On The Corner - Summer 2009

ON THE CORNER
48TH & CHICAGO

Have you ever ventured out of the neighborhood and gone to Coon Rapids, Maple Grove or Woodbury to experience the newest type of shopping center. It is the unenclosed Mega Mall. It generally features many different stores, sidewalks, tree-lined streets, and is supposed to give you the old downtown feeling, in the middle of the suburbs.

Wait a second, they are trying to create what we already have, right here on 48th and Chicago. Tree lined streets, many goods and services, and that genuine old fashioned down town feel.

What they can not duplicate is the feeling you get when you enter a family owned business. When a person, or family, owns a business they know they have to give you extraordinary service, so you come back again and again. You are their life blood and they know it. You may pay a tiny bit more for the goods, but you will experience a priceless level of service.

We have a lot of folks like this On the Corner.

Parkway Hardware- So last weekend I decide to do a bunch of yard work. I find out that I need replacement line for my lawn trimmer and sprinkler heads for my sprinkler system. I head to the mega store hoping to be in and out in a few minutes. That did not happen. It takes forever to get help, not to mention I have to walk a mile to find the lawn care department and then the person that I find does not work in that department, she sells washers and dryers. She pages help. I think 7 people actually tried to help, but could not. I bought several different versions of what I needed and then got to go return what I did not need.

This would not happen at Parkway Hardware. Chris Geiger and his able staff know where everything is, and more importantly how to help you find the right tool or piece of equipment for the job. They will tell you, or show you, how to do the job. I probably would have saved time driving the 40 miles and getting Parkways help. Expert help is hard to find, unless you go to Parkway Hardware. And like the sign on the door says; FREE ADVICE!

Sovereign Grounds- I like paying $4.95 for my morning cup of coffee as much as the next guy. But if I pay that, I’d like a little personality to go with my coffee. You’ll get that from Hakkan Sensor and his staff at Sovereign Grounds. The cup- o- joe doesn’t cost $4.95, and I like the fact they know my name and what I want. It is also a great place for a home made pastry in the morning, a lunch time sandwich, or a late afternoon snack.

Shop in the City- My wife Val buys all of the greeting cards and gifts we need. Still, there are times I get to do it, and Shop in the City has a fabulous selection of cards for all occasions, and specialty gifts for all ages. My grandkids love the array of stuff for kids, and I like the fact that there is always some one there to help me with what I need. Those warm smiles and courteous help, really make this a non chore experience for me. Like most guys I hate to shop, but it is kind of fun to go to Shop in the City.

Dick’s Metropolitan Carpet- So you want to add some flair to your home, finish the basement of the house or just update the carpeting. Once again, at the mega mall you can see acres of carpet and flooring, but is it just me, when you spend thousands of dollars on flooring, don’t you want some one who owns a home, or at least has had some experience with home remodeling to help you. I swear that the last time we bought carpeting my expert had recently asked me if I wanted fries with my order, at his previous job. You will not get any better help with this expensive task than you will get from Dick and Dorothy Pitheon, at Dick’s Metropolitan Carpet. They have been in this business, and on the corner, for 25+ years. Not only can they help you, they are like a history book of the fabulous neighborhood you live in. Every time I visit with them I learn something new. Experience and professionalism are the order of the day at Dick’s. If you have questions or concerns, no one is better suited to help you than they are. Bring in those measurements and let them get your home looking brand new!

Adrian’s Tavern- In a guy my ages dreams, you always remember your Dad’s favorite watering hole. It was a place where my dad and his friends got together, had a cocktail, solved the world’s problems and had a great bonding experience. Not too many of the chains can duplicate this feeling and atmosphere, although they try. But they do it, and do it right at Adrian’s. Jim Pratt and his wife have owned the business for 16 years! Nothing is harder than running a restaurant/ bar for that amount of time. You need good food, the right selection of wines, spirits and beers, great atmosphere, and a warm and friendly staff. They have it all at Adrian’s. We all have read about the Juicy Lucy burgers and Adrian’s makes a great one. I wish I ate slower, ‘cuz I always end with melted cheese in my beard, but it is so good, I can not pace myself. I love their fish and chips, yes they have malt vinegar on hand. My staff at the bank swears by the Lurtsie Buger! I will warn you ahead of time, they will know your name, after a few visits, so get used to feeling like Norm in the show CHEERS, because you will be greeted as you enter

Amazon Books / True Colors- I know reading a good book some times seems like it is going out of style, but I love going in to this quaint retail store. I love sitting on the deck and reading a good book on a lazy weekend, or at the end of a busy hectic day. It is so calming. Ruda and her staff are so darn nice. They either have what you want or will get it for you quickly. They have special kids reading sessions regularly scheduled, and have author visits in the shop. I for one never enjoy a book as much as I do when I have met the author. You get that special feeling of kinship when you have visited the writer. You could walk through miles of books at the mall, or you could ask Ruda and her staff to help you find what you want or make a recommendation. Either way you will leave the store with a smile, and want to come back for more.

Wells Fargo Bank- There are a ton of bigger Wells Fargo banks in the Twin Cities, but I will proudly tell you none will treat you better than the staff of Wells Fargo at 48th and Chicago. You get the security that comes with one of America’s largest banks, combined with the small town feel that you will appreciate and deserve. You see they have a manager there who thinks that first and foremost, we take care of the customers. In a respectful, courteous manner we make sure our customers know our #1 goal is to help them succeed financially. A lot of banks say this, but at your Wells Fargo on 48th & Chicago, we mean it!

Once again, I could continue to sing the virtues of the neighborhood. But instead, I would like to invite you to come to 48th and Chicago and see for yourself what we have here, something the burbs are trying to imitate, but can never duplicate.

Our Annual Fall Festival will be Saturday September 19th from 10 am - ??? We will have live entertainment, lot’s kids activities, free in store wine tasting at the new Ken and Norm’s, and we are planning a Taste of 48th, so you can do some sampling of the wonderful food that is available. Come down to the corner in August, do some shopping, meet the owners of the local businesses, introduce yourself. We are all here to help, and want to get to know you, by name.

Watch for the posters and announcements in all the merchants so you will know everything that is going on, September 19th, ON THE CORNER, at our Fall Festival.

PS; the flower pots you see in front of the businesses are our part of giving you a lovely shopping experience, and beautifying the street we are so proud of. They are courtesy of the South Chicago Avenue Business Association, SCABA, and are expertly maintained by Dorothy Pitheon.

Keith Lis

Manager

Wells Fargo 48th & Chicago

SCABA Secretary