Approval For Liquor Store At The Current BJ's Strip Club Site...

Photo and blog post by John Hoff

Despite outcries by a number of citizens in North Minneapolis, word reaches me the city council recently approved a liquor store at the current BJ's strip club located at the intersection of West Broadway and Washington Avenue North. The only bright spot in this news was surely the disappointment felt by Merwin Liquors, who actually...

...sponsored a bus to bring people to the city council hearing and distributed fliers saying, in so many words, "We don't need another liquor store in North Minneapolis."

Somehow this statement comes across as less-than-sincere when it comes from the lips of A COMPETING LIQUOR STORE. It's kind of like a strip club saying, "We don't need another strip club right down the street!" (Credit for this example goes to the Hawthorne Hawkman)

Despite this setback, neighbors are somewhat hopeful this project might be a high end liquor store and not another Merwin Liquors. Apparently specific promises have been made about not selling fortified wines and not allowing transactions made with nothing but coins. All the same, it's going to be tough to see a liquor store replacing a strip club as any kind of progress.

At least there's no anecdotal evidence of liquor store clerks becoming straw buyers in North Minneapolis mortgage fraud schemes, unlike strippers. Click here for an example.

What Happens When Somebody Drives Like A Maniac In The Merwins Liquor Parking Lot...

Contributed photo, blog post by John Hoff

Somebody sent me this interesting photo today, with no explanation except the words you see in my headline.

Looks like there was a bit of excitement today at Merwin Liquors, 700 West Broadway.

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Deplorable Litter At The Lyndale Ave. N. Salvation Army...

A neighbor in Hawthorne made some calls to the Salvation Army about the deplorable litter situation at their Lyndale Ave. N. location. When the neighbor didn't get a satisfactory response from the Salvation Army, video got posted to YouTube and then I was told to "put it on the blog."

(I love the way Johnny Northside Dot Com is always referred to as "the blog," as though there is only ONE BLOG)

And yes, I was TOLD not ASKED to "put it on the blog." I notice how there is often an unspoken assumption I will always just go ahead and blog about a neighborhood issue when asked to do so, no matter how much heat I'll end up taking for it, personally.

In this case, possibly HEAT FROM GOD)

But can I say the assumption is INACCURATE? No, actually, I can't.

So here you go, neighbor. Here's the video on "the blog."

Oh, plus the customary editorial comment: the Salvation Army needs to CLEAN UP ITS PROPERTY on Lyndale Ave. N. And, hey, it's not like they don't have many, many low-paid employees who can take care of the litter.

If the liquor store across the street can take care of THEIR property and put all kinds of money into an improved fence, then the Salvation Army can certainly maintain their relatively small patch of lawn.

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Installation Of "The Fence Formerly Known As Butt"

Photos By John Hoff

Here are some photos of the installation of the long-awaited replacement fence at Merwins Liquor, to solve the annoying "butt fence" situation at West Broadway and Lyndale Ave. N.

In the last few days, the loitering and hanging around has been greatly reduced. This fence obviously cost Merwins a great deal of money. So go there and buy their booze!

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Merwins Does The Right Thing, Fixes "Butt Fence" Situation...

Photo By Todd Heintz, posted to Facebook album

Tonight I plan to buy booze at Merwins Liquor and have a "buttfence bonfire" of celebration, because Merwins has done the right thing. They have replaced the notorious "butt fence" or "butt wall" with an attractive and secure feature which does not yet have a clever name, but give it time, give it time. No doubt the expense to Merwins was considerable, but this represents a great improvement to the neighborhood and addresses a problem which has dragged down revitalization for years.

The photo above was taken by Todd Heintz, added to his Facebook album called "Mobile Uploads," and forwarded by a link from a reader...and loyal PayPal contributor. 

It should be pointed out there are already reports of "Butt Fencians" congregating near Walgreens on West Broadway, some bringing their own buckets for sitting. However, the march of massive revitalization is inevitable. If a butt fence emerges elsewhere, it's just more material to blog about, another victory to achieve. The good people are winning in NoMi, and this neighborhood is getting better every day.

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Merwin's "Butt Fence" Re-Christened "Butt Wall," No Other Progress Apparent...

Photo By John Hoff, prior to fence removal

I reported some time back on apparent progress with the Merwin's "butt fence" situation, and talk of modifications in progress to prevent the chronic loitering by druggies and inebriates. Unfortunately...

...there isn't much new progress to report. In fact, arguably, things have gotten worse because Merwin's removed the fence portion of the "butt fence" but then they didn't modify further.

Now the no-accounts who perpetually hang around don't have to climb over the fence or walk ALL THE WAY around when they get a notion to toddle over to Merwins and buy some MD 20/20 or whatever it is no-accounts drink. No, they can just step over the wall and make a beeline to front door of the liquor store. How convenient! Truly, things have gone from bad to paradise. That is to say...BUTT FENCE PARADISE.

It makes me want to compose a little parody song about Living In A Butt Fence Paradise, click here for a model of THAT. But I can't call this feature the "butt fence" anymore, because now the fence portion is gone, leaving only the wall.

Therefore, it is my sad duty to re-christen the feature in question "The Merwins Butt Wall." Let the phrase "butt fence" no longer linger upon our lips, because it's now called THE BUTT WALL.

BUTT WALL, BUTT WALL, BUTT WALL.

Way to go, Merwins. Way to feign progress and then dilly-dally and fail to follow through. When the crowds of people come for Art FLOW this weekend, they will be treated to the first impressions made by your NASTY BUTT WALL at the busy intersection of Lyndale Ave. N. and West Broadway.

You suck, Merwins Liquor.

Merwin's Liquor "Butt Fence" Modifications In Progress...

Butt Fence Stock Photo By John Hoff

As this blog previously reported, exclusively, (click here) Merwin's Liquor is moving forward with modifying the "loitering paradise" created by their "butt fence." This morning, it became apparent the much-discussed modifications are in progress.

The steel railing has been removed. One assumes the original railing or a replacement railing will be moved closer to the sidewalk atop the stone portion of the fence, to eliminate all the "butt fencing" taking place. Temporarily, this removal of the railing creates an even BETTER loitering situation, but one hopes it will be VERY temporary.

For the record, I continue to patronize Merwin's even if my heart is with Broadway Liquor Outlet.

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Elite Butt Fence Unit On Patrol Near Merwin's Liquor...

Photo By John Hoff

Yesterday, I spotted a police officer keeping a close eye on the "butt fence" near Merwin's Liquor at Lyndale Ave. N. and West Broadway.

Though word is the fence will be improved to get rid of the ledge used by druggies and chronic inebriates, for now the problem remains. However, police seem to be cracking down lately.

I heard a rumor that one chronic butt-sitter took an empty can of beer and tossed it over his shoulder...right in the path of a police car rolling past to the rear. Word is officers in the Fourth Precinct are as fed up with the "butt fence" as are the citizens of this area. With neighborhood revitalization gains being made all over North Minneapolis, officers appear to be putting the squeeze on chronic problem areas like the Merwin's "butt fence."

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Merwin's Liquor May Eliminate "Butt Fence" Problem...

Photos By John Hoff

A few days ago, Fifth Ward Council Member Don Samuels informed me Merwin's Liquor is planning to do something about the chronic butt fence sitting on the edge their property by making improvements to their wall and fence. Recently, in an informal late evening conversation at the home of a Jordan resident, Samuels showed me a sample fence post with screw plates at the bottom which I promptly dubbed the "Buttinator 4000." (See bottom photo)

Apparently, the current metal fence will be moved outward a couple feet to...

...eliminate the chronic loitering, which has made this corner a nexus of crime and social disorder for a number of years. Horror stories exist about citizens who won't even exit or wait for the bus on that corner, because of the squalor and crime which hangs out all day on the "butt fence."

However, it appears Merwin's is making progress on this issue, for which I am very grateful.

The butt fence issue had been simmering for a long time, but got red hot on the last few months due to an officer from the Fourth Precinct airing the issue at the Hawthorne Huddle, and then the issue hitting this blog several times, leading to the all-too-memorable term "butt fence" to enter the public discourse.

I will believe the improvements when I actually see the improvements.

However, I am looking forward to coining a new term:

The Architectural Feature Formerly Known As The Butt Fence. (TAFFKAT BF)

Party In NoMi To Help People In India...

Photo By John Hoff

Several days ago I was at a fundraiser in NoMi held to raise money for impoverished people in India. I showed up because some of my friends were going, and once I was there--well, it started with me unwrapping a tray of cookies, and then one thing led to another--and I ended up pouring beverages, collecting money, running to Micky's Liquor to buy cups. The Jordan Neighborhood "super volunteer" Megan Goodmundson worked even harder, and Hawthorne's Housing Director Jeff Skrenes put in some time, too. We just gravitated to the work needing to be done, like we always do.

The highlight of the evening was a "butterfly release" by a child dressed like "The Cat In The Hat." I remember one great line from the party organizer: India makes North Minneapolis look like Minnetonka.

Admittedly, part of me was thinking, "Why would I want to take energy and funds from North Minneapolis and give it to INDIA or, for that matter, ANYWHERE?"

However, as is so often the case with NoMi social events, much networking and politicking was accomplished. I met Officer Mark Klukow and...

...exchanged viewpoints with him. He asked me how things were going in the Fourth Precinct, and I told him fine, great, the only complaint I might have is the police don't always realize who the neighborhood association people are who've been trying so hard to change things. Klukow mentioned how one of the problems involves trying to distinguish the true movers and shakers from "posers" who inhabit the neighborhood.

"Jerry Moore," I muttered. "Say no more."

Ultimately, the organizers were just trying to get five dollar donations and they threw a great party where a lot of useful social networking took place. I came away thinking there was no harm and much good in caring about India--a place where our North Minneapolis problems pale by comparison.

In the meantime, let me add this: Micky's liquor (just down the block from this party) sells single cigarillos and five cent cups. Micky's Liquor should be embarrassed, just like Merwin's Liquor should be embarrassed over their "butt fence" where chronic inebriates hang out.

However, I have yet to find anything to complain about at Broadway Liquor Outlet.

A Heated Response From Merwin's Liquor About Their Druggie Loitering "Butt Fence" Situation

Photo By John Hoff 

Louis Dachis responded on behalf of Merwin's Liquors to things I was saying about their "butt fence" and how its bad design allows long-term loitering, and how Lt. Mike Sauro of the 4th Precinct had made mention of the situation at the most recent Hawthorne Huddle.

Those who want to enjoy the discussion and/or add more points should check out the comment threads on this post, sorry the link is not live.

http://adventuresofjohnnynorthside.blogspot.com/2009/05/mr-merwintear-down-this-wall.html


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Mr. Merwin...TEAR DOWN THIS WALL!

Photo By John Hoff 

At the last Hawthorne Neighborhood Huddle, Lieutenant Mike Sauro of the 4th Precinct discussed some increased police presence on Broadway, which will include cracking down in the area of Hawthorn Crossings, a location notorious for open air drug dealing.

In the course of that discussion...

...Sauro mentioned how the area around the parking lot for Merwin's Liquor has a deeply flawed design problem, because a low wall gives individuals a place to sit all day, hang out, and deal drugs. Sauro said if he had his way, the wall would be torn down. Sauro said if anybody knows the owner of that liquor store...well, it would be a good idea to have a little chat with him about how the fence around his property has become, in effect, seating space for dozens of no-accounts, crackheads, winos, and drug dealers.

That's my summary, not Sauro's. Sauro just mentioned how the constant "hanging around" is a problem, and how he wished the wall could be torn down and, well, maybe somebody who knows the owner could pass on the message.

I don't know the owner. But I'm sure passing on the message.

Just a few days ago, I saw a photo showing how Merwin's looked in 1974, advertising the SODA FOUNTAIN which used to be inside. Now they sell Mad Dog 20/20 to chronic inebriates which hang around like green bottle flies on rotting road kill. One of my first experiences in North Minneapolis was at Merwins, at night, and it left quite an impression.

How a mighty name in the neighborhood has come to mean so much less than it once did! If Mr. Merwin, the founder of that business, were alive today you have to wonder what he'd say. The Merwin's family name has come to represent a liquor store the size of a supermarket, with the dregs of society gathered closely around on a convenient stone ledge which seems DESIGNED for long term sitting. Would a liquor store DELIBERATELY DESIGN something to accommodate the habits of chronic loiterers, so the drunkards would stay near?

Perhaps not, but it seems to have worked out that way.