Northeast Metro Business

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City Center , continued from page 58

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�� another 10 years , the City ’ s first hotel – Holiday Inn Express – was built , and about five years later Ruberto ’ s sold to Jimmy ’ s Food & Drink and Event Center . This period of development was the true beginning of presentday “ downtown ” Vadnais Heights ’ City Center . Shortly after that , in 2000 , the VHEDC and City realized another goal – a major grocery store – with the opening of Festival Foods in Vadnais Square . ( Last year , Fresh Thyme Farmers Market moved into the former Festival Foods space .)

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In 2016 , the VHEDC and the City brought decorative street lights to City Center . ( County Road E was paved in 1923 and “ electrified ” the following year .)

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The VHEDC was conceived to be a “ nimble operation ,” according to Founder Hank Tessier , and current Executive Director Ling Becker appreciates this different way of doing business . Tessier says , “ We didn ’ t want to be tied to the City government ; we wanted to make our own deals quickly without politics . Our initial goal was to develop a strong tax base for our two school districts . Nearly 20 years later , most of our goals were realized . Today , there are more than 300 businesses in Vadnais Heights . The VHEDC continues to thrive because it ’ s promoting engagement and partnerships among businesses and other organizations . I ’ m really pleased with what Ling Becker and today ’ s VHEDC is doing for Vadnais Heights . I say , ‘ Just keep doing what �� great !’ ”

64 Vadnais Heights Business Guide & Community Profile

Northeast Metro Business | Page 64

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