Membership Sideblog
- The Marcus Welby of law, by Lance Heisler | Lampe Law Group
July 31, 2010 | 7:45 pmGrowing up in North Dakota during the 50s and 60s, I was privileged to experience something that's all too rare now - the old-fashioned family doctor. "Doc" delivered babies, set broken bones, treated pneumonia, and helped Grandpa with his newfangled hearing aid. Doc knew the community, the families, and the individuals whose basic medical needs he treated from birth through the end of life. Some of you who grew up in that time, and perhaps in smaller communities, may remember a Doc of your own. . . . → Read More: The Marcus Welby of law, by Lance Heisler | Lampe Law Group
- Kitty Mania at the Prairie’s Edge Humane Society, by Sandy Vesledahl
July 28, 2010 | 10:51 pm
Let’s talk about cats, cats and more cats! Why?? Because Prairie’s Edge Humane Society is full of cats and we have many more arriving daily. As of today, there are 44 cats on the adoption floor with more awaiting their surgeries so they are ready for adoption. There are cats in every corner of the shelter who need homes! We are in desperate need of homes for these cats. We cannot emphasize this enough. So we are having a cat sale and we are calling it Kitty Mania ! Kitty Mania is this weekend, beginning Thursday, July . . . → Read More: Kitty Mania at the Prairie’s Edge Humane Society, by Sandy Vesledahl
- On Watermelons and Widgets, by Tom Swift
July 12, 2010 | 11:50 am
The free market does many things well, but we know it does not do everything. Even market fundamentalists concede that the public must build roads, put out fires, police streets, and provide national defense. Most people, at least those to the left of the Tea Party edge of political spectrum, accept that the government must also be involved in education, disaster relief, and health care. That is, certain services must be rendered — necessary services, universal services — whether or not those services are financially profitable. If your house is on fire, you do not have time to . . . → Read More: On Watermelons and Widgets, by Tom Swift
- Vintage Band Festival Contra Dance, by Dan Bergeson
July 12, 2010 | 10:56 am
Okay, so most of the news about the Vintage Band Festival so far has been about the bands. But there’s a number of other events during the weekend. Like the VBF Contra Dance, for instance. The Vintage Band Festival Contra Dance will feature music by The Dodworth Saxhorn Band of Ann Arbor, Michigan and will be led by dance instructor/caller Robin Nelson. Dancing will begin at 8:30 p.m. with a “Grand March” led by 60 costumed members of the 1st Wisconsin Infantry Brigade, followed by a variety of period dances including polkas, contra dances, schottisches, reels and waltzes. . . . → Read More: Vintage Band Festival Contra Dance, by Dan Bergeson
- The Animal-Cruelty Syndrome, by Tom Swift
June 27, 2010 | 8:00 am
Even before I read the first word of this article I had a visceral reaction to it. The accompanying photographs — my eyes tend to skip over photographs in magazines — affected me in a manner that is difficult to articulate. I knew, immediately I knew, I was not going to like what I was about to read. In fact, for that reason I put the piece aside. Not now, I thought. Maybe tomorrow, I said to myself. But, then, I couldn’t not read it, either. If you have not done so already, I hope you will read . . . → Read More: The Animal-Cruelty Syndrome, by Tom Swift
- Puppies! Puppies! Puppies! by Kathy Jasnoch
June 27, 2010 | 7:54 am
June may be Adopt A Cat month here at Prairie’s Edge Humane Society and we have lots of wonderful cats, but we also have PUPPIES! We have a male Newfoundland mix named Chong who is 6 months old, he was a stray so we don’t know a lot about him. He loves to play! We also have three Australian Cattle Dog mixes who are two months old. Marcia, Bobby and Cindy were born at the shelter and spent some time in one of our fabulous foster homes. They are now back at the shelter and ready to find . . . → Read More: Puppies! Puppies! Puppies! by Kathy Jasnoch
- Relay for Life of Rice County, August 6th, Rice County Fairgrounds. By Sandy Vesledahl
June 23, 2010 | 9:35 pm
The American Cancer Society Relay for Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. At Relay for Life, teams of people camp out at local parks or fairgrounds and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events. Relay for Life of Rice . . . → Read More: Relay for Life of Rice County, August 6th, Rice County Fairgrounds. By Sandy Vesledahl
- Critter Cam live from Prairie’s Edge Humane Society, by Sandy Vesledahl
June 16, 2010 | 9:04 amNow Showing! Live Kittens playing! You can now watch our adoptable animals at Prairie’s Edge Humane Society (PEHS) live 24/7 on the new Critter Cam installed in conjunction with KYMN Radio. Thanks to the fine folks at KYMN radio we now have a live feed of our adoptable animals showing on our website and KYMN’s website, Tim and Jeff are AWESOME! Currently the Critter Cam is featuring kittens available for adoption. Watch them play, sleep, eat, and everything else they do 24 hours a day 7 days a week! It’s better than anything you can see on TV! . . . → Read More: Critter Cam live from Prairie’s Edge Humane Society, by Sandy Vesledahl
- Save the Northfield Depot: fundraising help needed. By Lynn Vincent
June 11, 2010 | 11:34 am
A BIG Thanks to all of you who came to last Monday’s Volunteer Organization Meeting, and to those who contacted us saying you wanted to help but could not make the meeting. We have pretty full support for Communications and Design and Build sub-committees, and we got a web graphic designer to help with the site. Alice Thomas is facilitating the Communications group, and Steve Edwins is facilitating the Design and Build group. What we are missing and really need are Fund Raising people. We have two grant writiers, but we need folks who are committed to the . . . → Read More: Save the Northfield Depot: fundraising help needed. By Lynn Vincent
- Photo albums: 2010 Prairie’s Edge Humane Society Walk for the Animals, by Bridgette Hallcock Photography
June 11, 2010 | 8:09 am
Thank you to all of those who came to Alexander Park on a beautiful Saturday morning in May to help support Prairie’s Edge Humane Society! I have placed all of the fun photographs on my Bridgette Hallcock Photography Facebook page so that everyone can see how much fun we had! See the two 2010 Walk for the Animals albums here and here. If you would like a print, please contact me, as the proceeds will benefit the animals at PEHS.
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The Ole Store to reopen as Ole Cafe
By Griff Wigley, on December 10, 2007, 8:50 am
 
A couple of reliable citizens tipped me off to rumors that the Ole Store is reopening. (I last blogged about it in April.) I took these photos last week. The brown paper on the windows is one telltale clue, but also the sign with the admonition from property owner Laverne ‘Professor Dr.’ Rippley.
Will it be a full-service restaurant again or just a coffeehouse? And who is the proprietor?
Update 2/9: the name is now either The Ole Cafe, or OleCafe, or Ole Cafe. I’ve edited the blog post title.
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but I’d have a hard time during the sabbatical not paying attention to see if that was actually the case. I think the more places in Northfield...
Just this morning I noticed a big poster on the door of the Ole Store announcing that it’s opening in February. See the photo here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/northfield_mn/2101108892/.
I typed in the website listed on the poster and there isn’t anything there except a comment that this is a free website…
Thanks, Doug. So it appears as though it’s going to be called either The Ole Cafe or maybe just ‘OleCafe’ (domain parked, no website yet) to include: “cafe * bakery * pizza * wine bar”.
A few months back I saw some food-service style shelving being moved into a back door at the Ole Store – thought to myself, “Ah, now THERE’S a good sign!” Perhaps my observation was a harbinger after all. A welcome return if it turns out to be true.
my unsubstantiated rumor(s) to add here are:
It is reopening – in a form tailored after the Victoria Crossing’s Cafe Latte’ – to be run by a local entrepreneur- but is being assaulted by BO woes.
If your blanking on the acronym, BO – read Norman Butler’s comment on the LG thread: Doing Business in NF … One Company’s Story
I guess an OleCafe is better than an empty building, but that new brand isn’t really winning me over. And pizza? Craziness.
PS: I knew “Professor Dr. Rippley” had owned the property for a while now, but I guess the restauranteur’s identity is still under wraps!
Sean,
I agree with you we don’t need another pizza place. Does anyone like a good steak? I don’t understand why we can’t get a place to serve steak. I guess I’ll have to continue going to the cities.
Lisa,
Don’t go to the Cities. Try Monte’s Steak House in Faribault or the new Porterhouse in Lakeville. Both are nice steak restaurants that aren’t chains…
Lisa,
My problem wasn’t so much that it’s a pizza place as it is an Ole Store pizza place. I suppose its proximity to St. Olaf makes pizza a logical thing to serve. Just seems wrong, though.
As a very close neighbor, I’m supportive of any effort to make the Ole Store live again. I guess my dreams of a Thai restaurant in that space will have to go back on hold, though….
Thai pizza, nothing’s wrong with that, Doug.
Lisa- Re. steak. Have you had the steak at the Tavern? It makes driving somewhere else seem like a waste of time and money. Very good!! (Or, at least the last one I had there was delicious.)
I find it interesting that they are going after the pizza demographic. It must be the highend type, as I do not see students walking down the hill for pizza that can be delivered to the dorm.
Also, St. Olaf has incredible food service, that is open to the public.
The Stav Dining Hall, as well as a holiday “brunch” meal at the King’s Room is fantastic. It is one of Northfield’s best kept secrets.
Here is the website for contact information and hours: http://www.cafebonappetit.com/stolaf/
It really is amazing fine dining.
Good luck to the Ole store in any configuration. It will be great to have them reopen. It is a piece of Northfield history…
John,
I think students would go to the Ole Store more for atmosphere than anything else — good food or not, they need to leave campus from time to time.
Two brief comments, Monte’s Steakhouse has updated their menu and website: http://www.montessteakhouse.com/index.html and I have also heard tell that the Ole Store will have some activity soon!
Just noticed a banner for a new eatery at Mendota Homes corner building.
Anyone know what it is?
I know this is the Ole Store blog but didn’t know where to ask the question?
I saw it this morning on my way out of town as well. I will stop by on my way back, and find out what it says.
The sign says:
The Final Course Cafe, opening January 2008.
Soups, Pannini, Tortes, Treats, Ice Cream, Coffees
Sounds good to me. Hope they include the “Ole Rolls” from the original store. I also hope they serve them more often than just Sunday Morning. If the prices are reasonable, and they stay open ’til 1:00 am, it should be a good attraction for the Olaf students. There is a really good market segment just accross the street, so to speak. It will take more than just Olaf studnts to make it successful, though.
I know they like to get off campus. My wife and I have been hosting a weekly informal dinner for a small group of them for several years. We have had students from Washington state to Maine be a part of that group. It keeps changing each year as seniors graduate and freshmen come along. It’s been really great for us, and I know the young people really enjoy it. The price is right, also.
John,
I don’t think the Stanglers (owners until 2005) ever passed the Ole Roll on — had they, I’m sure the Byhre Ole Store (2005-2007) would have served them.
It’s a shame for the tradition, though I have to say I never really cared for Ole Rolls; I prefer the Brick Oven sweet rolls.
The Final Course Cafe, at the Crossing, will be run (and owned?) by Dean and Rose Sorenmann. I know that Dean is an astute gourmand – some would say a foodie – so it’s likely to offer good fare.
As a fairly close neighbor of the Ole Store, I’m glad to hear that it will reopen. There are so few retail establishments we can easily walk to here on the west side other than those at St. Olaf. And I second what John Thomas said about the food at St. Olaf’s dining hall – it’s really good!
Where else could neighborhood cafes be opened? How about something over on the Northfield Retirement Center property? That would take some vision and daring on their part. A cafe could bring some community to some of our neighborhoods.
Perhaps we should not focus on the pizza…maybe it will just be a great place that offers a lot of variety for everyone around town. I am very excited to see what the new place will offer. Anything is better than the last. Another great addition will be a cozy wine bar. I love to gather with girlfriends and have a great glass of wine and a delicious slice of cake. Good luck to the new owners…I know that I will visit often, or at least give it a chance.
P.S. for your information, I have had great steaks at the northfield golf club and other wonderful meals…maybe try that instead of monte’s or porterhouse.
The Ole Cafe’s website says they’ll be open in March.
[...] Store which has apparently been closed for several years — you can read more on Locally Grown here), and even restaurants all the way up this way including the now defunct Copper Bleu and the [...]
I spoke with Ole Cafe owner Angie Perez this morning. They’re hoping to open in early May now.
The Ole Cafe is opening this week! I forget if it’s on Wednesday or Thursday, but there’s a sign on the door.
The OleCafe opened today! I had coffee and a pastry there this morning. No reduced price for coffee refills, but hopefully this will change as their business improves. The setup is nice but seems somewhat sparse. College students will appreciate the cafeteria-style setup since there’s no worry about splitting the tab or waiting for everyone to arrive before ordering.
Ole Cafe open? It can’t be. The web site still says ‘Opening April 2008!’
http://the-ole-cafe.com/
And the ‘enter’ link ain’t lit.
I will try it out next week and blog it. It’s my new hobby. Look for the blog in the sidebar soon, if I get approved. It’s gonna be all about Northfield restaurants.
[...] Larson of Larson’s Printing attached a comment yesterday afternoon in the Ole Store to reopen? blog post discussion, saying: Just noticed a banner for a new eatery at Mendota Homes corner [...]
We visited the Ole Cafe last night. Quick review: it was ok but it could be much better.
I would like to comment on the Ole Cafe.
First of all, it’s delicious! I think it’s one of the best places to eat in Northfield. Everything is made daily and also from scratch. I have to say for my tastes, the cafe has the best soup in town. Chef Ashley makes the best pasta salads and soups ever! She can create a really original dish that is neat and new, but also classic favorites that taste wonderful! Owner Angie Perez and her mother Donna Pumper make all the pastries fresh daily and also from scratch. Angie has been teaching me the pastry making buis, she really is great at what she does. Im learning so much and am constantly amazed at what her and Donna put out there.
Im a little suprised by your comments Bill. I can say that the pasta you had was maybe a little hard, but I can tell you that it was the last pan we had for the night. We know to ad more sauce for next time. I had the manicotti that same night only earlier and it was amazing. It didnt lack any flavor and was definetly more than “eh” as you put it. The cupcake that your party had, was actually meant for the kids. They like that frosting, hence the extra sweetness. We have a more gourmet cupcake that the adults really like. Not to mention all the other amazing desserts that I am so suprised you overlooked. Onto the panini, next time ask the girls to put less mustard on, and maybe some greek dressing. They are happy to modify for you! Let’s remember that we have just been open for a little over two weeks and the staff are still learning all the ropes. In the future, if you would like your cheese melted, just ask them to keep it on a little longer. I will say though that I wouldn’t order a panini with the ciabatta bread if you want it melted, it takes a long time for that to happen. There is a new roasted garlic bread for panini’s that is amazing! Try that one instead.
The pizzas are made with fresh, gourmet toppings and are priced very fairly. I think that the quality and the taste is well worth the money.
I hope everyone gives the cafe a fair shot. It is not the old Ole Store you are used to, be open to it. You won’t see the Ole Roll there, but you will see amazing cinnamon rolls, scones, brownie delights, white chocolate cheesecake, the list goes on and on.
It’s important that you all know I am not saying any of these things because I work at the cafe, I truely believe them. The Ole Cafe, Tiny’s and The Quarterback Club are three restaurants in town that I will defend until I am blue in the face! They are all amazing and I feel “staples” for this town. While I’m at it, stop in to Tiny’s and try the new burrito my dad is offering. You won’t miss Chipotle when you try this burrito, his is DELICIOUS! Also, go to the QB and try Dales sausage egg and cheese breakfast sandwich, again, DELICIOUS. I love having breakfast at The QB, it’s mine and my husbands favorite! Ooh, and people don’t seem to realize that the Northfield Golf Course has a fantastic menu as well. You must go and try the steaks, they are just mouth watering. I had a hanger steak there last week and it was the best steak I’ve had in months. Go NGC!
There are my thoughts on some of the dining in town. Trust me, I love food so believe me when I say those places are just wonderful! As someone who loves good food, loves to cook and has a dad in the restaurant business; my rule of thumb is to always give places three visits before I decide if I like them or not. Sometimes I dont’ order the right thing, or they could be having an off night, so I go back again and try again. Just a thought for some folks to keep in mind. I dont have really anything bad to say about any of the food places in town. I find things that I like at all of them and they all offer something different!
Im done now, blah blah blah. Holla!
Wow. Ally, you just might get nominated as Mrs. Taste of Northfield if you’re not careful. Thanks for that!
I’ve had two lunches at the Ole Cafe, both excellent. The service has been great both times and I like the atmosphere. The meals were a bit less expensive than many others in town. So, put me in the camp that has found it to be a very nice place to eat.
It does feel like there is some need to arrange the seating a bit better, but its not a major complaint. Those who expect to find the Ole Store as it was last time might be disappointed, but not because of the quality of this incarnation.
Give it a try…expecting a cafe and some really great salads and desserts…you will likely come back for a second meal too!