As a Small Business Photographer, I was awarded the project to photograph various member businesses of the Grand Avenue Business Association for the re-launch of www.grandave.com. Working with over 65 businesses along the Avenue, my camera and I were welcomed by a thriving business community.
From bookstores to spas, wedding attire to baby attire, bicycles, violins, pianos, coffee, wine and cheese, this is just a small representation of what Grand Avenue has to offer.
This project allowed me to photograph Grand Avenue businesses as if I were the only customer. Imagine meandering through the historic dining room of The Lexington Restaurant completely by yourself. Visualize a cook at Punch Neapolitan Pizza removing a pizza from the wood fired oven just for you. Maybe it’s your very first time purchasing a road bike. Rest assured it’s the right investment with a custom fitting at Grand Performance. Or how about gazing down a long aisle of elegant wedding dresses at The Wedding Shoppe?
Can you picture yourself here? You can do all of these things. No camera required. You might not be the only customer that day, but these businesses and others alike on Grand Avenue are excited to have you stop in.
An atmosphere of energy, community and history exists on Grand Avenue. Patrons and business owners alike exude an invested interest in the growth of this historical neighborhood of St. Paul. It has been an honor to capture Grand Avenue’s essence from behind the lens.
Kristine Erickson
Small Business Photographer
