Improvement award winners announced

By Margie O’Loughlin

The Longfellow Business Association (LBA) recognized two neighborhood business owners at their annual meeting on Thur., Apr. 9. Two businesses shared the honor of being this year’s Diane Radtke Community Improvement Award winners.

The award recognizes a business (or in this case, two businesses) that have greatly improved their property or facade. Fireroast Cafe, located at 3800 37th Ave. S., is sporting a cheerful paint color, outdoor seating and a naturalized boulevard garden. The Longfellow Market, located at 3815 E. Lake St., is a renovation of the former Peterson’s Machinery building.

LBA began sponsoring the award in 2000, and it was given out each year until 2005. It was revived this year, to draw attention to the many business improvements that have been made throughout the area.

The two winners were chosen from an impressive list of nominees. The other nominees were:

— Miller Upholstery, 3614 E. Lake St.

— Lowbrow Saints Tattoo, 3500 Minnehaha Ave.

— Jakubas Dental, 4554 Minnehaha Ave.

— Sonora Grill, 3300 E. Lake St.

— Merlin’s Rest, 3601 E. Lake St.

— MN School of Barbering, 3615 E. Lake St.

— Northwest Graphics, 4200 E. Lake St.

— Rail Station Bar & Grill, 3675 Minnehaha Ave.

— Parkway Pizza, 4359 Minnehaha Ave.

The award is named for Diane Radtke, owner of the former Lake Street Garage, who led by example in her efforts to improve the neighborhood. In addition to being a charter member of LBA and the owner of a successful restaurant, Radkte was a tireless advocate for clean streets and vitality in greater Longfellow.