New Year, New VIBE  |  By Lianna Cotant

A space to gather.

A place to build relationships.

A lounge designed with events in mind.

Plus, beer on tap, shuffleboard, snacks and lots of cozy nooks to catch up on work. 

When I joined the VIBE team last fall, I heard rumors about the new office space, how “cool” it would be: all the amenities, the thoughtfulness put into the details, not to mention the location in the Blair Arcade. I wasn’t sure if the new space would truly live up to the hype.

I should not have doubted.

Stepping into the warm offices, filled with natural light, I love grabbing a spot in a booth where I can work and chat as agents come and go. The space is the physical embodiment of the tenants that guide VIBE:…

Lowertown's holiday sights and sounds don't disappoint and we gathered up our favorites to share with you!

Union Depot 

Address: 212 4th Street East St Paul, MN

Next stop? Union Depot, your one-stop-shop for the holidays. 

Built in 1923, the depot was designed in the Beaux-Arts style and features stunning architecture and elegant details. And, it’s even more stunning this time of year. 

Sparkling lights dangle from trees, as shoppers browse the authentic European Christmas hosted outside of the train station. Small businesses sell knitted caps, mittens, candles and other gifts that make you feel like “there’s no place like home”.

Get on board to warm holiday cheer! The trip to Union Depot is worth it for the crépes, hot chocolate,…

North Loop: This neighborhood definitely passes the VIBE check. A bustling social scene, amazing drinks, mouth-watery eats... enticing! Check out a list of some of our favorite spots now!

MPLS Farmers Market

Fresh for Fall

A shout out to homegrown, the MPLS Farmers Market has everything to love about all things fresh in Fall. 

Browse pumpkins, honey crisp apples, or other autumnal produce for a backyard bash or home-cooked pie. Open daily 6 a.m. to 1 p.m., this makes for a beautiful and colorful Saturday stroll in the city.

Upstairs Circus

What’s the buzz?

When the weather gets chilly, it’s time to find a hobby. Upstairs Circus is a bar-meets-DIY-workshop with a full menu of cocktails and art projects. 

Our Picks:

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Last month we covered Como Park in Saint Paul, and now we’re hitting the nearby neighborhood of Como in Minneapolis. Its boundaries are East Hennepin Avenue to the north, 33rd Avenue Southeast (the eastern city limit) to the east, the Southeast Industrial Area to the south, and Interstate 35W to the west. This area is also home to numerous spots and creative studios. Check out some highlights of Como below.

Gem Salon 

A cherished neighbor of our VIBE office, Gem Salon recently relocated to Como in Minneapolis! Help them feel welcome in their new digs and check them out in their new industrial space in the FISK Building. They offer modern and cutting-edge hair services, and never disappoint with their client experience.
gemsalonspa.com

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In honor of the Great Minnesota Get Together (The Minnesota State fair coming up!), we’ve highlighted the nearby area of the Como neighborhood. Located in the Northwestern area of Saint Paul, is best known for Como Park Zoo, the Conservatory and beautiful Como Lake. If you’re looking for a recreational haven in the midst of the city, Como Park won’t disappoint. There are a wide variety of free or reasonably priced activities, services and educational opportunities for residents in the neighborhood and park visitors. Enjoy boat rentals, a golf course, bike paths, picnic areas, sports fields, and pavilions. This area is also home to numerous restaurants where you can kick back, listen to live music, and enjoy your surroundings. Check out some highlights of…

Robbinsdale is just Northwest of Minneapolis and a part of Hennepin County. With a suburban feel, yet close enough to all that Minneapolis has to offer — this area has a good amount of single family homes, and is made up of parks, lakes, restaurants, and a historic downtown. Check out our curated Robbinsdale spots below.

Travail Kitchen and Amusements 

A must-go-to spot, Travail is located in downtown Robbinsdale and offers experiential dining with some awesome new concepts (and parking lot parties with live music!) They serve new American food and rotate signature dining experiences along with an interactive brunch. We’re talkin’ food stations, meat carving, build-your-own omelets, raw bar and more. Their chef’s tasting menu features seasonal…

Uptown is centered at the intersection of Hennepin Avenue and West Lake Street and has long been a hip neighborhood of Minneapolis. A staple area for decades, it was famously written about by Prince. It has traditionally spanned the corners of four neighborhoods, Lowry Hill East, East Bde Maka Ska, South Uptown and East Isles neighborhoods, which are all within the Calhoun Isles community. Throughout the many changes over time, this area is still full of buzzy gastropubs, bistros, stores and boutiques. Known for its classic Uptown Theater on Hennepin and being near walking and cycling paths encircling Lake Bde Maka Ska and Lake of the Isles, this area has plenty to do.

Sookie & Mimi

One of the most recent additions to Uptown, Sookie & Mimi is an…

North Saint Paul is a distinct area (considered more of its own city than a neighborhood) located Northeast of downtown Saint Paul, and has great historical context and charm. The structures are older, including a downtown stretch of storefront with a six block long Main Street. Silver Lake and Casey Lake are the area’s largest bodies of water and both have adjacent parks great for a weekend stroll. Being a historical spot, North Saint Paul boasts the oldest continuously operating bar in Minnesota, Neumann's Bar, highlighted below. Check out other known local spots and hole-in the-wall gems on our compiled list.

Neumann’s Bar

Head to Neumann’s bar for a blast to the past, located in the historic downtown area. They opened for business in…

A Minneapolis favorite for most, St. Anthony Main is located on the Mississippi River with some the best views of downtown. It’s a pocket of Northeast Minneapolis that is definitely worth exploring. This gem is characterized by its cobblestone road lined with a historic theater, bustling restaurants and popular patios. It’s also the oldest portion of the city, but has kept it’s character intact. Take a walk through and you’ll see for yourself! Below are some recommended places to explore in the neighborhood.

Minneapolis Cider Company

Who doesn’t love a good cider? This hangout has cool industrial vibes offering ciders, handcrafted food, cocktails, and pickleball. Yes, you can book a court for pickleball. Run, don’t walk.
minneapoliscider.co/

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Not to be confused with West Side Saint Paul, the city of West Saint Paul actually looks pretty south when viewing it on a map, but hey, it’s a worthy area to cover none-the-less. The city's misleading name comes in part from the fact that it lies on the west bank of the predominantly north-to-south Mississippi River. Robert Street is the main drag in this area with some great spots to check out. And you know, since we’re covering it on our neighborhood series, we’ve compiled a list below. 

Crumbl Cookies

If you haven’t had a Crumbl cookie yet, are you really living? These giant freshly baked cookies are the bee’s knees. The best part? They rotate between super creative flavors every week so you never get tired of them. Yeah, it’s dangerous. And…