Local Business Spotlight: Cascade Lodge
In just a few years, in 2027, Cascade Lodge will celebrate its 100th anniversary, an occasion owners Thom and Jelena McAleer are already preparing for.
“We have been working towards beautifying the property over the last few years, expending significant resources on all the things that you don’t see behind the scenes, from remodels to roofs to siding,” said Thom McAleer.
While a significant number of improvement projects have been completed, a few more remain. The next project, scheduled for this coming spring, will involve installing new windows and siding on the main lodge.
Thom McAleer said he wants to get the property “looking as good as it can be for its 100th anniversary.”
Another project the McAleers are actively working on to celebrate the centennial milestone is gathering information and pictures from guests who have spent time at the historical Cascade Lodge throughout the years.
“We’re trying to compile all of that into some presentation that will be fun to look at,” Thom McAleer said.
Cascade Lodge near the Lake Superior shore | Photo by Cascade Lodge
In 2027, the McAleers will mark 10 years since purchasing the historic property. Thom McAleer said the most rewarding part of nearly a decade of ownership has been the “meaningful connections that we’ve had with people and guests.”
Cascade Lodge has welcomed generations of families over its long history. In the 1920s, the lodge primarily catered to fishermen, hunters, and their families from Duluth and the surrounding areas. In the decades since, its guests have shifted alongside changes in North Shore tourism.
“Every one of those generations has a story of why they love being at Cascade Lodge and on the North Shore,” McAleer said. “It’s just really great to connect with people like that.”
In the years since purchasing Cascade Lodge, the McAleers have expanded their business presence in Cook County with several other property acquisitions. The McAleers also own the Cliff Dweller Hotel on Lake Superior, near Tofte, as well as Paradise Park, a mixed-use property and mobile home park in Lutsen, and are 50% partners of North Shore Laundry in Grand Marais. All of the businesses fall under the umbrella of Jameson Grace Hospitality.
“Jameson Grace Hospitality exists so that every business we touch, whether it be a hotel, restaurant, or laundry, is rooted in integrity, hospitality, culture, and community impact,” Thom McAleer said.
Balancing multiple hospitality businesses can be a challenge at times, but Thom McAleer said, “We have an incredible team of people that work with us. We really couldn’t do any of this without the people who work closely with us.”
With a significant business footprint in Cook County, Thom McAleer was recently recognized as Business Leader of the Year during the Oct. 30 Visit Cook County/Chamber of Commerce Fall Gala. “To win that award was really special,” he said.
WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins spoke with Cascade Lodge owner, Thom McAleer, for the latest edition of the Local Business Spotlight. The audio from the interview is below.
The Local Business Spotlight highlights our local business community’s economic strength and innovation. This feature is brought to you in partnership with Visit Cook County and the Cook County Chamber of Commerce.
Kalli Hawkins November 24, 2025
