Award-winning Businesses

Congratulations to the following local businesses who were recently named as recipients of awards from the East Side Area Business Association (ESABA):

Top Emerging Business: Urban Organics
http://www.urbanorganics.com/
https://www.facebook.com/uo.saintpaul

Non-profit Difference Maker: Dayton's Bluff Community Council
http://www.daytonsbluff.org/

Commitment to the Community: Culver's St Paul
http://www.culvers.com/restaurants/st-paul/

Business of the Year: +Ward 6 Food & Drink
https://www.facebook.com/Ward6Eastside
http://ward6stpaul.com/

These awards were announced January 23, 2014 at the ESABA Annual Meeting. Congratulations to all, and continued success!

Coffee Grounds under New Ownership

February 1st marks the day of new ownership for a popular hangout in Falcon Heights: Coffee Grounds. New owner +Tim Cheesebrow took possession yesterday, and a fine crowd showed up bright an early.

The Coffee Grounds has come to be known as both a hangout and a music venue, thanks to the vision of the shop's founder. Tim plans to extend that vision and build upon it. Tim is executive director of MusicWorks Minnesota, a non-profit organization that boasts the following mission statement:

MusicWorks Minnesota (MWM) helps people create new, original music because making music is good for us and has the power to change lives for the better.

You can find MWM on the web at: http://musicworksmn.org/  or follow MWM on Twitter: @MusicWorksMNOrg

Local Success Story: Twin Cities Business - Rihm Kenworth

This was a nice story to read. It certainly could have turned out a different way. Many family-owned businesses face the risk of shutting down or selling out after the death of a key figure in the business. Nice to see that Rihm Kenworth worked through their challenges and have kept the family business in operation.

Twin Cities Business - Rihm Kenworth

Black Wednesday

We're a two-faced lot here in Minnesota.

On the one hand, we're ranting about the importance of family at Thanksgiving, and decrying those retailers who are opening their doors for "Black Friday" on Thursday evening.

On the other hand, many of us will be in line at those same retailers at 4:57pm on Thursday, our faces still smeared with turkey gravy and cranberry sauce.

I have it pretty easy. I'm not a retailer, I don't have a store front, and I don't have employees. I'm a "solepreneur". Not much drama for me in deciding to "close my doors" on Thanksgiving to spend time with my family.

The question I pose is this: for my business-owner colleagues who are retailers with employees, what's at stake for not participating in Black Friday/Thursday/Wednesday frenzy? Are there other headaches you are willing to accept for being open on Thursday? For example, what do you lose regarding employee loyalty and engagement, that you can't make up in added sales?

I'm curious, trying not to be judgmental. But I'm new at this, and I have questions. 

If you're a small business owner, especially a restaurant owner or retailer, I'd like to hear from you. How are you handling Black Friday, and what are you telling your employees? How will you know if your decision pays off?

Leave a comment in the comment box, and let us know your path to success on Black Friday. Thanks!