Downtown Minneapolis Skyway Guide

The original idea behind creating an interactive map of the Minneapolis Skyway System stemmed from the desire to not only know where a particular destination could be found via the skyway, but also how to get to it. Well, we’ve come full circle.  After much thought and discussion on how to best represent and implement navigational directions for the 8 miles of complicated skyway paths and intersections, we are now happy to announce our building-by-building directions available in the skyway map.

Turn-by-turn directions that we are used to in other mapping applications work great, but the problem in the skyway is that there are no street names for us to tell you to turn at!  Another idea we had was to simply allow a mobile phone user to follow themselves along a path on our map using geolocation technology, but we learned early on that it is simply not accurate at finding your current location when inside buildings.  The little blue dot on the screen could just as likely put you in the next building over as it could find where you really are standing.

Our approach required complex implementation, but a simpler solution for the user.  There are, in most cases, signs in the skyway that tell you which building you’re in or which direction to go to find a certain building.  So, using an algorithm to find the shortest path between a chosen start and end point, we provide you with a simple list of buildings to travel through as a guide.

We hope that by using these directions you’ll find yourself venturing out further and further into the maze for lunch, or if you’re from out of town that they get you where you need to go on time.  One day, you won’t need them at all, you skyway master you.

My wife and I recently ate at Om, a great Indian restaurant in the space that used to be Nate’s Clothiers. And, since we were sitting not far from where I bought my first suit at Nate’s, and my wife asked me for gift ideas, I got to thinking about the options for men’s shopping in downtown Minneapolis.

Of course, there are the department stores and the Men’s Warehouse on Nicollet Mall. But they’re bland in a gender neutral sort of way. Or, in many cases they cater to the female shopper. Brooks Brothers is too uppity and Hubert White and St. Croix are too European for me personally. I want a classic, high quality men’s haberdashery. Ideally, one with some taxidermy on the wall and a good scotch while you browse.

That leaves us with two respectable options (three if you count Heime’s in St. Paul): Marty Mathis and Martin Patrick. While sipping your scotch, Marty Mathis himself will size you up and have your bespoke suit ready for you in six weeks. And, while Martin Patrick’s doesn’t do any tailoring, they offer a wide assortment of goods including vintage cocktail shakers and magnificent leather bags from JW Hulme (based in St. Paul).

Oh, I have to throw out an honorable mention to the more trendy Len Druskin Man in Gaviidae Common and their clearance store “Len” in City Center.

What About a Good Barbershop?
Not a stylist, though most men tolerate “hair salons” because of the pretty stylists. I’m talking about a male barber that can talk about sports and grouse hunting. A barber that sympathizes that we have hair growing out of ears and that our eyebrows might need a trim (my wife’s pet peeve).

• Winston’s in Macy’s – They get the decor right: dark wood, green leather, even a quote from Winston Churchill: “I’m easily satisfied with the very best.” I went in expecting warm shaving cream and a straight razor around my neck. Alas, no, 5 minutes with the trimmer, $28 and I was done. Their tag line is “an old-fashioned barbershop without the old-fashioned barbers.” But, that’s what I was looking for!
• Feature Cut on Marquette next to the 8th Street Grill. The only place in town you can a $10 haircut and have your shoes shined at the same time. (612) 332-3319
• Mens Dept. – Though not connected to the skyway, they’re at 930 Washington in the new Aloft Hotel building. 612-339-2222 www.mensdept.com
• Mug & Brush – On 50th and 34th Ave, Mug & Brush bears mentioning as they have the warm shaving cream and a straight razor for the back of your neck. 4935 34th Avenue South (612) 724-6444
• Heime’s – And, while you shop Heime’s haberdashery, why not stop for a haircut and shave in their old school barbershop. At 400 Saint Peter in St. Paul (651) 224-2354 www.heimies.com

What About a Cigar or a Pipe?
Lewis Pipe & Tabacco, Rand Tower 527 Marquette Ave, (612) 332-9129
 – Rich Lewis is the proprietor of this old-school tobacco shop. Not only does he offer a complete line of cigars, and tobacco products, but he will carve a custom made pipe just for you right in the shop. He also has a great collection of vintage pipes and accessories.

Any other manly shops that we’ve missed in downtown Minneapolis?