2012 Year in Review

Northfield Business: A Look at 2012's Headlines

Plenty of businesses came, went and celebrated milestones. Here's a look at what made news in 2012.

In 2012, businesses opened, businesses closed and businesses celebrated milestones. Some of Patch's best-read stories in 2012 were pieces about Carbone's Pizza, Tandem Bagels, Starbucks and CakeWalk coming to Northfield, as well as the closings of Kurry Kabab and Pan Pan Café. Changes to well-known business, like Cocoa Bean and the Northfield Athletic Club were also well read. 2012 also saw a new executive director at the Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce, a group of investors make a pitch to buy the downtown post office, and J. Grundy's Rueb 'N' Stein celebrate 30 years in business. Here's a look at some of the Northfield business headlines for the past year. OPENING CLOSINGS OTHER

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2012 Year in Review

No. 11 Story of the Year: Bagel Shop Coming to Downtown Northfield

Many Northfielders have longed for a bagel shop since Bagel Bros. shuttered several years ago. The longing is over.

As the end of the year approaches, Patch recaps the biggest stories of 2012—both in terms of pageviews and impact on the Northfield community. The following article was posted Sept. 7, 2012. You can't keep a good bagel brother down. Many Northfielders have longed for a bagel shop since Bagel Bros. shuttered several years ago. The longing is over. Tony Frentz, a former partner in Bagel Bros. before he sold his share a few years before the Division Street bagel shop closed, has scooped up space next to Goodbye Blue Monday for his new business, Tandem Bagels. Tandem Bagels is scheduled to open in February, barring any setbacks. You might not be familiar with the Tandem Bagels name as the first one opened this January in Mankato, according to …

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Fine Craft Collective Back for 2012

The Fine Craft Collective, a holiday pop-up shop, is once again offering a unique opportunity for local artists and the community to intersect.

Editor's note: Submitted by the Fine Craft Collective. The artisans of 2012 are excited for the Grand Opening of this year's Fine Craft Collective on Saturday, Nov. 24 from 4-7 p.m. The Fine Craft Collective, a holiday pop-up shop, is once again offering a unique opportunity for local artists and the community to intersect. The store is located at 506 Division St.  Not only does this show offer artisans an opportunity to show in a professional gallery space, it also allows for members of the community to meet them, learn about their work, and support the local economy. More than just the personal touch of an object made by hand, this co-operative gallery gives a personal connection between artisans and shoppers. A member of the show is …

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What Should Go Here?: Kurry Kabab

This feature asks residents how Northfield should fill its vacant spaces.

Northfield's business landscape is constantly changing—and part of that change includes vacant properties peppered throughout the community. There’s little doubt residents have their own ideas on how they'd like to see these spaces filled. In this feature, Northfield Patch asks you to imagine the future of these spaces. Do you see a new restaurant? A new store? Something no one else has considered? Share your thoughts in the comments below. In this edition, we start off with the former Kurry Kabab space. __________________ What was it? Kurry Kabab Vacant: Since October 2012 Current owner: Heritage Square LLC owns the strip mall Age of structure: 2004 History: After seven years in Northfield, Kurry Kabab chef-owner Satinder "Pappu" Singh …

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Betsy Gasior

12:43 pm on Thursday, November 15, 2012

My understanding is that Vietnamese food is less spicy and sweet (but can still be spicy), and uses much more seafood...and almost no soy sauce. For the record. There is a HUGE difference between American Chinese food and actual Chinese food. Our "Chinese" food is much sweeter, and more things are fried.   more ›

From Your Legislators

Sen. Dave Thompson on Small Business, Bonding Bill

Sen. Dave Thompson (R-District 36), who represents the Dakota County precinct of Northfield, updates you on what he's working on at the Capitol.

Follow us on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for our daily newsletter Dear Neighbors,  Please see the attached legislative update regarding the happenings at the Capitol this week. Also, take note of my in-district office hours on Thursday, April 26.  Dave   Senator Dave Thompson Senate District 36

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Northfield Businesses: Claim Your Listing on Patch for Free

Business owners are encouraged to claim listings in Patch Places to better promote their business and inform Northfield Patch readers.

When Northfield Patch launched in November 2010, editors and freelancers ventured to local businesses in order to collect information for our directory. Now, 14 months later, Patch Places is a spot where users can find descriptions, hours, accepted payment methods and much more for spots around town. All users can add events taking place at local spots, can rate the business on a scale of one to five stars, and can add a review. But owners of local businesses get extra bonuses when they claim a listing. Owners or managers should search for their business listing and select "claim your listing" in order to make updates to the page. A form will pop up asking for your name, contact information, and proof of ownership. Within a few days, …

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POLL: What Restaurant Do You Want in Northfield?

What restaurant would hit the spot for you?

Restaurants come and go. With news of 620 Grill closing, Pizza Hut and Froggy Bottoms reopening and plans for a KFC revival in Northfield, plenty of folks have commented both on Patch and our Facebook page with their thoughts. They talk about why something does or doesn't work here. They talk about what would work here. And then, most importantly, they talk about what they want here. So, here's your chance. What restaurant (a specific place or type of food) do you want in Northfield? Our poll has some of the ideas we've heard from you in the past several months, but feel free to elaborate on that list or add your own ideas in the comment section.

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Betsy Gasior

11:34 pm on Saturday, December 17, 2011

Myrna...check out Fermentations in Dundas...great wines, cozy atmosphere, great menu. James Gang Hideaway has a decent selections of wines, cheeses and desserts too.   more ›

620 Grill Closes Its Doors

When contacted by Northfield Patch last month, Butler declined rumors that his restaurant and bar, which opened in March, was struggling.

620 Grill has closed for business, according to its Facebook page. When contacted by Northfield Patch last month, proprietor Norm Butler declined rumors that his restaurant and bar, which opened in March, was struggling and heading toward shuttering. On Tuesday, Butler told the Northfield News that "it just didn't work out." Before 620 Grill occupied the space on Water Street, Butler ran Butler's Steak and Ale, which closed late last year. In June, Northfield Patch did a video feature about 620 Grill's "Bad Idea Burger." Butler also owns the Contented Cow, Chapati and Pan Pan Café.

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Betsy Gasior

8:45 pm on Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Why does this not shock me? Makes me sad that another business has gone under, but I just don't think it's a good location for a restaurant. I think the only reason the New Buffet has lasted so long is that it is different than anything else in town. No one else has a Chinese buffet. In the end, the 620 was another burger joint (even though they were good) in a town full of burger joints. I think…   more ›

Just Food Co-op Turns 7 Years Old

The Board of Directors will serve cake from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, at the front of the store in celebration of the anniversary.

December 15 is a special day for Just Food Co-op and its 2,200 owner households. It marks seven years since the cooperatively owned store first opened its doors in 2004. “We are thrilled to be celebrating seven years of business,” said Marketing and Member Services Manager Joey Robison. “We are so grateful for the support of the community, the hard work of our staff, and the investment of our thousands of owners that got us here.” The Board of Directors will serve cake from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, at the front of the store in celebration of the anniversary. Just Food: Northfield Community Co-op rung up its first customer after two and a half years of planning and organizing by an amazing group of volunteers. As a cooperative, Just Food…

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