Three years ago, Twin Cities-based contractor Chris Short and his schoolteacher wife, Allison, had no thoughts of entering the hospitality industry. They’d spent school breaks and summers visiting the Gunflint Trail and falling in love with the community.
In 2021, the Shorts decided to move to Cook County. Chris planned to continue construction work, and Allison hoped to find a teaching position in ISD 166. Then, fate stepped in.
In 2022, Chris Googled the business for sale listings one day and saw that Big Bear Lodge on Poplar Lake was for sale. They inspected the resort and shortly reached a purchase agreement with Big Bear owners Andy and Ida DeLisi.
Although the Shorts had no experience in the hospitality industry, they have proved well-suited to operating a resort. Just into their second year running the property, White Pine Lodge ranked in the top 10% on Trip Advisor’s global ranking of vacation properties, earning a coveted Traveler’s Choice Award.
White Pine Lodge is one of the oldest resorts on the Gunflint Trail. It opened in 1936 as Northwoods Lodge and eventually became Old Northwoods Lodge. By the time the DeLisi’s acquired the property in 2011, it had fallen into disrepair, and it took the couple three years to completely remodel the lodge and cabins.
“The Delisis did awesome getting stuff done here,” Chris said. “But we’re always finding more things to do.”
Only three of the six cabins were winterized when the Shorts bought the resort. Today, all six are ready to go year-round. They also added to and rebuilt the five docks on the property.
New this year, four campsites with electricity on-site that can accommodate up to 27’ RVs.
The main building has three Lodge Rooms upstairs. Chris installed air conditioning in each room, making the main lodge fully air-conditioned.
The main lodge, built in the 1990s, features two large Rumsford fireplaces, one of which is thought to be among the largest stone fireplaces in Cook County.
The hard-working couple added a restaurant and pub to the lodge. The White Pine Pub, open to guests and the general public, offers craft beers and an assortment of wines. Chris built the bar top out of three-inch white oak, which blends well with the pine log lodge.
The Shorts are having plenty of fun. “Two years in, we’re loving it,” Chris said. “It still feels like we’re in the first six months.”
On Saturday, November 16, they are hosting The Pick-A-Pizza Party, where they’ll feature five new specialty pizzas and get customers’ opinions on which ones to add to their winter menu. The event is $20 per person and includes a Caesar salad bar and all-you-can-eat pizza. The bar will be open for drinks to purchase. Reservations are required, and seating is limited.
The White Pine Lodge Olympics, honoring the Paris Olympics, was held this summer. It featured fun daily events like paddling races, an opening watercraft parade, and a pizza-eating contest. Medals were earned.
For the second presidential election of his young life, resort dog Clarence promoted his presidential candidacy. Clarence For President signs appeared along the Gunflint Trail. A resort guest took some signs along on a road trip, posting photos of the sign everywhere from Fort Snelling State Park to Mount Rushmore. Since this was his second run for office, we asked Clarence how it was out there this year. “Ruff,” he said.
Up until this summer, Chris and Allison worked the resort alone. Chris’s cousin Jake became their first employee this summer, working from June through September. He’s rumored to be returning next year.
Chris, who also operates a contracting business, White Pine Construction, is working hard and having a good time. He said he gets asked a lot about the biggest surprise since becoming a resort owner. His answer was, “It’s what happens every day. Things never go as planned.”
White Pine Lodge is located at 7969 Northwoods Loop in the mid-trail area of the Gunflint. Its phone number is (218) 388- 0172. The resort is active on social media, and its website is whitepinelodgemn.com.
