Few typify the grassroots attitude of Saint Paul’s North End better than Will Carlson.  His business, Custom Drywall, evolved more than 30 years ago out of the back of his parents’ grocery store.  In 2001, Custom Drywall was the first business to occupy land in Great Northern North – just a few blocks away from that grocery store.  By 2004, the business center was full.

Great Northern is one of 19 Port Authority business centers throughout Saint Paul that epitomize the organization’s many successful efforts to revitalize ailing Saint Paul neighborhoods by bringing in expanding businesses and their competitively paying jobs.

“The area definitely was going down, down, down,” said Kendall Crosby, owner of Kendall’s Ace Hardware nearby at the intersection of Como Avenue, Dale and Front Streets. “If it wasn’t for this business center, I probably would have closed.” Crosby spent time and money reinvesting in the exterior of his store and encouraged his neighboring businesses to do the same. The city spent $1.5 million to reconfigure the intersection near the business center.

Business owners now report their customer traffic has increased.

In addition to Custom Drywall, other businesses in Great Northern North are Twin City Glass Contractors, Crystal D and Warners’ Stellian.