Is it just because I haven't worked in a month or did a year's worth of changes hit the Twin Cities this week? It's old news, but that damn wiener store on Lake and Hennepin finally closed. I have no idea what's moving in. I'd call the empty space for a good American Apparel location since we still don't have one here, but this is the Twin Cities: we'll probably end up with a Dress Barn.
Auriga closed. It did pretty well considering nobody even knew it was there. What the city planners started in the 60's (inaccessibility for both pedestrians and cars) the restaurant finished by making it look like the windows were boarded up and having the curb appeal of one of those new CVS drugstores that are supposed to look like a normal building, but have no windows or doors on the sidewalk because they're facing the parking lot out back.
The Target in Edina disappeared. It didn't take long at all, of course an average Target store building is a small step above a pole barn. I bet they build a new one.
Now they just need to do something about Big K in the way. Also, the new library is hideous. I want the Guthrie back.
Comments (16)
Don't fret Ryan, the Edina Target will reopen next October as a Super Target.
Posted by Chris D. | February 7, 2007 2:29 AM
Posted on February 7, 2007 02:29
How long is it going to take before all the Targets become SuperTargets? Are they going to have to change all the names back to Target? What's with Target Greatland, anyway?
Posted by ryan | February 7, 2007 9:14 AM
Posted on February 7, 2007 09:14
I like Target but, yeah I don't know what their deal is.
I don't think they make Target "Greatland" stores anymore or at least they are phasing them out for SuperTargets.
Who knows? Who cares!
Posted by Chris D. | February 7, 2007 2:03 PM
Posted on February 7, 2007 14:03
the target is actually getting better. they are going to do one of those new urbanist mall thingys with the target facing the street and the parking lot in back. (by street i mean a new fake pedestrian street that they are creating between France and Xerxes.
Posted by onetenchelsea | February 7, 2007 5:00 PM
Posted on February 7, 2007 17:00
ohhh. just noticed the library comment. admitedly I haven't been inside yet, but Renzo Piano is one of my favorite architects, so I'm going to bitch at you.
Posted by onetenchelsea | February 7, 2007 5:02 PM
Posted on February 7, 2007 17:02
I don't dislike Target. I just think their stores are made out of pole barns. What was the difference between Target Greatland and Target?
Wasn't the Library done by Cesar Pelli, the Wells Fargo/Gavidaii building guy? It's all flash and no substance. Plus it took them forever to build sidewalks around it. I like the new starchitect-free Seattle library one much better. I know it helps to have Bill Gates and Paul Allen, but we got ripped off.
Posted by ryan | February 7, 2007 6:34 PM
Posted on February 7, 2007 18:34
The Minneapolis library is indeed Ceasar Pelli, with an assist from the Architectural Alliance as the local firm. Haven't seen it so I won't comment. My main comment is that the Seattle Public Library was designed by the F***ing biggest starchitect in the designiverse Rem Koolhaas and his minions at OMA. It's a great building and you can't even compare the two guys. Pelli is a very corporate firm at this point and OMA is still pushing the way architects think about megaprojects. How I got to your post is a long story but I had to weigh in on this one. Also the wife and I used to frequent Auriga when we lived there and I really enjoyed my credit card statements which listed them as "Remember the Revolution" or something like that. I am sure it put us on some FBI watch list.
Posted by jsj | February 7, 2007 7:05 PM
Posted on February 7, 2007 19:05
Oh good point. I only noticed LMN Architects as the firm for the Seattle library.
I didn't say Pelli was important, just famous.
Posted by ryan | February 7, 2007 7:24 PM
Posted on February 7, 2007 19:24
yes yes you're right. I was thinking of something else. I do like Pelli's skyscrapers most of the time, but I don't think I've ever seen a lowrise.
Posted by onetenchelsea | February 8, 2007 6:31 AM
Posted on February 8, 2007 06:31
I think initially Target "Greatland" was just a big-arse Target where as "SuperTarget" is a big-arse Target with a grocery store in it.
Why do I know so much about Target?
Posted by Chris D. | February 8, 2007 10:32 AM
Posted on February 8, 2007 10:32
Yeah, now my favorite line about Uptown- Uptown sucks. There's a Gap there, for god's sake!- just doesn't work anymore. I think Uptown's in a bit of trouble. Been to Calhoun Square lately? Their plans for expansion and more condos seem to be stalled and in the meantime, everyone's bailing out.
I think Target Greatland was/is bigger than Target and smaller than SuperTarget. I think the difference between SuperTarget and Greatland is ST's groceries. Non-union, of course, just like the rest of union-hostile Target...
And I, too, dislike the library's exterior. I'm a fan of old-school brick libraries with columns/pillars, etc. I like how Portland remodeled their old library. It's really beautiful now. I think the Mpls library looks like it belongs in an Eden Prairie office park.
And finally, we can all dream about Nicollet- The Through Street, can't we?
Posted by TL | February 8, 2007 10:41 AM
Posted on February 8, 2007 10:41
Target is "union-hostile? There's another reason for me to love Target.
Posted by Chris D. | February 9, 2007 3:31 PM
Posted on February 9, 2007 15:31
Yeah, no shit!
The only union guy I've ever liked was Ryan, but only because he joined after we met. He probably thinks that just because someone works 40 or 50 hours a week, they should be able to afford food, clothes and shelter! Har har! Stupid commies!
Everyone needs to get a job like me! I sit on my ass on front of my computer all week and pull down high five-figures! Take that, stupid retail workers! You aren't even really people! You're just my playthings!
Are you hearin' me Chris D.???
Posted by Randy Stag | February 10, 2007 4:36 PM
Posted on February 10, 2007 16:36
Chris D.? Where are you? I neeeeeed some loooooove!
Posted by Randy Stag | February 12, 2007 11:14 PM
Posted on February 12, 2007 23:14
I'd reply but I'm too afraid you'll send a union goon after me to break my knee caps.
Oh, what the hell...
Obviously your sad attempt at sarcasm was directed towards me so with that said:
I don't make anywhere near "high five-figures" and one of my jobs is in retail so you totally and thoroughly have no idea what you are talking about—which should surprise no one.
Posted by Chris D. | February 13, 2007 8:37 PM
Posted on February 13, 2007 20:37
Dude, I'm not talking about what you do! My job entails sitting on my ass and making sweet dough!
I just got back from the gym, so I can't respond any more to your mystery post!
As long as we agree that unskilled workers shouldn't be able to afford food, clothing and shelter, we're cool!
All hail the Invisible Hand!!! Bow down before the Almighty Market!!!
Posted by Randy Stag | February 14, 2007 10:58 PM
Posted on February 14, 2007 22:58