While getting food delivered at your door is nothing new these days, it was revolutionary seven decades ago. But now a Minnesota company that pioneered delivering frozen meals is closing their doors. Yelloh, formerly known as Schwan’s, announced this week they will be closing in November.

For the past 72 years Yelloh, served generations of families in Minnesota by delivering frozen food to residents. Jennifer Heille is from Esko, and when she heard Yelloh would be closing their doors, she says it’s blow for many folks here in the northland.

“I really don’t know why they’re closing down. I think that maybe, with different, apps out there, the Uber Eats and all of that, I think that that might be affecting their business. It’s really sad,” Heille said. “A lot of these restaurants are closing and so many of them, they’re family owned community operations. I feel like there’s a lot of bigger companies coming in and kind of swooping up that business.”

According to Yelloh, formerly known as Schwan’s there were multiple reasons why the frozen food delivery service is closing its doors. From supply chain issues, shifts in customer attitudes, and staffing challenges. Becca Thompson a Cloquet resident says she and her kids loved getting the ice cream from the Yelloh truck. But Thompson says Yelloh probably just couldn’t compete with other food delivery options.

“When we built this house, they started coming. I always kind of felt bad. So I always ordered. But the guy was so friendly. So I was so sad whenever they stopped coming,” Thompson said. “We’re not always home. So the delivery things are probably just easier for people with busy lifestyles. We always tried to buy local and because we know how it affects us. But I don’t know. Hopefully they can find something in the area at least.”

Yelloh does have their headquarters located in Marshall towards southeastern Minnesota. Bob Byrnes, the Mayor of Marshall says they community were expecting the closure, but it still hits close to home.

“Any job loss is significant because it affects real people,” Mayor Byrnes said. “But we do have a strong economy and we are hopeful those employees can be absorbed.”

Even though Yelloh will be closing, Schwan’s still operates a separate wholesale frozen food business. It’s still the largest employer in Marshall, but folks are still sad they won’t be seeing those Yelloh trucks anymore.

The last day products may be purchased through their trucks will be November 8. The last official day of company operations will be on November 22.