Northfield Downtown Development Corporation

…that would be Echo Used DVDs and Games, the new store at 409 Division Street.

Pictured are Scott and Kerri Houfer, the husband and wife team that own and operate the business. When scouting for a new location for Echo, they participated in the Retail Support Strategies kick-off session at the Grand, to get a sense of the place.

They said that they were really impressed with the progressive and proactive attitudes of Northfield’s business community. It was something that they didn’t find in their previous location. Apparently that experience sealed the deal.

They are very happy with their move so far. Even though they haven’t yet done any advertising, they are really pleased with the considerable foot traffic and the amount of business they’ve picked up from the sidewalk.

They have a really great selection of used DVDs, from classic to contemporary, and games, which I’m thirty years too old to figure out. Stop on in and take a good look and welcome Scott and Kerri to Northfield.

As I noted recently, Jim Bohnhoff was working on a sign for The Sketchy Artist (located at 300 Division Street). As you can see in the picture, the sign is installed and, if all goes as planned, the store opens today (Thursday, January 17th).

I have long been a big fan of Jim’s sculptural signs. His signs have helped give a distinctive look to our unique shopping district. However, I hadn’t been keeping count.

In an e-mail that I received from Jim the other day, he mentioned that the Sketchy Artist sign is the 34th that he has installed in Downtown Northfield over the past 30 years. In fact, his resume includes The Rare Pair, Forget-Me-Not Florist, Kids on Division, Goodbye Blue Monday, the Northfield News, River City Books, Anna’s Closet, Fine Groove Records, Just Food Co-op, Hogan Brothers Acoustic Cafe, The Contented Cow, Monkey See, Monkey Read, Sisters Ugly, and Biermans Home Furniture.

It’s an impressive list of not only way cool signs but way cool businesses. So come on down(town) and check out Jim’s latest sign and say hello to April Ripka, the owner of The Sketchy Artist.

Mary Rossing has accepted the position as President of the NDDC Board of Directors. After a couple of meetings and discussions with Dan Bergeson and Joe Grundhoefer, it truly became official when she attended her first Executive Committee meeting this morning.

Mary, pictured here with Secretary Keith Covey, Treasurer Dave Shumway, Past President Dan Bergeson, and Vice President Joe Grundhoefer, is a long-time downtown business owner. She has operated a studio or shop in downtown for ten years, and is now owner of the Present Perfect property and business.

Not satisfied with a mere day job, Mary is very active in the community. She has served on a number of boards and committees, is very active in Northfield’s cultural and social swirl and, with her spare time, is an artist. Those of us who know her recognize that the party, or event, or meeting, doesn’t really start until Mary arrives.

We are delighted that she has taken on the responsibility of serving as our President. We look forward to her leadership, guided by her intelligence, shaped by her creativity, and powered by her energy.

The Northfield Economic Development Authority (EDA) voted at their January 10^th meeting to increase their financial support of the Northfield Downtown Development Corporation (NDDC) in 2008. The EDA funding will be an essential part of the NDDC’s success in achieving our shared priorities for economic development in Northfield this year.

The EDA provided the original start-up funding for the NDDC back in 2000, with a two-year grant. From 2002 to 2004, the NDDC relied solely on private fund-raising for their operations. Starting in 2005, the EDA resumed an annual consideration of funding and the NDDC secured additional grants, identified additional income sources, and continued to increase the success of the annual partnership campaign.

The NDDC, along with the Chamber of Commerce and the Northfield Enterprise Center (NEC), considers itself to be a partner with the EDA in economic development in Northfield. Late last year, the four groups started meeting on a monthly basis in order to better collaborate on a wider range of initiatives.

The EDA’s funding of the NDDC was the largest in the organization’s history, matching for the first time the amount raised by the NDDC in the private sector. The EDA also provided funding to the NEC, a recently formed Rice County SBDC, the Southern Minnesota Initiative Fund, and Dakota Futures. The Chamber of Commerce and the EDA are currently considering an expanded marketing and promotional effort that would potentially receive EDA funding.

The NDDC wishes to thank the EDA for its continuing financial support and the confidence that this shows in the work of the organization. We’re excited by the knowledge that we’ll be a more effective economic development partner because of it.

It’s a big weekend of cultural events in our little art town along the Cannon River. Although the weather outside might be cold and gray, inside things are warm and colorful.

One event that I always enjoy is the Occasional Jazz Band at the Contented Cow on Friday, January 11, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. They’ll be a trio with Park Pernecky on keyboard, Hannah Breckbill on bass, and Steve Kelly on sax. Also of great interest to me is the amazing Meredith Fierke, appearing with The Norwegian Cowboy at Hogan Brothers, Friday from 7 to 9 pm.

Saturday, January 12, I’ve noticed that the Sprucetop Review is performing at the Contented Cow from 7 to 10 pm. John Manners is at the Tavern Lounge and the Killer Hayseeds are playing at the Grand Event Center, although I don’t have the times for either event.

There are the on-going shows, including Hyun Su Yu at Grezzo Gallery, Lynette Yencho at ArtOnWater Gallery, and Pamela Carberry at the Arts Guild Gallery. Finally, two nights only, there is the much discussed Sex with Seven Women, 8 pm both Friday and Saturday night at the Arts Guild Theater.

These are just the things of which I’m aware. I’m sure I’ve missed some great options and am probably lacking a few important details, so feel free to add information, provide details and shamelessly promote…

…Downtown Northfield.