Walkin’ Around Checkin’ Stuff Out. #26

It’s been a week. One of those weeks that feels like two, maybe three weeks in one. you know those kinds of weeks.

I’m going to focus this week’s post on positive stuff that has soul. Places that have a vibe and do things better because someone cared and had the passion to chase a dream and made something really damn good in the process.

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Hyacinth.

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Hyacinth. St. Paul, MN

Hyacinth is a tiny little Italian joint on Grand Avenue in St. Paul. We’ve been coming since they opened and have never been let down. The food has always been great. The kind of place it’s easy to see the only reason they’re in business is to do something better. No rockstar chef vibes…no Instagrammable backdrops…just good food, in a great space.

I don’t know what makes one space work better than another…I guess I usually like smaller spaces…tables crammed together, some good room noise so the place is buzzin’. But it’s the people, too…seeing all different types of characters in conversation over drinks and food is pretty cool.

Hyacinth has it all…whatever it is, it works. The place has a vibe.

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Hi-Fi Hair & Records.

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When I’ve had a crappy week I like to make an appointment with Jonny at Hi-Fi Hair to remind myself how it’s done.

Soul. Jonny has it. He’s created the perfect rock & roll world where he does exactly what he wants to do, how he wants to do it, and there’s nothing else like it.

I leave Hi-Fi recharged and inspired. (And he always trims my bushy eyebrows so I’m looking sharp…or as sharp as I can.)

Hi-Fi Hair & Records. Minneapolis, MN

How many salons have a kickass record store connected to them?

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Camden Social.

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Camden social is one of the last stops on our Lyndale Avenue Checklist and it was a good one.

Great restaurants are as much about the scene and the people as it is about the food and drinks.

Camden Social has a killer vibe…like an old school 1960’s dinner club complete with live music. People dress up and go out for a night on the town and it’s special.

Camden Social. Minneapolis, MN

“Raising the bar” is a theme that runs through the restaurant…from the neon sign that literally says “Raising the bar”, to the fancy cigar display, to the live band, to the owner who keeps a watchful eye on the place while looking sharp in a fancy hat and red pocket square…as if to say: “If I can look this good, so can you.”

Well…I didn’t look that good, but I sure dug checking out the people that did.

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One last thing…

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I don’t do a lot of commercial work, but occasionally a cool job comes along that seems fun. This was one of those jobs. Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine had me draw a bunch of small local shops…it was right in my zone. And it’s always cool to see my little drawings in print.

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