Like the Ren Box and Northern Warehouse Co-op, neighborhood institutions like this are key to downtown's future. While there is still a good distance to go, piece by piece, new community-oriented stores like this have really added to downtown in the last couple years. If we're smart about pursuing a vision for downtown amenities together, the trend will only continue...
Bob Spaulding Downtown Resident
On Dec 16, 2004, at 9:42 AM, GERARD MC*INERNEY wrote:
I agree that we should our best to keep the Ren Box alive and well.
Just an addition to Bob's listing of businesses. Jerry Blakey and I recently opened Lowertown Wine and Spirits on 4th St. between Wall and Wacouta, we are open 10-8pm M-th and 10-10pm Friday and Sat. We stay open for the residents of downtown St. Paul and the shop has become somewhat of a gathering point for residents at out numerous wine tastings. We also have art from the local resident artists on our walls, have sponsored the recent 11th hour Arts Happening and are becoming more involved in the downtown community. The biggest complaint I hear is the lack of a quality grocery that is open past 7pm.
Pardon the shameless plug but: Bonny Doon Wine Tasting Friday, December 17th 5-7pm Lowertown Wine and Spirits 262 E. 4th St Free Parking across the street next to the Jax Building
Big House Red
Bonny Doon describes this as an "unrepentant, recidivist cuvee.not a wine one would serve to the Queen, rather a perfect accompaniment to barbecued ribs, pizza, and other rustic cusine.so good it's almost criminal."
Big House White
A white inspired by the great white blends of Friuli. Based on juicy Pinot Grigio and similar white grapes with a dollop of aromatic and a bigger dollop of crisp herbal varieties.
Pacific Rim Riesling
Consistently one of the best-value Californian white wines. It is particularly suited to match wine-challenging Asian flavors: ginger, garlic, chili, soy, fish sauce, sweet/sour. Pacific Rim Riesling is nearly dry, but has a floral quality that appeals even to people who say they do not like dry wine.
Le Pousseur Syrah (The Pusher)
Bonny Doon has been trafficking in Syrah for some time. In this 2002 version of Syrah, the feminine elements of flowers, and fennel are in perfect balance with the masculine elements of smoked meat and black pepper. Try a little taste and you may become hooked.
Regards, Gerry McInerney Lowertown Wine and Spirits 651-222-3661 and Battle Creek ----- Original Message ----- From: Bob Spaulding<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2004 3:26 PM Subject: [StPaul] RenBox Anchors Rapidly Evolving Neighborhood
While we've added a ton of downtown residents recently, we still have a
long way to go in creating community and the amenities that help foster
community. So many people who move downtown are often looking for just
the kind of creative, community-oriented spaces that the Renaissance
Box so clearly represents. People move downtown seeking, and to some
degree expecting, a level of interaction and engagement you can't find
most places.
The Renaissance Box is a prime example -- probably THE prime example --
of a space that helps building community downtown. The coffeeshop,
theater, Sibley Bike Depot, lounge club, small office and writer's
area, small shops, and terrific office tenants all make for a truly
unique space. This is the kind of space that pushes people together to
create something new, something better together. As Chair of the
downtown district council's Residents Committee, I hear these concerns
time and again. Attractive housing at reasonable prices lures people
downtown, but what is going to KEEP people coming and staying downtown?
What will sustain the housing boom?
Somewhere, deep in the Renaissance Box is one of the keys to downtown's
future. Look at all of the planning that has gone into downtown's
future over the last few years. The Downtown Development Strategy
(2003), framed its recommendations on the central idea that downtown
should be, "a place where ideas, technology and creative talents can
interact," part of a "creative winter city". It seems no building
better embodies the concept than the Renaissance Box, and only a couple
match it.
So much of downtown consists of private spaces which keep people from
lingering, getting together, coming up with something new. Most
downtown buildings, shops, and much of the skyway, lock at about 5:30.
Most nights, even our Library isn't open. There is only one other
building with anywhere near as much potential in bringing people
together downtown in a public space. The Northern Warehouse Artist
Co-op houses a number of similarly diverse and creative spaces -
artists, the Black Dog, a Gallery, and a Japanese restaurant. Even
though it is similarly in a corner of Lowertown and downtown, it serves
as THE hub for the Lowertown Community. When the neighborhood
surrounding the Renaissance Box is complete, it will serve a similar
function for the Wacouta Commons neighborhood downtown -- right now
buildings across the street in two directions are under construction,
and there are plans in the works and spaces for many, many more.
I believe we should do all we can to give this building a chance to
realize its potential - I for one have been thinking about what I could
do. I hope City leaders and others roll up their sleeves, and work
together creatively to ensure the economics of this building work.
Once the housing construction subsides, and the dust settles, I can
only hope that the Renaissance Box will still be there to serve as an
anchor and welcome mat for our newest downtown neighbors. It will be a
great loss of time and talent should we allow the creative enterprise
to become just another mainly closed building before the neighbors even
move in.
Bob Spaulding Downtown Resident
Speaking for Myself
Visit them: www.renbox.com<http://www.renbox.com/>
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