CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for used merchandise stores in Duluth, MN-WI
Used merchandise stores in the Duluth, MN-WI metro area: 23 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs an 11-person team.
- Establishments
- 23CBP 2023
- Employees
- 255mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 8.2U.S. 5.7
- Rank
- 167th of 720areas by count
How many used merchandise stores are in Duluth, MN-WI?
The Census Bureau's 2023 County Business Patterns lists 23 establishments classified as Used Merchandise Stores (NAICS 453310) in the Duluth, MN-WI metro area. They employed 255 people in mid-March and paid $4,754,000 in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 167th out of 720 areas with published figures for used merchandise stores.
Measured against its 282,000 residents (2024 estimate), the area has 8.2 used merchandise stores per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 5.7, so Duluth, MN-WI is 42.6% above the national figure. The average establishment here has 11.1 employees, compared with 11.4 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $18,643, 24.0% below the national $24,523.
| Measure | Duluth, MN-WI | Minnesota | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 23 | 359 | 19,466 |
| Mid-March employees | 255 (moderate noise) | 4,439 | 222,478 |
| Annual payroll | $4,754,000 | $100,565,000 | $5,455,824,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 11.1 | 12.4 | 11.4 |
| Payroll per employee | $18,643 | $22,655 | $24,523 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 8.2 | 6.2 | 5.7 |
Census County Business Patterns 2023 (mid-March employment; annual payroll). Employees and payroll flagged high-noise are shown but not used in the text. Residents: Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
How big used merchandise stores in Duluth, MN-WI are
Of the used merchandise stores in Duluth, MN-WI that had employees in March 2023, 55.0% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 43.2%). 75.0% had fewer than ten. For a business of a few people, phone coverage is a staffing question as much as a technology one: someone has to be free to pick up, or the call needs somewhere sensible to go.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 11 | 55.0% | 43.2% |
| 5–9 employees | 4 | 20.0% | 21.8% |
| 10–19 employees | 5 | 25.0% | 17.1% |
| 20–49 employees | not published | — | 14.3% |
| 50 or more employees | 0 | 0.0% | 3.6% |
Employment-size classes count establishments by mid-March 2023 employment. Establishments with no March employees are excluded from the size classes, so shares are of establishments with employees. Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023.
Calls a used merchandise store in Duluth, MN-WI has to catch
Thrift, consignment and resale stores take calls about donations, consignment terms and stock. Consignors call to check on their items.
A few of the calls that come in to used merchandise stores in Duluth, MN-WI:
- A customer calls about pickup service.
- A customer calls about donation drop-off hours.
- The store calls a consignor about payout.
Business texting for used merchandise stores
Stores text consignor updates.
Because carriers require registration for business texting from local numbers, Callata files a 10DLC registration for a one-time $49; after approval, anyone on the team can reply from the business number.
Callata vs. per-seat pricing for used merchandise stores in Duluth, MN-WI
The average used merchandise store in Duluth, MN-WI has 11.1 employees, so an 11-person team is a reasonable benchmark. Per-seat business phone plans bill every one of those people. At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 11 users on RingCentral RingEX Core cost $330.00 a month and 11 on Ooma Office Pro cost $274.45. Callata comes to $219.00 a month for 11 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $1,332 less than RingCentral for a used merchandise store in Duluth, MN-WI of that size. Annual contracts lower some competitors' prices, so compare the plan you would actually sign.
| Provider (plan) | Pricing basis | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callata (Callata Office) | $99 incl. 5 users, $20 per extra user | $219.00 | $2,628.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $209.00 | $2,508.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $253.00 | $3,036.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $274.45 | $3,293.40 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $297.00 | $3,564.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $330.00 | $3,960.00 |
Competitor prices are each vendor's published month-to-month list price per user for its lowest plan that includes business calling and texting, checked September 28, 2026: Quo Starter $19, Nextiva Core $23, Ooma Office Pro $24.95 (Essentials excludes texting; one-time $29.95 activation not included), Dialpad Standard $27, RingCentral RingEX Core $30 ($20 billed annually). Prices exclude taxes and fees and may change; annual contracts lower some competitors' prices.
Local area codes for used merchandise stores in Duluth, MN-WI
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 5 area codes. 218 has the most, with 184 of 208 exchanges (88%). A local number lets customers in Duluth, MN-WI call without dialing out of area. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, and which numbers are open in an area code depends on carrier inventory when you choose.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 218 | 184 | Central | 1947 | none |
| 715 | 20 | Central | 1947 | 534 |
| 320 | 2 | Central | 1996 | none |
| 534 | 1 | Central | 2010 | 715 |
| 507 | 1 | Central | 1954 | 924 |
Exchanges are NANPA-assigned central office codes (NPA-NXX) in the rate centers matched to the area's named places. Source: NANPA utilized code and NPA reports.
What used merchandise stores in Duluth, MN-WI get with Callata
For $99 a month, Callata puts a team of up to 5 on one plan ($20 for each person after that): up to 3 local numbers, unlimited inbound calls, a pooled allowance of 1,500 outbound US and Canada minutes per user, browser and cell calling, voicemail transcription with urgency triage, recorded calls with AI summaries and business-hours routing, with E911 on every number.
Porting a number you already use in Duluth, MN-WI is free, and business texting is available once the carrier registration (10DLC) is approved; the registration carries a one-time $49 fee. Which specific numbers are open in a given area code depends on carrier inventory at the time you sign up.
AI agents are optional: an AI receptionist or scheduler can pick up when the team is busy or closed, take a message, send a text or email, or transfer the call. They draw on prepaid AI minutes ($0.25/minute), disclose that they are AI, and outbound AI calls require prior consent and are limited to 8am–9pm.
Frequently asked questions
How many used merchandise stores are there in Duluth, MN-WI?
Census County Business Patterns counted 23 used merchandise stores in the Duluth, MN-WI metro area in 2023. They employed 255 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for an 11-person used merchandise store?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 11 users cost $330.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $274.45 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $219.00.
What area code should a used merchandise store in Duluth, MN-WI use?
Area code 218 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 715 and 320. If you already have a local number, you can port it to Callata for free.
Can an AI receptionist answer calls for a used merchandise store?
Yes. Callata's optional AI agents can answer when the team is busy or closed, take a message, text, email or transfer the call. They disclose that they are AI and are billed from prepaid AI minutes at $0.25 per minute.