The neighborhood
Introducing My Wonderful Neighborhood
I absolutely love this neighborhood. It's incredibly diverse—young and old, rich and poor, with people of all different backgrounds. It's also very pedestrian-friendly, with parks, churches, stores, homes, and libraries.
Clockwise from the upper left:
St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church is just to the south of our shop, and we share an alley. This massive brick building has had several additions over the years. It's one of only three Reconciled in Christ (RIC) Lutheran congregations in Southern Minnesota, welcoming everyone regardless of sexual orientation. Way cool.
Directly across the street is Christ Episcopal Church, one of the oldest churches in Red Wing (150 years!) and also one of the most active. I've come to know several members and am very impressed with their activism and community involvement. Again, another open-minded congregation. Honk when you see Lottie tending the lawn.
The Sheldon Theatre is just on the other side of the Episcopal lawn. The Sheldon is the jewel of Red Wing—a city-owned live theater built in 1904. Our building was originally located where the Sheldon stands now and was moved to accommodate its construction (it was Charlie Wah's Chinese laundry at the time...more about that in a future post). The Sheldon is a vital part of Red Wing's cultural core.
Across from the Sheldon is the Red Wing Public Library (kitty-corner from us). This place is buzzing with activity. While Red Wing old-timers long for the old Red Wing Carnegie-Lawther Free Library, which was a grand marble pillar building of only 3,500 square feet, the current library, built in 1969, is over 27,000 square feet. Its architecture—horizontal limestone with a copper top weathered to a beautiful patina—is very 1969 but perhaps not as beloved as it deserves to be because of the building it replaced.
Right next door to us is a commercial building with rental apartments above (our building is on the extreme left in the photo). Dirk Griffin runs an insurance agency on the corner and is also into the saltwater fish business. Chris's Cuts is a single-chair barbershop offering $14 haircuts. Chris has a very loyal clientele with people flowing in and out all day long. Kent Laugen, an attorney focusing on family law, is next to Chris.
Finally, I need to acknowledge the neighbors directly above us—the squirrels who live in the black walnut tree towering over our shop. They were here before us and make sure I know it. They enjoy dropping things on my head when I'm outside the shop and then taunting me.
