Adult-Oriented Businesses in Downtown Minneapolis

[bapster2006]

A story on our international entertainment opening on Hennepin:

http://bizjournals.com/twincities/news/ ... -club.html

[Tyler]

The consortium was right!

[bapster2006]

I wanted to phrase my post like that but I figured people would think I was being a smart alec. That's the first thing I thought of though when I saw how that story was written.

[xandrex]

Between empty retail, skeevy bars, a check-cashing place, and now this strip club, this must be the classiest block on Hennepin!

[grant1simons2]

Union then Brave New Workshop.. then I'd just like to plow down Skyway and the people it attracts

[FISHMANPET]

My mom has told me that when she was in her 20s in Minneapolis (this would have been early to mid 70s) she was walking on Hennepin once and somebody pinched her butt, but when she turned around to see who it was there weren't any obvious suspects.

This is one of those stories my parents tell me where when I apply my current knowledge, I have to wonder what Hennepin was like in 70s, and depending on that, what was she doing there.

[mulad]

Must have been Keyser Söze.

[versitalex]

Potential buyer emerges for SexWorld building in North Loop:

As the North Loop neighborhood of downtown Minneapolis gentrified and lured hundreds of millions of dollars in development spending, one question hung over it: Would it remain the city’s hotbed of adult entertainment?

The answer may emerge after the sale of two buildings where two highly visible venues, SexWorld and Sinners Gentleman’s Club, have operated.

The buildings at 121 Washington and 241 2nd Av. N. are under contract, according to Jeff Salzbrun, an agent at Essence Real Estate Services who is representing their owner, Jerry Buchanan. Buchanan confirmed the negotiations on Monday and said he hopes to reach a final deal this summer, though he noted, “Nothing is final until it’s final.”

[5th Ave Guy]

This is a pretty big turning point for the NL. Hopefully they can replace it with something else that is unique to the neighborhood... and no Fritz, I would not rather have a J. Crew here than SexWorld.

[xandrex]

I wouldn't mind a J.Crew, but I'm a little biased, as I'm wearing one of their casual button-ups right now...

I honestly don't mind SexWorld. It's certainly tacky and I have no interest in going in there, but I wish it no harm. That said, I wouldn't cry if it went.

This might be a good opportunity to completely reimagine their space and the building as a whole, though.

[twincitizen]

I was kind of getting at that earlier in the thread, and the article does in fact suggest that. They could very well negotiate a long-term lease (for a smaller space) as a condition of the sale. They own the building, so they can do whatever they want to do. Selling the two buildings for a massive windfall is obviously high on their list. If they wish to stay open in a smaller, reconfigured space, then they should absolutely be able to do that too. I'd sell the building and negotiate very cheap rent for 10 years or something like that (or whenever the owner wants to retire)

[Anondson]

So. Good chance this is where the new three story strip club is going? I hadn't read much about Spearmint Rhino, not interested frankly. But it seems like it's a match.

[Silophant]

Spearmint Rhino is going in the Skyway Theater building on Hennepin, by Maruso. They'll be opening in a week or two, based on what I see walking by every day.

[xandrex]

Yeah, Spearmint Rhino is already settled in.

Given the location, I think they could get some great mixed use out of this place.

[5th Ave Guy]

I also wouldn't be surprised if an overhaul of this corner spurs development of the opposite corner on this intersection... the one with the condemned looking building.

If I remember right, the developer that was once slated for that corner partially blamed the existence of SexWorld for the financing falling apart. Now, we all know that bigger factors were at play there, but I imagine a new development in place of SW would certainly help getting things going across the way again.

[Wedgeguy]

I'm guessing more retail on ground with office space above. Not sure that these building would lay out well for apartments. But I'm not sure what there is for light wells, if any, between these two buildings. I'm just glad that these buildings with finally be renovated. They are a bit of an eye sore in their current condition.

[grant1simons2]

Spearmint rhino has their sign in now. Gold and black. God this stretch would look super okay if skyway just renovated the building

[grant1simons2]

WP_20150409_012 by grant.simons, on Flickr

[seanrichardryan]

brilliant. game-changer. vibrant. real.

[fehler]

So, Sexworld is under construction/renovation? The corner neon sign has a "Coming Soon" wrap around it.