St. Paul's East Side

[Vagueperson]

I have been told that two vacant buildings on the same block of Payne Ave have been bought by the same person. These are 900 Payne Ave and 871 Payne. I was told the 900 Payne location is planned to be a cafe and ice cream shop but the other is not yet determined. 871 Payne is a large space that was proposed to be a Cricket Wireless location until it lost the variance it needed due to lack of parking. Soon a private parking lot will be built behind it that will enable the new owner to better meet zoning requirements. These two buildings are not far from the Ward 6 restaurant and the new houses being built on Wells street and hopefully will generally contribute to the revitalization of this neighborhood.

[nickmgray]

That's great news. I live about 2 miles away and we're really pleased with the recent changes to Payne. The neighborhood is still a bit sketchy at times, but that should change over time as more businesses move into the area. The two buildings that have been purchased have a lot of character. Can't wait to see how this turns out.

[twincitizen]

The business revitalization of Payne Ave, from roughly Phalen Blvd to Jenks Ave (or restaurant-wise, from Ward 6 to Tongue in Cheek) is really impressive. Hopefully those new businesses stick around and inspire others to invest in the area. It can't be too long before the housing revitalization follows. I'd expect it would mostly be in-migration from other parts of St. Paul (people that can't afford to buy in Merriam Park, etc.)

There are still some major gaps on Lower Payne Ave (East 7th up to Phalen), and it is seriously/strangely lagging behind the portion north of Phalen. The lower portion also needs some serious traffic calming / reconfiguration of skewed intersections, etc.

Given how highway-like 7th Street is at this point, the intersection of 7th and Payne really needs a pair of mixed-use buildings to remind folks that they're in an urban environment and to serve as a major gateway to Payne Ave. It is way too barren there right now.

[Vagueperson]

I believe that Cookie Cart is also going to open up on Payne Ave, and I'm assuming they're going to be in the bldg at 946 Payne.

Cell phone stores are popping up everywhere on the east side - especially Metro PCS (https://www.metropcs.com/find-store.html). Cricket Wireless is going into the old Tortilla place at Sims and Payne. Unfortunately the Golden Lion Antiques business next to Tongue in Cheek is closing and the East Side Review said the neighboring cell phone store would expand into that space.

As far as residents keeping pace with new businesses, DBNHS is building houses for infill and rehabbing old properties. I am purchasing one of the 7 new houses on Wells street and we're just relocating from a different part of Payne Phalen. Hopefully more people will share in our optimism and move in.

The area of Payne Ave in Railroad Island (7th to Phalen) has had a redesign plan and is attempting to get CIB money to make some changes: http://mn-stpaul.civicplus.com/Document ... View/64272

Here is a map of more proposed changes for the Lower Payne street design: http://www.lillienews.com/print/185747

Those brownstones that were built look nice but they seem isolated without more built up around them.

[at40man]

Not a business, but the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis is moving their headquarters to the old 3M headquarter building: http://www.startribune.com/archdiocese- ... 370690871/

[Wedgeguy]

Not a business, but the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis is moving their headquarters to the old 3M headquarter building: http://www.startribune.com/archdiocese- ... 370690871/

That should help fill some of that empty office space.

[Vagueperson]

In case you missed this: http://www.twincities.com/2016/02/25/ro ... 1456503330

"The MacQueen Equipment Co., currently at 595 Aldine St., has purchased a vacant grass-filled lot at 1125 E. Seventh St. in which it plans to build 43,000-square-foot building with 14 service bays."

"'Really, our hope is to draw from the local neighborhood and find people able to walk to work,' Steffen said."


Also, the 7th/Payne intersection will be rebuilt this summer as well as straightening out the street configuration in front of both Morelli's and Yarusso's. That doesn't mean there will be any new buildings going up. It is possible, however, that a Swede Hollow overlook will be built on the east side of Payne across from these buildings from 8-80 funds allocated to this neighborhood.

In other news, I have been proposing for months bike lanes on Payne Ave between Phalen and Hawthorne, and I think there's a strong possibility it will be recommended to go forward.

[Vagueperson]

New Coffee and Records Shop opening at 900 Payne:
http://caydencemn.com/
https://www.facebook.com/caydencemn/timeline

Dulceria Bonbon says it's "coming soon" nearby at 882 Payne.

[Wedgeguy]

Glad to see Payne Ave getting some love and retail for sure.

[Vagueperson]

Excellent new candy store across from Louie's Bar called Dulceria Bon Bon
https://www.facebook.com/Dulceriabonbon/?fref=ts
The owner expressed interest in getting a bike corral in front of his store, too!
882 Payne Ave

[MNdible]

Packs of people bicycling to a boutique candy shop on Payne Avenue.

A generation of old-time east siders are swearing under their breath.

[mattaudio]

Haven't they already moved to North Branch?

[MNdible]

Yeah, probably the day after the Payne Reliever closed.

[Vagueperson]

"Studio Payne," an Oddities Shop opening up on Payne across the street from Cook St. Paul.

http://www.bulletin-news.com/articles/2 ... ming-payne
https://www.facebook.com/events/1759920064255297/

[Vagueperson]

Louie's Bar at 883 Payne Ave is closed and the building is for lease:
http://www.twincities.com/2016/06/29/st ... ne-avenue/

The same article suggested there may be a new brewery opening at the end of this block at 871 Payne. A new parking lot was just constructed behind this building. Building still says "for lease."

I was told today that the owners of The Nook and Shamrock's closed on Schweitz Saloon at 956 Payne Ave.

The old gas station at 719 Payne has been torn down. The new owner hopes to open an African Deli but last I heard financing was not yet in order:
http://www.lillienews.com/articles/2016 ... demolished

Caydence Coffee and Records was slated to open this summer, but opening will be delayed due to building facade renovations:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BHA0M1Dsf1l ... caydencemn

The new sit-down location for East Side Pizzeria should open soon at 1048 Payne.

A local business owner told me there are negotiations with the city for a Hmong credit union to be built near 539 Payne. City apparently wants parking lot behind the building, owner wants it in front. Go St. Paul!

St. Paul Public Works supports a proposal to install bike lanes on Payne Avenue at least between Phalen Blvd and Maryland Ave. Hopefully will happen this summer. (County will vote soon on approving Edgerton bike lanes north of Maryland)

Two reconstruction projects on Lower Payne - rebuilding 7th/Payne intersection and rebuilding Payne Ave at Tedesco and Bedford. Both projects include bike lanes.

Funds from the Commercial Vitality Zone program will be used to construct a Swede Hollow overlook on Payne Avenue near Tedesco and Bedford.

[twincitizen]

http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/n ... erlys.html
Ha Tien Market is buying former Byerlys for their largest location yet.

Really good news for the... far east side (•_•) ( •_•)>⌐■-■ (⌐■_■)

[VAStationDude]

Their University location has the best banh mi in St Paul. I'm so happy their business is flourishing.

[Vagueperson]

It's just too bad it's at Suburban Ave

[Vagueperson]

Opus buying part of the Beacon Bluff site for $1m to build speculative 85,000-square-foot industrial warehouse and office building.
Corner of Wells and Phalen Blvd.
http://finance-commerce.com/2016/08/opu ... con-bluff/

[Vagueperson]

Word on the street is that Louie's Bar was purchased and will become a restaurant, but no details or confirmation.

Also word that Project in Pride for Living is considering a development at 848 Payne (between Ward 6 and Ace Hardware), but it seems too early to tell what will happen there.

The old Schweitz Saloon that was purchased by Casper and Runyon will apparently be named "Brunson's Pub": http://publicnotices.politicsinminnesot ... l=10842786