Fill up with tacos at local gas station
Most people wouldn’t think of a gas station as a place for fresh Mexican food made from scratch, but here in Northeast we now have Hermanos Locos Taco located inside a corner of the Prime Oil & Gas station at 2951 Central Avenue NE. Their specialty is tacos but there are many family recipe items on the menu as well, and owner Juan Carlos Cortes serves up “not frozen gas station type food – but we use fresh produce daily and made from scratch rice, beans and guacamole.”
Hermanos Locos Taco started out first as a food truck and then in 2019 their operation moved into the BP gas station in Ham Lake. The first location primed the pump to open a second location in Northeast this past October. It is a family-run business Cortes said “all members in his family have worked at different restaurants (Chipotle, Red Lobster etc.,) over the years and they decided as a family to try and make a go of making/serving the food we eat at home.”
All menu items are usually ready within 5 to 10 minutes from ordering. You also can order online at www.locosfortacos.com
Gear for your Stunt Puppy
Stunt Puppy makes durable gear for your active dog whether it is just simply taking a run or having an outdoor adventure with your four-legged friend. Ken Goldman, founder, launched a classic startup in the basement of his home in 2006 and began sewing his own dog gear when he could not find better-quality products for his therapy dog. In 2016, Stunt Puppy moved to 1621 E. Hennepin and Goldman believes that dog gear should “fit to move” with your dog.
All Stunt Puppy products are designed in Northeast and made with high quality material. The best-selling item is the “Stunt Runner,” a hands-free leash which lets you walk or run with ease. Core products are: design your own personalized ID dog collars, leashes, outerwear and harnesses. Products are made of durable and reflective materials, have buckles that will withstand up to 225 pounds of pull and swivel snap hooks.
With a catchy business name like Stunt Puppy, Goldman wanted “something memorable and we wanted it to reflect dogs that often leave the house with their owners and have adventures through the day.” Stunt Puppy gear can be found at www.stuntpuppy.com, stop into the showroom or see them at the Minnesota State Fair in August.
Mix and match your style at Arlo
Arlo Boutique opened last November at 23 SE 4th Street in the old Spot Spa location. Owner Ally Desbiens describes the store’s collection as “vintage inspired and edgy and can be styled to your taste.” Clothing brands from Europe offer stylish women’s clothing from sizes XS-L and for ages 21 to 65. The store has expanded to include cards, gifts, candles, loungewear and locally made jewelry.
Inspiration came from a grandmother who handed down some beautiful vintage jewelry, and the store is named after her late grandfather, Arlo. Selling vintage, along with better quality clothes that can be worn for years, is her way to help fight fast fashion and keep the values learned from her grandparents.
Desbiens has the experience to help you style your look. She studied retail merchandising at University of Minnesota and attended Carlson School for Business Management. Years of experience as a boutique consultant, stylist at Nordstrom’s and having an online store before her brick-and-mortar shop will help you put together the perfect outfit for any occasion.
Check out their website www.shoparlo.com for information on the “Wednesday Drop” which has one-of-a-kind items and view the local “Gal of the Month.”
Carbon Kitchen opens
Carbon Kitchen+Market opened its brick-and-mortar restaurant at 2400 University Avenue NE Jan. 6. Their coal-fired, fast-casual cuisine is available dine-in or take out, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Closed Sunday-Tuesday. 612-567-5475
Vinai “coming soon”
They’re being coy about an actual date, but Vinai, 1717 2nd Street NE, is set to open “sometime in 2022.” Chef Yia Vang’s restaurant, named after the Thai refugee camp where he was born, Ban Vinai, will feature Hmong cuisine.
Public hearing for restaurant at 1231 Washington St. NE
A public hearing will be held Monday, Jan. 24, 4 p.m. to consider the possibility of converting the Sosin Studio building at 1231 Washington Street NE into a restaurant. Hilari ZiaiMehr, on behalf of Persis LLC, submitted a change of nonconforming use application to allow for a sit-down restaurant at that location, which is zoned as R2B /Two-family District.
ZiaiMehr said, “This process is necessary in order to obtain the construction permits needed to finish the restoration and remodel of this building.
“After talking with our neighbors in 2021, we have re-formatted our original plan from cocktail bar to European-style cafe. We will be small a local spot that will have a full non-alcoholic beverage program with coffee and tea services as well as a seasonal food menu. We want to make an affordable place that is for the neighborhood, a place you bring a date, or an out-of-town relative that’s picky and likes nothing, Or just a place to socialize with your community after work. “ She said work on the building has been stalled because of a dispute with neighbors.
Watch on Comcast Channel 14 or 799 or live on https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/meetings/city-council-tv/. Submit comments at www.minneapolismn.gov/government/meetings/public-comment/.
All photos by Patti Hoffmann