Jessica Peterson has confirmed that the building at 409 Division in downtown Northfield, previously home to Cottage Industry, her business, has been sold. A couple from Apple Valley bought the building and plan to open a second location of their Echo Used DVD’s and Games store in the retail space.
01/12 update: Echo DVD opened this week. I stopped by to take this photo of owners Kerri Thayer and Scott Houfer.
I’m surprised there’s been no comment on the coming of ECHO; simply out of curiosity.
I met this young couple about a year ago. As I recall they had contacted me – seeing my vacancy sign at 306 Division Street. Norman Butler and I stopped in one day when we were cruising the area. I wanted him to meet these people as his space above the Cow was coming on the market. I was at a serious talking level for our Bagel Bros space with the pizza interests at that time, and had reason to believe that might work out… and in my conversation with Kerri and Scott Houfer, discovered they were really seriously interested in Northfield. Their coming from a mall in Apple Valley, and wanting to be in DT N’fld… WOW! All the right vibes. I was and continue to be really high on them… and they had done their homework… knew N’fld well and followed the blogs!!! They even came down to a early morning DT meeting last winter. Norman and I discovered their inventory and business and knew it would be a great fit for this market. Old video games and DVD games (or is CD games? Ask a techie.) not only a popular retail business – but also one that in the Twin Cities was morphing into game-room/bar activity. Lot a baby boomers reliving their youth, playing games and drinking beer legally now. Frankly, had they not been set on purchasing a building (a wise move to be sure) I would have loved having them as a co-tenant adjacent to River City Books, and I think I suggested they check out the site they now own.
I have E mailed them my congratulations on their purchase and suggested they throw open their newly acquired Division Street door for Winter Walk – knowing this town will love to greet them on that exciting occasion.
Don’t know if that’ll work out… obviously they’re still busy with the Apple Valley site – planning Christmas sales there – planning the move – and doing what ever is necessary to get the Division Street location up and running.
Echo will be great for N’fld.
WELCOME ………. welcome…… welcome (is that an echo?)
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I think it is FANTASTIC, that a regional/local family has PURCHASED a building, and made a commitment to our fine town. Most business folks would test the water by putting their big toe in to check the temperature.
Obviously, these folks have done the research, and are jumping into the pool all the way. It’s good to have them.
Full Disclosure: I have been known to play a PC or PlayStation game on occasion, and watch a DVD movie. In all of these things, there is never a need to pay full price. There is a huge secondary market on these items, and with both colleges in town… smart, very smart.
Thanks so much! Scott and I are really working hard to open as soon as we can!
Scott and I are from the Burnsville and Apple Valley area. We moved down to Athens Georgia (a college town) in 1999 to start the business (Me being a music buff & Scott being a gamer), but after a couple of years down there we got homesick. In 2001 we moved our store to Apple Valley.
We have a successful business, but we don’t feel like we are a part of the community. That’s what we like about Northfield!
I don’t think we’ll be open in time for the Winter Walk, but surely we’ll be roaming Division that evening mingling with the locals.
Echo Used DVD’s and Games store opened this week at 409 Division St. S.
I stopped by to take a photo of owners Kerri Thayer and Steve Houfer and added to the blog post. They hope to buy a house and move to Northfield soon.
congratulations and welcome to the block!
Though I am happy they are doing such a good business and are able to buy their own store. I am a little sad to see them leave Apple Valley as i would come in once or twice a month to pick up 5-6 movies. Was a great way to save some money and support a local store, rather than give my money to Target or Best Buy.
[…] FYI, Kerri and Scott Houfer opened their store last November, blogged here. […]