A Longfellow Intersection

38th Street and 42nd Avenue

Minneapolis, MN

A PowerPoint by Katherine Schultz

Features of the Intersection

The Four Corners

• Northeast Corner- The Riverview Café

• Northwest Corner- Mother Earth Gardens

• Southeast Corner- Fairview-Hiawatha Clinic

• Southwest Corner- The Riverview Theater

• Location

• Transportation

• Surrounding Neighborhood

Location

The Longfellow neighborhood is located in South Minneapolis about10 blocks from the Mississippi River. It is less than 15 minutes (driving time) to both downtown Mpls. and St. Paul. Surrounding neighborhoods include Cooper, Seward, and Howe.

Transportation

Public and non-motorized transportation is encouraged by the Longfellow Environment and Transportation committee: http://208.42.81.171/commet.html

• The MTS provides daily access to and from this intersection. City bus routes and times can be found at: http://www.metrotransit.org/

• Bike racks and wide sidewalks make the intersection accessible to bikers and pedestrians alike.

• Automobile parking is available in front of most businesses for 30 min. to 2 hour increments.

Surrounding Neighborhood

• According to the 2000 census, The Longfellow neighborhood has a population of 20,602 people.

• The ethnic backgrounds of those living in the area are estimated to be 80% Caucasian, 8% African American, 6% Hispanic, 2% Native American, and 3% Asian.

• The neighborhood is undergoing a “revitalization” project with the intent of improving the safety, home value, and quality of life for Longfellow residents. More information about these efforts can be found at: http://www.longfellow.org/nrpgoals.htm

• 60% of homes are bungalows ( 1 1/2 story houses with 2 bedrooms), and in 1999, the average selling price of houses ranged from $79,000- $142,000.

The Riverview Café

• Clientele

• Music, Art, and Events

• Children

Riverview Café: Clientele• The clientele at the

Riverview café is reflective of the surrounding community. During daytime and early evening hours, a majority of customers are middle class Causasians in their 30s-40s.

• Mothers and young children are often seen during the morning.

• The evening music events bring a more diverse crowd in terms of race and age.

Riverview Café: Music, Art, and Events

• Monthly displays of local artwork adorn the walls and windows of the establishment.

• Every Thursday the café hosts an “Open Mic” night for casual musical performances

• An eclectic mix of concerts on Friday and Saturday evenings include everything from Celtic and Bluegrass to Light Rock and Reggae.

• A monthly calendar is located at: www.mochaandmusic.com

Riverview Café: Children

Children and families are a focal point in the Longfellow neighborhood. The Riverview Café caters to its young guests in a variety of ways.

• A huge play room with colorful toys and an inviting mural

• Fruit snacks, juice and raisin boxes, and animal crackers are among the offered refreshments

• Weekly story hours on Tuesday mornings at 10:30 am

Mother Earth Gardens

• Background and Philosophy

• Atmosphere• Hours and Se

asons of Operation

Mother Earth Gardens: Background and Philosophy

"Our mission is to educate ourselves and our clientele," said Holt. "It's like a little extension service here.”

• Family owned and operated by sisters Jeni Holt and Rebecca Guneratne.

• The establishment specializes in organic gardening products along with annuals, perennials, vegetables and spices.

• Keeping the earth and soil healthy is an important commitment. No pesticides or un-natural products are sold at the greenhouse.

Mother Earth Gardens: Atmosphere

A “backyard” feel is present in the establishment. A fenced-in garden area displays merchandise in haphazard rows, hand-painted signs strung lazily with rope, well-used garden tools leaning against small shack-like storage buildings, and laid-back employees greeting customers as though they are entering their own garden gates.

Mother Earth Gardens: Hours and Seasons of Operation

• The garden center is open from mid-March until the holiday season in late December. It is closed for all of January and February.

• Hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Fairview-Hiawatha Clinic

•Services and Hours

•Patients

Fairview-Hiawatha Clinic:Services and Hours

• The clinic offers general on-site services in preventative care, physical exams, and minor surgery.

• Most major insurance providers are accepted by the clinic.

• Full-service hours are Monday through Friday from 8 am until 5 pm.

• A 24-hour hotline staffed with nurses is available for patient questions and referrals to after-hours sites.

Fairview-Hiawatha Clinic:Patients

• The clinic attracts a more diverse crowd than the establishments on the other corners of the intersection. Patients vary in terms of age, race, and socioeconomic status.

• Patients and employees often utilize the bus system to access the clinic from other parts of the city.

The Riverview Theater

• History• Clientele• Films

Riverview Theater: History

The Riverview theater has a history as rich as the real-butter used on its popcorn.

• When it was constructed in 1948, the theater was known as one of the finest in the Midwest.

• Due to the extreme care that has been taken, many of its original furnishings and technical equipment remain.

• The Riverview has had various owners over the years. Some of the previous names of the theater include Avalon, El Lago, Lyric, Nile and Century.

Riverview Theater: Clientele

• Clientele vary depending on the genre of film showing. • Due to the everyday low cost of tickets, the theater attracts

individuals on limited income, but the clean and inviting atmosphere makes it a favorite destination for those who can afford regular price admissions as well

• On any given day the crowds may consist of young neighborhood kids, senior citizens, poor college students and affluent professionals.

• The theater gives back to its community by offering discounts to groups of local children and occasional free admission to featured presentations

Riverview Theater Films and Presentations

• Anything goes! The owner likes to show recent Blockbuster hits, little known Independent or Art house productions, as well as old favorites

• A late-nite showing of a featured film on Friday and Saturday evenings (currently “The Rocky-Horror Picture Show”)

• Free big-screen viewings of high-profile sports games, The Academy Awards, and other events