What’s happening on the corner?

BY ED FELIEN

Perhaps the newest resident on the corner of 42nd Street and 28th Avenue is the metal cow sculpture in front of the Baker’s Wife. She seems contented. It must be those cinnamon buns.

Typical reviews by customers: “Oh. My. Goodness. This place is awesome. Small and super friendly, the baker was so helpful and fun. The Blonde Brownies are amazing. I got a huuuuuuuuge cinnamon bun and am saving it for breakfast. I can’t wait. Go here. So good.”

Right next door, Buster’s has put its justly famous chili back on the menu. The owners’ mission statement is a serious manifesto on the importance of having fun: “We’re just three guys that like good beer and good food. We were looking for the kind of bar that had interesting tasty food, a comfortable atmosphere and a ridiculously large selection of beers from all over the world. We decided to build it ourselves. Now that we’ve built our favorite place to hang out, why don’t you come on down and grab a pint for yourself?”

One of their most recent customer reviews was very appreciative: “Without much forethought, I’ve found myself dining at a lot of different burger places of late. As of two days ago, I’m adding Buster’s to my Go To list. I had a medium (some pink) burger with mushrooms and Swiss cheese. It includes a swipe of aioli. It was a generous, flavorful, well-prepared beef patty on an above-average bun. You’ll be glad they drop off extra napkins when they deliver your basket. The fries are excellent. The creamy slaw is more tangy than sweet and tasted fresh.”

And next door to Buster’s is the Angry Catfish. More than a bike shop, more than a coffee bar, anger has never been easier to handle. These two reviews seem typical: “Easily one of my favorite places in the cities. With experts on the staff in the fields of cycling and coffee I always make the extra effort to stop by. And if you bring your bike in for service Buster’s is right next door, if a burger and beer is more your speed ... They don’t sell huffy’s or make frappuccinos and make no apologies for it. Some might call that condescending but I wouldn’t expect to see Eddie Vedder singing bad karaoke on a Wednesday night either. Great place and worth trying if you enjoy high-end boutique bikes or beans. That is all.” And someone responded to those comments with: “I have no clue about high-end bikes. But I enjoyed looking at them while I was at the store waiting for my car to get fixed at the car repair shop across the street. I ordered an iced latte, which was perfect, and worked on my laptop. The iced latte was with no doubt one of the best I’ve tasted. The place is comfortable. In addition to the high chairs by the window, there are three relatively large tables and a couple of armchairs.

The place is very children friendly. Dogs are welcomed inside the shop. They also sell artwork and jewelry made out of recycled bike parts.”

The “car repair shop across the street” was probably Flanery’s. It’s been across the street for more than 50 years doing all manner of car repairs: batteries, brakes and belts and everything else you need done to your car.

And across the street from Flanery Brothers Automotive is St. Mane Sporting Goods, and the family has been there for 50 years as well. Some of the things they have are: uniforms (all sports); letter jackets; corporate apparel; promotional products; shirts/T-shirts; hoodies; hockey equipment; baseball equipment; ice skates (sharpening); broomball equipment; soccer equipment; softball equipment.

One of the newer businesses on the corner is the Southside Shiatsu at 2721 E. 42nd St. David Miller worked with alternative cultural icons like the North Country Co-op and the New Riverside Café before studying at the Centerpoint Massage & Shiatsu Therapy School and Clinic. He’s now the legislative chair for the Board of Directors of the American Association for Bodywork Therapies of Asia, Minnesota Chapter.

And just across the street and around the corner from Southside Shiatsu is Dr. Kori’s Chiropractic. A relative newcomer, Kori Mortenson has been on the corner now for more than two years: “Wow, time flies when you’re having fun. August 1st marked two years since I moved Dr Kori - Chiropractic from my house to the current location. It’s been a wonderful two years. The move has allowed me much more visibility and, with that, excellent growth. It’s great to be known in the neighborhood for providing quality, affordable chiropractic care. That is my mission: to provide chiropractic care for infants, children and adults so our next generation can live life at its highest potential by offering affordable monthly membership plans, convenient hours and not requiring appointments.”

Randy Kolb is the dad of Randy & Sons Home Maintenance. He’s been the neighborhood handyman since 1986. He’s licensed and bonded, and he’s been on Angie’s List since 2001. Call him for snow removal, fall cleanup, painting and guttering: 612-722-6755.

A little further up 42nd Street at Hiawatha Avenue is Taylor’s Automotive. They specialize in auto repairs; a/c repairs; suspension repairs; brake service; electrical repairs; transmission repairs; and scheduled maintenance for all foreign and domestic automobiles.