Supermarkets in Uptown?

[Isabel_009]

Thanks for this! I love the detailed information/history you provide. It's excellent.

Originally Posted by uptown_urbanist

Lund's is definitely pricier than Rainbow, but sometimes can have good deals. It's not extremely expensive, just a step up from the Rainbow. I think it's similar to Kowalski's on price. My mother (in Uptown) pays more attention to sales and exact prices and mostly shops Rainbow, but buys some things at Lunds. I think the Rainbow closure is a sure thing, although the start date may not be firm; it would be closed for all or much of 2010, but will reopen with a new building on the same location. Right now it's pushed back from the street with a parking lot in front; the new building will come up to the street, have the store itself on the third floor, other retail (including a flower shop) on the first floor, and a parking lot in the middle. It sounds nice, and at least will be a better use of the space than what it is right now.

And probably no one cares about this but me, but the historian in me compells me to note that the Lunds has been around in Uptown for decades; it's definitely a local institution. Anyone into the idea of shopping local can shop there without feeling overly guilty. (it's also been known over the years as being quite the pick-up spot as well, for anyone out there looking to meet new people by bonding over buying produce...) Over the years the Rainbow, the Lunds, and the Kowalski's have all been upgraded to make them more upscale; the Rainbow is pretty basic, but it's a lot bigger and fancier than it was ten years ago. Kowalski's used to be a more basic supermarket (before it became a Kowalski's). I suppose that goes along with the overall upgrades to American grocery stores in general, as well as Uptown's gentrification. (again, probably far more than anyone wants to know, but hey, I'm a historian. I can't help it.)

The Wedge is expensive, but you should definitely check it out sometime. There's also a Trader Joe's in St. Louis Park; it's just a quick bus ride away, and while not worth a visit for produce, they do have good prices on convenience food and frozen stuff.

[Slig]

Originally Posted by uptown_urbanist

Yeah, I just meant "local" as in local to Uptown. I think the nearest Cub is in Edina, but there may be one closer. The Twin Cities are lucky to have so many good Twin Cities-based grocery stores around, though.

If you go strictly by distance the Lake St/Hiawatha Cub might be closer. You're right though, there isn't one that's really close to Uptown.

[Eco84]

Originally Posted by uptown_urbanist

At some point the Rainbow will be closing down for a major overhaul (they're building a new building) but that's not expected to happen until early 2010.

The OurUptown.com website has some sketches of what the new Rainbow site will look like: Development: Rainbow Foods Redevelopment - Uptown, Minneapolis.
I notice from the plans that it will follow the current alignment of Lagoon. If I recall correctly, the Uptown Small Area Plan calls for that section of Lagoon to be realigned in a straight east-west direction (dead-ending at Dupont instead of running into Lake) if Lake and Lagoon become two-way streets again. Maybe the city has dropped those plans though *shrug*

[Isabel_009]

I'm not known to be particularly frugal -- I'll spend more if I have to for the groceries I want, but.....my partner went to Lund's and paid no less than $9 for a pack of coffee that we usually get in Toronto for $4! Talk about a mark up! This isn't rare coffee or anything, but who knows why the price was so high. I find the pasta I usually like to buy is also quite marked up at Kowalski's and Lund's too. So I am wondering, are there any smaller independent grocers around that sell quality products? I don't mind taking a bus or two in order to stock up on some stuff. I'm thinking quality dried pastas, quinoa, whole grain bulgur, italian arborio rice, Italian coffee... Not sure if there is much of an Italian community here, but perhaps there is an Italian grocery store?

I'm also wondering if there are some good small stores that sell produce in and around Uptown?

In Toronto we have Chinatown where one can find loads of fresh produce. There's also Little Italy, Little Korea, etc., etc... Just wondering if there are neighbourhoods like this in the Twin Cities (perhaps not along the same ethnic lines)? I've seen a lot of Mexican restaurants and grocers on Lake E. Just wondering what else is out there.

[silverjet]

I'd check out the Midtown Global Market -- I always find a lot of good deals when I shop there. I would also check out the Wedge just for the heck of it. You should also try some of the many farmer's markets in the Cities. Nicollet Mall has their farmer's market on Thursdays (although most of that stuff is not local). You should also check out the Midtown Farmer's Market (right by the 21/light rail stop on Lake Street) Saturdays and Tuesdays.

There's an Italian grocery store in NE Minneapolis (Delmonico's Italian Foods around Central and Broadway). I haven't been there but I hear good things about it.

There are probably other stores/markets closer to you, but I can't think of any at the moment -- I'm sure someone else will chime in with some other ideas.

[Isabel_009]

Thanks! Do you know if these farmer's markets are open year round? And thank you very much for the tip about the Italian grocery store. I'm sure I will be paying that place a visit very soon.

Originally Posted by silverjet

I'd check out the Midtown Global Market -- I always find a lot of good deals when I shop there. I would also check out the Wedge just for the heck of it. You should also try some of the many farmer's markets in the Cities. Nicollet Mall has their farmer's market on Thursdays (although most of that stuff is not local). You should also check out the Midtown Farmer's Market (right by the 21/light rail stop on Lake Street) Saturdays and Tuesdays.

There's an Italian grocery store in NE Minneapolis (Delmonico's Italian Foods around Central and Broadway). I haven't been there but I hear good things about it.

There are probably other stores/markets closer to you, but I can't think of any at the moment -- I'm sure someone else will chime in with some other ideas.

[silverjet]

Do you know if these farmer's markets are open year round?

Generally, they are not. Most markets end their season at the end of October. So take advantage of it while you can!

[Isabel_009]

I went to Rainbow yesterday and was pleasantly surprised that they had a lot of the stuff I was looking for and at decent prices. Does anyone know exactly when this place is going to shut down? Maybe they'll push the date back...

I should also mention (in case anyone is interested) that I bought all my kitchen supplies at the Super Target near Ikea. We don't have Target in Canada as far as I know and this was like a dream come true.

[think.reciprocity]

There is also the Whole Foods (not "Uptown Proper"), not certain which buses get you there but just a short couple minute drive from Hennepin & Lagoon. It's located just West of Lake Calhoun where Lake Street & Excelsior split - PLUS, there's a JAMBA JUICE IN THE STORE!!! Yum!

On the East end of Lake Street there is not only another Rainbow that is (currently) much larger than the West end/Uptown location but right by it is a Cub & an expanded Target w/ a decent size grocery section (nothing for full grocery shopping).

I have a lot of die hard friends who go from place to place to get this & that - many of whom know all the best deals from local Asian Markets, Mexican/Hispanic/Latino(a) Markets, etc. Down lake Street headed East & down Nicollet (called "Eat Street" now) are tons of them.

I learned the secret of rice & EVOO buying from these markets vs mainstream stores - the prices are astronomically different.

The key to learning about the more community stores that are more ethnically specific & also cheap chep CHEAPER is to connect yourself w/ folks are more likely to "be in the know" on that stuff. There's a place on 46th Street (cannot recall the cross street but it's called "The Colour Wheel Salon & Gallery" - she knows ALL the places to get ALL the deals (Tammy, artist, hair stylist, owner). She can talk & talk & talk - but she's connected!

While I may have been raised in the country - I am a city gurl thru & thru. There isn't any area I am "afraid" to go into to. HOWEVER, I wouldn't spend a single cent or one moment of my time at the Lake Street Super Valu (if that's what it's still called). ICK. It's dirty. You get treated like you aren't worth the effort. No. Won't do it - just as I won't shop in that K-Mart next door (well, I won't shop in K-Mart period, but that's besides the point) either.

I spend my money where I am treated well & like my money & patronage are valued.

I love the carpeting on the floors of Kowalski's (does Lunds still have carpeting after their remodel, I cannot recall?) - I have serious arthritis & it's so much nicer to shop there. I like being treated like I'm spending millions when I only have pennies scrapped together - I treat myself when I can.

I can remember when the 24th & Hennepin Kowalski's was FRIGHTENING & was a Super Valu (I think or was it a New Market?) - SKETCHY!!!!

I LOVE the Kowalski's on Lyndale & 53rd (or is it 54th? - it's he equivalent of Diamond Lake Road)!!! It's my favourite in the city.

I can't wait for the Uptown Rainbow remodel because it needs it - I live within a hop of it but drive to the East Lake Street location 9 times out of 10 rather than going to that one. Less selection, they always seem to be out of something, etc.

I've never quite bitten the Trader Joe's apple - I don't get "it". But, it's nearby too.

And, yes, MANY people swear by the Midtown Global Market - but I spend way too much time in that general vicinity to begin with because my grandbaby lives in those apartments so I never shop there.

Oh, there's also the Cub on 60th? & Nicollet - I don't like Cub period - especially don't like that one.

Wanna spice things up? Try CUP FOODS on 38th & Chicago... lol! It's been there forever & a day - one of those "corner market" types of places. Say hello to Sam (the owner) & (his brother, I think) Mike - they also own rental property (do not take any of this paragraph as an endorsement - rather as humour at nearly 2am).

We have several great local co-ops - including the Wedge - yes, pricey, but you have to decide what your values are & where you place your importance.

There is the downtown farmers' market & gillions throughout the community (most of which "Tammy" will be able to tell you about - you'll get her political leans & clear opinions on things from the get go - so you'll have to moderate that with your own - but she is a great community source of info). If there's a deal to be had anywhere as long as it's free trade, etc, etc - she'll know about it!

Lemme shut up... enjoy!

Apparently the Twin Cities has more supermarkets, grocery stores, etc per capita than anywhere else in the country (don't sue me if I am wrong but I remember in '01 when I went to NYC & couldn't find a full service market ANYWHERE - closest thing was a tiny "Super Valu" type store out in Harlem) I came back & started asking around & looking into it & I believe that's what I discovered!

my 103 cents worth (gotta offer more now that I splurge at Kowalski's more the worse the arthritis gets... lol)

the thinky.think.r