Neighborhood Businesses

Moving around

Posted on by Teresa Boardman

 In St. Paul there is more than one way to move.  This house is being moved from the 300 block of Smith Avenue between W. 7th and Grand to 29 Douglas street, a few short but tricky blocks away.

Smith House
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The house is the last one on that side of Smith Avenue and there are only two left on the other side of the street.  The houses that were there have been replaced with parking lots.  

A home was on the lot at 29 Douglas street.  It has either been demolished or will be soon.  Several condemned houses have been demolished in what is now called “little Bohemia”, the neighborhood in between west 7th and 35E.   Several were victims of absentee landlords and the housing market and maybe a little mortgage fraud here and there.   It is hard to think of a house as a victim but they were torn down even though they didn’t do anything wrong. 

Moving a house is not unheard of.  There are several in the area that have been moved including my own.  It traveled down the street and around the corner.  One of the challenges in moving a house is clearing the way so that it can get through.  

Houses are often moved at night when there is little traffic.  The city has rules about having them brought up code.  If you move a house that was built in the 1800’s a few feet it will have to be brought up to 2012 building code.  That can be an even bigger challenge than moving it. 

LRT Construction at University and Dale

Posted on by Teresa Boardman
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LRT Construction – University Ave at Dale looking East
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Dale and University – North corner – LRT Construction

I probably already have the largest collection of light rail central corridor construction photos.  I plant to keep taking and hope that there will be a use for them some day.   I will admit that it is hard to stay away.  I worked for Metro transit for almost a decade and I think that is why I have more than a passing interest in public transportation.   

There is plenty of parking behind the restaurants that make up the five block area of the Little Mekong neighborhood East of Dale.  It is a good time to dine out early and often as these eateries have the best Asian food in the twin cities. 

The shops at Unidale are open and the large parking lot can be accessed from University avenue or Aurora Avenue which runs parallel  to University and is one block South. 

A little lunch

Posted on by Teresa Boardman

 LRT construction continues to roll through town and now the Eastern end of University avenue is under construction but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t open for business.

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Last week I had a lovely lunch with a friend at one of my favorite University Avenue restaurants Little Szechuan.  Like many University avenue businesses Little Szechuan has off street parking behind the building.  There is plenty of signage and it was worth the effort to get there.   

A Neighborhood Business for 100 years

Posted on by Teresa Boardman

I remember when Cossetta’s was a small an Italian grocery store on Ryan and what is now Eagle street in St. Paul.   It is a family owned business started in about 1911.  They moved to West 7th street 25 years ago.  Both of my children had jobs there at one time or another and jobs are a good thing.  

The market is still there and I am a frequent shopper.  I go there for the bread, cheese and meat and there is also the very popular Cossetta’s restaurant where a person can buy some pasta or maybe a pizza.   They are in the middle of a major expansion but are still open and busy during construction.  There is plenty of parking in a large lot behind the building. 

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Construction

The project is in partnership with the City and  will create a one of a kind premier Midwest destination for Italian food.  The project consists of a three level structure that will connect to the existing Cossetta’s restaurant using a portion of the existing parking lot.

A new parking lot will be constructed on property owned by Cossetta’s at 212 Smith Street. (I think the parking lot is done)  The restaurant and food emporium expansion will include a bakery, meat market, take out meals and gelato.
– Estimated total development costs: $7.3 million
– Estimated total public investment: $2 million
– Estimated construction jobs: 112
– Estimated permanent jobs: 100
– Financing: Jobs Bill TIF

It is wonderful to see new construction and to see so many people working. I will be taking more photos as the construction continues. Remember to shop local and support your neighborhood businesses.  

The front door

Posted on by Teresa Boardman

 I have a rather large collection of photographs of front doors.  Some of the doors belong to houses but most belong to historic buildings and businesses.  If you have a home on the market and you would like to make a good first impression paint the door.

Red is a good color but if red is not the right color consider a fresh coat of paint or varnish or maybe a new door.   

 
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Sophie Joe’s West 7th Street St. Paul, MN