North Shore to add model train depot to its tourist stops

DULUTH – Day trippers and other lovers of the North Shore have a new spot to add to their itineraries when a candy store and gift shop housed with a model train depot opens in Two Harbors Saturday.

Owned by Two Harbors native Callie Swanson, Burlington Station is intended to give locals a new place to shop and give tourists more to do in the popular Lake Superior town known for its iron ore docks.

"Shopko closed and that was the only place you could get anything in town without having to run to Duluth," Swanson said. "We wanted a gift shop, but we wanted to make it fun."

The 17,000-square-foot former office building is across from Lou's Fish House, which is owned by Swanson's sister. It's a family of entrepreneurs. Swanson's father, Chris Swanson, owns marketing companies Garage Starts and PureDriven in Two Harbors.

Most of the business team is from Two Harbors, said its marketing director, Jordan Seidel. "We're passionate about making Two Harbors a destination, and we wanted to stay here," he said.

Fudge, caramel and popcorn are made at the candy shop, Callie's Sweets, where a candy-making viewing window is situated near a milk bar. The North Shore-themed model train area is only partly finished, but a retail space and the candy store open Saturday.

Callie's joins Great Lakes Candy Kitchen in Knife River and Beth's Fudge and Gifts in Grand Marais as North Shore candy destinations.