At the intersection of Grand and Cambridge is the ACE hardware store. It recently changed hands and sadly, the cats that used to live there (yes, the cats lived inside the hardware store) are now gone. The mural on the side remains, however and brightens up the neighborhood.


I also love the antique sign outside.



But even better is that my favorite, the ballet school, is still upstairs above the hardware store. The ballerinas, most likely pre-teens and weighing in at under 100 pounds each, sound like a herd of elephants on the hardware store ceiling while their classes are in session. There's just nothing like picking out new fuses to the sound of a gaggle of pre-teen ballerina's practicing their jete grands. Where else could you do that? Lord, I love St. Paul. Full of flavor!