John Bailey

John Bailey's picture

Biography

About me

My name is John Bailey and I live in the Hamline Midway neighborhood with my wife and two children. We moved here from out of state in the summer of 2007. University Avenue is is one of the things we love most about the neighborhood. It’s a history class, both domestic and international, all in one street.

I admit that I am biased. I’ve spent much of my professional career advocating for increased transit investments so I am very excited about the Central Corridor. But clearly the construction of the line will impact, and has impacted, the local merchants along University. This blog is my small attempt to promote these businesses to a wider audience so people can come spend their dollars here during the construction (and hopefully after).

Personal Web site: 
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Column: 
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The succor of Suqaar

By John Bailey, GreenLineGems

The West Bank can be a difficult place to love. Urban renewal did quite a number to its street network and, I presume, several historic buildings. But it actually has some of my favorite retail shops (Midwest Mountaineering, Freewheel Bikes), music locales (The Cedar), and theaters (Mixed Blood). Oh, and I suppose my son was born at Fairview which was a pretty important thing.

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Señor Wong's: Don't fear the name, the food is stellar

By John Bailey, GreenLineGems

I admit that I was skeptical when Señor Wong’s (111 Kellogg Blvd) opened up. I worked in downtown St. Paul at the building across the street when it opened a few years ago, and the name threw me. It seemed a little too kitschy, and honestly there is a lot of bad chinese and mexican food out there. Would this be far less than the sum of its parts?

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It takes a Stadium Village

By John Bailey, GreenLineGems

I’ll confess: commercial districts near universities tend to not to be my first choice for a night out. That’s why I was pleased to learn about the Taste of Stadium Village event last Thursday night. It was a good excuse to get me out of my comfort zone. (And the $1 food and beverage choices at participating restaurants was a successful incentive.)

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Daily Diner could not be finer

By John Bailey, GreenLineGems

I just had a great meal at the brand new Daily Diner in Frogtown. But before I go much further, a couple of acknowledgements are needed.

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Reptiles and reuse on University Avenue

By John Bailey, GreenLineGems

Can you not bear to throw away your used yogurt containers? Will St. Paul ever catch up with the times and allow curbside plastic #5 recycling? (I know…First World Problems.)

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'Lights of Victoria': Iny Asian Dance Theater troupe dances in the shadows of the old Victoria Theatre

By John Bailey, GreenLineGems

On Sunday night I took my children to see “Lights of Victoria,” which is the latest project emanating from Irrigate-the unique artist led placemaking initiative spanning the six miles of the C

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We all fall for Foxy Falafel

By John Bailey, GreenLineGems

I’d heard of this mini-trend (a trendlet?) of food truck chefs opening bricks-and-morter restaurants.

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The Big Yum at Big Daddy's

By John Bailey, GreenLineGems

Today I finally made it to Big Daddy’s. I love BBQ and have been lucky enough to eat at some great places in difference places.

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Papaya salad the start at Hmongtown Marketplace

By John Bailey, GreenLineGems

I’m cheating a bit as Hmongtown Marketplace is not technically on the Green Line, but it is still within the 1/2 mile walking range of the future Rice Street station so I feel OK about this. The market has been on my to do list for a few years, but I never managed to make it over until Friday afternoon.

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Date night on the Green Line: Caffe Biaggio, the Gremlin, and Ngon Vietnamese Bistro

By John Bailey, GreenLineGems

The wife and I scored a sitter last night and, by chance, made it a (mainly) Green Line evening. In truth, the evening began far away in northeast Minneapolis at Psycho Suzie’s.

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