The Twin Ports is fortunate to have many businesses and organizations that are reducing their impact on the environment through practices that increase sustainability for the planet. 

Most of us realize that our individual actions have an impact. By patronizing businesses and organizations that are reducing their carbon footprint, consumers are part of the solution to reduce greenhouse emissions and work toward a cleaner environment.

The Duluth Folk School and Dovetail Cafe & Marketplace are two such businesses. Stop in and see what they are all about. It is a warm and welcoming space with great food and a varied menu of classes and activities.

Duluth Folk School
Lincoln Park Craft District
info@duluthfolkschool.org

Q: How long you have been in business

A: Since 2015

Q: What products/services you produce

A: Duluth Folk School is a local nonprofit with a mission to “build community through joyful experiences of handcrafting, art, and gathering.” We do so by hosting a variety of classes, free events, dances, presentations, and more. We also ensure our gathering space is a wonderful place that people want to be in.

Q: What efforts you have made to be good environmental stewards, i.e. recycling, reusing, energy efficiency, waste reduction

A: Our building exemplifies a sustainable relation to the world, being based on preservation and re-use of local resources. We refurbished our historic building ourselves, ensuring that this century-old building can continue. 
We’re also one of the few places in Minnesota where the majority of its tables were handbuilt by its own organization. When St. Margaret Mary in Morgan Park was torn down, we upcycled floorboards to make many of our tables. A friend of Duluth Folk School donated old planks from a bowling alley to make other tables. 

Our famous indoor cabin was also built of salvaged wood. When the windstorm blew down many trees, we hauled the timber and turned it into a beautiful community resource.
In addition, our classes and events foster appreciation of the environment and a sensible relation to the world–from tree identification and natural dye classes, to free sustainability lectures. 
Finally, we provide space for organizations to meet. We’ve hosted climate activists from Germany, young climate leaders in our region, free lectures and presentations on solar panels, microgreen workshops from the UMD landlab, Sierra Club listening sessions, and more.

Q: Ways the community can support your efforts

A: Duluth Folk School is a community resource, supporting a gathering place, local instructors, and offering hundreds of free events a year. As a nonprofit, we can provide these things without worrying about profit. At the same time, the community’s participation in our events and classes–and donations, if possible–ensures our longevity and range of offerings.

Community spaces–especially ones that embrace environmental stewardship–don’t just happen. It takes the support of our community to create this necessary, people-focused social infrastructure. Consider taking a class, or donating directly to Duluth Folk School to preserve this resource.

Q: Anything else you think is important

A: Folk Schools have never been more important. The Folk School movement originated in 19th-century Denmark, with the goal of cultivating the individual, cultural, and democratic identity of community members–and to create institutions that fostered resilience, agency, and civic engagement. They aimed to create a just and peaceful society.

While this isn’t 19th-century Denmark, the bones of those goals are still here in the 21st century. Today, elements of environmental stewardship far more popular than is translated into policy–and institutions that can help knit together people are essential in creating social and political health and positive environmental outcomes.

Dovetail Cafe and Marketplace
Lincoln Park Craft District
dovetailcafe.com
General email: kitchen@dovetailcafe.com
Marketplace: market@dovetailcafe.com
218-481-7888

Q: How long you have been in business

A: Since October, 2018 (about 6.5 years)

Q: What products/services you produce

A: Our cafe offers a variety of products aimed at fostering community engagement and supporting local businesses/artisans. 
The cafe serves a diverse menu featuring made-from-scratch items, including our fan favorite quiche, soup, burrito bowls and a variety of baked goods. We offer many vegan and gluten-free options to accommodate everyone! Dovetail also serves Almanac Coffee, roasted right in our building, along with a curated selection of local craft beers and tea. 

Adjacent to the cafe, the marketplace features handcrafted items from local artisans, including ceramics, woodworking, fiber arts, and many more. In partnership with the Duluth Folk School, the cafe also hosts various community events, such as Cribbage Night, Open Mic sessions and trivia. 

Q: What efforts you have made to be good environmental stewards, i.e. recycling, reusing, energy efficiency, waste reduction

A: At Dovetail, being kind to the planet is something we care about deeply, and we try to make choices every day that reflect that. We focus on reducing waste as much as we can, whether that’s through composting food scraps, recycling or being thoughtful about how we source and use materials. In the cafe, we use reusable dishes and cups whenever possible, and we offer compostable to-go containers for folks who need them. We also minimize single-use plastics and look for ways to cut down on packaging altogether.

A big part of our mission is supporting local, and that extends to the food and products we bring in. By sourcing things locally where we can, we’re able to cut down on transportation emissions and support small-scale, sustainable producers in our region.
We also embrace creative reuse within our space. Many of the interior elements, like tables, doors and even the cabin frame inside, are made from refurbished or repurposed materials. It’s not just about function; it’s about telling a story and showing that old things still have value. 
Even the small details reflect this mindset, for example, our table number markers are made from old screwdrivers, each one a little different and full of character.
We’re always looking at ways to improve our energy use too, from efficient lighting to being mindful about how we heat and cool the space. 
Being environmentally responsible isn’t just a side product for us, it’s a part of who we are. Every small choice adds up, and we’re committed to doing our part for the planet while creating a warm and welcoming place for our community.

Q: How can the community can support your efforts

A: We hope people stop by to enjoy a meal, grab a coffee or shop in the marketplace, but just as importantly, we’re here to support the community too. Every purchase goes directly toward keeping us running and helps support the local artists and makers whose work we carry. Coming to our events, taking a class or even just spending time at the cafe helps this place feel alive and welcoming!

We’re always open to hearing your thoughts or ideas – what you’d like to see more of, or how we can do better. We’re here for the community, and we’re so grateful to be part of it.

Q: Anything else you think is important?

A: More than anything, we’re about people. We created this space to be a place where everyone feels welcome, where conversations happen, ideas are shared and connections are made. Whether you’re here to work on a project, meet up with friends or just take a quiet moment for yourself, we want you to feel at home. 

We also love that we get to be part of Duluth’s creative community. From the artists and makers whose work fills our shelves, to the folks that come in to play music or teach a class, it’s the people who give this place life. We’re proud to support them, and we’re constantly inspired by the talent and passion that exists right here in our neighborhood.