Northfield Downtown Development Corporation

As many of you know, I have a great fondness, some might say obsession, for artistic business signs, or, as I call them, sculptural signs. Therefore, I celebrate each new example of this art form that is installed in downtown.

This morning I noticed a new one. It’s for Monarch, at 405 Division Street. I think it’s really beautiful and, at the very least, quite colorful.

Not only is the main sign over the store sculptural, with a three-dimensional butterfly, but there’s another addition to our commercial streetscape. They’ve included a smaller sign that hangs perpendicular to the building that you’ll notice in the lower left of the photograph. I really love this type of sign; in my mind, they signal economic vitality from a block away.

So come on down(town) and check out Monarch’s new sign. Maybe stop on in and thank them for adding to the aesthetic appeal of our authentic shopping district.

Grateful customers, friends, neighbors, and citizens will gather in the Lansing Hardware parking lot to help Lee and David lock their doors for the last time. There will be grilling, greeting, jokes and music, as well as a brief ceremony this Wednesday evening, April 30, from 6:00 to 9:00 pm, to celebrate their years of good service to Northfielders.

Lansing opened in their first downtown location in 1974. After a couple of moves, they ended up in their present location, renovating the building in 1982, and creating an attractive, long-time anchor to the southern end of downtown Northfield.

Lee talked about adapting to the economic changes over the years, selling shotguns and appliances when they first opened and eventually settling into hardware and garden supplies. At their peak, they employed 30 to 35 people and served about 200,000 customers per year. At least one of their employees has been with them for over thirty years.

David spoke fondly of their connection to youth, both through employment and supporting activities and events in the community. Over the years he figures that about 650 local youth have worked at Lansing, usually for two or three years, and, in a few cases, more than one generation of a family.

So come on down(town) and help Lee and David close down the hardware store one last time. See your friends and neighbors, have a bite to eat, a little fun, and recognize the Lansing Family’s many contributions to the community.

This Thursday, May 1st, students from both St. Olaf and Carleton Colleges will be coming downtown.

It’s the annual Spring Walk, a recognition that the end of the school year is quickly approaching.

The students will be taking in the sights and enjoying the offerings of downtown businesses from 5 to 11 pm.

So roll out some extra pizzas.

After a hundred and fifty years, Northfield’s downtown finally has a mascot! She’s black and white and furry all over with a red and gold NDDC brand on her backside. This cute and lovable cow will make guest appearances in the Northfield area over the next months to promote downtown businesses and encourage visitors to check out the great restaurants and shops that Northfield has to offer. She will represent the downtown to St. Olaf and Carleton alumni, parents and students, visitors to many sporting events, and perhaps even be in a few parades.

But this “cow-cierge” needs a name. We are asking the citizens of Northfield to help give her a clever name. The contest will run through April 1st with the winning entry receiving a swell prize package. Entries can be brought in to Present Perfect at 419 Division Street or emailed to info@nddc.org

The inaugural appearance of the (as of now un-named) cow was at the St. Patrick’s Parade today (Saturday, March 15th) where she was greeting people, handing out “name the cow” ballots, and tossing Milky Way candy bars. So get creative and help us name the Downtown Cow.

My buddy Joe Hargis tipped me off to this story.

The Carleton College student web magazine (SHOUT), is featuring some photos of one of my favorite subjects through the lens of one the downtown-loving students, Ana Lagunez (class of ’08). There are some really cool shots of some familiar sights. The shot to the left is the “former” sign on Willie’s Shoe Service.

Thanks to Joe for the hot tip and Ana for the fun photos.