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What Should Replace Bayers Hardware?

Linden Hills store closes Sept. 1

With less than two weeks to go, Bob Bayers is elbows deep in trying to liquidate all his remaining stock as he prepares to close the doors for a final time on Sept. 1. As he told Patch in an interview earlier this month, he's hardly got any time to think about much beyond that.

However, he and his family still own the building the store has occupied for 89 years, meaning at some point soon, Bayers will turn his attention to the future. Any final choice would be his and his family's, but Bayers has repeatedly said he wants to make sure that any future tennant of the former silent movie theater is a "good fit" for the 43rd and Upton business district. 

So just what would be a "good fit" for 4312 Upton Avenue South? What is this part of Linden Hills missing, that could make the neighborhood better? Leave your answers in the comments section below!

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Lydia Gunch August 20, 2012 at 08:51 pm
We need a small grocer similar to Guse's Green Grocer on Bryant--not an exhaustive grocery store, but a small shop with the basics including some produce. Not necessarily specialty or all-organic, but definitely fresh and high-quality. Something in between the Pantry section at Bob's and the new co-op.
James Sanna (Editor) August 20, 2012 at 08:58 pm
What about an art house movie theater? The old proscenium arch is still visible in places inside, believe it or not.
Leah August 20, 2012 at 09:03 pm
I would like a fitness Studio, an European style bakery, retail boutique, maybe a place where you can take cooking classes, etc. I know these are impractical but it would be fun.
Leah August 20, 2012 at 09:07 pm
I agree Lydia, I forgot about that. I love the "Green Grocer"!!! We could use that very much. Not everyone wants to shop at the Co-Op. Good fresh bread and fresh fruit, etc. for impromptu picnics at Lake Harriet. Great idea!!!!
Lydia Gunch August 20, 2012 at 09:18 pm
What we don't need is another salon, gift store, garden store or high-end kids boutique. The ones we have are great, but most people only visit them once every few months--not too useful.
Linda Collins August 21, 2012 at 03:33 am
I agree about the green grocer, it would be nice to have. But in reality, I'd probably plan ahead and take my list to Costco, Rainbow or Whole Foods. I do miss Lake Harriet Pizza in the neighborhood. It used to be located where Sebastian Joe's is, then in the old Co-op building where Settegren's is now. It was behind the Tom Thumb store before that whole space became the Co-op. Lake Harriet Pizza moved to 50th and Penn when the Co-op moved into the building. I always enjoyed taking my kids there for pizza. We now get their pizza delivered, but I long for them to come back with an expanded menu and some fun things for kids to do there. It would be nice to have a casual local dining venue for families with children. Mine are long grown, but I'd enjoy it too!
Barb Nicol August 21, 2012 at 02:12 pm
I'd love either a small grocery as mentioned by others, or a little family Italian restaurant - pizza, pasta, wine, beer. Yum!
Linea Palmisano August 21, 2012 at 05:02 pm
i LOVE this idea! I have seen similar venues in Portland... really well done, and a nice fit for the 'hood.
Leah August 21, 2012 at 08:16 pm
I agree Lydia, we have too many of the same type of businesses. Kid stores, florists, etc. A pizza place would be fun with the family on Friday nights ( I wish Punch would move in) but a Lola's would be better.
Theo Alexander August 21, 2012 at 08:41 pm
Either Brasa should open a South West local!!! Or I agree with Ms. Gunch that a small grocery, such as Guse Green Grocer would really serve the neighborhood well.
James Sanna (Editor) August 21, 2012 at 09:46 pm
Oooh. I second that motion....except everyone on the west side of Upton within a block or two of the store are probably giving us death stares right now for suggesting that. Another Brasa would probably take all their parking!
Leah August 22, 2012 at 12:33 am
Yes Tilia and Brasa would be a deadly combination on parking for sure! A girl can dream can she? Brasa is soooo good. Hopefully they are reading these posts and decide on a SW locale. LOL
John Ferman August 22, 2012 at 03:19 pm
Anyone remember when the former coop was the City of Lakes Dance and Ballet studio run by Leah Rosch.
John Ferman August 22, 2012 at 03:21 pm
Before it was the Lake Harriet Dance studio, but I forgot Leah's partners name.
sharon collins August 25, 2012 at 04:24 am
I would like to know that theater history of the building !
John Ferman August 25, 2012 at 01:36 pm
The Linden Hills neighborhood group should take a survey of what business venues currently exist and which do not and then try to decide on which would make LH a more walkable center. For example, is a pharmacy present, is the a shoe repair shop present. Once all that data is understood the people could decide what should be looked for. What is to avoided is a direct competitor for an existing business.
Leah August 26, 2012 at 01:11 am
Amen! John Ferman,
I agree. Maybe that is something that can brought up to the local LHINC Board? I know we do not have a real say as to who sells/ rent their land or business to but maybe if community feedback is generated, it may sway the owners into thinking about future tenants and maybe the Business Association to help move towards a successful downtown.
Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Mike B. June 9, 2013 at 04:59 pm
I had the same problem. I did see a person with an "Obama for President" bumper stickerRead More and a pro- "gay" marriage sticker drive off with some plants. Another Democrat stealing property.
Terry Brashear June 18, 2013 at 01:52 pm
Way to keep comments inline with the story. Trolls belong under bridges not on forums like this.
Gwen Voegtle June 4, 2013 at 03:50 pm
I am sorry to hear this happened to you. Theft from garages is kind of popular. They usually don'tRead More break in though. Glad you filed a police report and I hope you recover your property.
Mike B. June 5, 2013 at 12:46 pm
Sorry to say that you didn't have good information before moving to Minneapolis. Minneapolis isRead More plagued by crime, caused by the liberal mentality that prevents police from doing their jobs. Minneapolis and Hennepin County needs a strong sheriff, such as Sheriff Joe Arpaio from Arizona, to clean house and really crack down on the criminals that have destroyed vast swaths of Minneapolis.
Caitlin Burgess (Editor) April 12, 2013 at 08:51 pm
Comments from Southwest Minneapolis Patch's Facebook page: Laura Bischoff: "This all feelsRead More pretty hate-filled to me. An unfortunate outcome." Andrea Nicole Markley: "Yes, I thought the principal had done a pretty bang-up job of re-vamping Washburn's image."