There's no place like home Favorite women-friendly realty services, women-friendly hardware store, home remodeler, independent home appliance store, and garden center.
Ace carries everything from power tools to designer paint. Photo by Courtney Conk.
Women-friendly realty services
Edina Realty www.edinarealty.com In 1955, Emma Rovick bought a struggling real estate office just hoping she could earn enough money from the business to buy a piano for her daughter. Leave it to an uppity Minnesota woman to transform that flagging office into a powerhouse corporation that earns $8.3 billion a year. You must have sensed the guiding female hand as you voted Edina Realty one of your favorite women-friendly realty services.
Janet Contursi www.wisewomanseminars.com 551 Snelling Ave. S., St. Paul
612-655-1207
Thinking about making that leap and becoming a homeowner? Don't jump until you attend a Homebuyer Seminar led by Janet Contursi. Her women-only classes teach you everything you need to know about the home-buying process. But you'll need to be proactive. She only offers the class eight nights out of the year. Sign up early to make sure you get a space!
You also purchase your places with help from Beth Richardson.
Welna Ace Hardware www.acehardware.com 2438 Bloomington Ave. S., Minneapolis
612-729-3526 and
2201 E. Franklin Ave., Minneapolis
612-332-4393
Seven Corners Ace Hardware www.7corners.com 216 W. 7th St., St. Paul
651-224-4859
Whether you're looking to mulch your tomatoes, buy a drill or pick out a gallon of paint, everything's Aces at your local hardware store. You like the knowledgeable salespeople in the locally owned neighborhood stores, and you're not alone-last summer, a J.D. Power & Associates survey rated Ace tops among home improvement stores.
You also DIY with Tomboy Tools.
Favorite home remodeler
Castle Building & Remodeling www.castlebri.com 2600 Johnson St. N.E., Minneapolis
612-789-8509
When you need more counter space or want to add a family room in the basement, you turn to Castle. They specialize in city homes and offer a full design/build service. They've been rehabbing older homes since 1977, so you know they won't get your wires crossed. Their name comes from their commitment to turning your house into your Castle.
You also remodel with Kelly Green Contracting, Terra Firma Estates and White Crane Construction, LLC.
Favorite independent home appliance store
Warners' Stellian www.warnersstellian.com 6 Twin Cities locations: Edina, St. Paul, Apple Valley, Maple Grove, Woodbury and Minneapolis Outlet Center
Warners' Stellian is your in- dependent, hometown choice when it comes to outfitting your kitchen or utility room. You like the fact that this business has been a family operation since it opened in the 1950s. You appreciate the uncommon knowledge of their highly trained sales associates and love their appliance re- cycling.
You also pick up your appliances at Dey Appliance and A-Plus Appliance Repair.
Favorite garden center
Linder's www.linders.com 270 W. Larpenteur Ave., St. Paul
651-488-1927
Snow may still be on the ground, but by now, diehard gardeners are worrying about where to find space for those new must-have blooms. These are the women who shop at Linder's. The third-generation family owned business, which has one garden center superstore in St. Paul and 50 flowermarts throughout the metro, grows its own at growing ranges in St. Paul and Lake Elmo, and is justifiably proud of offering some products not available elsewhere in the Twin Cities.
Gertens www.gertens.com 5500 Blaine Ave., Inver Grove Heights
651-450-1501
Sometimes bigger really is better. Take Gertens, for example, one of your top picks for favorite garden center. It stretches over 100 acres making it the largest garden center in the Twin Cities. When Gertens expanded in 2007, it did so with an eye toward making women comfortable, which doesn't mean a pastel color scheme but rather, a more enjoyable shopping experience. If you do head out to Inver Grove Heights, don't forget to pick up a pair of the Gel Ninja Kneepads. They're indispensable for serious diggers!
You also purchase pansies and perennials at Bachman's, Mother Earth Gardens, Highland Nursery, Tangletown Gardens and Friends School Plant Sale.
