To be fair to Ms. Heller--admittedly difficult, given her kneejerk Pawlenty remark--it sounds as if city inspections was a precipitating factor in the "downgrade" of Molly Quinn's menu and perhaps subsequent loss of business, which, coupled with the imminent razing of the building, hastened its demise. Thus, both city policy and the "free market" have a hand in this. During his campaign, Mayor Rybak made a big issue out of making the city bureaucracy more business-friendly; specifically in finding ways to reach common-sense solutions that prevent the razing or boarding up of property. Most of the time, he was referring to housing, but on occasion extended his remarks to include businesses. It would be interesting to hear how well those proposed reforms have been implemented, and whether in fact city officials have taken a more conciliatory view of its relationship with property owners. Anecdotal evidence from the list would indicate that this hasn't happened. Britt Robson Lyndale ----- Original Message ----- From: "Garwood, Robin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2003 11:06 AM Subject: RE: [Mpls] Another wonderful business is leaving Minneapolis
My understanding of Molly Quinn's situation is much the same as Jim Mork's, with one slight difference. Here's the story I heard (from a friend and Molly Quinn's employee): Molly Quinn's was forced/decided not to continue renting on the same piece of land. They had planned to remain a bar and restaurant until they closed in October. A city inspector stopped by and decided that their venting system (I think) was not in compliance. According to my friend, the venting system was relatively new. Molly Quinn's owner decided not to sink more money into a building that was to be razed and opted instead to take all food requiring frying off the menu. This may explain any "downgrade" in the quality of the food of late. Eric's right, however: Molly Quinn's is a victim of the free enterprise system (which Victoria favors) not city government (which Victoria... does not favor). I've heard they're trying to find a place to reopen in Minneapolis. I've also heard the owner has given up on the whole enterprise. I'm not sure which is true - we'll have to see. For the record, I was a big fan of Molly Quinn's. Not many bar/restaurants in this town serve a good vegan burger, complete with guacamole and saut�ed onions and mushrooms. They'll be missed. Robin Garwood SE Como REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
