Cloquet business park enjoys a growth spurt

The Cloquet Business Park is growing. C&L Distributing, one of the largest beer distributors in Minnesota, plans to construct a 22,000-square-foot distribution and office facility at the business park off Minnesota Highway 33 north of Cloquet.

Dick Family Real Estate, LLC, closed on the purchase of three commercial lots, totaling 3.77 acres, on Sept. 12. They will join Best Oil, Toy Barn Storage and the Cloquet DNR at the 60-acre business park.

Tom Dick, president of C&L Distributing and Dick Family Real Estate, told the Pine Knot News that they chose the Cloquet Business Park for three reasons:

“Easy access to Interstate 35 and Hwy 33, [plus] the property was turnkey-ready; we wanted to break ground before winter,” he said. “The City and Economic Development group (Holly Hansen) were very helpful and accommodating in moving this deal along; they really were excited along with us to locate in Cloquet, and we also felt like they truly wanted us in the community.”

Hansen said C&L has been excellent to work with. “This is exactly the type of project that fits the vision of the Cloquet Business Park,” Hansen said. “We are excited they selected Cloquet as a location to expand their Minnesota footprint.”

According to the company website, C&L Distributing services 1,968 retailers in 28 counties, providing Anheuser-Busch products in addition to a portfolio of local, regional, and national craft beers, imports, non-alcoholic beverages, wine and spirits. They currently have six locations and had been examining building sites in the Twin Ports region after recently purchasing the Minnesota distribution rights from Superior Beverages, LLC in Superior.

As a company, they were looking to streamline operations and transportation logistics, according to a news release from the city of Cloquet, which also noted they are a family-owned company rooted in central Minnesota and are heavily involved in the operations. They currently employ over 225 full- and part-time staff.

“We are looking forward to a long and productive relationship with the community,” Dick said.