WTIP reflects on the legacy and influence of Papa Charlie’s following June fire

Last month, Cook County lost another local business to a structure fire.

Papa Charlie’s restaurant, bar, and music club caught on fire June 24. The building burned to the ground and was deemed a total loss.

Papa Charlie’s arrived to the Minnesota music scene and the ski hill at Lutsen Mountains in 1996. The venue has played host to bands like Trampled by Turtles, Dessa, Wookiefoot, Dusty Heart, and many, many more.

Looking ahead, leaders at Lutsen Mountains have already announced plans for rebuilding the music venue on the local ski hill.

As part of the radio station’s 2023 summer membership drive, WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins spoke with Jim Vick, the general manager at Lutsen Mountains, Jerry LaVigne, the longtime sound engineer at Papa Charlie’s, and Linda Jurek, the executive director of Visit Cook County and the Cook County Chamber of Commerce about the role Papa Charlie’s has played in the music scene along the North Shore since the 1990s, favorite memories and behind-the-scenes moments, and what the plans are for the future. Listen to the full community conversation and special program in the audio below.

WTIP Staff July 8, 2023