Erik and Jessica Lietz:
a Booming New Business in Hibbing

What makes an entrepreneur tick? Seeing an opportunity and having the courage to act on it. Jessica and Erik Lietz are a prime example. This young northeastern Minnesota couple shares a bold vision and a risk-taking spirit.

The BoomTown Brewery & Woodfire Grill rang in the new year as a new business, opening December 31, 2017. It is the city of Hibbing’s first brewpub but the Lietz’s third restaurant. First they bought the Whistling Bird in Gilbert, then created the BoomTown Woodfire Grill in nearby Eveleth.

With a beautiful brick building available on Hibbing’s historic main street, the couple looked, then leaped again, this time into craft brewing.

Starting a brewpub requires big investments like hiring a skilled brew master and buying costly equipment. Besides adding a brewing room, Erik and Jessica also planned to renovate the whole interior. The Northland Foundation stepped up to the bar (so to speak) providing a Community Advantage SBA loan for brewing equipment to help the Lietzs seal the deal.

“The first nine months have been busy and positive,” says Jess. “Everyone in Hibbing is so welcoming.”

As for the future, “You see an opportunity and you go for it,” said Erik with a smile. Spoken like a true entrepreneur.