Left, Dr. Eric Anthony Johnson, Aeon president, with resident and new board member Linda Stage. (Aeon)
Linda Stage joins Aeon board of directors
Linda Stage, a former nurse and nursing instructor at the University of Minnesota who has experienced homelessness, has joined the board of directors at Aeon, a nonprofit builder of affordable housing.
Stage has lived in an Aeon property in Columbia Heights for ten years. Since moving into her Aeon home, she has become an experienced advocate and has testified on numerous occasions at the State Capitol in support of affordable housing and homeless services.
“Linda, through her actions, has shown the true value of having residents engaged in the work we do at Aeon,” said Dr. Eric Anthony Johnson, Aeon President and CEO.
“There are things I see from a resident’s perspective that others might not think about,” said Stage. “If I heard there were residents on the board when I was a new resident here, it would make me feel like Aeon cared about how things affected me — like I had a friend on the board.”
Handy Stop update
The Minneapolis City Council Business, Housing and Zoning Committee (BIZ) discussed the business license for Handy Stop, 700 Lowry Ave. NE, on Tuesday, Feb. 4. An administrative check found Handy Stop owner A&R Fuel had been operating 24/7 since 2007, but the company was licensed for shorter hours. Subsequently, the company applied for a license revision that would allow it to be open 24 hours a day.
Following numerous complaints about crime from neighbors, Amy Lingo, manager of Minneapolis Licensing and Consumer Services, met with the business owner, A&R Fuel, and with 2nd Precinct Inspector Nicholas Torborg to talk about 911 calls in the area. After reviewing records, Lingo said Torborg told her that calls came from the area around the gas station, but that didn’t mean the station was the cause of the criminal activity.
Licensing and Consumer Services brought the matter to the BIZ Committee again, recommending that Handy Stop be allowed to be open 24/7, but only the gas pumps and a payment window would be open from midnight to 5 a.m.
Council Member Katie Cashman, Ward 7, proposed an amendment that would require Handy Stop to hire private security during the overnight hours. First Ward Council Member Elliott Payne, who is not a member of the BIZ Committee, but sat in on the discussion, mentioned another gas station in the ward that hired overnight security guards after a homicide took place there. He said the owner of Mrs. Dessert had done the same thing during Ramadan when suspicious activity had swirled around his store.
The committee vote was tied on the amendment, and the amendment was abandoned. The original recommendation was forwarded to the City Council for consideration.
The Ferris wheel stays
Look for the Ferris wheel to turn again soon at the former Betty Danger’s site at 2501 Marshall St. NE. Joe Radaich bought the property last year. It will open this spring as Big Star Tipsy Taco, a Tex-Mex restaurant complete with mini golf course and dog patio. Keep tabs on the opening at https://www.bigstarmpls.com.
Neza Tacqueria opening soon in St. Anthony
A new Mexican restaurant is coming to 2510 Kenzie Terrace. The building that once housed Catrina’s, then La Villita, will soon be home to Neza Tacqueria. Neza Tacos has operated out of a food truck next to the Inver Grove Heights Home Depot for five years. Owner Elapa Brujo said Jan. 31 the restaurant is almost ready to open; staff was training and he was waiting for a credit card machine. He said Neza Tacos serves the type of tacos found on the streets of Mexico City, where “we are always running, so we grab some street food. We have different flavors and salsas,” he said. “We cut our own meats. Life is good.”
Look for a mid-February opening.
Bar Harmony, 1893 Historic Grain Belt granted extended hours
Cafe Harmony, 501 1st Ave. NE, received approval from the Minneapolis Business, Housing and Zoning Committee for an extension of its hours from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. With that extension comes a license to serve wine and strong beer onsite, and a name, Bar Harmony. It currently serves coffee and tea.
Entourage Events received the go ahead to extend the business hours at the 1893 Historic Grain Belt, 1215 Marshall St. NE, from
7 a.m.-midnight.
Camperoni moves to Northeast
Camperoni, a “mom-led, venture capital-backed startup” that helps parents find camps, sports and activities that match their kids’ interests, has moved from the North Loop to Twin Ignition Startup Garage, 1317 Marshall St. NE. Camperoni launched last year specifically for Twin Cities parents. This season they’re expanding to Duluth, Rochester, Denver and Boston. See camperoni.com for more info.
Bookseller to hold open house in HenCen Feb. 22
Inkwell Booksellers Company, 426 E. Hennepin Ave., will hold an open house Saturday, Feb. 22, 10 a.m.-8 p.m and Sunday, Feb. 23, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The independent bookseller and coffee shop is in the HenCen apartment building at the intersection of Hennepin and Central Avenues. 763-209-8117, info@inkwellbooksellersco.com
Fair State shuts down production facility
Last February, Fair State Brewing Cooperative declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Despite its reorganization and exit from Chapter 11, the co-op has decided to shut down its St. Paul brewing operation. It will seek co-brewing opportunities with other breweries. The taproom at 2506 Central Ave. NE will remain open, and Farina Rossa Kitchen, which recently moved in with Fair State, is unaffected by the shutdown.