly go there again. Interesting conversation with an employee there, he said ownership decided years ago that a ski-only resort was a dead resort. They could stand around b!tching about bad winters and go broke or they could start making money in the summers by expanding. I strongly suspect if they keep it up, winter may become known as their “slow season” in the next decade.

Also, to be honest, some of the resort owners have been their own worst enemy. In the battle for public sympathy, having certain resort owners screeching into the camera from their barstools for the hundredth time has done nothing to make me want to spend a dime to help save certain establishments.

Grouse

lindyrig79 wrote:

That is sad news.

I was just there with my 5 yr old son earlier this summer. We have a place on the NE side, but came to the west side to get relief from the wind. I will say the harbor was in poor shape – old poles sticking out of the water just perfect to scratch your boat.

I also question why some of these establishments let things get so run down and at the same time seem to have employees with bad attitudes. Maybe it’s a product of the environment, but I remember thinking the same thing 10 years ago when <strong class=”ido-tag-strong”>walleye fishing and business was good.

Anyway.. still sad to hear.

We launched at phil’s this summer and had a similar experience. I wouldn’t have used that launch in a shiny new Warrior. Bare metal poles jutting out of the water next to the docks. The ramp itself was incredibly slippery with a thick layer of slime. And the guys inside either could not form a sentence or simply had no desire to speak to their customers.

I never want to hear about a business falling on hard times, and I know things are pretty complicated up on that lake. But in this case I think there are some pretty solid self-inflicted reasons for the failure of this particular business.

Only the strong shall survive.

shame to hear they are closing. Bob has been a good family friend for a very long time. the marina might be closing but no way is this taking bob down with it. they had been plans to rebuild the resort about 5 years ago but you would never guess who shot down the permit.

Agree with pretty much everything that has been posted here. I think I first reacted upon hearing of Myr Mar closing the bar/restaurant coinciding with the last day of open walleye season and thought about the businesses affected by the demise of the walleye fishery that was once at the top. In reality, Phil’s Myr Mar was probably more responsible for putting themselves out of business than the walleye fishing situation. Perhaps back in the time when it was at a peak, when there was a waiting list for boat slips, 3 launch outings daily and the bar packed and booze flowing, they could get away with rude and sometimes insulting customer interaction. And the truth is, those that cannot or will not adapt to a changing market will fall by the wayside. There are other’s I’m sure that will disappear also but that is not exclusive to this area any more than anywhere else.
And as Grouse said, the few that are always publicly complaining and blaming DNR, the governor, the Tribes, the weather or anything else for their failing business is tiresome and only highlights negativity rather than a positive and encouraging marketing approach. Thankfully there are only a few of those and the majority of the others are keeping there head up and trying different and creative alternatives as opposed to just strictly walleye fishing business model.

Sad to hear of the businesses closing. I haven’t been there before, but have seen several resorts on various lakes that wouldn’t exist if fishing let up. I’m sure we will see some creativity from the ones sticking around to get new crowds and the family crowd up there. There is a lot of things to do in the area in addition to the fishing.

And yes the screaming from a barstool isn’t helping anyone and it sucks for the other resorts that get lumped in with others going about things not the best way.

The only surprise here is they made it this long. Went there for the first time last year and couldn’t talk him into taking our money. Wanted to access the lake, but was closed to cars. Ok, how much to walk out or get a ride? That was no go too, even tho they were working the road. Ok, can we get some beer? Nope and was rude about us even asking. I try and support the businesses up there as much as possible, but still expect some effort/service.

myr mar bar is closing down. the launch and marina is staying open. there is a fair well party saturday night for the bar.