Local Business Spotlight: Hungry Hippie Hostel & Hungry Hippie Tacos
Over the past decade, Kate and Jeremy Keeble have built two businesses in Grand Marais that offer visitors two distinct ways to experience the North Shore. From a converted horse barn turned hostel along County Road 14 to a creative taco shop in town, the couple has built a business model rooted in hospitality, community, and a passion for trying something different.
The Keebles opened Hungry Hippie Hostel nearly 10 years ago on their homestead roughly 15 minutes northeast of downtown Grand Marais. What began as a hostel with private rooms has expanded to include glamping tents and campsites, offering visitors a range of lodging options.
Kate and Jeremy’s pets often welcome guests to the hostel | Contributed by Hungry Hippie Hostel
Glamping tent sites at Hungry Hippie Hostel | Contributed by Hungry Hippie Hostel
Unlike traditional hostels, guests have their own private rooms but still share common spaces, including bathrooms and gathering areas. The goal is to encourage interaction among visitors, many of whom arrive as strangers from all over the world.
“The hostel is all about community and hanging out with other people,” Jeremy said. “It gives people a different experience.”
That same willingness to do things differently carries over to Hungry Hippie Tacos, which the couple has owned and operated in downtown Grand Marais for approximately eight years.
With Kate’s culinary background, the restaurant has developed a menu that goes beyond traditional taco offerings. The Keebles smoke their own meats, make sauces from scratch, and experiment with ingredients and flavors, including blueberry barbecue sauce and a hominy green chili hot dish.
The Keebles have also expanded beyond Cook County and operate a Hungry Hippie Tacos location in Duluth.
Looking ahead, Kate and Jeremy said they’re interested in finding new ways to build on what they’ve created, including expanded outdoor recreation opportunities at the hostel and more guest experiences centered around cooking, hiking, and time outdoors.
In this month’s Local Business Spotlight, WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins speaks with Kate and Jeremy Keeble to talk about the evolution of their businesses, the realities of running multiple businesses, raising a family alongside their entrepreneurial pursuits, and what’s next for Hungry Hippie Hostel and Hungry Hippie Tacos. Audio below.
The Local Business Spotlight highlights our local business community’s economic strength and innovation. This feature is produced by WTIP Community Radio and brought to you in partnership with Visit Cook County and the Cook County Chamber of Commerce.
Kalli Hawkins November 6, 2026
