Superior's Globe News rings in new year with new owners
Maria Lockwood, Superior Telegram, Wis.
5 min read
Dec. 29—SUPERIOR — The city's iconic Globe News store and the historic 1889 New Jersey building it resides in will change hands Jan. 1.
Tom and Jill Unterberger have owned the shop on the corner of Tower Avenue and Belknap Street for 40 years. It's been sold to a group of business partners from Poplar — Beth and Jon Fritsche, who own Culver's restaurants in Superior, Ashland, Duluth and Two Harbors; and Anna and Danny Haskins, who own Lake Effect Dance and Lake Effect Construction in Poplar.
The decision to retire, Tom said, was bittersweet.
"I love what I do," said the 66-year-old. "I just don't want to do it until I'm 80 years old."
For the past two weeks, hugs and handshakes have become the norm as longtime customers say goodbye. Cards hang above the cash register from customers of all ages. A father recently came in with his three sons and thanked Tom for being so nice to them.
"And all four of the boys lined up, shook my hand one at a time as they were leaving. They're teenagers but they've been coming in since they were little kids and it was just — it was really touching," Tom said.
He and his wife bought Globe News in 1982 with help from his parents. While Tom has been the face of the business, his wife has been the brains. She's done the bookkeeping, accounting and payroll for 40 years.
"She is the proverbial glue that holds the store together," Tom said.
The key to the success of Globe News has been diversification, as it changed from a newsstand that sold mainly greeting cards, newspapers and magazines into a shop focused on collectibles like records, cards and comics.
"If you're looking for it, Globe News has it," said Greg Culver of Lake Nebagamon, a longtime customer.
Shopping at the store Tuesday, Dec. 27, were Dan and Hillary Olson of Duluth. They visited the store while they were dating and it became a habit.
"It basically became a weekly adventure," Hillary said.
Dan set a stack of comic books on the counter, a 38th birthday present to himself.
"I hope you take advantage of your retirement and really enjoy it," Hillary said, giving Tom a hug.
Culver spent an hour at the shop while his wife's car was being repaired.
"My dad brought me here in 1984 because we were collecting comics and Dungeons and Dragons stuff and sports cards," he said. "We jumped in the car and came down here to see what he had and visit and struck up a friendship and we've been hanging out ever since in one weird fashion or another."
At the counter, Abbie Tarbet of Superior looked through single Pokemon cards. She's been visiting the store since she was in kindergarten.
"In a way I kind of practically grew up here in the store," Tarbet said. "I'm just glad that from what I've heard that there isn't going to be too many changes ... and that it's going to be here."
Tom said the shop is in good hands. The new owners will put their own spin on things, but the fact that Jon Fritsche has been collecting Magic: The Gathering cards at Globe News for years is key.
"I kind of handpicked this guy. There were other people looking at the store at the same time and this was the best fit," Tom said.
The Fritsches had just purchased the Superior Culver's when Tom started hinting about his upcoming retirement.
"It's just one of those things that just felt right, I guess. It's like a home away from home coming here. I know a lot of the folks that come in here, too, a lot of stuff that we sell here I know about," said Jon, who has been working in the informational technology field.
He plans to organize, modernize and streamline the store. That will include setting up an inventory system and creating an online link to a catalog of the store's items through the
Globe News Facebook page
. Collectibles will eventually move out onto the main floor to create a play space in the back with couches and tables.
Six current employees will remain, and hours will change to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
The 1889 building encompasses 22,000 square feet, not including the basement. It houses five storefronts on the main level and once had six luxury apartments above. Three apartments are currently rented upstairs, but the rest of the space is a blank canvas the new owners plan to remodel into additional apartments.
"It's kind of the sky's the limit on what we want to do, how many units we want to put in," Jon said.
Loyal customers have been there to see Globe News through rough times. They crossed ripped up streets to get to the store during reconstruction of Belknap Street and Tower Avenue. They bought hundreds of dollars worth of collectible cards out of their cars during the pandemic.
"It was pretty gratifying," Tom said. "You treat people right, they treat you right back."
Jon encouraged customers to keep stopping by.
"A change is hard and I understand that. Tom has been a figurehead in this community for a long time. And I just, you know, I want them to keep coming in, give us a chance," Jon said. "I really look forward to building a lot of relationships with the community. I mean, we serve them (Culver's) ButterBurgers and hopefully I can serve them some of their collectibles that they enjoy."
