Small Business Index
A handpicked guide to local shops, bakeries, cafes, and more across the Western U.P.
Your Local Guide
Bakeries & Cafes
Bread of Life Bakery
Bakery & Cafe · Ironwood
I love fresh bread, but baking is more of a science than it is cooking. And I was never good in science class. That is why finding Bread of Life Bakery right down the road from the cabin felt like striking gold. This modest bakery bakes their bread in a 100-year-old oven original to the building and has housemade donuts and muffins for breakfast, sub and take-and-bake pizzas (or hot and fresh) for lunch and dinner.
Rigonis Bakery
Bakery & Pasties · Ironwood
A staple to the community. The storefront would make you think it’s an out-of-date bakery, but it’s a thriving shop full of different macarons, cookies, other baked goods, and the almighty pasty in multiple flavors.
Treat Yourself Bakery
Custom Cookies & Sweets · Ironwood
The storefront of this Ironwood bakery is in a manufacturing district of the city, but don’t let that stop you from going in to enjoy some truly beautiful and delicious creations. I finally stopped in shortly after Netflix’s final episode of Stranger Things, and she had some of the most detailed sugar cookies. So of course I needed one, and after a few pics for the gram (@the_midwestern), I sunk my teeth in and was beyond delighted.
Late Run Coffee
Coffee Truck & Events · Western U.P.
I love pulling up to a local event to see the Late Run Coffee Truck there. It’s usually my first stop to have a nice coffee during my market meandering. Honestly, their coffee is the closest thing we have to Starbucks around here, besides the Copper Cup, and I will not wait in a 30-minute drive-through for coffee.
Uptown Cafe
Cafe & Breakfast · Ironwood
Walking into this cafe is like walking into an old-fashioned cafe. IDK what they are called, but there is a real short bar with round stools and maybe four booths for larger groups.
Contrast Coffee
Cafe & Breakfast · Ironwood
With very few options for an espresso in the area I am lucky to have found Contrast Coffee. A quaint and modern coffee shop that seems to be a staple in the community, since every local giveaway I see is “Enter to Win a Contrast Coffee Gift Card”
Food & Pasties
Joe's Pasty Shop To-Go LLC
Pasties & Take Home Meals · Ironwood
This mom-and-pop shop serves pasties in all varieties. They’re hot and frozen to take home.
Suffolk Eatery
Cafe & Sandwiches · Ironwood
One of downtown Ironwood’s cute eateries. Suffolk offers hot panini sandwiches and a cozy, fun place to eat.
Shopping & Gifts
Ableman Clothing and Foot Wear
Workwear & Winter Gear · Ironwood
This is a community full of hardworking people. Most of them work in some sort of labor industry like logging, construction, recreational management, and more. Ableman outfits all of the community with wool layers, waterproof gloves, and ski kits to get anyone through winter.
Nanettes Knits and Gifts
Fiber Arts & Gifts · Wakefield
This is a highly advertised store in the area. You run across billboards as you drive towards Wakefield and it would make you think it’s a touristy gift store. However, it’s actually an adorable fiber materials store with handmade goods from the yarn and others for sale. I got myself a pair of alpaca slippers I wear almost daily in my chilly cabin.
Trail-North Powersports
Powersports & Gear · Bessemer
New to Bessemer, but quickly gaining popularity with powersports enthusiasts and locals. This small business is owned and operated by local Yoopers. The mom-and-pop shop sells parts and accessories for snowmobiles, motorcycles, UTVs, and ATVs. They sell riding gear from KLIM, CASTLE X, and Z1R.
Dans Antiques
Antiques & Vintage · Ironwood
Located in the heart of downtown Ironwood, this antique shop is loaded with tons of great finds from the area. My personal favorite is the seemingly endless options of vintage fur and leather goods from Midwest mercantiles.
St. Vincent Thrift
Thrift & Secondhand · Ironwood
As far as thrift stores go, this one is “textbook” when it comes to a really awesome selection of secondhand items. What made this one different is how it was all organized and operated to support locals, not take from them like the big box thrift stores (if you can even call them that anymore).
European Treats
Specialty Grocery Store · Ironwood
This tiny bodega like store has European staples to keep local Fins and Poles without having to cross the big pond. Some personal favorites were the shear amount of pierogi options and the endless amounts of Swiss sweets. And for those savory lovers, there were spices and meats to tickle you tastebuds.