Local Business Spotlight: Grand Marais Barbell
This month marks one year since Carmen Skildum, owner of Grand Marais Barbell, opened the doors to her new gym.
Last year, on March 24, 2025, Skildum officially launched the gym in the Cedar Grove Business Park, providing weight lifting, strength training, cardio, and other fitness options.
Reflecting on the one-year milestone, Skildum said, “It went really fast. Compared to how long we had planned for it.”
Throughout the past year, as word has spread about the new 24-hour gym, interest in gym memberships has grown.
“It’s been steadily growing,” said Skildum.
As interest and memberships have grown, Skildum has added additional equipment, classes, and amenities to the gym. On Saturdays each month, Grand Marais Barbell hosts group workouts for members to keep each other motivated and “try to build a community,” Skildum said.
More recently, Grand Marais Barbell added a sauna and kickboxing classes.
Skildum said her main goal is to “Try to provide some things that can just get people trying new things, out of their comfort zone.”
Another addition has been two certified personal trainers, Nicole Banit and AJ Schaefer, who offer customized sessions for clients.
Grand Marais Barbell interior space | Photo by Grand Marais Barbell
Fitness and weightlifting have been a defining part of Skildum’s life for years. For the past eight years, Skildum has operated her business out of her garage and other locations, until last March when she officially moved into her new building and started the next chapter.
“Weightlifting in particular has changed my life,” Skildum said. “It’s my passion. It’s what I love to do.”
That dedication has also fueled the growth of a community at her gym.
“I think everyone needs to experience the community that can come with exercise, like with my classes,” Skildum said. “I think the effect that can have on your mental health is profound, and I want as many people as possible to feel that.”
The continued dedication to her passion led Skildum to be recognized as the 2025 Entrepreneur of the Year at the Cook County Chamber of Commerce Fall Gala in October.
“I’m very proud of myself to be recognized,” she said. “Because I do work hard, but I’m proud of myself.”
WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins spoke with Grand Marais Barbell owner Carmen Skildum for the latest edition of the Local Business Spotlight. Skildum shares more about her business, advice to aspiring business owners, and what the future looks like. Audio is below.
Kalli Hawkins March 19, 2026
