Business news May, 2008
Rayvic Company to close after 72 years
Citing changes in the automotive repair business, fuel and gas costs, and “anticipated expensive upgrades in the future,” the Rayvic Company announced it will close its business at 1501 E. Hennepin Ave. on May 23. The family-owned company has been around since 1936; in a letter of thanks to his customers, Rayvic’s Steve Grothjan wrote: “We appreciate your business and years of continued patronage.
“In looking back over the past 45 years, I have to say that each of my customers has made my life both interesting and enjoyable,” wrote Grothjan. “Although this has been such a positive part of my life, I feel this is the time for change. I look forward to a happy and healthy future for us all.”
Frattallone’s Ace Hardware opens on East Lake Street
After ramping up during March and April, Frattallone’s Ace Hardware held its grand opening April 25–27, at 3915 E. Lake St. in the L-shaped building formerly occupied by CH Anderson Co. The three-day celebration featured giveaways and free food from Manny’s Tortas, Rail Station, and Holy Land.
The 9,000-square-foot store — the Frattallone family’s third in Minneapolis and 13th in the greater Twin Cities — offers a garden store; tiller and carpet-cleaner rentals; locksmithing services; and the repair of small engines, windows and faucets, in addition to a large selection of hardware and garden items.
The locally owned franchise carries the national Ace name, evidenced by the long “Ace” tractor-trailers that blocked 39th Street South near Lake Street while delivering stock for the grand opening. Manager Steve Svendson called it a “growing pain,” and a contractor was expected to begin work during the last week of April to extend the curb cut and allow trucks better access to the parking lot. Still, Svendson was not “100 percent sure” deliveries would not block the street in the future.
Frattallone’s installation just three blocks from River Lake True Value, 3605 E. Lake St., sparked conversation in the community about competition, but both Svendson and River Lake owner Jim Logan downplayed the issue.
“We’re not here to put him out of business,” said Svendson. “There’s enough business to co-exist. We have lots of different things he doesn’t have; he’s got some things we don’t have.”
Likewise, Logan said he is “not at all worried about competing with Frattalone. We’ve been in business for 68 years,” he said. Logan has a core group of customers that he doesn’t expect to lose. “Hopefully, [Frattallone] will bring more customers to the area,” Logan said.
Both men highlighted their superior customer service, which Logan said sets him apart from Frattallone’s, and Svendson said separately sets Frattallone’s apart from big box stores.
Dinkytown Barbers closes, Dinkytown barbers remain
Dinkytown Barbers & Tanning, 1321 SE Fourth St., closed in mid-April, leaving longtime barber Dennis Anderson out of work, but only temporarily. Anderson, who has cut hair in Dinkytown for 36 years, has moved to Hair Shaft, 1302 SE Fourth St., along with fellow barber Ed Nelson. Anderson recalled that the now-closed barbershop had been in the area, at one location or another, since 1921.
last revised: May 13, 2008