Sprongs Officially Leaving 50th & France

The local shoe store will be shutting down for good on June 28.

In a message to their loyal customers, Sprongs management officially announced they will be closing their Edina store on June 28. Sprongs, which sells Z-Coil shoes designed to alleviate foot, leg and back pain, will be leaving its France Avenue home when its lease comes up late next month. "Sprongs is closing after ten wonderful years of serving thousands of Minnesotans and people across the Midwest seeking comfort and relief from foot, leg and back pain," Sprongs management wrote to customers. "We would like to thank each one of you for supporting Sprongs over the years!" Back in March, Co-Owner Britt Molde told Patch they had decided to look at other available spaces and consider other options due to the high rent of the business …

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Who Has the Best Outdoor Patio in Edina?

Weigh in on our most recent Readers' Choice poll and help your favorite patio reign supreme.

With weather so gorgeous, there couldn’t be a better time to head outside to enjoy a favorite meal or drink. There are plenty of outdoor patios in Edina—just take a stroll down 50th & France to see a few. But which local business is the best of all? Where do you head when you want to soak up some rays on a nice day? That's for you to decide—here are the Readers' Choice candidates for "Best Outdoor Patio in Edina": Voting in the poll below is open until 9 p.m. on Sunday, May 27. The winner will be determined by Edina Patch Editor Ryan Gauthier, based on a combination of poll results, comments and the enthusiasm of reader reviews in the Edina Patch Directory. So in addition to casting your vote, make sure to tell us why the business you …

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(UPDATED) Ron Paul's MN Convention Speech Drawing 5th District Interest

Local Republicans readying for Paul's appearance Friday.

See updates below. Ron Paul is set to speak at the Minnesota Republican convention Friday, and party activists in the Fifth District are preparing for a possible Paul win—with one local activist saying "I get the feeling I'm witnessing history." Paul is poised to make a strong showing in Minnesota after congressional-district conventions gave him 20 of 24 available national delegates. The Texas congressman was denied a speaking slot at the 2008 state convention, but has proven a popular candidate and speaker here since—turning fans away, for example, from an over-capacity speech in Arden Hills shortly before Minnesota's 2012 caucus night. On Monday, Paul announced his campaign would stop spending money in states that haven't yet held …

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Edina Happy Hour, Pink Water and Gay Marriage: Pick of Our Patches

This week's selection includes lots of school news, including state Teacher of the Year and Robbinsdale's top educator for 2013.

  City Council Lifts Edina's Happy Hour Ban The amendment removes part of the city ordinance governing prices of alcoholic beverages at Edina's restaurants.  Pink Water Draws Concerns in St. Michael, Albertville The Joint Powers Water officials that oversee the area's tap water supply are aware of the situation. The colored water is harmless in normal doses. On Gay Marriage, Richfield Catholic Parishes of One Mind Three Catholic churches in Richfield recently affirmed they will be following the lead of the Archdiocese of Minneapolis and St. Paul, urging members and others to vote yes on the anti-gay marriage amendment. Edina's Jackie Roehl Named Minnesota Teacher of the Year  The 10th-grade English teacher at Edina High School is first-…

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James Warden

9:41 am on Monday, May 14, 2012

I'm wondering if we need to rethink our belief that the Minnesota Constitution really is harder to change than state laws. We're seeing constitutional amendments precisely because the proposals couldn't make it through the law-making process. In other words, amendment supporters see it as an easier process than one that forces them to go through the governor. So I think it's more accurate to say …   more ›

Spalon Montage Rated Edina's Best Mani-Pedi

The 50th & France business was voted the best place to get your nails done in Edina.

The results of Patch's most recent Readers' Choice poll are in, and Spalon Montage has been voted Edina's favorite nail salon. It was a dominant victory, with Spalon Montage earning 44 percent of the vote. Runner up Crystal Nails received 20 percent. "After having manicures before in discount nail salons (often found in strip malls), I now find it is absolutely WORTH the extra money to go to a specialty place like Spalon," said Dia V., a Yelp reviewer. "They do such a wonderful job. I can't stop staring at my nails after I get a manicure there. They look so fantastic up close too." For more information about past Readers' Choice winners, click here.

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City Council Lifts Edina's Happy Hour Ban

The City Council unanimously approved an amendment that will allow restaurants to set their own price points for alcoholic beverages.

Edina residents looking to grab a cheap drink after work no longer need to leave the city's borders, as the City Council unanimously approved a modification to city code to allow happy hour at local restaurants. The amendment removes part of the city ordinance governing prices of alcoholic beverages at Edina's restaurants. The city still prohibits any sort of games, schemes or 2-for-1 deals, but restaurants are now free to set their own price points for alcoholic beverages. Edina is the last Minnesota city to permit happy hour at its restaurants, according to Council Member Josh Sprague. He has been a strong proponent of amending city code to allow happy hour, saying "times have changed" and it's time for Edina to "evolve." "I feel that …

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Ryan Gauthier

11:02 am on Thursday, May 10, 2012

I'm sure the Edina business community appreciates hearing that, Sandy. I'll be interested to see if this has a significant impact on business over the course of the next couple of months. I don't see how it couldn't.   more ›

Weapons Confiscated, Hunter Shot and Radon: Pick of Our Patches

This week's selection includes another resignation at Best Buy, council opposes same-sex marriage amendment and school board chooses health over profits.

Editor’s Note: Every week we will bring you a sampling of stories from Patch sites in the west metro: Edina, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Richfield, Shakopee, St. Louis Park and St. Michael. (Click on the headline to read the full story.) 70 Dangerous Items Taken From People at Suburban Courts The prohibited items were taken during the first week of weapons screening at Brookdale, Southdale and Ridgedale courts. Maple Grove Man Shot in Kansas Hunting Accident Law enforcement officials say Brian Hansen of Maple Grove was shot twice with a shotgun by his turkey hunting partner last Friday. His condition is unknown. St. Michael Family Takes on Radon After hearing stories about radon gas in basements a few years…

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Ask an Expert

Ask an Expert: Pet Grooming

Heidi Baroun, owner of Heidi's Elite Pet Grooming, is here to answer your grooming questions.

Pets that love to romp outside welcome the return of warm weather, but the higher temperatures come with an increased importance of keeping your pet safe in the heat and tick-free. Grooming is an important part of combating this. It prevents matting of the coat and undercoat that can cause many unexpected problems. In this inaugural edition of Ask an Expert, Heidi Baroun, owner of Heidi's Elite Pet Grooming, is here to answer your grooming questions. Baroun has been grooming pets since 1998. At her Hopkins business, she pampers pets with gentle brushing and baths. And she knows the power a treat and a belly rub can have toward convincing pets to allow inspections of those hard-to-reach places. Baroun will be answering your grooming …

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Heidi Baroun

10:14 pm on Friday, May 11, 2012

I would say definitely trim the hair around the ear canal. That hair holds in moisture and decreases air flow in and out of the ear. This causes the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Be very careful when trimming this hair so you don't knick the skin. I would flush out the ears before and after baths and/or swimming. If you flush the ears before the bath or swim, the ear cleaner that stays in…   more ›