Around the CEZ
Photos of exterior and interior -Building C at Vandalia Tower, courtesy of #newstudioarchitecture.
NewStudio Architecture & Vandalia Tower — If you haven’t seen the 150,000 sf adaptive re-use project currently underway at the historic King Koil Mattress Factory at 550 Vandalia, it is definitely worth a drive by or scroll on Instagram. The CEZ’s own
NewStudio Architecture, located on Wycliff Street and the home to NewStudio Gallery, is behind the dramatic renovation of decades-vacant Building C at
Vandalia Tower, and part of redevelopment by
Baum Revision.
Fairview Business Center — When the clever marketers at
Hillcrest Development wanted to highlight the creative energy happening inside the
Fairview Business Center on the outside of their building, they turned to Saint Paul artist and Chroma Zone muralist
Biafra Inc. for a colorful second-story window graphic. Check out this time-lapse video of the installation on the west side of the 655 Fairview Ave N., home to many CEZ creative businesses with build-to-suit industrial, warehouse, retail and office space.
Young Dance — New to the Fairview Business Center,
Young Dance has been "Transforming Lives Through Movement" since 1987. Young Dance is “an inclusive, artistic community where creativity flourishes and all are encouraged to aspire to artistic professionalism.” Now offering classes by Zoom, the nonprofit dance company teaches modern dance technique, improvisation, and choreographic skills for anybody and any body. Learn more at
youngdance.org.
Photo of the young dancers of CEZ's Young Dance.
Handi Medical Supply —Located on University Avenue at the corner of Cromwell in the historic Mack Building, Handi Medical Supply’s headquarters and showroom has been a trusted community resource since 1988. A family-owned home medical equipment and supply provider, Handi Medical is adapting with the pandemic by offering Covid-specific products, an active online blog and social media engagement, and by relocating their annual Education and Equipment Conference for Medical Professionals online.
Yoga and a Pint — Looking for a new way to stretch yourself? Try Yoga and a Pint the Online Edition. Started during non-covid times at Lake Monster Brewery to “breathe, move, get stronger & find a bit of JOY!,” yoga attendees would linger and share a pint or a kombucha. Until we can safely gather together again, find a little strength (and your own pint) with owner Viv online.
Dual Citizen Brewing Company — In January, DCBC on Raymond Ave. showcased their long-standing support for Habitat for Humanity–Twin Cities with an introduction to "Home Improvements, a West Coast IPA brewed specifically to support House that Beer Built." One of several charitable tie-ins, the folks at DCBC beer are delivering curbside and taking reservations in the taproom. They feel your love.
What's up at The Wycliff?
Housed in the former Fisher Nut building, The Wycliff is home to a growing list of entrepreneurs and makers, and a lead sponsor of the CEZ's 2019 Chroma Zone Mural & Art Festival. "Motherhood and Migration" mural by Mariela Ajras. Photo courtesy of Visit St. Paul.
With flexible commercial spaces, multiple loading docks, and modern infrastructure updates, the Wycliff is realizing its dream of helping small local businesses grow in the CEZ. From industrial and retail tenants to food manufacturing, fitness and more, the list of tenants at Wycliff is growing. Discover more #thewycliff or thewycliff.com.
Sitka Salmon Shares — New to The Wycliff in 2020,
Sitka Salmon Shares is a Community Supported Fishery (CSF) that brings customers a share of responsibly harvested, wild-caught Alaskan seafood each month during fishing season. Learn more about this new CEZ business at
sitkasalmonshares.com.
Local Crate —Dedicated to bringing the best in locally sourced ingredients and culinary talent,
Local Crate puts “freshness on the front burner” with packaged meals available in-store and at your door. From Chicken Pad-Thai to Tikka Masala, to the Chorizo Picadillo Tacos of PoPopol Vuh / Centro Chef Jose Alarcon, Local Crate is available by subscription or at local co-ops, markets, and grocery stores. More at
localcrate.com.
HiBAR — Because “plastic sucks,” the four friends behind
HiBAR set out to eliminate plastic in their lives and their hair care. Eco-friendly and beautiful, these North Shore rock-inspired bars offer “salon-quality performance and experience, natural ingredients, and, of course, beautiful plastic-free packaging.” With their “environmentally safe practices, over half a million plastic shampoo and conditioner bottles were taken out of circulation in 2020!” Say hello to this innovative retailer at
hellohibar.com
The CEZ’s own 
