Many of our discussion threads veer off in the direction of, “What Northfield really needs is a ____________.” Now would be a particularly significant time to devote a whole post and discussion to the topic.
The Northfield Downtown Development Corporation‘s “E.R. Team” has been working on some new initiatives in the areas of business expansion and recruitment, gathering data from a report by Dahlgren Shardlow Uban in 2003 and an NDDC Input-Gathering Session held in 2006. (I hope they’re also factoring in the target industry sectors which were recommended in the 2006 TIP Strategies Economic Development Plan.)
To see if there are new suggestions, and to confirm that the existing ideas still hold water despite the economic brouhaha, I’d like to ask: “What business(es) would you like to see added to Northfield? and/or “What kind of new business(es) would thrive in Northfield?”
Thoughts and comments?
a burrito place
We need a Trader Joe’s!
p.s. We did have an awesome burrito place -- Maria’s.
Yes, another restaurant: Thai.
I would say a (non-video) game store, but I don’t see how we could support one.
Not much else missing, really.
Office supply store. While Target and the college bookstores offer some good selection, it would be nice to have one retail establishment that just specializes in them.
Bring back Bagel Brothers, or something like it.
We used to have Town and Country Office Supply, next to the Quality Bakery. Does their demise mean that Northfield can’t, in fact, support an office supply store?
I would like a place downtown where I can buy Converse All-Stars and blue jeans. A place I would call “Jacobsen’s.” Other than that, an Apple Store would be nice, or any place that deals with Macs. I hate having to go to the “genius bar” at the MOA.
I think Northfield can support a better run office supply store. Town and Country had very irregular/unreliable hours, often closing in the middle of the day, and service.
I too think Northfield could support an office supply store that also offers services like Kinko’s does.
I also think an Italian restaurant in the former Lansing hardware building would be great. I love the big windows on the front of the building.
I second Patrick’s vote for a Thai restaurant.
Another retail business I’d like to see is something that carries fabric/notions/yarn and other needlework supplies. Jacobsen’s used to supply the local quilters, and Cottage Industry was great for yarn. I’m not big on sewing or crafts, but it’s frustrating for simple mending to not have any place in town to purchase thread in any color other than black, brown, navy, or white. I’d even thought about begging Linda at Digs or even Econofoods to have a thread display stand; they don’t have a very big footprint.
I would like to see any authentic ethnic restaurant, Americanized, of course.
I would like to see a ladies’ dress store with on site tailoring. Also a nice shoe store, a cut or two above Target quality and style.
That’s it…turn Northfield into Beverly Hills, complete with Rodeo Drive.
Bright,
Rare Pair has an excellent selection of shoes.
Hey, Tracy — when’s the last time you were in digs? We’ve been selling tons-o-thread, fabric, sewing notions, yarn and knitting/felting supplies, embroidery needles/floss/patterns, craft books — you name it — for years. There’s a huge thread display stand downstairs — featuring every color of the rainbow and then some.
A Thai or a Japanese restaurant would be fabulous! And a bigger, better-scheduled farmer’s market (that included edibles as well as hand-made goods). A store that sold “gently worn” yet stylish clothes for kids would be nice, too. I’d also like to not have to drive to Burnsville or the Mall of America to buy quality shoes for kids. But overall, I really feel that there’s an amazingly diverse range of products and services offered in Northfield, especially considering the size of the town. Prior to living in Northfield I lived in Chaska and Excelsior — both communities that are often “praised” on this site — and let me tell you, Northfield offers a far better selection of necessities than either of those towns. And Tony, if you wanna great burrito, check out the “border bustin’” one at Tiny’s. Taste-a-licious!
Jessica -- Obviously it *has* been awhile since I’ve been downstairs at Digs!
I knew this thread would help suss out things people are looking for that might already be available in town. Thanks for the update.
Dear Tracy Davis,
There is a new fabric and Craft Store in town, it just opened 6 weeks ago its behind McDonalds 2 doors down from the Brick Oven.
PJ’S Fabric and Crafts
660 Professional Dr
Northfield.
507-301-3323
Thanks
Penny Roy
Besides Digs, PJ’s Fabric and Crafts opened in July behind McDonalds at 660 Professional Drive. For some reason, lately when I have done Welcome Service calls, several people have asked me about nearby quilting supplies. So now I know where to send them.
Yes, PJ’s is another wonderful addition to the community, especially since they focus more on fleece and quilting supplies. Crafters of the community shout hooray!
FYI: similar to swag, digs is spelled with a lowercase “d” — can you dig it?!?
1. Continued growth, and possible expansion of Just Food, with an expanded deli bar.
2. Chipolte in the crossing.
3. The expansion of one of the geek shops in town, with basic parts, and solid repair services of both PCs and Macintosh. (Have to go to Owatonna for Macintosh right now)
4. Sushi… somewhere, and Thai as well.
5. The farmers market moved to the new park at 5th & Water streets.
6. Any new family friendly restaurant, that does not serve the common burger/pizza menu.
7. A good men’s store, a good shoe store.
8. Not so much fast food. Quality restaurants, with good food at a fair price, with some diverse menus.
And as my final wish, a more organized, more business friendly environment in Northfield, where existing small business owners can grow and thrive. We have some great small businesses and restaurants, but I know that many struggle day to day to keep the doors open.
I would love to see a toy store in town. There used to be one in Faribault, I think it was called the Toy Chest, but I believe it’s been closed for a number of years. Possibly a toy/game store?
College City Beverage, Ryt-Way, Malt-O-Meal, and Taylor Trucking.
Sweet Pea’s Loft has some interesting toys.
John (#16) -- both less fast food and more Chipotle? You can’t have it both ways. But I’m with you on “any new family friendly restaurant.”
I vote for:
A Thai restaurant!!!!
A sushi joint
A place that sells real boardgames (strategic as well as party games -- Jerry, I’ll keep hinting on that one!)
And as long as I’m dreaming…. KITES. 4-, 2-, and 1-string kites of all sizes, shapes, colors, and designs. With a stock of sleds and snowshoes for the winter.
And a canoe/kayak rental at the refurbished kayak run replacing the dam.
PS -- The Sketchy Artist also has some fun toys.
Its extremely difficult for local restaurants to achieve long-term viability. That being said, I think that a restaurant that offers delivery (Thai would be good) and late night hours would be successful. With two colleges plus a substantial bedroom community, I’m surprised there aren’t more delivery options.
The Rare Pair carries Converse All-Stars
For Men, Women and Kids
I already blogged my request.
How about a music store?
How about a motorcycle/scooter dealership?
I have been to Rare Pair and nothing fit my long thin foot and there were no dress shoes, as I define them anyway. They do have lovely jewelry though.
Another jewelry store would be nice. Not the diamond kind, we already have that, but a large variety of fun and funky and far out stuff.
Griff,
There is a scooter dealership, just past Youngs Paint in Dundas, on the left hand side, just at the intersection with HWY 1.
I just saw it last weekend. They had 5 or 6 scooters out front.
thai, chipotle, bagels
Felicity
I carried kites all spring and summer. Look for them again in April--national kite month! Come in and look at the catalogue and tell me which ones to order!
Katie
I have toys. Tell me what you what you would like that I don’t have.
Mary
Present Perfect
A French restaurant…bistro style.
I’m going to be much less specific and just say ‘good food’.
I’m sick of driving to the gross suburbs to get some decent thai/chipotle/sushi. Actually that was kind of specific wasn’t it?
While I’m at it: I’m going to have to jump on the office supplies boat, and, being who I am, I’m also going to say that a bigger youth center would be great.
OH GRIFF (#27) Fine Groove is AMAZING. Plus, if he doesn’t have what you’re looking for (which seldom happens) he can ORDER IT!!! Plus, the records are a steal and he gets the cool music magazines from other countries that you can’t find around here all the time.
Thanks, Krin, for the heads up on Converse All-Stars at the Rare Pair.
Griff, a music store that sold and repaired instruments, and sold sheet music, would be great. Somewhere where, for instance, my sons could get guitar strings and oboe reeds and the sheet music for Joplin’s “Maple Leaf Rag.” Remember Centerfield Music? How I longed for the beautiful dobro that used to sit in the window. If only I could play dobro…
Authentic Japanese (Sushi) Restaurant (but not one of the chain hibachi ones)
Office Supply Store
Upscale Kitchen Supply Store
Bring back Maria’s!
What happened to the new sandwich shop at The Crossings?
Thanks for thinking of us Patrick, Sweet Peas’ Toys & Treats is a REAL TOY STORE we specialize in more of the Nostalgic toys from years past. We carry lots of wooden toys, games, balls, puzzles, board games, candy, soda pop, & ice cream. Come and check us out, and don’t forget about our toy testing area, where everyone can be a kid!!!
http://www.sweetpeasloft.com
How about some businesses or services for the business park?
Jerold,
I love your selection of non-plastic toys for toddlers! If we had toddlers, I’d buy (more of) them lickety split.
Does anyone know what is going up next to Sears, just north of Menard’s?
I DO know, Bright! Dan Westrum, owner of Cartridge World, is putting in a bouncy party room place to reserve for kids’ parties. Other businesses to come. Name still being decided upon. Jump & Bounce, maybe. Your suggestions on a name??? It will open this fall.
Hey Susan, it is Dan WENSTROM.
Thanks for the tip, Mary!
Bright, have you checked out the place in the Archer House?
Thanks, Jane. I did not have Dan’s business card at hand. So, would your kids have liked bouncing around on their birthdays? (Maybe they still do.) This place might have been convenient for your family. But no horses allowed on the bouncy bounces, despite their agility.
What the world needs is a place where adults can go on the bouncy bounce.
Susan, thanks for the info. I would name it “House of Bounce” or “The House of Bounces” and if I could bring my dog, I’d name it the Howse of BowWows…oops, now I have gone too far! If Don uses my suggestions, he can send the check directly to me.
What about an indoor playcenter/climber like “The Blast” in Eagan, or “Adventure Park/Edinborough Park” in Edina -- for rammy kids on snowy/rainy days?
No, Felicity, I haven’t checked out the place in Archer House for jewelry.
If any of the shop owners want me to put up a page on my blog for them, listing all the stuff they have, in general, and their pertinent info. I’ll do it
as a pay it forward gift of the heart supporter type gesture, for free.
It seems as though not enough people know what is going on in these downtown stores!
Just email me at bright@beautywood.com.
Oh, and put STORE In the subject header so I don’t delete it.