What Should Go Here? The Maple Island Hardware Building in Stillwater
Construction crews are working on developing the space for a new business development in the Maple Island Hardware Building in downtown Stillwater. Meanwhile, Stillwater Patch is asking: What should go here?
Construction crews are working on developing the space for a new business development in the Maple Island Hardware Building in downtown Stillwater.
Meanwhile, Stillwater Patch is asking: What should go here?
Frank Fabio, a contractor who lives in Grant, recently bought the building and is hoping to have a gourmet restaurant in the space this spring. Fabio said on Wednesday morning that there has also been interest for office space in the building.
The 3,700 square-foot space will have a parking lot and a patio overlooking the St. Croix River, and eventually, a portion of the Brown’s Creek Trail that will run through Lowell Park.
Fabio said he’s hoping for a restaurant to go into the space. “I’d like to see a place serving gourmet food,” he said, “a place offering food with a lot of flavor.”
The building was the former home to Maple Island Hardware—and prior to that—Maple Island Creamery.
So what do you think should go here? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.
HMW
12:25 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Nothing....we already have too many vacant spaces in the existing (new) buildings, why are we building more?
Shawn Hogendorf
12:30 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Fair enough, HMW. But you don't you consider the north end of the Maple Island Hardware Building vacant?
jmh
2:19 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Given its location with river view it will probably prove a worthwhile development/investment for Mr Fabio. A quality restaurant will bring people downtown to shop at other businesses and it could be a good anchor to draw more foot traffic to that end of town. Hopefully will not impact the winery and their music performances in any negative way.
Edward
2:45 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Mr. Fabio, could you add a compelling vegetarian menu? The vegetarians on the east side of St. Paul don't have many choices for fine dining. Thanks!
Randy Marsh
4:29 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
I think you know why it's so difficult to find a compelling vegetarian menu, Edward. Few of those places can keep their doors open. You can only do so much with tofu, beans, sprouts and soy cheese that might possibly appeal to the other 96 percent of society.
Wally Goettl
2:57 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
We already have the Green Room and Marx. So it should be interesting to see what he comes up with for a restaurant.
Shawn Hogendorf
3:10 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
When I spoke with Mr. Fabio today, he said his vision is something along the lines of HauteDish in Minneapolis. Here's a link: www.haute-dish.com/
Randy Marsh
4:21 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Would love to see Savories come back, but it's going to be tough for any restaurant to keep its doors open in what has to be a pretty expensive property. I think a brothel or casino could do well down there and I'm sure the Washington County Historical Society would get behind that effort to celebrate the city's past.
Pam French
6:54 am on Thursday, November 22, 2012
Not office space.
Louise Fenner
9:00 am on Thursday, November 22, 2012
We need a coffee shop at the north end of town.....an especially good tie-in with the bookstore.....can we use a portion of the space for that? Good for locals
kris joy
9:11 am on Thursday, November 22, 2012
I think that building is in a wonderful location and I love the loading dock. I have always imagined a restaurant there and I am thrilled somebody is finally able to make that happen. I'd like to make reservations for 4 on the patio, please.
Stillwater Resident
11:23 am on Thursday, November 22, 2012
Too many restaurants and knick knack shops in Stillwater - can we really support them all? How about a Trader Joe's or something that locals would appreciate as well as visitors and bike trail users?
jmh
10:41 pm on Thursday, November 22, 2012
We already have Cub, Kowalski's, Target, Wal-Mart, Aldi's and Len's selling groceries. Do we really need a Trader Joe's too? Too high traffic and not enough parking for TJ downtown, plus would be tough competition for the River Mkt. I do like the north end coffee shop idea.
Dana Jackson
9:06 am on Friday, November 23, 2012
The building should contain a hospitality center for all the new bikers Stillwater will be attracting on the Brown's Creek trail. A hostel with low cost rooms for rent, a kitchen to prepare food, a snack bar, a laundromat, a tourist information center and a vegetarian restaurant could all be connected to the hospitality center.
Julie Pawluk
3:25 pm on Friday, November 23, 2012
One thing that Stillwater lacks is a good bakery. The old-fashioned "European"-type bakery, not a chain, or "shi-shi" modern bakery. Something like the old Blackey's Bakery in northeast Mpls.
Pamela Brown, Budget Blinds of Stillwater
7:43 am on Monday, December 3, 2012
Hmmm. Lots of great ideas. I also think it would be a great place for a restaurant and, like a lot of you mentioned, a way to draw business to the north end of town.
My 2 cents.
Lee Ann Overman
9:01 am on Monday, December 3, 2012
Panera's. We need a place to grab a cup of soup and a sandwich. It has bakery. It has coffee. Bikers, boaters and visitors could get food to take with them or eat in a local park.
Lee Ann Overman
9:12 am on Monday, December 3, 2012
Would also love to have Savories back!!!!
KTGirl
9:46 am on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Have ALWAYS thought that would be a great restaurant spot! Perfect patio! Would be GREAT if the restaurant also served breakfast/brunch on weekends!
TJT
3:11 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
I think a brew pub that also features caribou style coffees with a casual but tasty menu...do we need another "fancy"restaurant downtown? Some entertainment on the weekends would be nice too!