HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 07-30 Linn Companies is redeveloping former Hostess store MAPLEWOOD REVIEW Linn Companies is redeveloping former Hostess store
"'# has more of a neighborhood feel,which is another plus.
Daycare to occupy '' It's a great corner,great visibility,good access,"said Steve
r Linn, CEO of the Linn Companies. "It's next door to the
prime location' 4" w, Maplewood Community Center,and has a lot going for it.
°"A" ' "I'm surprised that someone hadn't purchased it and
Tim FaklidlL 3 0 2014 either redeveloped or renovated it prior to this.It's going to
Review sta�fff be a beautiful building when it's done,"Linn said.
The building is getting quite a makeover -- a new roof,
The abandoned Hostess bread store on White Bear parking lot,exterior facade and windows.All construction
Avenue,which hasn't seen any action in at least two years, is expected to be completed by the end of August.
is finally the focus of a redevelopment project. As for leasing the rest of the space,Linn said there have
The building just north of the Maplewood Community been negotiations,but nothing has been made official yet.
Center at the corner of County Road B and White Bear "We've talked to quite a few different companies and
Avenue was purchased by St. Paul based The Linn Corn- businesses,but nothing is final yet,"he said."There's still a
panics. Photo by Tim Faklis/Review lot to be worked out there."
Linn acquired the former store in late June,and plans to What was once a vacant building at the corner of The Linn Companies is mostly known for buying sites
make it a two-tenant building. County Road B and White Bear Avenue will soon and redeveloping them into gas stations,auto repair shops
The main occupant will be Baby Zone Child Care Cen- become the new home of Baby Zone Child Care and laundromats.This project,while not completely out of
ter,which will move out of its current building at Highway Center. Linn Companies is remodeling the former its realm of expertise,is a bit different from its usual busi-
36 and English Street in Maplewood. bread store,and Baby Zone's current building at ness ventures.
The bread store building will have additional space for Highway 36 and English Street will be razed and "I know what Steve Linn usually does with his proper-
another commercial tenant, according to Maplewood city replaced with a Holiday gas station. ties,but this isn't part of his typical profile," Martin said.
planner Michael Martin. "They approached me. I had 2 1/2 years (left on) my "This is a general retail, commercial site that he wants to
Eventually, the daycare's existing building along High- lease; they offered to pay off the rest of my lease. It's been rehab."
way 36 will be torn down and replaced with a Holiday gas really exciting," Cocchiarella said. "Everybody is really The Linn Company owns several businesses in the east
station. excited.I haven't lost one customer in the process." metro, including a Holiday Gas station in Oakdale and a
The staff and clients at the Baby Zone,which has been p of that is because of the new site's close proximity NAPA Autoparts in Woodbury.
in business about 14 years, are excited about the move. to the city-owned community center. Cocchiarella said the
The company's CEO,Mary Jo Cocchiarella,said The Linn daycare would be partnering with the community center to You can reach Tim Faklis at 651-748-7814,at tfaklis@
Companies offered her the opportunity to relocate,and she offer unique programming.She added that the new location lillienews.com,or on Twitter @tfaklisnews.
took it.