Reprint courtesy Let's Go! and Southwest Newspaper Group , Shakopee, MN

5 THINGS TO LOVE ABOUT JORDAN

by Melissa Gilman

Week of April 14-20, 2005

    The Minnesota River town of Jordan is a hidden treasure on par with Stillwater, although it feels more like a hometown than a tourist trap.  Located just 10 miles south of Chaska on Highway 169, Jordan is a great place for a Saturday daytrip.  Shopkeepers are friendly and willing to offer recommendations on other places to visit.  The 70 degree temps and sunny weather this weekend provided the perfect opportunity to tool around this city that boasts at least 15 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

    In addition to the places pictured, Jordan is also home to the Nicolin Mansion Bed & Breakfast built in 1888, Ridges of Sand Creek championship golf course, numerous apple orchards, and the Jordan Art Festival in June.

Antique stores

    There are five antique stores in downtown Jordan and all have different stock.  Whether you're looking for dainty handkerchiefs, 1950s kitchen gadgetry, vintage children's books or rustic furniture, shoppers are likely to find it at one of these businesses.

    Four of the five businesses are located in historic buildings.  Gramma's Attic, 214 Water St., comprises three attached buildings from the 1870s that once housed the bank, drugstore and post office/telephone exchange.  Proprietor Sally Lee rings up shoppers surrounded by cabinets that still hold the pharmacist's labeled drawers.

    Brewery Antiques (415 Broadway St. S.), LB Antiques (218 Water St.), Water Street Antiques (204 Water St.), Wit's End Antique Mall (107 Water St.).

Independent coffee shops

    A steaming cup of coffee from Caribou is always welcome in the morning, but even better is java from an independent shop.  Jordan has two: Carasim Coffee Shop, open since January, and Cup of Knowledge, celebrating its fourth birthday in August.

    Carasim offers family event nights and live music and carries soup, sandwiches, coffee drinks and smoothies.  Proprietor Linda Hanner said she is creating a food shelf in the back of the business, which is located at 231 S. Broadway.

    Cup of Knowledge, 101 E. 1st Street, is a nonprofit coffee shop and used book store that functions as the revenue generating arm of G.O.A.L.S. (Get Out And Learn Something).  G.O.A.L.S. works with the school district and community to provide after-school education, recreational opportunities, self-esteem building activities and more to students in grades K-12.  High school students participated in the creation of the coffee shop and it continues to serve as an education tool; fifth-graders in the gifted and talented program review the business's monthly statements, work on marketing techniques and come up with trivia questions and quotes to display.

    "We are a cup with a cause," said G.O.A.L.S. Executive Director Sarah Miller-Martin.  "Shoppers receive something but they're also giving to something that's bigger than a business."

    Children's books are usually a quarter, paperbacks are $1, and hardcover books are $3.

Clancy's hamburgers

    Get the Rory Burger - stuffed with lettuce, bacon, tomato, mushrooms, and American and Swiss cheeses with a side of kettle chips.  Clancy's Bar & Pizza Parlor, 220 Triangle Lane, have been a part of Jordan for 23 years.  Created by Clancy and Audrey Kaiser and now owned by brothers Randy and Rory Kaiser, the restaurant features burgers, pizza and chicken and has an off-sale liquor store attached.

Lagoon Park waterfall

    Most cities have a municipal park but Lagoon Park features a picturesque manmade waterfall on Sand Creek that makes this park worth the drive.  There is also playground equipment, and Mill Pond for fishing and strolling around.  Take Highway 169 South to the Highway 21 Jordan exit.  Turn right on Water Street and left on Varner Street N.  Turn left at the cannon.

Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area

    The Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area features thousands of acres of woods, prairie and the Minnesota River, a campground, horse trails and historic landmarks.  To view a map, visit www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/minnesota_valley.

    Associate Editor Melissa Gilman can be reached at mgilman@swpub.com.