I am pretty sure that everyone around Corcoran has seen the truck. It has what looks like a fried egg and how do you say that?  Kabob-a-what? Kabomelette is a Corcoran resident owned and operated food truck.

Chelsea moved to Corcoran 26 years ago with her single mom when she was just a young girl but moved back with Greg after college. Settling right into Corcoran to be near her mother, the couple are now raising their children in the neighborhood as well.

As summer fun wraps up and kids go back to school, what is your plan? Each fall I wonder what to do with myself for the upcoming colder months. Why not sign up for a class with Wild Lore to get my creative juices flowing, learn a new hobby or make new friends? This non-profit organization just started in June, but has already brought several classes to our community and peers.

Wild Lore Folk School functions as a collective, non-profit organization started by some like-minded individuals. The goal is to create a sense of community by bringing their “wildcrafting” or traditional skills to those interested in learning these ancient arts while focusing on sustainable living and self-reliance. Classes can be anything from shelter building to book binding or even a nationally recognized, professional-level, wilderness, first aid certification course. The list of options never ends!

Most people can appreciate art, but I think many may be like me. They don’t know if it’s good or bad, or why it costs so much and are generally intimidated by the typical gallery. Is someone judging the size of my pocketbook or looking down their nose and wondering why I would even bother looking?

Fortunately, not all galleries are created equal. Our neighbor, Naomi Joy, costumer, designer, sculptor, and performance artist, started a space just over a year ago. She calls it the “Island”. It is a very unique, wonderful and ever-changing space available to an artist or group of artists for creative exploration, workspace or platform to showcase their creativity. This is not your typical white wall gallery (in fact the walls are bright red!). Shows tend toward the eccentric. As an artist or group takes up residency they are encouraged to completely “inhabit” the space of the room, not just the walls. Shows have been running about every other month and consist of an artist or a group collaborating around a specific theme.

“As a salon we provide a calm and friendly atmosphere where your days are made and your experiences are had. We strive to be on the top of education and fashion trends. Every service is an experience when you sit with us. Leaving time for you to Be Beautiful, Be Unique and Be You!” —Tammy Angrimson, owner.

That is why Shear Art Hair Studio exists. Since she was a teenager, Tammy always knew she wanted to “do hair.” Over the years she worked to get a business degree and a cosmetology license so that she could properly create the business she wanted with her own specific missions and goals.

I really found this to be true! When I stepped into Shear Art Hair Studio I found an inviting space with friendly stylists. I was immediately greeted with a hospitality I’d expect from a long lost family member.

As they say in Real Estate, part of the appeal of the Corcoran Neighborhood is “Location! Location! Location!”. We have Lake Street, light rail, major shopping and local restaurants, but the one thing that is difficult to get around here is a cocktail. While Du Nord sits just across Hiawatha from Corcoran, it definitely fits the bill – good quality, locally made spirits within walking or biking distance in an elegant setting.

Chris Montana grew up around the neighborhood and went to South High and his wife, Shanelle, is from rural Minnesota. The two watched as the craft beer industry exploded and customers became educated about things like ABVs and IBUs and the quality of the beer they were drinking. Chris was a home brewer and since the science of distilling is similar up to the distillation process they had a hunch there just might be a market for craft spirits as well!

Lobbying succeeded in getting the licensing needed to start their business but they still needed to find space. Going back to his roots, Chris thought South Minneapolis would be the perfect place and the 32nd Street location had the proper zoning as well as proximity to light rail and local neighborhoods.

I remember how sad both my wife and were when we heard the Town Talk Diner on East Lake St. and 27th was closing its doors. Door, singular. That marquee remained, but there were no more of those amazing fries; until now. Someone was smart enough to use that iconic marquee and simply put a little “Le” on top of it.

That someone is the new owner of Le Town Talk, Emilie Cellai. We mentioned how happy we were that the space was being revitalized. Cellai responded that she was happy to be a part of a neighborhood that reminded her of the diversity of her hometown, Marseille. She added that she wants people from the neighborhoods bordering Lake St., like you all Corcoronites, to feel bienvenus et chez lui (welcome and at home. I got to practice mon français with her.). Ok, to the food!

Owner Elen Bahr invited me to come join a yoga class on a beautiful Sunday afternoon called Yin/Yang yoga. This was my first time going to a Yin/Yang class and I wasn’t sure what to expect as I’m a beginner sometimes intermediate yogi.

The first half of class was Yin taught by Steve Streitz, mostly laying positions with mellow stretches. This is my kind of class LOL! The second half of class was Yang led by Elen herself. This half picked up the pace just a bit. It had a nice gentle workout feel.  At this point I am realizing that I haven’t been to a yoga class in a while and my balance could use a bit of work.  At no point in the class was I worried about what people were thinking about me and I definitely found it challenging in a very achievable way.

What do a microbiologist and a former local record store owner have in common?  Would you believe it if I told you “nut cheese”?  Punk Rawk Labs (PRL) makes healthy, vegan nut cheeses right in the heart of Corcoran and this is their story.

About 2 ½ years ago, Alissa was recovering from an accident and teaching raw food classes at a local co-op. Reliant on a walker, she needed some help at class and enlisted a co-worker. They quickly found common ground: both had health issues or allergies where diet played a major role in feeling well on a daily basis and both had known that feeling of being the odd-person out with a restrictive diet at social functions. Recently trained as a raw food chef, Alissa saw nut cheeses as a fun project and had started a Kickstarter fund. She imagined selling small amounts locally, but by the end of her campaign she had prospective clients nationally and needed help with the quickly growing business. Coincidentally, Julie was looking for her next new venture and that is how Punk Rawk Labs was born.

Has anyone noticed a sweet, delicious smell from the far southern storefront across from the Chatterbox Pub? About a year ago a new tenant moved in a tasty business.

Drew’s Concessions, owned by Drew MacPhail, goes back about 15 years. After an unfulfilling office workday doing customer service at an electronics company, Drew went out for a drink with friends. A suggestion was made by his friends that money could be made in selling mini donuts. This idea must have resonated with Drew because 2 weeks later, he had his own mini donut setup.