Homes MSP Real Estate Blog

Sunday's Site - Jade Fountain, Wayzata

The Jade Fountain Chinese restaurant was one of our first discoveries when we moved to the Twin Cities over 20 years ago. It was pretty new back then, located in an unassuming strip mall on Lake Street in downtown Wayzata... just steps from Lake Minnetonka. It is still there, still family owned, still serving fabulous food, still family friendly, still with great service... and still one of our favorite restaurants!

 

We don't live nearby, but when our family wants a special treat Jade Fountain nearly always makes it to the top of the list! We have also taken many out-of-town guests to dinner here and have been told it is the best Chinese food they have ever eaten!

Two of our favorites are Crispy Shrimp (amazing sauce!) and Tangerine Beef (incredible flavor!). In reading some reviews, which rated it head and shoulders above any other Chinese place in the Twin Cities area, there were raves about their Tiger Pork which we have never tried. Hmmm...we may have to make a special visit to check it out...

Click here to see homes currently for sale in the area around Lake Minnetonka's Wayzata Bay in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. Please be patient while the link searches for the most current listings... click on the map to zoom in until you see icons on the dots, then pass your cursor over them for property information, click for property details. 

Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results - Email - HomesMSP.com

RELATED POSTS

•  Sunday's Site - Wayzata on the Bay 
•  Sunday's Site - Lake Minnetonka
• Sunday's Site - Excelsior on Lake Minnetonka

Sunday's Site - Main Street, Maple Grove

Named for its large stands of maple trees, Maple Grove was a quiet, largely overlooked suburb until development escalated in the 1990's making it one of the area's most populated cities. Located at the northwest corner of the Interstate loop around the Twin Cities metro area, Maple Grove has become a retail hub for communities extending far beyond its borders. It is home to more retail than any other Minnesota city except Bloomington, home of the Mall of America.

A 2,000 acre gravel mining area has been slowly developed into a residential and commercial "downtown", starting with the storefronts on Main Street. Although more typical suburban retail areas surround it, Main Street is a collection of smaller-scale buildings with storefronts and many local shops and restaurants, giving it a home town feel. When I stopped at lunch time yesterday, the streets were filled with cars and the restaurants filled with people out enjoying the warm, sunny day.

Main Street was the smaller first phase of the Arbor Lakes three-phase development, which also includes more than 65 stores and restaurants in The Shoppes of Arbor Lakes, Minnesota's first lifestyle center designed in the spirit of a mid-century American village.

One of the fastest growing communities in the metro area, more than 1,000 homes were sold in the Maple Grove area last year.

Click here to see homes currently for sale in the Maple Grove area of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. Please be patient while the link searches for the most current listings... click on the map to zoom in until you see icons on the dots, then pass your cursor over them for property information, click for property details. 

Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results - Email - HomesMSP.com

RELATED POSTS

• Sunday's Site - Hindu Temple of Minnesota, Maple Grove
• Sunday's Site - Fish Lake Regional Park, Maple Grove

Sunday's Site - General Store of Minnetonka

NOTE: see the bottom of Sunday's Site posts for homes for sale in the area

The General Store of Minnetonka, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last year, began when the founder decided to expand her hobby of making dolls and selling them. Did she ever expand! They now offer the best selection of Minnesota gifts anywhere in the metro... 20,000 square feet packed with unique items for home, lake, kids... plus jewelry and some boutique clothing.

I had been driving by the store for years when it was still the dark, lower building you see in the middle of the photo before deciding to stop one day. What a surprise... even then there was a dizzying array, enough to take hours to sort through!

 

In 2000, they expanded the store, which now also includes a cafe and fudge homemade onsite. The original building was built using stones from a Minneapolis street that was torn up in the 1970s and timbers from a Minneapolis warehouse that was demolished, giving it a rustic feeling.

 
A sign on the front door announcing that they cannot accommodate bus tours bears testament to its popularity. Whether you are looking for an unusual kitchen item, something for the lake cabin (or  insights into Minnesota lake culture!), a unique gift, a Minnesota souvenir, or just want to spend a few hours away, the General Store of Minnetonka is like a mini-vacation for those who love to browse. It is located on Highway 7 just west of I-494 and offers 'Gifts and Goods in Endless Variety'!

Click here to see homes currently for sale in the area around the General Store of Minnetonka, Minnesota. Please be patient while the link searches for the most current listings... click on the map to zoom in until you see icons on the dots, then pass your cursor over them for property information, click for property details. 

Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results - Email - HomesMSP.com

RELATED POSTS

• Sunday's Site - Lake Minnetonka
• Sunday's Site - Excelsior on Lake Minnetonka
• Sunday's Site - Wayzata on the Bay

Sunday's Site - Minnehaha Dog Park, Minneapolis

NOTE: see the bottom of Sunday's Site posts for homes for sale in the area

I have had enough clients rave about the Minnehaha Park Off-Leash Recreational Area (aka Minnehaha Dog Park) that I figured it was time to check it out. It won 'Best Dog Park' in the City Pages 2009 Best of the Twin Cities so other dog owners must be impressed with it as well.

When I stopped by the Minnehaha Dog Park last Sunday it was obvious that it was a hot pet destination. The parking lot was full of cars, the street past the park was lined with parked cars and there was a steady stream of dogs and their humans heading to and from the park.

I was impressed with the pretty 4.2 acre setting in the woods between Highway 55 and the Mississippi River just south of Minnehaha Falls Park. It's a great place for dogs to run free, and the path ends at the river so in the summer they can also play in the water.

What really surprised me as I searched for information about dog parks was how many there are in the Twin Cities... StarTribune.com features a map of 27 dog parks in the metro area! 

Minnehaha Dog Park is one of five Minneapolis off-leash dog parks, which require permits of $35 for the first dog and $25 for each additional dog for Minneapolis residents. Non-Minneapolis residents pay $60 for the first dog and $35 for each additional dog.

Another nearby dog park which clients have told me about is the Airport Dog Park, which is a huge 80 acres owned by the Metropolitan Airport Commission. Because it isn't managed by the city Parks and Recreation Board you do not need a permit (in other words, it's free!), however there are no services or management provided. My understanding is this means it doesn't have the waste bag dispensers of the parks requiring permits. Nor does it have any onsite garbage or water.  

Click here to see homes currently for sale in the Minnehaha Falls / Nokomis / Longfellow area of Minneapolis, MN near the Minnehaha Dog Park. Please be patient while the link searches for the most current listings... click on the map to zoom in until you see icons on the dots, then pass your cursor over them for property information, click for property details. 

Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results - Email - HomesMSP.com

RELATED POSTS

• Sunday's Site - Minnehaha Falls Park
• Sunday's Site - Nokomis Area's 48th & Chicago
• Sunday's Site - Longfellow Neighborhood Coffee Shops, Minneapolis

Sunday's Site - 'Downtown' Linden Hills, Minneapolis

NOTE: see the bottom of Sunday's Site posts for homes for sale in the area

It seems that walkable neighborhoods are becoming increasingly important to home buyers. I think there are numerous factors at play... a longing for a greater sense of community, a more relaxed pace, more healthful living, eco-friendly. Whatever the reasons, city neighborhoods are responding and you will find many more corner coffee shops where the locals gather than you did a decade ago.

 
There aren't as many urban areas that offer a true small town 'downtown' feel, however. Linden Hills main business district at West 43rd Street and Upton Avenue South in southwest Minneapolis is one of the few urban areas that offer a wide variety of services... from a butcher shop to a bakery to a natural foods grocery store... to a hardware store, florist, children's book and toy stores, yarn shop, gift shops... plus a variety of restaurants and one of the largest concentrations of alternative health practitioners in the area.

 

This community, located just west of Lake Harriet and south of Lake Calhoun, was developed in the 1880's as a getaway from the city with cottages along the lake. The developer called it Linden Hills because of the linden trees on the rolling hills around the lakes. Its 'downtown' business district developed where the streetcar line connecting downtown Minneapolis with the city lakes terminated with a turnaround loop.

Most of the small cottages have been replaced by large bungalows and tudors... and many of those have been expanded... but the area still retains a strong local community feel and is an area in high demand.

When I headed for a delicious breakfast at The Zumbro Cafe in the heart of Linden Hills yesterday morning the trees were coated with hoar frost creating a fairy-land atmosphere.... and in true Minnesota fashion the lakes were lined with runners and walkers enjoying the beauty of the idyllic winter morning. 

Click here to see homes currently for sale in the Linden Hills area near Lake Harriet and Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis, MN. Please be patient while the link searches for the most current listings... click on the map to zoom in until you see icons on the dots, then pass your cursor over them for property information, click for property details. 

Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results - Email - HomesMSP.com

RELATED POSTS

• Sunday's Site - Lake Harriet
• Sunday's Site - Lake of the Isles, Minneapolis
• Sunday's Site - 50th & Xerxes, Southwest Minneapolis
• Sunday's Site - Nokomis Area's 48th & Chicago
• Sunday's Site - Longfellow Neighborhood Coffee Shops, Minneapolis

Sunday's Site - Spill the Wine Restaurant, Minneapolis

NOTE: see the bottom of Sunday's Site posts for homes for sale in the area

Spill the Wine is one of those restaurants where the setting also plays a role in the experience. It is located in a historic building which was the home of Frank's Plumbing for many years. In fact, when we recently had dinner there with friends they talked about the many hours they had spent in the same space searching for antique plumbing fixtures. I love the way they creatively re-designed and re-used the big sign that used to grace the side of the building as a canopy over the bar.

As the name suggests, Spill the Wine has an extensive wine list... longer than the menu. They also offer wine flights, which can be fun... as well as a Wine-of-the-Month Club. 

It was a busy Friday night when we were recently there... we were glad we had reservations. My husband and I split the surf and turf with tenderloin and scallops, both of which were delicious...as was the poached pear salad, calamari appetizer and jumbo brownie the whole table shared for dessert.

 
I mentioned Spill the Wine in my first Sunday's Site post on Gold Medal Park, way back in April 2008. The park is next to the Guthrie Theater along the riverfront and just a short walk from the restaurant, in an area that is the site of many new condo developments and warehouse loft conversions. It is nice to see buildings start to grow again on empty sites where projects had been on hold for a couple years... good to see more visible signs of recovery.

Click here to see homes currently for sale in the area around Spill the Wine at the corner of Washington and 11th Ave S in downtown Minneapolis. Please be patient while the link searches for the most current listings... click on the map to zoom in until you see icons on the dots, then pass your cursor over them for property information, click for property details. 

Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results - Email - HomesMSP.com

RELATED POSTS

• Sunday's Site - Gold Medal Park
• Sunday's Site - Mill City Museum
• Sunday's Site - Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis
• Sunday's Site - Nicollet Island
• Sunday's Site - Minneapolis Riverfront, St. Anthony Main

Free GPS Home Search App... works on any Smartphone!

I am so excited to offer this new free mobile real estate search... the search works on 95% of cell phones across all carriers... and the GPS app works on most Smartphones!  See a video demo... or...

Get it now! Text: HMSP To: 87778

 
While you can use this app to search many ways, I see its best use for when you are out exploring neighborhoods. With the push of a button, the GPS search feature will find the closest listings to where you are... no more need to write down an address to look up later or do a cumbersome search using your mobile browser!

Not only can you check out a specific property, if you find a neighborhood you like as you are driving around you can look up listings to see if home prices are within your range... and check out what is currently for sale.

Price, photos, property details, comparable sales are all readily available... and you can save favorite properties or quickly text them to a friend.

Whether you are searching for a home or just curious about what homes in any Twin Cities neighborhood are selling for you are going to find this app SO COOL and easy to use!!!

I was out looking at homes this weekend with first-time homebuyers who were my first clients to install the app on both of their phones. They said it was quick and easy to download... and the search was surprisingly fast!

Get your free app now!  Text: HMSP To: 87778

NOTE: While this app will work on any cell phone, be sure to check what it might cost you to use if you don't have a data plan. This app is powered by Smarter Agent.

Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results - Email - HomesMSP.com

Sunday's Site - White Bear Lake, Home of the World's Original Ice Fishing Contest

NOTE: see the bottom of Sunday's Site posts for homes for sale in the area

I have talked before about how Minnesotans love their lakes, and just because frozen winter landscapes only reflect eery memories of summers on the beach doesn't mean we don't love our lakes in the winter as well. Lakes play an important role in Minnesota's sense of place. 

As I was showing homes in White Bear Lake yesterday we were re-directed away from the lake and saw signs pointing the way to 'FISHING CONTEST'.  Little did I realize at the time the significance of this event, which was part of this last weekend of the St. Paul Winter Carnival...the nation's largest and oldest winter festival.

I learned that White Bear Lake's ice fishing contest began in 1947 as the 'World's Original Ice Fishing Contest' and was featured in LIFE magazine in 1948. I searched for LIFE's aerial photo of the event featuring 2,196 fishermen to no avail. Evidently the event ended due to warm weather in the 1980's and this is the first year it is back as part of the Winter Carnival. 

 
When I stopped by at the end of the afternoon most of the fishermen had already cleared out, but they were still announcing some of the prize winners. There were over 2,000 anglers there over the course of yesterday's event, and more than $100,000 in prizes were awarded including a Grand Prize Dodge 4 x 4 Truck...the first place winner in 1947 took home a trophy and snowsuit!

There were lots of trucks on the ice and I briefly considered driving out for a closer look, then remembered getting stuck on frozen Lake Minnetonka on the opposite side of the metro years ago...and tow trucks wouldn't come on the ice to rescue us!! My husband went knocking on doors until he found a local resident willing to risk coming out with his truck to pull us out...meanwhile, our young son was patiently waiting in the car with me, quietly eating his gingerbread man.

I admit my only experience ice fishing was also years ago. My most vivid memory was of being in the midst of the echoing sound of cracking ice.  I think we caught some northern pike, also popular in White Bear Lake, where panfish and walleye are also popular catches.

Don't despair if you missed this ice fishing contest, there are plenty more to come in various locations throughout Minnesota in the the next month. Check out My Fishing Pals for Minnesota fishing tournaments throughout the year.

Click here to see homes currently for sale in the area around White Bear Lake, MN. Please be patient while the link searches for the most current listings...click on the map to zoom in until you see icons on the dots, then pass your cursor over them for property information, click for property details. 

Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results - Email - HomesMSP.com

RELATED POSTS

Sunday's Site - Lake Minnetonka

Sunday's Site - Excelsior on Lake Minnetonka

Sunday's Site - Wayzata on the Bay

Sunday's Site - St. Croix Boat & Packet Co, Stillwater

Sunday's Site - Como Park Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, St. Paul

NOTE: see the bottom of Sunday's Site posts for homes for sale in the area

I love living in Minnesota because I love the four seasons, winter included. I love the snow and crystal clear skies with striking low sun angles of winter. These have been missing this weekend which marks the beginning of the annual St. Paul Winter Carnival, celebrating winter in the northland. With grey skies, rain and ice it feels like our winter is having an identity crisis...but true to Minnesota form, I have no doubt the weather will be changing again soon!

If you would rather be someplace warm, with verdant greenery instead of frozen landscapes, you may enjoy a visit to the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory in St. Paul's Como Park. It occupies a full acre under glass with six indoor gardens, including tropical gardens and seasonal flower shows.  This happens to be the weekend of the Winter Carnival Orchid Show at the conservatory, with the Winter Flower Show opening next weekend. When I stopped yesterday afternoon the gardens were filled both with beautiful orchids and people enjoying the warm temperatures, flowers and plants. 

The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, more commonly known by its former name, Como Park Conservatory, opened in 1915 and is open 365 days a year. Admission is free to both the Conservatory and adjoining zoo, but guests are invited to make a voluntary contribution of $2 for adults and $1 for children to help care for the plants and animals. They have nearly 2 million visitors each year.

Click here to see homes currently for sale in the area around Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul, MN. Please be patient while the link searches for the most current listings...click on the map to zoom in until you see icons on the dots, then pass your cursor over them for property information, click for property details. 

Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results - Email - HomesMSP.com

RELATED POSTS

• Sunday's Site - Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley
• Sunday's Site - Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary, Minneapolis

Sunday's Site - Thanh Do, St. Louis Park

NOTE: see the bottom of Sunday's Site posts for homes for sale in the area

Tucked into a small strip mall at the corner of Minnetonka Blvd and Texas Ave in St. Louis Park is Thanh Do...an unassuming-looking restaurant that is far from ordinary...serving some of the best Asian cuisine in the metro area!

Owner Thom Pham grew up in Vietnam, working alongside his grandmother in her catering company. He was transplanted to the Twin Cities when he was adopted by a South Minneapolis family when he was 14.  Here he worked at a Vietnamese restaurant for many years as he saved enough money to open Thanh Do about 10 years ago.  Four years later he opened the trendy Azia Restaurant, a gem of Eat Street on Nicollet Avenue in South Minneapolis.

ThanhDo remains a gem of this St. Louis Park neighborhood, with people like us traveling from outside the immediate area to feed our cravings! Called 'the new generation of asian cuisine', it is a unique fusion of Chinese, Vietnamese and Thai cooking...along with some Minnesota components, exemplified in their famous Cranberry Wontons!

Thanh Do takeout happens to be one of our favorites, and when Inspector Reuben learned I was doing a post on Thanh Do he told me it was hands down his favorite restaurant! His favorites are nutty chicken, beef & potatoes and pad thai, which is also a hit with our 4-year-old grandson!

Thanh Do is another hidden Twin Cities treasure, one you likely wouldn't find if you didn't know about it!

Click here to see homes currently for sale in the area around Thanh Do restaurant in St. Louis Park, MN. Please be patient while the link searches for the most current listings...click on the map to zoom in until you see icons on the dots, then pass your cursor over them for property information, click for property details. 

Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results - Email - HomesMSP.com

RELATED POSTS

• Sunday's Site - Eat Street
• Sunday's Site - yum! Kitchen and Bakery, St. Louis Park