Brutal Winters A Boon For Twin Cities' Skyway Businesses
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- It is single-digit days like Monday when many folks in the Twin Cities are grateful to live and work in downtown Minneapolis or St. Paul. You can chalk it up to the Twin Cities' famed skyway system -- the envy of most cold climate cities.
The network of climate-controlled walkways in the sky was designed with Minnesota's extreme weather in mind. In fact, it's possible to walk eight miles, connecting 70 downtown blocks, without ever stepping outside.
At Monday's lunchtime rush at Dave's Downtown, business was booming. Cooks and servers were busy dishing up savory soups, sandwiches and specials.
But not all of it was due to hungry appetites. A large portion of Monday's hot business is credited to Minnesota's cold December temperatures.
"Anytime it's cold, snow, we look outside and we know we're going to be busier," manager Steven Barnier said.
It's about 15 percent busier at Dave's. But even better news, this winter is picking up where last winter left off.
"Last winter was a great winter for us because it was cold, it miserable, it was long, lasting into May almost. So it really helps out, even this year is starting early," Barnier said.
Minneapolis city planners struck gold back in 1962 when the first skyway opened to foot traffic. It was a glass pedestrian bridge linking the Northstar Center with Northwestern National Bank over 7th Street South. By taking a bite out of brutal winters, it would help workers and shoppers stride between buildings, without freezing fingers or ruining shoes.
"You have to keep the shoes groomed to protect them from all the salt and grime and slush," Andy Brown, who works for Moses Leatherworks, said.
His bosses' business thrives on it anytime 160,000 workers can shop, eat or shine their shoes without grabbing a coat.
"If your feet feel good, you feel good. So, then you can walk the skyways," Brown said.
Because in weather like this, sidewalks are brutally barren. Convenience store owner Nazmul Jaffer says it's the best way to navigate winter's worst.
"It's an excellent system. You have restaurants, stores, everything. Why do you need to be on the street, yes?" Jaffer said.
Calgary, Alberta takes the cake for having the most skyways. However, that city's 11 miles of total skyway is not continuous. Minneapolis, on the other hand, can claim the world's largest continuous system.
