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.
Snow in July?
Interestingly, July is the only month in Minnesota to never have recorded snow. The earliest recorded snowfall in Minnesota was on August 31, 1949, in Duluth, and the latest was on June 4, 1935, in Mizpath, MN—which is interestingly named after the Hebrew word for watchtower.
The photo on the left was taken on March 31 from the front shop window, the day before the new shop opened. It was one of those last-gasp March snowfalls that we get every year. They may be sloppy, but they have a certain charm. The photo on the right was taken just moments ago from the same vantage point. The view from the shop alone is worth the visit.
It's fascinating to see the difference in just three months. Tomorrow, I'll start taking exterior and interior shots.
Save The Chief, re-revisited...
Snapshots from The Chief Theater Walking Tour
Here are some snapshots from last week's walking tour of The Chief Theater. The first shot is from the lobby looking back towards the street (updated restrooms are on the right, and the kitchen is on the left). The second shot is from the balcony looking towards the original screen. The third shot showcases the kitchen galley. The pizza ovens are gone, and the walk-in meat cooler is behind me. The fourth shot is from the screen stage looking back towards the theater. While I have more photos, these give a good sense of the interior's condition.
In summary, the theater looks almost exactly as it did a year ago when I last walked through it. The general condition is very good, with some beautiful wood appointments and nearly new mechanicals (plumbing, HVAC, and roof). The kitchen is nearly new, and there are three walk-in refrigerated rooms/coolers. The bar takes up a significant part of the main floor, and the basement could use a good bleach scrub.
The owner is asking for $1.3MM but is open to offers. The basic footprint is about 5,000 square feet, with multiple interior levels.
For the Red Wing community, this represents a unique opportunity, as The Chief Theater is one of the last authentic downtown single-screen movie theaters in the area. Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.
Save The Chief
The Case for Protecting and Reopening The Chief Theater
Background:
The Chief Theater, located in downtown Red Wing, opened on January 21st, 1939. It was one of three downtown movie theaters and operated continuously until 1994. Since then, it has served various purposes, including as a bingo hall, a senior center, and several bars. The theater is currently empty and has been for sale for over a year. The last business, a bar, was a source of crime and closed when the operators failed to obtain liability insurance.
Current Condition:
Despite its varied history, the interior of The Chief Theater is in terrific shape. The main floor has been leveled with poured concrete, the restrooms have been updated, and the roof and mechanicals are brand new. There is also a full kitchen line with a walk-in cooler and two pizza ovens. The original screen remains in place, although the projection room and equipment are gone. The core of the screening room still exists, albeit without seats.
Arguments for Preservation:
Nostalgic and Historic Value: The Chief Theater holds nostalgic and historic significance for the Red Wing community. Preserving it would honor the town's cultural heritage.
Economic Development: A stronger argument lies in the potential for economic development. A well-managed downtown theater can revitalize and re-energize the community. Successful examples include The Normal Theater in Normal, IL, and the Riverview Theater in Minneapolis. These theaters have spurred community investment, attracting restaurants, coffee shops, retail, housing, and hotels due to the thriving foot traffic and sense of community they create.
Effective Management: Many theaters fail due to poor management. However, successful theaters thrive by maximizing the use of their screens. For instance, The Riverview can show up to four different movies on a given weekend day, catering to diverse audiences—from young families in the mornings to retired folk in the early afternoons, couples in the early evening, and midnight cult favorites. Additionally, these theaters host film festivals, large group meetings, and even church services.
Conclusion:
Revitalizing The Chief Theater can attract commerce, culture, young families, and retirees, providing a unique advantage for downtown Red Wing. It presents a terrific opportunity to save something that other communities have lost and now regret. Red Wing government agencies often talk about smart, long-term investments; they only need to look at 325 Bush Street.
Red Wing Photography Club Exhibition of Photographs
Red Wing Photography Club Exhibition
On April 18th, 2009, at the Goodhue County History Center (1166 Oak Street, Red Wing, MN), the Red Wing Photography Club will present an Exhibition of Photographs.
Ardent readers will remember that this club was formed about this time last year. This is the first time the club has formally exhibited members’ photographs. Assuming there isn't a repeat of the Rolling Stones incident in Altamont, CA, it's likely this group will exhibit again.
The rules were pretty simple: no more than three pieces and nothing larger than 16"x20". And like most good photographers, the rules were almost immediately broken.
This exhibit is non-juried, non-themed, non-competitive, and not-for-sale. The objective is for members to share their favorite images, and for many members to exhibit for the first time.
A public reception will be held on April 18th at 2 pm at the History Center.
I did the poster layout, which is absolutely derivative of a WPA poster from the 1930s (read: rip-off).
You're welcome, and thank you.