Welcome to the Business District

This summer, I’ve had the pleasure of living in Northfield’s business district. This stretch of Division Street is filled with fun shops, local restaurants, and a buzzing lifestyle. The time away from campus has given me the opportunity to explore what Northfield really has to offer. In this blog post, I will highlight a few of my favorite places to visit in this town and why it’s charmed me over the past few years.

Tandem Bagels

Bagel sandwiches are a staple in a college kid’s diet. However, Tandem manages to pull it off better than anyone else. The complete list of sandwiches provides something for everyone, both sweet and savory. My favorite aspect happens to be their monthly specials, where they come up with brand new creations that are always rotating. Nothing beats a Sunday morning breakfast sandwich in my mind.

The Blast

Forget breakfast, because for me dessert is obviously the most important meal of the day. There are plenty of places for cake and pie but when I am looking for some ice cream, Blast is absolutely the way to go. Not only do they have obnoxiously large portion sizes to match their low prices, but the choices are endless. Especially for those of us who are living here in Northfield over the summer, Blast is a weekly stop.

Coco’s Place

There is a constant debate around Northfield residents as to which restaurant in town produces the best Mexican food—Coco’s Place, El Triufno, or El Tequila? While everyone has their own opinions, I personally am a fan of Coco’s, the newcomer. The family-owned business provides both great food and a great atmosphere. They always are excited to greet frequent customers, especially students, and overall have been a great addition to the atmosphere in the last year.

Goodbye Blue Monday

As a non-coffee drinker, I choose my cafes based on their vibes, not as much the coffee. Because of this, my favorite café in town is Goodbye Blue Monday. While there may be rumors circulating about how irresistible Little Joy’s matcha is, I find that Blue Monday’s aesthetic perfectly matches what I look for in a study location. And we can’t forget the ideal location—right next to Tandem Bagels—that allows for a quick snack.

All of these businesses are within a 5-minute walk of each other. Since I come from a louder and more energetic city, I never thought I would be able to live in a small town like Northfield. However, there is nothing else I could’ve wanted for my college experience. Every time I leave Northfield, when I come back it feels like I’m being welcomed by my sweet town that smells like cookies. The town of cows, colleges, and contentment has my heart.

Stella (she/her) is a rising Junior from Minneapolis, MN. She is a Political Science major with minors in Spanish, Neuroscience, and Public Policy. Stella is a member of our varsity volleyball team and can explain at length how being an athlete is just one part of her identity at Carleton, not all of it. Around campus, you can find Stella having fun with her coworkers in Admissions, hammocking in the Arb (when it’s not cold), or hanging around in Sayles. She loves to explore the town of Northfield, and tries to find new places to visit as often as possible – especially for some good eats. Meet the other bloggers!