Uptown Business News – 10/31/11

Timberland will open in Calhoun Square, 3001 Hennepin Avenue, on Friday, November 18 at 10:00am. The store will be its first Minneapolis location. According to their press release, Timberland’s vice president John Pazzani said that its Minneapolis store is a “natural fit” because it is a city where “locals are encouraged to explore the outdoors, even in the frigid, winter months.” The new store will have footwear and apparel.

The 2,000 square foot space features sustainable building materials like reclaimed wood and industrial machinery, recycled stoneware tiles, FSC certified woods, reduced wattage lights, Energy Star-eligible equipment, and low VOC paints.

Brass Knuckles Tattoo Studio opened at 2817 Hennepin. The shop is an artist-run studio and associated with Elements of Creativity, a tattoo studio at 38th and Nicollet. Prior to Brass Knuckles, the space was home to Dean Gallery.

The Annual Lake Street Council fundraiser is coming November 17, 2011 from 5:30 to 8:00 PM at El Nuevo Rodeo at 3033 27th Avenue S. The fundraiser features sampling of fine wines, local brews, authentic Mexican food, and a silent auction of items mostly from Lake Street businesses. Tickets can be bought ahead of time at http://lake-street-fundraiser-2011.eventbrite.com/. Funds go towards Lake Street Council operations and projects, which benefit Uptown and other communities along the street.

Something is happening at the Uptown Theater. Leasing signs with Swervo (Ned Abdul) went into the long-time vacant corner retail space. A long time ago (5 to 10 years), the Uptown Theater said they were going to expand their lobby into the space that had most recently been a tobacco shop. The leasing signs say the space could be retail or restaurant. Abdul renovated the Schlampp’s Fur Building back in the 1990s, which at the time housed Cheapo. The building today houses Fusion, Drink, an iBeach Tan.

Speaking of Fusion, they’re renovating again. Signs on their door indicate that they are remodeling and will reopen soon. The space’s exterior signage all came off, so it’s unclear if the redesign will also result in a new name or logo. (EDIT 11/1/11: placards on street signs and such indicate that the new Fusion is Social House. The sign says “all night, done right”. Their website says it’s the place “to see and been seen” and that it will be a four-star dining experience.)

CB2, the Crate & Barrel store that is more loft and less price, will open this fall at the corner of 31st Street and Hennepin at 3045 Hennepin Avenue. The company at one point considered pushing back the opening until spring but have decided a fall opening is still possible. No indication yet as when that will be, but late November or early December is the OurUptown.com guess. They’re hiring at http://www.cb2.com/Careers/Job-Description.aspx?jid=11394&jt=2&stid=190.

Uptown Drink LLC, the operators of Drink on Lagoon Avenue, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection according to the Star Tribune. Not sure what impact that will have, given that it’s protection against creditors and Drink changed its name (sort of) to Uptown Tavern and Rooftop. Assuming it’s the same operator.

The owner of Atmosfere, the clothing store at Lake & Hennepin, is opening a boutique in the previous GameStop space at 1408 W Lake Street. The store will be there for the holiday season and may stay longer. It is unclear which concept he will open, but last year he opened a temporary store called Suit Up next to Great Clips on Lake Street.

Mesa Pizza, the quirky slice pizzeria from Dinkytown, opened at 1440 W Lake Street. The restaurant, however, did not get City approval for extended hours on the weekend (from 2am to 3am). The reason, it seems, is that given that there is still research going on regarding the noise concerns from bars in Uptown, the City felt it unreasonable to grant an extended license at this time. It sounds like they are to come back in a year to request it. There were also some concerns, apparently, about lines extending out the door for slices after bar close. A sign at Mesa Pizza indicated that patrons contact Council Member Meg Tuthill if they wanted extended hours. (Disclosure, I work for the property management company for the building, however the above info is just what I’ve seen through public sources.)

Don’t get your hopes up yet for the Suburban World Theater. Word is that the sign that says its being renovated isn’t an indicator that anything exciting is happening. Sounds like it’s just necessary building repairs. Hopefully someone will soon do something with the theater, as it’s been quiet for the last year or so. Personally, I’d love to see a concert venue like the Varsity Theater in Dinkytown.

Roam, the home furnishings store that moved from Glenwood Avenue, opened a week ago (or so) in the former Booksmart space at Lake & Hennepin. The store features two floors of furniture, housewares, and other assorted items. All very modern.

Roam opened at Hennepin & Lake in Uptown Minneapolis in October