On January 10th, the Apple Valley City Council approved a $1.11 million purchase agreement with South Shore Development to buy a piece of property in the fucking Cobblestone Lake area where the new SuperTarget, referred to as Apple Valley Target South by Target (why? I don’t know, it’s less than one mile further South than the other fucking Target in town) resides.
It’s really unfortunate that I will never visit this new store as it’s closer than the other two Apple Valley Municipal Liquor stores that are 3 miles and 2 miles away from this future location. I refuse to shop at Lakeville Liquors (which opened a new store within walking distance of my home) because they (like El Loro in Burnsville) require that you swipe your ID through a machine instead of just manually reading it like they should.
I’m not quite sure if spending over one million dollars for the land alone (the total project is slated to be just under $5 million) is a wise investment and I’m not quite sure how they justify that this new location will start generating revenue after one year. If the other two stores only generate $450k (combined) yearly, it’s a bit much to expect this one to make $5+ million a year especially with those that don’t care about their privacy shopping at Lakeville Liquors so close by (less than 1.5 miles). Unless of course they mean *any* revenue which is just pointless to even mention — “Look at that there Cletus, that’s our first $10 bill!”
Boo to Apple Valley’s City Council in making yet another shitty decision while trying to make it sound like such a great one by claiming it will go to “support the city’s parks and recreation programs, purchase fire trucks and fund police items.”
Morons.
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January 23rd, 2008 at 12:09 pm
So I can drive down the road and pass 3 SuperTargets in an 8 mile span, huh? Whatever. This new one is a plus for me since I live down in Farmington, though – far enough but close enough.
January 23rd, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Mike,
Ask Farmington to build one and keep the chains out of Apple Valley, I’ll personally thank you!
January 23rd, 2008 at 12:20 pm
I liked your earlier comparison – Apple Valley and Woodbury. Quite accurate.
January 23rd, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Mike,
It is all too accurate and that should make everyone in Apple Valley extremely disappointed that they have no identity. Checkout a related article here about how suburbs are trying to become “unique” and another here (page 62 of 76) where Burnsville is going to attempt to capitalize on the Mall of America by contracting with a firm to alter their brand image.
Apple Valley needs to stop trying to play little sister to Woodbury and instead stand up and realize that they should not be a haven to ticky-tacky cookie-cutter hell, they would be a helluva lot better off!
It’s gotta start with the City Council. If they would stop approving the shit companies that they approve then eventually those that live in the town would begin to come around.
January 24th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Seriously…what is your problem dude? This is Suburbia….NOT Farm country. Do you know that you live within 20 minutes of a MAJOR Metropolitan City, an International Airport, The “Mall of America.” Target is now a STAPLE in every Suburban Community! MOVE OUT! Move to flippin Blue Earth and travel by buggy and live in a shed!
January 24th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Thanks for proving my point of why it isn’t necessary.
January 25th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Bill I gotta hand it to you. You are (well, your site is) truly a magnet for IQ challenged asshats.
On a side note, “This is Suburbia” (note the maintenance of the capital ‘S’ provided by the above asshat) just might be the slogan that results from the Burnsville branding effort this year. Maybe on a sign along 35W in Arial font, faux brushed metal lettering mounted on faux Mississippi River sandstone, dappled in light pollution from the parking lot lights of our new SuperTarget.
Aah. You’ve arrived.
Personally I would love to move to Blue Earth and not have to deal with folks like the above asshat who fail to realize that the proliferation of megaconglomorates that strive for profit and ubiquity is contributing to the demise of creativity, vitality and uniqueness of the American community.
I can’t answer asshat’s question and speak for Bill’s problem, but MY problem is that I am sick of talented, brilliant, entrepreneureal people not able to achieve their piece of the American dream because some megaconglomorate is going to drastically undercut their price with inferior, watered down products and intrusive marketing practices.
I am sick of low standards. People accepting seas of massive beige garages hiding teeny-tiny little beige townhouses. People celebrating the community landing a gawdawful formulaic chain restaurant that offers chicken fingers and nothing else but having to search for weeks to find a plate of food made with care or expertise beyond pressing start on a pre-programmed deep fat fryer, only to have the caring restauranteurs close up shop because a new Applebees “Neighborhood Restaurant” moved in next door.
In Blue Earth, that shed and buggy were likely built by the hands of neighbors from a design and materials that made sense in the context of the land and done with a purpose. Not Centex or some other off-shore megaconglomorate who doesn’t care that they are destroying the visual landscape of America, encouraging aspiring architects to abandon their creativity and sell out to the lowering standards of American design, and leaving good people to deal with the annoyances of shoddy craftsmanship.
My problem is that in raising my three kids, it’s damned near impossible to impart on them a sense of individuality and ownership because there are so few examples of those traits in our surrounding community. “See, son. If you work hard and use your God given gifts you can aspire to have your job outsourced to a service center in Calcutta, India too!” The conveniences of megaconglomorates, the conveniences of the electronic media, the conveniences of faster/bigger/cheaper is eroding our social skills, our ambition, our creativity, our ability to survive independently and our health.
Asshat, as soon as I can position myself to have a choice, I will move to some place like Blue Earth. I already have my piece of rural acreage where the megaconglomorates won’t reach and dumb down for a very long time, if ever.
In the meantime, I will, as Bill does, publicly encourage and challenge my present neighbors (Burnsville in my case) to resist exchanging their hard-earned dollar for mediocrity, intrusion and ubiquity.
Maybe, asshat, YOU need to move to Blue Earth for a while and gain a little perspective on what the problem really is here.
January 25th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
MSPD,
I applaud your attempt to explain something in a far more ornate manner than I’m willing to offer the “asshats” that I do, purposefully at times, attract here.
Thanks,
Bill
January 26th, 2008 at 10:15 am
I was bored. The wife and kids are out of town.
January 26th, 2008 at 11:23 am
MSPD,
Nice and again thanks for the comment, I really did enjoy reading it.
Bill
February 11th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
It’s waaaaay too late for Apple Valley. They’ve gone way to far to in the corporate suburbia nowheresville direction. It’s nice to see that the new Target will be even closer to Farmington when I need to run there and pick something up. I’ll be buying my liquor elsewhere though. Anyways, how do they think they will generate revenue after 1 year? I don’t get it. Is it being planned by the Copper Bleu guy?
February 11th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
jf,
Well, it’s never too late but they certainly aren’t doing anything to help by creating more shopping centers (and it’s not like any of the surrounding suburban hellholes are doing any better with Burnsville’s Heart of the City failure and Eagan’s new Cedar Grove “revitalization” project — there are two links there BTW).
Perhaps when these stupid projects fail (much like the near empty Apple Valley Central Village which forces small business to take out huge loans that they aren’t having much luck recovering from) the morons on the City’s planning commission will stop trying to create these new-aged strip malls.
February 12th, 2008 at 10:38 am
Bill, you seem to know what is going on around the Cobblestone Lake Target. Do you know any of the other businesses going in their besides Wells Fargo and the liquor store. Just curious if those of us south of 160th street are ever going to get a fast food resturant that we can use the drive thru at and actually still have the food be warm when we get home. Too much to ask you think?
February 12th, 2008 at 10:59 am
Jason,
I haven’t seen anything as of yet but your best bet would be to use Wendy’s, Burger King, or Rotten Ronnie’s in Rosemount.
Personally, I’d prefer that they keep fast-food out of that area all together because of the close proximity to Cedar/42 and MN-3/42 but I’m sure they won’t listen to me ;)
If I have any updates, I’ll be sure to post them :)
February 12th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
More talk will happen at this week’s Apple Valley City Council meeting regarding this pointless and expensive liquor store.
February 21st, 2008 at 7:29 am
Sweet! Our ever so intelligent City Council has approved this overpriced and unnecessary liquor store and they will begin work on it in April. ~$5 million is a metric fuckload of money that is much better spent elsewhere (like to alleviate the $14 million dollar park improvement bond that was approved in November). Oh right, if/when this store begins to make a profit (remember, the current liquor stores made less than $500k together last year) then it will go to improve things like parks (among a multitude of others).
Read more at the MN Sun here.
February 21st, 2008 at 7:33 am
I just noticed that in the Sun’s article they comment that the City Owned stores generate $7 million in sales but in the article I linked to when I first posted this story from Thisweek Online there is quite a disparity in the amount of money that we’re talking about.
Sales != Revenue and thus shouldn’t even be brought up in the discussion. Mmmmm, City Council doublespeak so that they can one up Lakeville’s massively unnecessary store that I will never visit because they scan IDs. Awesome. We have to beat the Jones’!
Fuck you Apple Valley City Council.
February 22nd, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Apple Valley is putting out bids for their overpriced, oversized and unnecessary Liquor Store #3 located in the Cobblestone Lake hellhole.
15,000 sq feet of one upping the Jones’! Yay for wasting money!
From here:
1018 LG Advertisement For Bids
PUBLIC NOTICE DOCUMENT 00 11 16 – INVITATION TO BID PROJECT IDENTIFICATION Title: Apple Valley Liquor Store #3 Apple Valley, MN 55124 Owner: City of Apple Valley Architect: CNH Architects, Inc. 7300 W 147th St. Suite 504 Apple Valley, MN 55124 PROJECT DESCRIPTION One story liquor store for the City of Apple Valley on a vacate parcel. This store is more than 15,000sf with brick and stone exterior and flat roofs. This project is located on the south side of 157th Street at the corner of Pilot Knob Rd and 157th Street. BASIS OF BIDS Type: Lump sum, single prime contractor Requirements: Sealed bids shall be based on the Contract Documents prepared by CNH Architects, Inc. COMPLETION TIME Contractor shall Substantially Complete this Project on or before October 1, 2008. Liquidated damages will be charged to the contractor starting October 15, 2008 if not Substantial Complete on or before this date. SUBSTITUTIONS The materials, products and equipment described in the Bidding Documents are to be met by any proposed substitutions. Written requests for approval of substitutions may submit by bidders for consideration by the Architect. Requests must be received by the Architect at least ten (10) calendar days prior to the bid date and shall include sufficient data to describe the substitution and any impact it would have on other work. If the Architect approves a proposed substitution, the approval will be indicated in an addendum. No substitutions will be considered after the Contract award unless specifically provided in the Contract Documents. BID OPENING Date/Time: March 18, 2008 at 2:00 pm Location: City of Apple Valley Municipal Center, 7100 West 147th Street, Apple Valley, MN 55124 Requirements: Bids received after this time will not be accepted. No oral or fax bids will be accepted. EXAMINATION OF DOCUMENTS Copies of the plans will be on file at the offices of the Owner, Architect, engineers and the following: McGraw Hill Construction, 1401 Glenwood Ave North, Minneapolis, MN 55405 Builders Exchange of St. Paul, 445 Farrington Street, St. Paul, MN 55103 Minneapolis Builders Exchange, 1123 Glenwood Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55405 Reed Construction Data, Doc Processing Ctr., 30 Technology Pkwy S., #500, Norcross, GA, 30092 PROCUREMENT OF DOCUMENTS Bidders may obtain a full set of bidding documents from the office of CNH Architects, Inc. with the receipt of a $150.00 payment. Prime bidders may receive a second set for an additional payment. No partial sets will be issued. Refunds will be given to all bidders that return the bidding documents in good condition within fifteen days of the bid opening. Prime contractors, which submit a bonafide bid, will receive a full refund for their first set of documents. All other bidders, and prime Contractor second sets, will receive a $100.00 refund. BID SECURITY Quantity: 5% of Bid amount. Requirements: Each Bid shall have a Bid Bond, cashier’s check or certified check payable to the Owner as a guaranty of the prompt execution of the contract. BONDING REQUIREMENTS Contractor shall provide a Performance Bond and Labor and Material Payment Bond for 100% of the Contract Amount. BIDDER’S QUALIFICATIONS The Owner may require proof of qualifications in the form of a completed AIA A305 Contractor’s Qualification Statement prior to the award of bids. RIGHT TO REJECT The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive irregularities and informalities therein, and further reserves the right to award the contract in the best interest of the Owner. Bids may not be withdrawn within sixty (60) days after the opening without the consent of the Owner. LAWS AND REGULATIONS Employment: Contractor and subcontractors shall comply with all applicable provisions of federal, state and municipal laws which prohibit discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age and physical or mental handicap and all rules and regulations, promulgated and adopted pursuant thereto. 1054687 2/23-3/1/08
March 18th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Get off your damn high horse you lame ass. I love the new Super Target since it is 1 mile from my house and even though I do not drink it is great that we can hopefully take liquor business away from lame ass Lakeville. You need to head the F north again and do a quality review like the one of Pastrami Jacks. Another thought….I love the traffic circle by the new hotel. Get over yourself since I travel a lot on the east coast and round abouts are common AND functional!!! I would rather not have a damn stop sign.
March 18th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
1. I’m not sure where you are traveling on “the east coast” but they certainly are not commonplace.
2. There might be “functional” traffic circles elsewhere but the layout and unfortunate design of the one on 153rd creates more confusion than a traditional intersection and the end result is that too many people begin traveling the wrong way down 153rd.
3. What was your point about Pastrami Jack’s? It has nothing to do with this.
July 13th, 2008 at 8:22 am
[...] week I posted a comment about suburbs trying to create an identity for themselves under my post about the completely [...]
July 25th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
[...] The fucking stupid and pointless Apple Valley Liquor Store #3 located by that stupid and unnecessary second SuperTarget will have an HVAC system powered by [...]
July 28th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
It’s so easy to sit on the outside and point fingers at the City Council. They aren’t stupid – they are going to approve projects that residents desire, fit into the Comprehensive Plan, and generate revenue (hence supporting other projects in Apple Valley.
Having just moved to the area from the Woodbury area – AV seems to plan better than eastern suburbs.
In a couple of months you’ll be forgotten and people will be buying liquor from the new store (they’re already loving the Super Target – after bitching and moaning just like this blog).
July 28th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
*shrug*
July 28th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
I’ll still be bitching about something in a couple months…no matter what they build or where they put it. Unless it is a Chili’s…then I might settle down.
August 4th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
[...] reason to keep the “undesirables” away from their little cramped hellhole. I guess that famed Apple Valley Liquor Store #3 isn’t all that attractive when it might be fueling senior citizens to commit crimes from [...]
September 8th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
[...] our city and damaging its future growth. Projects such as the absolutely ridiculous and unnecessary Apple Valley Liquor Store #3 which requires a run of fiber optics to connect it to the city network and the failing Founders [...]
November 28th, 2008 at 5:13 am
I was quoted in this article over at the Pioneer Press which centers on the new liquor store in Apple Valley.
November 28th, 2008 at 7:28 am
Wow man, you’ve hit the big time. Awesome publicity.
November 28th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
No municipality should be in the business of selling liquor. That’s the big problem here. Leave it to a private enterprise.
And if the Apple Valley City Council thinks that the city will improve by constructing roundabouts, then they should all move to Europe.
May 3rd, 2009 at 9:36 am
well, after searching through my third class junque mail checking for 12.00 two topping pizzas and 17.95 oil changes, guess what i found??? nestled between anderson windows and carpet master was a coupon for, (drum roll), new location now open!! (second drum roll)….”APPLE VALLEY LIQUOR”. it was in the ValPac, blue envelope full of stuffings. maybe i’m a shut in, but as i recall, i’ve never seen an advertisement for av munis.
thought it’d be worth mentioning.
bb