Local Businesses

Last week I had the pleasure of attending a show at the Acme Comedy Company. It's located in downtown Minneapolis on First Street, but just far enough on the outskirts to escape the hustle and bustle of downtown. But if you're looking for a quiet time then look somewhere else. The show will be filled with a constant flow of laughter from the audience matched with high spirited energy. Monday night shows are always free. Although the doors open at 7:30 pm, I was sure to get there a little over 30 minutes early to be sure to save a spot in line. The club quickly filled up before the show and I wouldn't be surprised if some people were turned away from lack of space. While waiting to get into the club I was able to grab a bite and drink from Sticks, the restaurant hosting...

Twin Cities Trapeze Center was born just a couple years back in August 2012. The Twin Cities Trapeze Center, nicknamed TC2, is an activity center for all ages (well, once you have mastered walking). It is one of a few circus inspired activity centers in the Twin Cities, just like Circus Juventas! TC2, like Urban Organics, is one of the organizations that has found home in the old Hamm’s Brewery in Saint Paul. This young company taking home in a...

Last month I had the privilege of connecting with Haley Anderson, the Director and Podcast Host over at Curious North, a fantastic Minnesota website. Her and I sat down to record a podcast together, and the results were spectacular -- see for yourself. We had a great time talking about Minnesota Connected, a little about myself, the Minnesota Wild, Zach Parise's abs, you know, the basics. ...

To keep their K-12 children busy after school and during the summer months, parents enroll their kids a myriad of activities. There are painting classes, ballet, soccer, baseball, trumpet lessons, religion classes, Girl Scouts, swimming, and so much more. Those just mentioned are conventional ideas that come to the "where should we stick our kids" table. But did you ever think let's put them in the circus? Well a number of parents did just that with Circus Juventas. Circus Juventas is located in Saint Paul's Highland neighborhood and has been around since 1994. For 20 years it stands as a performing arts school for adolescents, which can...

I had moved to the Merriam Park neighborhood for a year to live near the University of St. Thomas campus. My roommate and I frequently attended the Starbucks on the corner of Selby and Snelling, but little did I know that just across the street and a few doors down was one Saint Paul's local gem coffee shops: Cahoots Coffee Bar. Cahoots has a Middle Eastern vibe to its decor. Large textiles drape the walls, various pictures knickknacks and mosaics about the room, plants, spices, and architectural designs all help give its Moroccan feel.

...

The lifeline of Uptown is Hennepin Avenue -- this bustling road is always full of life with cars, bikers and pedestrians making their way to their respective Minneapolis destinations. Along the busy street, tucked next to Brass Knuckle Tattoo, sits Uptown Vapor Shoppe. For those Minneapolis residents who use e-cigarettes or personal vaporizers, Uptown Vapor Shoppe should be be your new destination for all your vapor needs. The person behind Uptown Vapor Shoppe is the lovely Sina War -- she is the day-to-day operator of the business supported by a partner who acts as the financial...

Do you look forward to every new episode of Antiques Roadshow? Is your TiVo set to record Mike and Frank's cross-country adventures on American Pickers? Do you love all things antique? Does the idea of digging through vintage nick-nacks give you goosebumps? Do you view garage sales as opportunities to discover rare and valuable treasures? If you answered 'Yes!' to any (or all) of these questions, the Junk Bonanza might be for you!

...

Monday was the 50th day of the 2013 - 14 winter that included subzero temps, as thermometers throughout the Twins Cities registered lows bottoming out at 10 degrees south of nil. -10 degrees on March 3rd? Ugh. Tough winter. Maybe you ought to plan a trip to the mall to escape the cold? Because while it was predictably and unfortunately frigid outside, Monday was also the 7,874th consecutive day that it's been right around 70 degrees...

A few weeks back Minnesota Connected was contacted by Ronnie Fletcher -- she is involved with a great startup in Brainerd called Monica's Care and Share, a group seeking to help the community, one member at a time. Through Ronnie, we got in contact with the founder of the organization, Monica Simons. We asked her a few questions, as she clearly is the resident expert on Monica's Care and Share. ** Minnesota Connected: Tell me a little bit about yourself. Monica: My name is Monica Simons. I am a single...