January 2010 Newsletter

Thank you new and renewing members

Amore Coffee
www.amorecoffee.com

AM 950
www.am950ktnf.com

Birchwood Café
www.birchwoodcafe.com

Discern Engineering
discern@visi.com

DJ’s Creative Solutions
krausedonna@msn.com

Grand Hand Gallery
www.thegrandhand.com

Sharrett’s Liquors
www.sharrettsliquors.com

Ship Mate
www.smstationer.com

Smitten Kitten
www.smittenkittenonline.com

Sisters of St. Joseph Foundation
Ministries Foundation
www.csjministriesfoundation.org

St. Paul Almanac
www.saintpaulalmanac.com

Sweatshop Health Club
www.sweatshopfitness.com

Feb. 2 Networking Event

(always the first Tuesday of the month)
7:30-9:30 a.m.

Create Catering & Consulting
1121 Jackson St. NE
Suite 145
Minneapolis, MN 55413
612-331-3310
www.createcaters.com

Policy Agenda 2010

In the first week of February, Minnesota's political parties will hold their caucuses to start the process of setting the agenda for politics in 2010.

A week later, Metro Independent Business Alliance will hold the only caucus where your voice - the voice of the local economy - sets the agenda. The local business policy caucus on Feb. 9, 2010 is where MetroIBA members will set the policy agenda for the Alliance, establishing which issues and concerns on which we focus the voice of independent, local businesses.

Feb. 9, 2010
4:30 p.m. - (optional) Issue education sessions
6:00 p.m. - Dinner and policy caucus

Hosted by Weinblatt and Gaylord, PLC
Kellogg Square Building
111 E. Kellogg Blvd.
downtown St. Paul
2nd floor meeting room

RSVP at www.metroiba.org

Spotlight on a Business

Tim and Tom’s Speedy Market
2310 Como Ave.
(Doswell and Como)
St. Paul, MN 55108
651-645-7360
www.timandtomsspeedymarket.com

Tim Faacks and Tom Spreigl have owned and operated this store since 1995. Both worked for Schroeder Milk, the store's previous owner. Tim has been working in the meat department/deli since 1982, starting part time and eventually taking over as meat manager. Tom started working as a cashier at Speedy Market on Rice Street in 1978. Tom worked his way up the ranks at company, becoming a store manager in 1982. He worked at several other stores before becoming manager at the Saint Anthony Park location. Schroeder Milk started selling its chain of stores in 1992. In 1995, the Saint Anthony Park store was sold to Tim and Tom.

Do not let the name Speedy Market fool you into thinking that this is a convenience store. “We are a full-service grocery store, featuring an old-fashioned meat counter, fresh produce that is delivered six days a week, a large variety of fresh made sandwiches and salads made in our on-site deli. We feature a large selection of your everyday needs, as well organic and international products. We'll even carry your groceries to your car!”  According to the omnipresent owners, here are a few things the folks at Speedy hear on a daily basis:
  
   - "You have such a wide variety in such a small space."
   - "You have everything we need!"
   - "You have the best meat department in town.  We don't buy our meat anywhere else."
   - "You always have the freshest produce."
   - "I just love your tuna fish sandwiches."
   - "Tim makes the best bratwurst."
   - "I always thought this was a little convenience store,
    but I was surprised by everything you had."
   - "I love the oatmeal cookies you bake here!"
   - "I can't believe the low price of these organic strawberries!"

Board Elections

There are four open positions for the MetroIBA Board of Directors. Business and citizen member seats are both available. Nominations for seats will close Jan. 31. Ballots will go out and election held in late February.

2010 Annual Meeting

Wednesday, March 10

Please help us celebrate all that has been accomplished in the last year and meet your new board representatives at newly renovated Amore Coffee - Smith Ave (formerly Old Man River Café).

879 Smith Ave.
St. Paul, MN
www.amorecoffee.com

Member In The News

Founding board member, Beth Bergman, owner of Wet Paint Artists Materials and Framing, at 1684 Grand Ave., discusses how Health Care Reform will affect her small business http://bit.ly/87SJWc

What Women Want

MN Women’s Press 2010 Survey

Tell your friends all over the Twin Cities about your best finds and independent businesses for women. MetroIBA member MN Womens Press is asking for your recommendations. This is a great opportunity to promote locally owned, independent businesses, especially MetroIBA members like So What’s New at the Chocolate Spoon, Amore Coffee, Warners’ Stellian and Bibelot. 

Cast your votes by Feb. 15, 2010 and you could be a big winner! Answer at least five questions regarding “what you want” and you’ll be registered to win:
• A two-night stay in Hotel Sofitel's Presidential Suite
• Two breakfasts for two
• One dinner at Chez Colette for two

Watch for the annual women’s favorites issue May 2010 to find out ... What Women Want!