We all know that small businesses are the backbone of our economy. A couple of decades ago, there was concern about big-box stores replacing small businesses. In some cases, that happened, but today even the big-box stores have left St. Paul.
I don’t recall ever having a Best Buy in St. Paul. At one point, there were a couple of Radio Shack stores.
The only big-box home store we have is Menards. There are no Lowes or HomeDepots.
There are some large grocery stores. Cub and Aldi, but we have never had a Hy-Vee.
There used to be a Kmart and a Walmart, but now there are none in St. Paul. There is no Penny’s store, and we all remember Dayton’s and Marshalls that used to be here. We had a couple of Powers stores in town and a Donaldson’s store downtown.
I don’t think we ever had a Khol’s store, but maybe we did at some point.
We never had a Joanne Fabrics, but we once had Hancock Fabrics and Minnesota Fabrics.
No Michael’s stores or Hobby Lobby’s in St. Paul, and there aren’t any of the large sporting goods stores, but there are small businesses that carry sporting goods like bikes and golf clubs. Remember “Frank’s Nursery and Crafts”; there were a few in St. Paul, and now there are none since 2004.
The last office supply store burned during the civil unrest following the brutal murder of George Floyd. I go to Eagan or order online when I need paper and toner for my business.
There was a Herberger’s in the midway area. They have been gone for a decade.
There are a couple of Target stores in St. Paul. As far as I know, they are not closing anytime soon. I stopped shopping there when they got rid of their DEI policies. My money, my choice.
These days, I do most of my shopping online and at local small businesses. Much of my clothing comes from a local thrift store. I buy my husband’s clothes at the same thrift store and through a major online retailer.
I have never been to a Costco store, and there aren’t any in St. Paul. There used to be a few shoe stores; now there is one. I have been getting my shoes online for many years. I take a smaller size and they have always been hard to find in stores.
It isn’t at all unusual for me to have to go to a few stores before I find what used to be common household items and cleaning products. There are many big box stores in nearby West St. Paul, which is why property taxes are lower there than in St. Paul.
There are many vacant storefronts in the city. There are plenty of taprooms, bars, and breweries. Many of the fast food restaurants are gone, but I have to say we have many wonderful restaurants.
The current administration in Washington isn’t what I would call small business-friendly. There are tariffs, and a portion of our labor force is being deported or is denied entry into the US. Health insurance premiums are unaffordable for small businesses and workers alike. Our health insurance system and the high cost of health care act as deterrents for entrepreneurs.
Happy Shopping.
