I would be super-excited about St. Paul’s new status, if being excited weren’t so darned un-cool. I’m not sure what the really hip reaction to our fair city’s new recognition is, but the press release from the mayor’s office must come close to the properly ironic reaction:
SAINT PAUL – Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman and local hipsters today reacted to Saint Paul’s Lowertown neighborhood’s new designation as America’s top hipster zip code. The designation was established by RealtyTrac, which analyzed hipster markets.
“While the precise definition of hipsters is elusive —which is likely just how they want it — there’s no doubt the culture surrounding the hipster lifestyle has a major impact on local real estate markets, and mostly in a positive way,” the study said.
“I couldn’t be more proud that our efforts to create a cool, but not too outwardly cool, vibrant but not too showy, and modern but also retro-feeling culture in our Lowertown area has really worked,” Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman said. “I might even buy some oversized chunky eye glasses and a fixed-gear bike.”
“That’s old news, my friends and I knew that way back in like 2011,” said Jamie Hipster while perusing a rack of sized 28 x 29 jeans at the Black/Blue shop in neighboring Cathedral Hill neighborhood.
“I don’t think there’s anything I can really say,” said Saint Paul’s Director of Hipster Recruitment, Joe Spencer, who promptly cracked open a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon to celebrate the distinction.
However, with light rail soon to open, the growing popularity of restaurants like the Bulldog, Barrio, and Buttered Tin, and the new Lowertown ballpark and refurbished Union Depot, Lowertown business owners and residents expect to attract normal, everyday people, too.
For those of you on the other side of the river, here’s a brief look at some of the hip icons of Lowertown and nearby zip codes, via Storify. [If you don’t see the Storify photos and comments below, please refresh your browser window.]
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