Northfield Downtown Development Corporation

Don’t let the cold get you down.  There’s an impressive number of events this weekend guaranteed to warm your spirits.  So pull on your boots, wrap on your scarf,  slip on your hat, and come on down(town) for some hot times during these cool nights.

Starting things off on Friday is my personal favorite, Occasional Jazz, 5 to 8 p.m., at The Contented Cow. Then it’s ArtOrg hosting an Exhibit Opening, “Vermillion Editions“, 6 p.m., Moving Walls Gallery, The Arts for Martin, a tribute to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, 7 p.m., ARTech Charter School, the Northfield Arts Guild hosting “Sex with Seven Men“, 8 p.m., Arts Guild Theater, New Moon Trio (Justin London on guitar, Lance Heisler on drums and yours truly on bass), 8 to 11 p.m., The Contented Cow, distinguished mezzo soprano Emily Lodine performing a recital of favorites, 8 to 9:30 p.m., Carleton College Concert Hall, Jack Knife and the Sharps, 8 p.m., The Grand Event Center, Karaoke, 9 p.m., The Rueb-N-Stein, and the Norwegian Cowboy, The Tavern Lounge, riverside of The Archer House.

Saturday, it’s “Sex with Seven Men“, 8 p.m., Northfield Arts Guild Theater, DJ Music, 9 p.m., The Rueb-N-Stein, “Bring It Back to the ’80s” (with or without the Big Hair), 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Fieldhouse, Carol Lynn at The Contented Cow, and local guitar hero Jon Manners at The Tavern Lounge.

Finally on Sunday, it’s Quiz Night, 4 p.m., Politics and a Pint, 6 p.m., and Northern Roots Session, 7:30 p.m., all at The Contented Cow.

The Northfield Downtown Development Corporation (NDDC) along with its economic development partners — the Economic Development Authority, the Northfield Enterprise Center, and the Chamber of Commerce – will seek community input on proposed Action Steps for Infill and Redevelopment at a special open house scheduled for Wednesday, January 14, from 4 to 6 p.m., at the historic Grand Event Center, located at 316 Washington Street, in downtown Northfield. Everyone interested in supporting infill and redevelopment efforts in Northfield is encouraged to attend.

In late 2008, the NDDC initiated a series of work sessions that included members of the Economic Development Authority, the Northfield Planning Commission, the Chamber of Commerce, the Northfield Enterprise Center, and local building owners and developers. Their broad goals included filling empty or enhancing underutilized spaces, retaining growing businesses, supporting redevelopment projects, and attracting new businesses.

At the work sessions, the participants evaluated the challenges to and opportunities for the Northfield market, listed the barriers to and assets in potential in-fill and redevelopment projects, and generated proposed action steps for moving forward. For the January 14 session, the organizations seek to raise awareness of the current situation and generate feedback on and support for future actions steps.

The goal of the open house is a matrix of action steps, responsible parties, and due dates. The ultimate outcome will be a community working from the same page, toward the same goals.

For more information, contact Executive Director Ross Currier at (507) 663-0319 or rcurrier@nddc.org.

However Honey, there’s still a lot going on…

…in Downtown Northfield.

Thursday, January 8th, ArtOnWater Gallery is having an Open House…all afternoon, evening and into the night. Check out the new “studio gallery” concept, enjoy the ever-changing show of functional ceramics, and experience an extended version of their popular ChARTdonnay Thursday, from 2 to 9 p.m, 217 South Water Street. At 7 p.m., just over the Cannon River across the pedestrian bridge, is the Northfield Arts Guild’s gallery Opening Reception for the Fred Sommers show, 7 p.m., 304 Division Street. There’s Karaoke at Froggy Bottoms, 305 South Water Street and Mark Mraz is at the Tavern Lounge, riverside of the Historic Archer House Hotel, 212 Division Street.

Friday, January 9th, there’s an Opening Reception for the Modernizing Melodrama show, Carleton College Art Gallery, 7 p.m. on the Carleton campus. There’s Karaoke at the Rueb-N-Stein, 503 Division Street, Chris Herringes at the Tavern Lounge, and the Roger Anderson Trio at The Contented Cow, 302B Division Street.

Saturday, January 10th, it’s the Killer Hayseeds, the Grand Event Center, 316 Washington Street, 8:30 p.m., Karaoke, 9 p.m. at the Fieldhouse, 620 South Water Street (in River Park Mall), Last Known Whereabouts at The Contented Cow, and Matt Arthur and the Bratlanders at the Tavern Lounge.

Sunday, January 11th, there’s the usual line-up of Politics and a Pint, Northern Roots Session, and Quiz Night at The Cow.

So Baaaby, let’s head down(town) and check out some Art, Culture and Entertainment. It’s a great way to warm up the weekend.

A dozen or so people choose fresh cookies at the Archer House over Butter Burgers at Culver’s opening early Tuesday morning and offered the NDDC Board of Directors feedback on the Work Plan for 2009. Their thoughts were much appreciated and a number of the suggestions initiated immediate actions.

With the current economic situation much on many minds, short-term plans, even in the first quarter of the year, were widely supported. Any potential boost in the traditionally quiet months of January and February was enthusiastically encouraged.

Obtaining more precise, documented, and usable data on Northfield’s “market”, including the markets for the downtown district, Northfield’s retailers, available spaces, and cultural tourism, was discussed. Getter a bigger bang for our “marketing buck” was clearly proclaimed as a top priority.

Action steps that didn’t require a substantial financial cost were also raised. Removing obstacles to business expansions was identified by several participants as a potential key to greater economic vitality.

Continuing collaborations for increased leverage of scarce resources seemed to be almost a mantra for the group. Current collaborations were praised and potential collaborations were considered.

One potential collaboration that was pursued during the meeting was promoting Northfield’s assets and offerings to the college’s alumni. Several potential vehicles were identified and necessary connections were put into place during the course of the discussion.

The conversation did not end with the meeting’s conclusion. The ideas continue to show up in my e-mail box.

Thanks to all who attended and continue to participate!

The Northfield Downtown Development Corporation (NDDC) is pleased to welcome Jeff Hasse and Julie Bixby to its Board of Directors.

A native of Northfield, Hasse owns and operates three businesses in Northfield: the CountryInn, the AmericaInn and Oil Can Henry’s. He has previously served on Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and currently serves on the board of the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Hasse is also an active supporter of the Northfield Hockey Association.

Bixby’s parents owned a business in downtown Northfield during the 1980s and she currently manages The Contented Cow Pub and Chapati Indian Restaurant. Bixby has assisted with the planning and execution of the Taste of Northfield event since its inception, and served on the NDDC’s Marketing & Events Committee for a number of years.

Hasse and Bixby replace former NDDC board members Dan Bergeson, who was required to rotate off the board after serving two consecutive three-year terms, and Mary Rossing, who resigned to serve as Mayor of Northfield.

Hasse and Bixby join Mark Quinnell and Jessica Paxton (pictured here hard at work), who joined the NDDC Board of Directors in the fall of 2008, in order to complete the terms of Roger Kelm and Renee Huckle Mittelstaedt who both left Northfield to pursue professional opportunities.

A graduate of Northfield High School, Quinnell has been the State Farm Insurance agent in Northfield for over twenty years. He is an active member and past president of the Northfield Rotary Club, a member of the Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce, a former board member of the Northfield United Way, and served as a task force member for two Northfield Public School projects. He has coached for the Northfield Youth Association baseball and basketball programs for many years and is an active volunteer at Emmaus Church.

Paxton attended St. Olaf College in the 1980s and currently works in media relations at Carleton College. She has coordinated fund-raising efforts for various community organizations, including the Northfield Historical Society and the Northfield Arts Guild, in addition to co-producing ArtSwirl and serving on the NDDC’s Marketing & Events and Publicity & Communications Committees. Paxton is a member of WINGS (Women in Northfield Giving Support) and the Northfield Arts Guild board of directors.

These four dynamic individuals join the NDDC’s existing team: Anastasia Balfany (freelance designer and former downtown business/building owner), Dave Shumway (First National Bank), Greg Kneser (St. Olaf College), Joe Grundhoefer (J. Grundy’s Rueb-N-Stein), Keith Covey (former Mayor and Carleton College director of facilities), Leanne Stremcha (visual artist and downtown building owner), Rob Schanilec (By All Means Graphics), and Robert Bierman (Bierman’s Home Furnishings & Floors).

The NDDC Board looks forward to a year of exciting initiatives, successful collaborations, and productive accomplishments.