HOYT LAKES, Minn. (Northern News Now) - Windows at what used to be Hoyt Lakes’ only grocery store have been dark now for months.

Longtime resident Jim Koepke says the next closest grocery store is now about 10 miles away in Biwabik.

“We have a large older population in town, and they have to drive out of town and drive a distance, especially when the weather is bad, is really hassle,” said Koepke. “It’s difficult, puts a strain on everybody.”

The city had a grocery store ever since the 1950s, until its most recent owners closed it due to financial hardships.

Co-owner of a neighboring general store Nancy Radtke says she’s feeling the loss on another level.

“We don’t have the traffic downtown that we had before, and it’s just, it’s killing us,” said Radtke.

However, she adds the declin

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