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Memo- Branding & Marketing Initiative Planning & Economic Development MEMORANDUM DATE: Honorable Mayor and Hopkins City Council Members Kersten Elveru~r Housing & Development Coordinator October 4, 2006 W TO: FROM: SUBJECT: Branding & Marketing Initiative Purpose The purpose of the work session discussion on October 10, 2006, is to hear the recommendations of Citylmage regarding the City's branding and marketing plan initiative. Backaround The development of a brand and marketing plan for Hopkins was discussed with the City Council in early 2006. It was a recommendation of a marketing committee that has been meeting with the goal of increasing the City's visibility. The Hopkins Business and Civic Association (HBCA) contributed $5,000 towards the effort. Citylmage was selected to develop the brand and marketing plan. They conducted an on-line survey, one-on-one interviews, several focus groups and researched current communication tools and the City's history. From this information a series of possible brands were developed. The Marketing Committee met with Citylmage on September 21,2006, reviewed several brand concepts and marketing ideas and provided direction to Citylmage. Citylmage then refined their recommendations based on the feedback and have developed the attached draft of the branding and marketing plan for Council's review. Citylmage will be presenting their findings and recommendations at the work session. Conclusion If the Council is comfortable with the recommendations of Citylmage, the brand and marketing plan will be finalized and staff will develop an implementation schedule. If the Council has additional suggestions, Citylmage will consider those recommendations prior to the report being finalized. It is anticipated that the branding campaign will be launched in November and continue through 2007/2008. Members of the Marketing Committee have been invited to the work session. Attachments . Branding and marketing strategy for Hopkins . Results of on-line survey Branding and marketing strategy for Hopkins October 10, 2006 Presented by: C.t r~! I YHi t~r' Tom Bullington and Robyn Lingen (651) 402-6356 Promoting Hopkins Citylmage Communications Fall 2006 Overview Following several months of focus groups, survey documentation, personal interviews, e- mail exchanges, phone conversations, studying historical documents and periodicals, and numerous site visits to Hopkins, CityImage is very encouraged by the current reputation of the city, and the great potential to "spread the good word" to others in the Twin Cities and beyond. Several themes arose consistently as we spoke with members of the Hopkins community, in addition to those non-residents who were asked their perceptions of the city. Those we heard most often included: Small town close to the city, proximity to Minneapolis/St. Paul Unique Main Street feel, great downtown atmosphere Everything is in walking distance - pedestrian friendly Excellence of arts and theater offerings Feeling of safety Excellent public education system Great antique stores - a major asset Opportunities for small business Quaint, hometown feel These themes gave birth to a number of potential taglines or slogans that could be used as part of a branding/marketing campaign to promote business, tourism and community pride in Hopkins. Following a review of possible verbiage, two themes - "Think Hopkins" and "Destination Hopkins" - were thought to have the most potential to accomplish the community's promotional goals. "Think Hopkins" can be used in a wide range of ways - to promote business, home ownership, shopping, restaurants, theater, the arts, development, etc. All audiences for the marketing campaign will be encouraged to "Think Hopkins." CityImage presented the "Think Hopkins" and "Destination Hopkins" themes to the Hopkins Marketing Committee in September and "Think Hopkins" was unanimously chosen as the group's favorite. In addition to development of a theme, City Image has been asked by the City of Hopkins and local business community members to create a strategy by which these slogans and "marks" could be used to better promote the community. Here are a few recommended "first steps" if the strategy is to be successful from the onset. Coordinated effort necessary Hopkins' current marketing efforts are disjointed, and lack a common thread and theme. It must be noted, however, that those presently involved in promoting the city have done admirable work with the resources at their disposal. It is obvious that Hopkins has a large number of business owners, residents, and officials from various entities who care deeply about the future of the city and its standing in the Twin Cities area. There clearly needs to be an organized, coordinated effort to promote the city. To this end, we advocate creation of a "promotional bureau" with its own identity - perhaps as an offshoot of the HBCA - combining forces with the existing marketing committee. The bureau will essentially act as a "Hopkins visitor and tourism bureau/chamber of commerce. " The bureau's chief goal will be to increase awareness of Hopkins, and, by extension, bolster the local economy, encourage investment, and create a distinct "brand" or identity for the entire community. This seems to be the largest challenge. As our research found, once people know about Hopkins, they fell in love with the city, and the job of selling the community will become much simpler. In simple terms, awareness of Hopkins - and a desire to shop there, eat there, open a business there, attend a play there, etc. - will increase as individuals and businesses become more familiar with what the city has to offer. Community support and participation essential Community ownership of the effort is essential if it is to succeed. If key folks from Hopkins are not on board, the campaign will be flawed and its effectiveness lessened. Given the realities of busy work schedules and family obligations, it is understood that stakeholders may opt to become involved at different levels. For example, those who wish to promote Hopkins, but have limited time and resources may: simply talk about the city in positive terms to others use the Hopkins branding slogan in their own business' advertising display the branding logo in their stores attend city events and speak with community members Others with more time and resources may wish to: be an active participant in the "Hopkins Promotions Bureau" help promote the marketing theme at community events contribute money or in-kind services to the campaign Stakeholders from Hopkins who must be involved include: City government HBCA members Non-HBCA businesses Arts organizations Hopkins School District Residents Blake School Twin West Chamber of Commerce Others? Lead "Marketing cheerleader" needed Groups of volunteers are great, but every ship needs a captain. We strongly recommend the appointment of one person to be the designated "marketing cheerleader" for the Hopkins community. Someone who will monitor the image campaign, write and submit press releases, serve as a liaison between the promotions bureau and consultants, solicit contributions and new supporters, and present reports to the Hopkins City Council, HBCA members, and external entities such as TwinWest Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, Lions, etc. Regardless of who is chosen, the individual must possess a passion for promoting Hopkins. It would be our recommendation that this person dedicate at least two years to the effort to create a sense of continuity in the message. Create resident ambassadors We cannot overlook a great community asset - the graduates of the Hopkins Citizen Academy. These individuals represent the heart of Hopkins and are obviously very committed to seeing the city prosper. We recommend the development of a Hopkins Ambassador group. The group would be trained to promote Hopkins in various ways, both internally and externally. Senior citizens, particularly those who have lived in Hopkins for a long time, could also be excellent Hopkins ambassadors and walking/talking sources of community pride. Perhaps the Hopkins Historical Society could playa role in this effort as well. It would also be great to have young people serve as ambassadors too in various situations, especially since some of our respondents perceive Hopkins as an "old" community. Perhaps teens could receive extra credit at the local schools if they participate (and also enhance their college application). Audiences We believe Hopkins' branding efforts will have three distinct audiences - Existing residents and business owners; Visitors (shoppers, restaurant and theater patrons); and Prospective businesses and developers. Each audience, as outlined below, has a different objective and will require a different marketing approach to gain maximum exposure. NEW HOPKINS BRAND (i.e. "Think Hopkins") Audience A Existing residents, business owners and employees Objective: Civic identity and pride in Hopkins, Support local businesses Audience B Visitors (shoppers, restaurant and theater patrons) Objective: Sustained visitation and economic support Audience C Prospective businesses and developers Objective: Encourage investment in Hopkins In order to kick off the campaign, each resident and business owner in Hopkins should receive a special publication (postcard, 8 ~ x 11 sheet) explaining what the new branding initiative is all about, and telling them how they can get involved in helping promote Hopkins. In addition, we could send a window cling featuring the branding logo along with the letter, encouraging them to put it on their car, shop window, etc. Ensure an introduction to the branding initiative is present in the Hopkins city newsletter, as well as on the city web site. Encourage other stakeholders to promote the campaign in their periodicals and web sites as well. Initial concents CityImage believes much potential exists for Hopkins to successfully market itself to its three main audiences. Some of these may appeal to more individuals/businesses than others, which is the nature of niche marketing. 1.) An annual film and arts festival. This annual festival would use the Hopkins Center for the Arts and the Hopkins 6 movie theater. This would be a springboard to the creation of a thriving arts district in the city, creating an identity for Hopkins that inspires artists, dancers, filmmakers, actors, etc. to see Hopkins as the hotbed for the arts in the Twin Cities area (which it is - the upcoming author speaker's series is a great example). Based roughly on the Sundance Festival: http://festival.sundance.org/2006/,Tribeca: http://www.tribecafilmfestival.org/ and SXSW (Austin, Texas): http://2007.sxsw.com/ It would be set up differently than the MSP International Film Festival: http://www.mspfilmfest.org/index2.html The area surrounding the arts center and the theater would be blocked off to vehicles. The theater would be used to screen films, and then receptions would be held at the arts center. If other "art" was incorporated into the festival (formally, that is), we could have the arts center be used for art shows, plays, etc. Regardless, the sidewalks and streets throughout the area could be turned into display areas and booth space for artists and vendors. (like the Uptown Art Fair: http://www.uptownminneapolis.com/art-fair/index.php?&MMN position=l: 1) Hopkins' location in the metropolitan area (a leading news market) would serve it well for potential media coverage if "stars" came to town for the festival. This is an example of how marketing one aspect of life in Hopkins (the arts) would benefit another aspect (business and economic development). Businesses in Hopkins would definitely benefit from the traffic and media attention generated by this festival. 2.) As the main "cog in the wheel" of Hopkins' marketing efforts, we advocate the creation of a web site to be the main contact point for interested visitors, developers, and residents. We encourage creation of a dual-purpose web site (tourism and economic development) to serve as the hub for promotional information for the new Promotions Bureau. The goal of this site is to make it EASY for people to find out information about visiting Hopkins and/or doing business there (or starting a business). The Internet is increasingly the place where developers, prospective residents, prospective business owners, etc. search for information about communities. Web sites serve as your public "face" - often before visitors have ever been to your city. It is therefore imperative for Hopkins to be well represented on the web and make a positive impression each and every time someone logs on. If they leave the site with a negative feeling about Hopkins, or inadequate information, you will probably never know what you've missed. The site should have an easy-to-remember URL such as: www.thinkhopkins.com (already reserved by CityImage). We view the Promotions Bureau web site as having three sections: 1------- . . Economic Development Overview of Hopkins (demographics, workforce, economy, etc.) Listings of available commercial and industrial land and properties Development updates (new businesses, happenings, etc.) Easy step-by-step permit process (timeline, necessary steps) Zoning codes Comprehensive plan document Maps Contact information at Hopkins City Hall Testimonials from current businesses and developers Case studies of past economic development initiatives VisitorslTourism Overview of Hopkins (history, community highlights) Information about Center for the Arts, Stages, theater, upcoming shows Information about upcoming community festivals Business directory Video tour of Hopkins (or selected video clips) Photo gallery of Hopkins Testimonials from Hopkins visitors and residents Feedback This section would give site visitors an opportunity to share their stories about Hopkins with other users, give the Promotions Bureau input about its initiatives, comment on the web site, suggest other events and promotions to market Hopkins, etc. Visitors to the Feedback section could also contribute photos, video clips to the site to make it more interactive and keep the site fresh. Other links on the site would include: press releases links to media coverage Hopkins city government Center for the Arts Blake School Hopkins School District Raspberry Festival committee site Hopkins SunSailor Sites to use as references and examples: ***Renton, Wash: http://www.rentonmarket.com/ About the Renton marketing campaign: http://www.rentonmarket.com/connections/campaign.htm *Council Bluffs, Iowa (combines econ. devel. with tourism): http://www.councilbluffsiowa.comlhome.htm *W orcester, Mass.( combo): http://www.worcestermass.org/ Atlanta: http://www.atlopen.com/ Tulsa: http://www.littlefield.us/work.asp ?aexe=chamber *Grand Prairie, Texas: http://www.gptexas.com/index.htm *Midland, Texas: www.comehometomidland.com TV commercial: www.comehometomidland.com/lost/robMOVIE.wmv Midland Development Corporation: http://midlandtx.wliinc2.com/ *Pearland, Texas: http://www.pearlandedc.com/ Falls Church, Va.: http://www.ci.falls-church.va.us/government/ eda/index.html Michigan City, Mich.: http://www.mc-edc.com/ *Rio Grande City, Texas: http://www.riograndecity.net/ *Carson City, Nev. http://www.carsoncityecondev.com/ (includes virtual tour of town) Sioux City, Iowa: http://www.sioux-city.org/economic development/ *North Sioux City, South Dakota: http://www.northsiouxcitydevelopment.com/ McAllen, Texas: http://www.medc.org/ *Tacoma, Wash.: www.wiredcityusa.com, www.tacomaspace.com, www.districtspace.com *McCook, Nebraska: http://www.mccookne.org/about/index.html New York City: http://www.nycedc.com/index.cfnl Silicon Valley: http://www.siliconvalleyonline.org/index.html Mesa, Ariz.: http://www.cityofmesa.org/econdev/default.asp Tourism-oriented sites: *Glendale, Ariz.: http://www.visitglendale.com Philadelphia: http://www.gophila.com/ Minneapolis: http://www.minneapolis.org/ Santa Monica, Calif.: http://www.santamonica.com/ *Greenville, S.C.: http://www.greatergreenville.com/ *Park City, Utah: http://www.parkcityinfo.com/ Grove City, Ohio: http://www.visitgrovecityoh.com/(close to Columbus) 3.) Effective use of signage throughout the community. Signage must have a consistent look and direct visitors to desired locations. There is much potential for improving signage throughout Hopkins on many of the major thoroughfares - particularly as it directs motorists to downtown and Mainstreet. These signs should feature the branding look, as well as the URL for the promotional web site. Street banners are an additional option for promotion of the new brand. 4.) Show your pride in Hopkins by establishing a "Points of Pride" program. Each point of pride would be honored with a sign explaining what it is. Maps could be created and posted to highlight each location, building or venue. The "Points of Pride" concept is a very tangible and noticeable way to illustrate community pride, and the number of "points" you have will demonstrate how much is going on in the city. It has been used in Phoenix for about 15 years with great success. This program is also a great way to gain space in local newspapers on a continuous basis. Once or twice a month, a column could be written about a point of pride - for example, an official with the Hopkins Center for the Arts could discuss happenings at the center. The next column could talk about the history of the clock tower, and so on. The key to success in your branding campaign is getting repetitive messages out to your key audiences. This would be an inexpensive way in which to continue delivering the message over and over - reminding folks that there are many points of pride in Hopkins. Potential points of pride in Hopkins include: Hopkins Center for the Arts Hopkins 6 theater Three Rivers Park District trail head Depot Mainstreet Certain Mainstreet businesses and structures (such as Mason House) Clock tower Eisenhower building Hopkins Pavilion Community garden Blake School Minnehaha Creek Mainstreet Lofts Downtown Park (band shell) Hopkins Historical Society Others? 5.) In addition to the proposed film festival, Hopkins could host additional community events year-round to drive business, draw attention. Perhaps a focus on the holiday shopping season (November and December)? 6.) Innovative, inexpensive promotional ideas- bumper stickers, buttons, window clings, pens, etc. Items should be recognizable as part of the campaign, and serve to unify residents and businesses behind a common theme. 7.) Mailings to prospective businesses - Postcards could be sent out directing prospective businesses or developers to the new Promotions Bureau web site for additional information. 8.) Generate more positive press coverage - If done correctly, you should be able to generate press coverage at least once or twice a month for something related to the branding campaign. And it's free! We encourage you to work with your local reporters early in the process so they can follow your progress and feel like they are involved. Hopkins has received much positive press in the past few years for its upcoming restaurants and arts scene. Keep this great trend going and take it to the next level by aggressively pursuing more coverage. It would also be advisable for all stakeholders to be equipped with "key messages" about the branding campaign so consistent messages are delivered to our target audiences when interviews take place. Make it clear that being interviewed by the media is part of being a stakeholder - and that it will help promote Hopkins! 9.) Advertising - Based on your limited budget, we would find creative ways to get the word out using advertising} such as online, in print publications, and even on such venues as delivery trucks through "InTran Media." Ads would primarily direct interested parties to the Promotions Bureau web site for more details. We would also strongly encourage stakeholders and others in Hopkins to use the new Hopkins marketing brand in their advertising and promotional work. This will allow the campaign to grow far more rapidly than it could with our limited budget. The city has access to several billboards for two months per year, which could generate significant interest. The delivery trucks would add an "out of the box" element to your advertising mix and generate considerable attention. Online advertising is becoming increasingly popular, and is a bargain compared to other vehicles. And, we would also recommend a limited print ad campaign to introduce the branding initiative. 10.) Use of Internet blogs to bring attention to city - Encouraging ambassadors, business owners, residents, and other Hopkins stakeholders speak well of the community when in blogs and posting information about tourism, business, etc. 11.) Encourage lodging opportunities in Hopkins - There needs to be somewhere to stay in Hopkins, particularly as your tourism and business picks up. Bed and breakfasts are definite possibilities in the city, as well as other hotels (perhaps downtown?) If the community desires this, Hopkins can market itself to hoteliers and through the bed and breakfast industry. 12.) Modify and better explain the "Razzle Communication Line." The line is a recorded message for citizens to leave concerns for the city government. It's a bit confusing what this is, and if the "Razzle Communication Center" is an actual location, or just a phone line. 13.) Publish (or e-mail) a quarterly update to residents and businesses about the branding campaign. Once the initial excitement of introducing the new brand is over, many will be skeptical that anything is getting done - and some stakeholders may lose interest. This update will give them a look at the latest happenings, success stories, and encourage continued involvement in the campaign. An electronic version of this will save money over a printed publication. 1. You have 30 seconds to describe Hopkins to a stranger. What would you say? . small town atmosphere . I love it, I wish it was a little safer! . Great public school system and an adorable downtown that you don't typically get in a metro area. It's safe. Great parks and trail system. Amazing theatre downtown . friendly home town with a real main street . It's a town that was formerly just outside of Minneapolis. The cities have grown out to it, but it still feels like a town, just outside of Minneapolis . Hopkins is a quaint town with emphasis on art and antiques. It is surprisingly pedestrian- friendly, and downtown is a nice place to linger for a half day . A small town where everything is a short walk away and is always a calm town . It's a city with an old-fashioned community atmosphere, with a main street and lots of nice places for kids, teens, singles, and families to hang out . Hopkins is a little city within the large Minneapolis/St. Paul area. It has a real Mainstreet and it doesn't seem like the atmosphere or image has been planned, because there are small, privately owned businesses and it's not full of franchises. It's clean, friendly, convenient, and has a variety of housing and things to do. It's getting known for having the most antique stores of any Minnesota town (13) and there are other unique gift shops, an active performing arts community, several restaurants, a bike trail, it's close to lakes and the Mall of America! . It's like old town America. It ACTUALLY HAS A DOWNTOWN! I've taken guests on a walk thru downtown Hopkins, and they're very impressed! . small town in the middle of the big city . quaint, traditional, smart development, good government, mainstreet, antiques, vibrant community life, diversity . Inner ring suburb with quaint but lively downtown main street . Downtown is quaint and there are tons of antique stores. It's great because we actually do have a downtown. The far east end of downtown is trashy. I do wish they would clean that end up. Check out my new favorite restaurant while you are there --Gusto wine bar and cafe! . Hopkins is a western suburb of Minneapolis. It has an old/authentic mainstreet with a variety stores from antique shops to movie and arts theatre. It has a small town, friendly environment. . Hopkins is this' great little town that reminds me of Stillwater and the old towns I used to drive through on road trips. And its healthy and vital - it's got an art center and a couple of condo projects with good restaurants. And the neighborhoods are really cute - it's like being in the center of things without having to go very far. . It is a "Real" small city, with a "Real'" Main Street, A committed, and "ever-working" small business community (many are 2nd or 3rd generation business owners). It is DIVERSE in all aspects of that word, and has a great, and growing "Arts" community anchored at the Hopkins Center For The Arts....... A real City, a great school system, and a "REAL" place to raise your family AND ------- Home to the oldest continuing celebration in Minnesota- The RASPBERRY Festival! . A vibrant Mainstreet . A quaint town with excellent and varity of resturants, great school district, ample parking, antique shops, close to downtown Minneapolis and major roads around the twin cities. A home town feeling. . firstly, the font on this website is really impossible to read - and i'm only 32! please make it more user friendly. but if i were talking with a stranger, i would really talk up that it is a great place to live in the city because it's still as accessible as a small town; i live within 2 blocks of the PO, the library, a movie theater, a grocery store, numerous restaurants and coffeeshops and parks, etc!! and it's great to have sidewalks and the nucleus of the bike paths! . Hopkins has managed to retain all the benefits and charm of a small town. Hopkins provides uncomplicated living in a safe environment. Anyone intersted in easy access to stores, churches, dining and entertainment will find Hopkins irresistable. And, our schools are second to none . True town, not a suburb. Quiant downtown - bike paths, excellent school district, nice place to live. . Small town feel in the middle of the big city. Can be run down in places. Lots of antique stores and a walkable main street . Hopkins has a small town feel with quick access to Minneapolis to the East and more remote settings to the West. We have a Mayberry feel with the tree lined streets and houses full of families and Midwest sensibilities. . I tell people that it is a very nice older city with good infrastructure, being inundated by an influx of a continually declining class of people. . ethnic with small town feeling . First tier suburb of Minneapolis with its own charming downtown. A safe family-oriented environment . Hopkins is a small town that has become surrounded by the suburban ring of Minneapolis. It has a "real" Mainstreet with antique shops, restaurants and entertainment but hasn't really pushed this a much as Stillwater or Red Wing to become a destination place. Prices are low. . fun, quiet town with quick access to parks and plenty of biking and walking trails. Feels like a small town with quick access to anything - entertainment, grocery stores, etc. Great place to raise children. . Hopkins has a small town feel with a revitalized downtown of its own. . Hopkins is a very quaint city with lots of fun activities for all ages. . Great location for any type or size business. Hopkins enjoys the largest daytime population in the metro area, consisting of mostly workers. There is a synergy created the mix of large and small businesses. Hopkins' Main St is one of the most recognised locations in the state. . removing the poor people . Hopkins is known as the Raspberry Capital of the World. Hopkins is a lovely city, which could be better if it weren't for the large transient population. Hopkins has too much rental property and low income housing for a city of it's size. Hopkins has many parks which could be utilized by it's residents, however, they are over-ridden by people who disrespect others and make the parks scary for families to go to, especially in the evenings after dinner. Hopkins could be the perfect city, with community involvement, festivities, etc. However, these transient folks do not care what Hopkins is or about any of the nice things we have. We are very blessed with the parks, Center for the Arts, festivals, etc. but more people should be able to partake & enjoy & be proud of. . Hopkins is a small, diverse town with large town entertainment, restaurants, theatres, arts, and excellent schools. . Like living in a small town with all the advantages of a metropolitan city . Small town environment, friendly; lots to do....shops, theatre, stage theatre, eating places, farmer's market, music, good parking, social and senior activities. Can walk and take it all in at once. . It was a great place to grow up , and received a great education. . It has a small town feel without the isolation of a small town. . It's a small community enveloped by the metro. It has a great downtown with a $2 theater, an art center, and many antique shops . Small town within a larger metropolis. Thus the charm of a village with the opportunities of a large city Blue collar. Bland. Uninteresting. . A small suburb of Minneapolis that is just the right distance from downtown Minneapolis, not too far and not too close. It has all the benefits of living close to a big city but it has the feel of a small midwest town. . I would describe it as a close-in suburb of Minneapolis. I would probably say that it is a bit run down compared to neighboring communities but has undergone substantial revitalization in the past few years. The Also, it is unique that it has a main street in town. It is convenient to Minneapolis and the Lakes but also just a skip to the country (Minnetonka). . A first ring suburb that still has a small town feel. It is convieniently located in between Lake Calhoun and Lake Minnetonka. The city has made strides recently in updating the downtown area, but much more needs to be done to "keep up" with surrounding cities. . A quaint midwest town with a great Main Street, great amenities and homes. Live music venues, a movie theater and performing arts center are all here. The town is located in easy reach of downtown Minneapolis and has quick access to anywhere you want to go. One of the best school systems anywhere, in terms of quality education in the arts. Lots of local pride. . It is a community with a small town feel in the big city. It is like its own little oasis. It is a walking friendly community that offers many things to everyone from young to old. I can walk to my dentist, my doctor, the library, grocery store, hardware store, drugstore, a movie and dining areas. Great schools. A great mix of people from young to old, singles to families and a mix of cultures that live peacefully together. A proud community that cares about one another and the community that they live in. And Hopkins is convient in terms of transportation. . Hopkins is Small-Town, America, and I grew up in a rural area, so I know. They have a charming main street, cobblestones and streetlamps. It's a friendly city where you can feel at home. . It's a small town next to a large city. Unlike a lot of suburbs, which grew up as bedroom communities to Minneapolis, Hopkins was a town before it was engulfed by the metropolitan area, so has a feeling of being a separate town all its own. Because of that small town feel, it's a great place to raise kids -- and it has a wonderful school system. . Hopkins has a small town flavor with a mainstreet, opportunities include antiquing, the theatre, dining and biking along the LRT Trail . Small town feel in the big city . Beautiful downtown, shops and eating, a great place to live and work. . It's a small town just outside of a big city. You can park your car once and walk to the library, hardware store, grocery store, liquor store, drug store and get your shoes fixed. . It has the feel of a small town and the opportunities/attractions of a large city. People are friendly and you can get to know your neighbors. Traditional main street. . Hopkins is a great "small town" within a larger metro area. It has great schools and is working hard to promote small businesses and keep its CHARM. All the recent development has been great for Hopkins, especially businesses that cater to families. . A small town with a big Heart. The Raspberry Capital of the world. We are a little town with all the benefits of the big city. Its a town with a personality that is far more than antique shops and car dealers. . It is a small and diverse commuity (4 square miles) not far from downtown Minneapolis. Hopkins has a small town feel. Downtown houses numerous antique shops. Raspberry Festival is one of many events that happen in Hopkins. Also, redevelopment is occurring with more opportunities for homeownership, especially condos. . It is a very cool city with a historic downtown and lots of unique, idependent businesses. It has become an antiquing destination and is known for it's $2 movie theater and the arts center. It has many great neighborhoods with a wide variety of single family housing types and styles, built from the turn of the century to the 1950's. It is fairly densely developed and has lots of apartments. Many people want to live in Hopkins because fo the school district, the location and the feeling of living in small town. . Wonderful main street with individually owned businesses and restaurants. It's a great place to spend the day shopping, eating, and catching a discount movie or a performance. 2. What is the overall perception of Hopkins in the Twin Cities area? . Antiquing town . I think it is a working, middle class suburb . Some people think downtown is still a pit, some aren't aware of the redevelopment that has happened. I've only lived in Hopkins for 3 months and I didn't know downtown had redeveloped, though I lived in the East suburbs and therefore probably didn't pay attention either... . nice community, old houses, nice bars . I think it is seen as a friendly, small town place, unlike a typical suburb of a big city. Most people seem to know where it is, and that is was a town. It's also known for having a great school district. . I heard that Hopkins is in a "revival" phase, and is up and coming. The great selection of antique stores were mentioned by another. . a small town but a big contributer . Affordable, fun, lots going on - not too small-time. Great for starter homes and people with low incomes who want a decent place to live. . Many people have outdated impressions of bars and strip clubs, if they know of Hopkins at all. Some people think of it as rather tacky, dull, sort of a "poor man's suburb", Out-of- towners that I come in contact with at my business on Mainstreet think it's unique and they've come because of all the antique stores . I think it's an established, recognized and respected city. . small town . a little old-fashioned, a little too working class (total misperception), maybe a little of the bars & cars misperception still . Well respected community . I think many people still think of Hopkins as a drug hotbed and Harley bikers. Many people have a perception that it is a dump . Rasberry festival. Has main street, but no major malls. . I think it's seen as a small town with charm once you've seen it. . Good School System; Average Housing market, "The Original Small Town" of the SW suburbs. Some may still think of it as the "drag strip" town (from the 50's/60's). Much to offer(business, housing, arts activities), and seemingly re-inventing itself "on the fly".....(that's a good thing !) . A town with a city center and lots of antique stores . A suburb with a downtown/mainstreet with a coutry flair. . my mpls friends think it takes a long time to get out here!!! but they really think hopkins is a cool place with the downtown area and all the bike paths . Perhaps to the very young - we might seem a bit provincial. But, from young families to seniors, I believe Hopkins has a very strong appeal. . more of a blue collar town - not as classy as Edina, Eden Prairie, or maybe St. Louis Park. . Dated. Not Modern. Good school district . I think that Hopkins perception is changing but yet there is still work to be done. It is seen for its bars and night life, rather than good restaurants and shopping. There seems to more civil minded families moving in but there are still many families who don't seem to have much ownership in their city or property. . It is the next Brooklyn center. The arches and other high density housing between there and hiways 169 and 7 are in rapid decline, overwhelming those of us in nearby areas with drug traffic and threatening/unsafe activity. The bike path along 169 under 7 is a haven for dealers, and apparently nothing is to be done about this business. Soon most respectable owners will be forced to leave major portions of the city because of security concerns, leaving it to further decay. . Lots of wwll houses . A town with a good school district . Kind of an old-fashioned town, primarily working class-middle class. Good school system. Best priced movie theater and art center in town. Otherwise, easily ignored. . We recently moved to Hopkins after both growing up here as children, and I think the perception of Hopkins is that it is a cute but often forgotten little area of the Twin Cities with a nice throwback mainstreet area. . Small town in the big city where people want to live, one reason being the school district. . Smaller community with lower income housing avaliable. . Small town of bars, restaurants, antiques stores, Lots of service, autos repair. Not too expensive, blue collar . discrinates against section 8 . It is a City with crime, low income properties, which are not taken care of. Too many rental properties and undesireable persons. When a crime occurs somewhere, other than Hopkins, the suspects frequently have ties to Hopkins. . Mostly positive. Most people know about the Arts Center, many antique shops and especially the great schools. . A junior antique Stillwater-inspired location. . I really don't know. Everybody always seems to know where it is. Several people I know come to buy $2 theatre tickets and the Stage Theatre. . A first ring town that needs updating. . Favorable. . A bit of a destination, a bit of a small town . Nice suburb, good schools. Second class compared to neighboring suburbs The city that is next to Edina and St. Louis Park On the way to Minnetonka . I think that people consider it second class compared to all of the surrounding suburbs (Minnetonka, Edina, St Louis Park). There is a sense that it is improving and that Main Street has really spiffed up some in the past few years but I still sense that it is not viewed too positively. My husband always adds that we live right next to Edina and St Louis Park (where the 3 cities come together). He's still a tad embarrased that our address is Hopkins. One response upon telling a colleague that we live in Hopkins was "Oh, that's and INTERESTING place". We live in Interlachen Park. . Kind of run down, too much rental property . I once thought that Hopkins ranked alongside Wayzata, Minnetonka and edina in the "elite" group of suburbs, but since moving here it seems that there is a tendency by others to see Hopkins as a little bit of a rundown hamlet in the midst of those other big names... I don't get it, but that's what 11m hearing. . Many people I know think it is a great place to go to a movie and eat dinner. Unfortunately there are not many homes that are available for the growing family. Smaller homes. I have never heard anything negative about hopkins. People talk about the way it use to be but they know that things have turned around with the arts center, the movie theatre and the dining facilities. People do say there are a lot of antique stores. I don't think that people realized that Hopkins has "grown up" . Great main street . As kind of a po-dunk, little place. But that's usually the first, off-the-cuff, joking answer. After that, people say that Hopkins is cute, and seems to have a reputation for being friendly. . Starter homes, alot of muliple family housing and blue collar . I think the overall perception is good. The new development downtown has made for a positive image. . Middle of the road suburb, not run down, not snooty. . I think most people underestimate Hopkins. They think of the city they cruised as a kid. . Small town. Antique shops. Nice main street. . I think the perception is changing - however, some still think of it as a lower income area with lots of fast food restaurants, liquor stores and bars. I think there is definitely too much of that kind of stuff in Hopkins, but the trend towards boutiques, fun restaurants, etc. is helping change that. I think the fact that it is close to downtown Mpls, yet still a small town is its greatest asset. . Hopkins has the reputation of a nice suburb perhaps not as financially well off as other neighbor cities but nice none the less. We do have a lot of antique shops and car dealers and the retaill end of Hopkins has become almost invisible. People know us for the Raspberry Festival, the Arts Center and the Movie Theater. . From my friends who work in the social services, Hopkins has the reputation of having more affordable housing than other areas in the Twin Cities. Hopkins has gone through numerous transformations so I'm not sure what the general public thinks of Hopkins. I like it because there are lots of places you can walk to. . It varies depending on whether you have been to Hopkins. If you have, you probably think it is a really neat place. If you haven't you may think of cruising, lots of bars or old industial sites because you have driven through on #169. . Small suburb with not much to offer except strong schools 3. Which adjectives would you use to describe Hopkins? . small town feel . nice, friendly, home town, great place to live . Small town feeling, Condensed, concentrated focus due to small geographic space, Sometimes parochial, Small, Big size impact on the communities around it, Big...reputation is greater than its actual size...you would expect it to be larger geographically . Quaint, pretty, artsy, safe, user-friendly . Quiet close easy-going recreational . Affordable, fun, community-oriented. . Average, middle-class, small town feeling, tucked away, authentic, real-life, simple, safe, variety, mixed, growing, pleasant, possibility to flourish. . Home town mainstreet, strollable downtown, friendly . fiendly, quiet, stuck up . quaint, traditional, growing, beautiful, connected, convenient, charming, historic, ideal . character, convenient, growing, re-established, historic . quaint, small town appeal, growing . . Friendly, small town, historic, raspberry . Charming, quaint, old-fashioned, artsy . Not a Suburb! traditional, vibrant, "supportive people", accepting, proactive leaders . friendly, smal town atmosphere . quaint, clean, enjoyable, motivated, growing, caring, safe, . small-town, stroller and wheelchair accessible, good night life . easy, welcoming, slower-paced, safe, preserving of the past - but looking to the future . Small town feel to city. Needs updating. Destination place for shopping (shopping for antiques) but for major shopping need to go elsewhere. Felt safe anywhere 10 years ago when moved here, don't feel the same today. . Changing and growing. Family-minded. Welcoming . Declining. Sad. Seediness ignored underneath a veneer of respectability . Homey . Deserted. Small town, safe, friendly, quaint conservative, small town, friendly, insular . Quiet, clean, hidden. Growing population High price housing Nice small town in the big city . Growing, antiques, bars, restaurants, close by, employment, schools. . Fun, family oriented, fine antique stores, diversity, unsafe. . Safe. Diverse. Walkable. Cozy. Interesting. Growing. Responsive . Nice main street Many activities to choose from Decorated nice for holidays "Everything you need is on Hopkins main street." . Convenient, great location . Old and outdated . small, friendly, diverse . Quaint, diverse, family oriented . diverse, affordable, industrial . I would describe it as small, diverse, eclectic community. I feel that it has a real small town feel and sense of community. (not sure those are adjectives) . small, growing, tight-knit, clean . Quaint, artsy, authentic Midwestern, best undiscovered city in MN . Walking friendly. Safe. Easy living. Community. United. Family friendly. Old fashioned. Convinent. Accessible. Familiar. Wonderful!!!!!! Active lifestyle living. Slower paced. All American. Quality of life. A hidden gem. . Friendly, small, contained, diverse . small friend Iy comfortable relaxed . landlocked, character, raspberry festival, mainstreet, trees . friendly, walkable, diverse . Friendly, open, welcoming . Pedestrian friendly. Small town . friendly, conveniences of a small town . Community-oriented Family friendly Up and coming Charming . Fun Friendly Small town Busy Active Clean Enjoyable Organized . small, friendly, services are well integrated, collaborative. I am very impressed by the level of dedication shown by teachers to a diverse student population. . Funky Eclectic Homey Unique . Historical unique 4. If there were only one thing you'd identify with Hopkins, what would it be? . Rasberries . Cheap Seats . great school system . main street . Homelike . Antiques . mainstreet and the center for the arts . Raspberry parade . From my perspective, it's the antiquing community. . Going home to a familiar area, like a town close to where you grew up. It's just a comfortable-feelling mainstreet! . raspberry festival . raspberry festival . Raspberry Festival . Main Street . mainstreet Hopkins Center for the Arts . Probably the Raspberry Festival.... but the past decade or so - the growth of the "artsy" community - Hopkins Center For The Arts, Antique stores, Exhibits, Concerts, Events of all kinds. . Hopkins Center for the Arts . Raspben:y Festival & HS basketball program . old town charm in suburbia-land . small town feel but close to large city life . Raspberry Festival . Our Main Street. It really helps to maintain the old town feeling. My family enjoys walking down mainstreet and many times running into other people we know to stop and chat with. Some of the small businesses are useful to the average resident and others DO NOT. (ie: Drafting business, dairy coop, etc.) Those type of businesses should be kept to the back of Main Street or on upper levels . Crack cocaine and drug dealers being chased by Barney Fife. . Mainstreet, art center, antiques . lots of industry . Raspberry festival . Raspberry Festival . The feeling of being part of a community. Knowing that you belong and that when you go down the block you'll know your neighbors or see someone you know from something else. . Mai n street . small town atmosphere - in some neighborhoods . Hopkins Center for the Arts . Meets most of your daily needs . Raspberries. But no longer grown here; just used as a logo. . super value, mpls. moline, great people, great schools,good people. . Main Street . Main Street . Mainstreet . Main Street. . A main street that has the same feel as 50th and France or uptown but family friendly . Mainstreet . Raspberry . Main Street. Potentially as rich as Grand Ave., 5t Paul, but more authentic-- not touristy or contrived at all. . The good old days, even though I am fairly young(in my 30's) Hopkins is what I would consider what things were like in the good old days where you know your neighbors, you look out for one another. You know the owners of the shops and businesses that you patronize and they know you. You feel safe. Quiet neighborhoods where the kids actually still play outside. People are friendly. . the downtown -- wh'ich most suburbs don't have . mainstreet . mainstreet . raspberry . Pedestrian friendly . Mainstreet . Antiques . Raspberry Festival . either the Raspberry Festival or the antique shops . mainstreet . Mainstreet. It is what sets Hopkins apart from all the chain stores at the area shopping centers and it's historical buildings and individually owned businesses are better than the new urban centers such as in St. Louis Park. 5. What is the most positive thing you can say about Hopkins? . Downtown/mainstreet . The small town feel and friendly neighbors . fabulous public schools, and an awesome downtown. Can do most of our household shopping within city limits. . Hopkins public schools, the main street . I'm happy and proud to live here...even though it is a small "town." . It feels good to be here in a town where no huge- yet- cookie- cutter stores have infiltrated . Everyone is always happy to live in an area with everything so near and easy to access . Small town atmosphere in a suburban city. . Itls real, not contrived, and it's a unique, contained place within a vast metro area. . For the most part, it seems relatively low on crime . close to alot of other things . The people are open and friendly, the city is well-run, and there are a lot of opportunities to be taken advantage of here . Hopkins has tried hard to re-establish it's image as a vital suburb with smart growth and revitalization of it's Main Street area. . I feel safe and mostly welcome. . small town, friendly environment . Great arts community and dedication to the art center. . The community, and its leaders, have proven time and time again, that they REALLY CARE about the citizens who call this "home". . The German word is "gemuetlich" = easy going . community desirable . i like being able to walk everywhere - it's not like your regular suburbia!!! . Not afraid to look ahead . Easy to get around the city . I feel good about raising my children in Hopkins. There are many opportunities for my children around Hopkins at all ages. And having the school district as well is an added bonus. . It used to be a wonderful community, and still has the infrastructure, businesses, and SChools comparable to a much larger community to draw on if it is to recover. . good schools . A great place to build community . Has really changed in recent years in ways attractive to both residents and visitors . Warm - for the most part we have found neighbors and others to be quite warm and friendly. Unique - not block after block of "cookie-cutter" houses as is often found in the outer ring suburbs. . Small town feel . Hopkins does a very good job of keeping things clean and for the most part very eye appealing. . Smart growth . It is a nice town, with opportunities for families. . Hopkins is small enough to know your neighbors yet large enough to offer everything one might need: entertainment, restaurants, grocery stores, library, etc. . On the move, especially the new arts center. . love the main street atmosphere . The town I raised, and still love. . It's safe It has character It has the best preserved Main Street in the western suburbs. . friendly genuine residents We see that more projects (lofts) are coming and this is hopeful. We still feel that we have taken a small chance by moving Hopkins but are willing to take this chance from what we have seen so far in the community. . The city seems to care about it's residents . The people seem to really care about community and the schools. . It is a safe place to live. I feel that way from the stand point of a single female homeowner, but also for families and the elderly. . Hopkins is a small town in a big city. We have a diverse population, which only adds to our charm! . It feels like it's its own town: it's not just "a suburb of Minneapolis." I feel that Hopkins can really stand on its own. . Walk to shopping and dining, Bike along trails . It has been able to preserve the small town feel throughout the years. . Friendly business people . I love that I can walk every where and I know my neighbors. . We love it! . It is attempting to redirect its image from a blue-collar, bar city to a charming, family- centered community. . It is a city that cares about its residents. . People know each other and care about each other. . My first thought was that people are genuine and unpretentious. My second answer is that it is the perfect example of "smart growth" development. . Stong repuation for the school system. (I say reputation because over the actual quality over the last 3 years is declining and is no longer head and shoulders above the crowd...and parents know it.) 6. What is the most negative thing you can say about Hopkins? . . the south side . Increased crime rates and subsidized housing . Not a lot of entertainment venues . needs more community involvement, less taxes . It has some areas that are known to have problems with crime.. . like by Blake, east of the former Honeywell...some people think of Hopkins more in that light. Also, the Hopkins Plaza is very, traditionally, "low quality" housing and low expectations for behavior/reputation. The area of the Midnight Market is not a place I would like to be late at night or the area by 5th Ave. and Excelsior Blvd. I don't like "feeling "the bar area between 8th and 9th on the north side of Mainstreet. That area lowers the perspective of visitors, though it does "represent" the older, bar area reputation the "old Hopkins" had before the cruising was under control. The Glenrose Floral signs pasted on their windows and outside in the bushes, and the signs stuck on the liquor store windows, between 8th and 9th on MainStreet, on the south side...they're "tacky." You probably wouldn't see that sort of thing in the new areas in St. Louis Park, by Trader Joes, or in Wayzata or Edina, or Excelsior...it depends on who we want Hopkins to appeal to. However, if more "upscale" housing is on MainStreet, and if neighborhoods are doing a lot to improve the cosmetic appearance of buildings/housing...there is incongruence having "tacky" things...it will discourage some people from coming and lingering...and encourage others to come and linger. It's hard to say these sorts of things without sounding snooty, stuck- up, or condescending. But, people will not pay big money for housing and things in stores or restaurants if theyfeel too much incongruence in the setting. . I haven't found anything bad . It isn't as up to date as other areas High crime . Some of the businesses and housing are rather low-class and/or empty. . It's too close to a major highway . too strict with ordinances . sometimes the community can be a little too insular . Outside of Main Street, there are many areas where strip malls and strip retail are in over abundance and are not "community friendly" . The east end of town is a dump. . Better gateways . There is not much cause, I hve lived and worked in this city for 39 years and have watched much good take place when the business community could have just "let it go" - but they worked, re-worked, and reinvented the infastructure of the community. Partnered with the school district in many projects. . ?? . people drive their cars too fast and don't pay attention to stopsigns or stoplights; we need more policing of this . There are not enough trash receptacles in Hopkins - especailly in the parking ramps. Also miss this raspberry on the water tower. . Some parts of the city have become run down . There are too many homes and businesses who don't take care of their properties. For every step that is taken to draw people in and purchase houses, there are the draw backs of driving through the Avenues and seeing all of the houses that are allowed to just deteriorate or have yards full of weeds and long grass. There needs to be some kind of regulations and restrictions upheld . There appears to be no response to the increasing safety, drug, and crime issues associated with some of the high density housing just East of hwy 169. Security concerns have skyrocketed in the past 5 years and certain areas are not safe at any time of day. I have lived in and owned 3 properties in this area, and have encountered this myself as well as hearing it from EVERY tenant I have worked with in the area in the past 5 years. . People are afraid to move here because of too much integration. They feel it's getting bad and run down. . It has too much ugly low-income housing . Provincial and sometimes bigoted attitudes by some residents. . Seems to be a fair amount of rental property, some of which appears to be poorly maintained. I perceive a lot of "industrial" areas which often aren't the most attractive . High cost of housing, taxes . That it doesnt always feel safe. I love living in this city, but because we live on a very busy street 17th Ave. N. there is a lot of traffic. There have been too many break ins, vandalisim and just all around noisy people and kids. There are too many times at night where my husband is working and I just get scared because of things that could go on at night. I'm scared my dog is going to get stolen from my yard. Thats how busy it is, someone could walk right by, take her and no one would be the wiser. Like I said I love living in the city it just doesnt feel safe. . Insuficient Parking, and the misconception by some that there are too many antique shops, Hopkins is fortuante to foster an industry that draws shoppers to a specialty item from such great distances. . Too many rental properties, suspicious people, . Needs to have some of the old homes maintained better. Too much turnover in retail businesses. . A lack of preserving its past. Just build more condos.... . Don't have anything. . Needs updating. . The loss of small businesses along Main Street. Too much building of townhomes and the like Two many apartment units Blake street It's dead. . It used to be that it had a gun shop. Now, it is where bikers hang out and get tatoos. . There are some real rundown areas - such as the seedy strip malls along Shady Oaks (I think this is Hopkins still). . There is too much rental property, therefore, there is a lack of pride in ownership with much of the housing, especially in the downtown area. . The neighborhood south of Excelsior seems almost "throw-away" in terms of value; not a strong identity there with the rest of the City. . The majority of homes are too small. We need larger homes. Many people buy homes in Hopkins and then have kids but have to move out of Hopkins because their house is getting too small and no larger homes are available. People WANT to live here but there is just not enough large homes. . There are too many car dealerships and it's heavy on the rental property. . I can't really think of anything. Sorry -- I don't mean to sound like a Pollyanna, but I can't think of anything. . too many apartments and industrial/commercial Entrance into the city needs to more curb appeal Duck Pond along Shady Oak Rd needs a facelift . Narrow mindedness about committees, newspapers, festivals . I'm worried we are going to have too many condos. . Too much RENTAL property, Not enough creative/imaginative thinking on the part of the city council and mayor, not enough PROMOTION of assets - For example, it would be great to have a Historic Home Tour, City Wide Garage Sale, Flower Baskets on Main Street, etc. . The city seems to get lost in the Edina, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka world of Suburbs. I was very sad to see recreation changed the name from Hopkins-Minnetonka Recreation to Minnetonka Recreation Services. The whole identity of Hopkins seems to be disappearing. There are too many rental units in South Hopkins . the percentage of rental housing is way above average . Increased crime and deterioration along Blake Road. Second answer would be that there is a large non-engaged rental community. . Too many rental properties and a past filled with too many car dealerships on Mainstreet have given Hopkins the image of a disconnected city and a destination of the lower class. I grew up in Saint Louis Park (and have lived in Hopkins and SLP almost all my life) and that was the image I received over the years as I grew up. Mainstreet is more exciting today than it has been for at least 40 years. Hopkins needs to get the word out and help our own residents take pride in our Mainstreet and let other suburbs know that Mainstreet is not a group of car dealerships anymore. Stillwater has the reputation that Hopkins should also have. Let Minneapolis and the suburbs know that they have a Stillwater experience in their own back yard, it's Hopkins! 7. How can Hopkins businesses attract more customers to town? . Open later, and on week-ends when people are off work, and want to shop, clothing store, book store . Have more upscale shopping downtown, like Gap instead of all the antiques. . Do a new resident guide, when new residents move into the city, send a 'welcome packet' with coupons or just introducing themselves. This would've been great to have when I moved here, it still would be great as I'm still getting to know the city. . keep strict ordinances on noise, crime prevention, safety, more lighting of the side streets . Helping to "beautify" the fringe areas...but businesses cannot afford this in reality. Discouraging signs "tacked" on windows of businesses, or outside of businesses, that make places look "tacky." I think the new housing on main street is a WONDERFUL benefitt and a positive influence. You know there are "eyes watching" what happens, such as behavior that may be unlawful or gross, because the people living there have pride in their housing investment and want to help to make it feel safe...and they will call the police and report things. How about police on Segways in the downtown area? You almost never see police officers out of their cars... I cannot think of a time I have seen a police officer walking on the sidewalk. Would it be useful/productive if they were doing more "walking patrols," especially in the areas that you want to encourage more citiizen awareness in the business area? That might help with the downtown on busy nights. Even seeing an officer in a restaurant...anywhere...even on Saturday by the library, etc., would make visitors to Hopkins feel safe. Just an idea.... . Perhaps a great ad campaign that includes a "catch-phrase" that develops citizen pride and wanting to be part of the downtown happenings . Advertize in areas that nearby towns to raise awareness of all the great things and also have buisnesses work together when they're near to each other to show close and convient it is to go to Hopkins . Avoid chains! More variety - not just antique stores . Special city-wide events that really live up to how they're advertised. More exposure of the uniqueness of some businesses . more advertisement-tv radio . market downtown as a unit, not just specialized elements (like the antiques effort). also, market the free-parking. sure, it isn't super easy to park downtown, but it IS all free. . Provide unique businesses, other than chains, that establish character and draw people to the city. . think by cleaning up the east end will help a lot. Think about this: people exit off 169 and go north on 5th Ave. Look at what there first impression of the town is! Ugh! I think by advertising the fact that Hopkins is alive past 6 pm is a huge advertising asset. I love the fact that most antique stores/shops are open well past the time I get home from my commute. We're getting better fine dining to include the Gusto (which I don't work at), but that is huge to us. Fine dining is wonderful to have in small towns. . Leverage assets like the Art Center and its mainstreet developments with other attractions people are there to visit already . It is tough in the "Wal-Mart" era(Cheap is the only criterie) to attract customers....... I think the antique shops are a good idea for the tourists, but we, the residents of Hopkins, have to make sure we patronize the businesses and the facilities in the city. This 'day to day' is what will keep stores like groceries, clothing, drug, music, and all the other business that most outstate towns of similar size still have. . More retail? . Not limit parking times on downtown streets. Market all the great things available when you visit Hopkins. . Always keep easy access in mind. . Have more diverse businesses. Cute shops and eating establishments. The antiques are a great start but can't be the only thing holding up the Mainstreet traffic . Better mix of stores. Hopkins is a destination shopping area (for antiques) but for any major shopping you must go elsewhere . First off, have businesses people want. We have enough sports bars and cocktail bars. The antique shops are working hard to draw more people in but we need other stores too. Nice gift shops, small scale book store, toy store, etc. I would like to see more sit down restaurants as well. Another thought is to beautify the Main Street more. Enforce that the sidewalks need to be kept clean (either by the City staff or business owners). Consider flower pots or baskets to line the Main Street (ex: Red Wing) . Upscale. Push city to aggressively address it's drug, crime and welfare problems and once again appeal to a more stable class of people. . It needs something similar to what St. Louis Park is doing on Excelsior and France. Higher end shopping may bring in different clients and get them aqainted with other things Hopkings offers. Better restaurants . Depends on what kind of customers are desired. If looking for the general browser, play up the antiquest, dress up Mainstreet, have events with draw, add some destination shops if possible, hopefully having a hotel. The main thoroughfares (Excelsior, Hwy 7, Hwy 169) don't provide people with any reason to get off and check out Hopkins. . Coupons and ads and articles on the stories behind the businesses in the local paper - I think people are willing and even eager to frequent local businesses, even if they cost more, if there is a perception/understanding that there is a personal story behind the storefront. . Get more businesses that aren't service orientated. It's all antique shops now and I don't do antique shopping. . For sure up the higher class eye appeal. Redoing the fronts of buildings and changing signs to be more up to date. . Market to the local businesses reaching the employment base, the local residential customers are not spenders. . improve their curb appeal. Mainstreet business that must be entered by rear doors are approached by dirty, alleys and parking lots. Many with questionable persons milling around & harassing customers. Improved lighting and parking. . Advertise. Sponsor activities. . Tell them more about "free parking." . update-update . Stop running out the small businesses . improve parking, more general Hopkins marketing, more downtown park events . Coordinated marketing effort focusing on antiques, unique stores, restaurants, etc. . Hopkins is suffering from a Catch-22. No one goes to Hopkins because there are few businesses of any interest. But, in order to attract interesting, higher quality businesses, it needs more traffic. The Raspberry Festival has helped, and as the owner of LakeMinnetonka.com, I always try to promote Hopkins events because I feel it's been an undervalued city. If I were to "package" Hopkins, I would sell it as the perfect place for young families to start out: plenty of starter homes; safe, tree-lined streets; family values, etc... I would spend plenty of time pumping the Small Town Main Street theme, with the added benefit of a short commute to the city and it's being the "entrance" to the Lake Minnetonka area (Hopkins - halfway between work and play). As the lift bridge is a symbol of Stillwater, and the Nicollet Mall is an icon of Minneapolis, certainly Main Street bears the essence of Hopkins' identity. And, when people think of a main street, they think of wholesome, honest, friendly people. In my opinion, Hopkins should set its sights on being known as the Main Street of the Western Suburbs, pulling out all the stops to promote that image. . cultural activities, theater, concerts, more festivals, better restaurants, outdoor cafes in the summ~r, activities to attract families in the evenings . More upscale businesses not just thrift stores or antique stores- even if they are chains - Caribou Coffee, Starbucks IMaybe art studios? Better restaurants on Main Street (I have eaten at some really bad ones in town)- we are tired of only eating at Big 10! . Clean and update their storefronts . Sell what people want. . No more antique shops, although I like them we have too many. We need more shops that are unique like the Bibelot. I don't see why we can't have shops like those at 50th and France and Grand Ave in St. Paul because we are surrounded by communities that have great wealth. BUT I also want stores that the people who live in Hopkins can afford to shop at. I would say that Hopkins is pretty middle class. There are people who live here who may be upper to middle class but thank god they are down to earth and not snobby. . GREAT restaurants -- not chains -- family-owned, ethnic restaurants. Live music. . This marketing campaign for the city sounds like a great idea, for starters. Because many businesses here are small, banding together in a major campaign sounds like a good way to get the word out about the city. Then individual businesses can ride that wave of information/enthusiasm to get word out about themselves. . Sales, events . Joint advertising, standardized hours. . Get the word out in more than one medium . Marketing is not my forte. What I can tell you is that if I get good service, I recommend businesses. . FAMILY Restaurants!! A cute pizza parlor (NOT THE OLD BOSTON GARDEN) - Fun ice cream shop, book store. One thing we DO NOT need is more discount stores - these stores tack up a plastic sign on the outside of these beautiful old buildings and it is just tacky. If you have discount stores, then you can expect those type of shoppers. Personally, I would ban plastic signs and make businesses have to have a real sign. I do love independent stores, but am not against some of the nicer chains - they do help bring in business. As long as they do not drive out the mom and pop places, too. . There has to be more destination stores. When the theater and arts center opened I am sure there was a spike in business in town. The city needs to push that and take advantage of the destination people coming to visit. I think the town needs to advertise more. The change from Hopkins Community Promotions to the Chamber of Commerce did nothing to increase business here. Bring back merchant participation in Raspberry, In Mainstreet Days and What was Heritages days. These were events that brought people to this town and then they spent money here. This is why Raspberry is so very important. . Get advertising that shows Mainstreet and the unique businesses (antique stores, train hobby store, etc.), arts center, and individual restaurants with either favorable restaurant reviews or list some menu items so people will know what kind of restaurant it is. I think that an advertisement that educates people about the restaurants (because people need to know what to expect before they will go to a restaurant that does not have a reputation like a national chain) and all the things they can do on Mainstreet will separate it from just a shopping experience. Push the non-chains stores and the arts center! There is a backlash against chains and take advantage of it! 8. How important is history to Hopkins? . very, after all it's "West Minnespolis" . I don't know the history really, but it would be nice to know more. . somewhat important . It is our grounding...it is what defines u~ as a different kind of town to live...we are not really seen as a "suburb." However, I doubt that a lot of "newcomers" to Hopkins are aware of our history...like recent immigrants to the U.S. One could ask, why would that make a difference to them? Ask them...have info. available in different languages? I suppose the majority of people living in Hopkins don't know the history...but I think the majority of home/real estate owners know something of the history. They have a vested interest that short-term arrivals would have, perhaps. . History is important to any place - although I do not know Hopkins history (Just moved to MN . fairly important . Extremely. . The old buildings are important and should be highlighted. The fact that there's an original Mainstreet is very important, but I don't think it looks as good as it could . I'm not from Hopkins, but keeping your roots alive is a very important part of establishing and successfully continuing the heritage of Hopkins and the surrounding area! . only the length of time the raspberry festival has been around . very important. with the raspberry festival and the age of the community as a whole, history should be, and is, very important . Very! Hopkins should celebrate it's rich history and learn from what has worked well for the community, and what has not. . think the Hopkins history is rich and deep, but I think that progressive thinking is a much better attitude to have. I moved into the community from another state. I wish Hopkins embraced their new residents better. . Rasberry Festival is important. Also the changes to mainstreet and the old buildings still existing . I would definitely take a look at finding a way to blend the history of Hopkins with a modern message . It is very important, as the whole area (Hopkins, Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, Edina) was developed due to the early vision of Harley Hopkins, and others as to what this community should be, and what it should offer. I find it exciting to think that maybe there will be "light rail" again running down Excelsior Blvd!! . Very - the History Museum is great . Scale 1-108 . i would like to see more history displayed around hopkins. i love the pictures in Driskolls. i have heard most of the history from our late neighbor who lived here for 50 years. but as far as i know, there is nothing else displayed or written about the history. i think all the houses should have a sign on them to show when they were built . Very. That's the cool thing about Hopkins. It preserves history, but still moves ahead . Very important. . Very important. It gives its residents something to hold on to and to live up to. As a resident when I walk down Main Street and see the old buildings; I wonder what they used to be. It would be interesting to have a plaque or sign either attached to the building or standing on the sidewalk with a picture of the building as it originally was and then some history about it. . Very . Very Important. . In my opinion, not very important . Hopkins is unique in the metro and can use its history and what remains from it to create an image. . I think history is important, as it can have a tremendous impact on the way we think and treat the town. History can be a significant factor in establishing identity, both on a personal and community level. . Probably more important to some people than others . Not sure, but if its important, we know nothing about it. . Very, the railroad created the "crossroads" effect . History is very important and a big part of the town. Hopkins has a very interesting history and it should be preserved. . Fairly . Essential. . Probably to residents who have lived here all their lives, it is very important. To those of us who moved here more recently, not as important because we have had to live in many different places. However, it is nice to learn about the history of where we live. . Very Very important to me. My family has been here almost from the start. . Very . not important . Good to not lose it and preserve it, but history should not limit future. . now, history is all Hopkins has got, and Hopkins should capitalize on it. The future of Hopkins should be about history, at least in terms of image. I hope Hopkins won't continue to make the architectural mistakes Wayzata did. They knocked down most of their old buildings, replacing them with characterless Edina-style blocks. Stillwater is the visual model for Hopkins. At all costs, it should maintain history, and any future construction should add to the 19th C. small town appeal. . not very important . Fairly important. I learn alot from the city publications. Ilalso earn alot from my 70 year neighbor who has lived here all her life. It's interesting and helps it feel more like a city than just a sprawling suburd (like Minnetonka). . Marginally . Precious-- especially the raspberry heritage-- but not essential to the life of the community in terms of future development. The architecture along Main St. is probably the best feature of the city's past in evidence today. . It is incredibly important. I am not fom Hopkins but I have lived here for almost 10 years and I care deeply about the city. I love to learn new things about the history of this city. . Very - it's where our heritage is . I'd say it's quite important. Of course, I'm a lover of history, so that would be my answer. But I think, in order for us to hang on to our individuality as a city, we need to know and hang on to our history. It's what makes us unique. . Hopkins has a long history so it should be highlighted. . Very. It has a history. It is not an invented suburb. . It should be very important, well over 100 years of history . I want Hopkins to remember it's roots as a small town. I love the old buildings. It gives the town character . I think the history part should be promoted via real estate. There are many people who love older homes and there are still some nice ones in Hopkins. I think the Historical Society should PROMOTE these homes via tours, etc. OLD is good, if it is kept up - like South Mipls, Excelsior, etc. . It is very important. Our town has done a lot for this area and we need to highlight that information. Lets make this town stand out on its own merits away from the bigger suburbs surrounding us. I think the antique fair sounds like a good plan if it is done with all the business community participating. Antique stores and non antique stores. . Very . The most. Hopkins needs to make sure new developments look retro and fit in with the eclectic design of buildings between 8th and 10th street. If too many buildings are built like "Market Place on Main" Hopkins will look too much like St. Louis Park's redevelopment. I think Market Place on Main" was a good addition to kick start redevelopment, but with all the currently planned projects looking too much like "Marketplace on Main" will start to erode the Historical feels of Hopkins. Hopkins will not longer have the historical selling advantage of being like Stillwater and will suffer. People want uniqueness, tit takes more work to explain it to consumers. But if you educate, they will come. 9. Which landmarks best typify Hopkins? . the movie theatre . Mainstreet, Cheap Seats, Tuttle's . downtown Movie theatre . the theatre, the car dealers on Main Street, the clock tower . Water tower with raspberry, downtown, Center for the Arts and theater, our entire school system! . mainstreet school for the arts and the center for the arts . Raspberry water tower, movie theatre, center for arts, St. Joseph's Church. . The old opera house, Arts Center, the nice-looking retail stores. . The quaint downtown of course! . shadyoak lake which is really in minetonka. main street . clock tower, st. joe's The Hopkins Center for Performing Arts, The Hopkins Theater I love the clock and the old manor. Itls gorgeous...1 wish they were sold as condo . Mainstreet. Arts center and movie with ample restaraunts to dine before/after. . Arts Center, Mainstreet . Hopkins Center for the Arts . Mainstreet . the movie theater, the depot, City park . Mainstreet. . Main Street. The clock tower. Many of the old buildings (Opera Hall). Maetzold Baseball park. The movie theatre . All the original Hopkins schools have been changed into something else. Minneapolis Moline is gone. There aren't very many landmarks left. . Clock tower, bike trail . If people are familiar with the town -- movie theater, arts center, Mainstreet, beach, parks. If not, they probably see car lots and commercial sites and little else. . Water tower, movie theater, bowling alley, mainstreet (not sure that qualifies for a landmark, or not). . SuperValu (not it's best feature) . Not sure that the Raspberry days is an actual landmark but it does make Hopkins known. . Clock tower, depot, water tower, . Mainstreet businesses. Water tower. Blake School. . Center for the Arts. Raspberry water tower. . Until it was torn down, the theater tower. Now nothing special. . Main street (the most) Stage theatre Movie theatre . Most of them have been taken down. Dow house-hopkins theater-old post office . Hopkins Center for the Arts . Some of the Mainstreet Buildings, Coffee House . The Depot Center for the arts Shady Oaks Lake . not sure. the clock tower in town the water tower the depot the train station (with the ugly supervalue warehouse behing it - not so beautiful). . tough question: Performing Arts Center is a jewel; the school system is a treasure of its own, but does not have a single unifying marque to identfy with. The Raspberry is traditional, but largely not understood anymore. The Main Street from 8th to 12th is kind of what I see as the hallmark of Hopkins today. . The Performing Arts Center, the movie theatre and although it is not a landmark, the Rasberry festival. Many friends I know think of the bars when they mention Hopkins. . Main street . The clocktower in downtown. Do they still have the raspberries painted on the water towers? That would be another. . Mainstreet; clock tower . Brink buildings on Mainstreet exemplify the past. The Hopkins Center for the Arts represents the future . Clocktower . I love the clock . Main Street, Hokins Theatre, Hopkins Art Center (Which is awesome by the way!!) . Main Street Arts Center Movie Theater Car Dealerships (not always a positive) . the raspberry; Shady Oak Rd., park, lake . Hoagies Center for the Arts Oddfellow Building . Clock tower; art center 10. What is missing from Hopkins? . A DOG PARK - all surronounding cities have dog parks but you have to be resident of that city to use them. We NEED a dog park. Light rail service to downtown, and the lake minnetonka area. A specialty food store like Trader Joe's. more diverse down town less antique shops, more clothing, shoes, Bagel shop, better fastfood - Noodles, bruger's, einstein brothers, book store candy store . Bigger houses to raise a family . More clothing stores. More entertainment venues. . a donut shop, and a nice up scale restaurant and at a reasonable price, a pool instead of a hockey rink would be great! . A place where you could rent Segways by the bike path, by the Depot. It would be a GREAT area to ride them! You could even promote Hopkins as "Segway Friendly!" . a music store . Well we got Starbucks! Now we need a Bohemian restaurant . Good, consistent signage on the main arteries around the city. It's hidden away. There seems to be too little promotion by the city of the historical or charming aspects of Mainstreet. We have no lodging for guests and no tourism bureau encouraging people to visit. The website doesn't have a good retail or shopping category for easy clicking. . A nice dog park and walking area. I know there's plenty of trails, but walking a dog on some of those trails is like taking your life into your own hands. There are TONS of bicyclers, which is fine. They have just as much right to be there as I do, but for an enjoyable "walk" with your pet, it can be kind of unnerving! Not everyone knows biking ediquette! . Knox Lumber or a reasonable lumber company . recreation center . ? . Progressive thinking is holding the town back. I think that new development was a lost and last thought. . Mall? . Men's clothing store . more cops and a dog park. . More raspberry identification Not enough trash receptacles . good mix of shopping. . Balance. It feels unbalanced to me. Perhaps because many houses are nice and taken care and then many are pits. Storefronts on Main Street are very much the same. We need more variety. I want to feel like I could go down to Main Street and find everything I need. . Positive, RESPECTFUL police willing to work WITH the citizens. A real response to the major issues of crime and the city's declining appeal to those not looking to live with gangs, crime, and threatening behaviors. . Rasberries. It used to be the rasberry capital, but now you couldn't find a rasberry to save your soul . Diversity . Shopping! (but this may not be the route to take with Edina and other shopping destinations so close) . Community swimming pool area (similar to Richfiled, Edina, SLP) and/or wading pools at certain parks such as are found in Minneapolis. . Stores to shop in. Stores that carry items you need and want to buy. Not antiques...... . Someone to plow the sidewalks in front of our houses in the winter. :) . ample parking. todays consumers require more parking than ever before. Today a party of four at a restaurant arrives in four seperate vehicles. Compare that to the hay days in the 1950s when evryone arrived in one car. . clean, residential neighborhoods. parking. Modern, affordable housing for families. Not rental. . More decent restaurants . Restaurants. . young familes who want to make it a great place to live. . a recreation center - pool, execise, tennis, raquetball , possibly banquet room type center. . Good (more formal) restaurants on Mainstreet. (This would bring pedestrian traffic too.) . I like the antique shops, but Hopkins needs more clothing stores, art galleries, coffee shops, restaurants, boutiques, etc... Again, I think Stillwater could be a model. It's a town that "feels comfortable in its clothes," and capitalizes on its strengths. Also, I think Hopkins needs a gimmick or two. Excelsior's Steamship Minnehaha and trolley are big draws. Wayzata has its own street trolley, which is run by the chamber. Stillwater has the lift bridge and a scenic overlook. Of course, these towns are located on bodies of water, making them somewhat more picturesque than Hopkins. But, with a little creativity I think Hopkins could tap into its unique character and find a promotional device that would set it apart from other towns. Festivals are great, but too limited in duration. Hopkins needs an attraction that is year-round, or at least seasonal. . high tech companies, good restaurants and shops . good restaurants quality stores . A bagel shop!, a bookstore . A lake. . A dog park. Unique stores that serve a wide variety of incomes and non-chain resturants or cafes. Larger homes for families that are growing but want to stay in Hopkins. But these homes should be designed with a historic feel in mind, like the bungalow style. Homes with character, not "suburban style" homes. . Great restaurants . Light rail . Variety store . Ethnic restaurants . Cooperativeness between certain committees and the rest of the business people . Book Store, Restaurants (NOT BARS!), Swimming Pool, Flower Baskets, Bakery, Upscale gift shops . People coming to our town to shop. We have restaurants, entertainment, events, I am not sure why we do not attract more people I think the loss of the events such as Mainstreet Days and Heritage Days did not help. I think we need advertising. . some of the storefronts are empty; home ownership . A small park right on Mainstreet (not enough green space!). Hopkins has a good pavillion but it needs to be seen from Mainstreet. A small park that is about a half a block in the center of downtown mainstreet would really help people understand that Hopkins is a day full of activities and not just a place to shop or catch a movie. People could have an outdoor place to sit and take a nice break while walking Mainstreet (late spring to early fall). I would stop and stay more in downtown if there was a small park for my kids to sit at and take a nice break. If you look at what going around the country, cities are realizing the power of green spaces. Hopkins is totally devoid of visable green spaces. Suggestion: If Hopkins could somehow atrract redevelopment of some old buildings on Mainstreet Hopkins into Bed & Breakfasts, it would complete the historical public image. One draw to towns like Lanesboro, Nothfield, and Stillwater are the B&B's and their proximity to the shopping district. Nothing says history like old buildings with couple of B&B's mixed in. It also helps the selling point of saying "Hopkins Mainstreet, it's no mall, it's a destination." 11. What kind of recreational offerings are there in Hopkins? . the pavalion, skate park, city parks, trails, shady oak lake . community ed programs trail system. Many parks, not sure what else . . parks, ice skating, hockey, baseball, tball, softball . Lots of parks and schools with terrific playground equipment! The new ones are so safe...1 really look forward to bring our grandchild to them as he grows older! Antique shopping, movie theater, plays and other entertainment at the Center for the Arts, scateboard area, lots of great bike paths...even one to downtown Minneapolis, excellent school events of every kind, Activity Center, hockey arena, downtown park with summer concerts, bus that goes right to downtown, excellent library, community education offerings, Raspberry festival and other special event weekends with all their activities, including races. . The trails are great . movie theater, center for arts, restaurants, antiques, bars, library, The Depot, lots of playgrounds, best sliding hill in the western burbs, walking/biking trails, the Pavilion, lots of sports facilities, great summer play program in the parks. . Senior Citizen activities, bike trail, swimming nearby, shopping and sporting activities for children. . great biking trails . parks, trails, activity center, arts center, skate park, hopkins pavilion . typical sporting events/activities for kids Music in the Park. Arts theatre . Parks, trailhead in downtown. . Parks, concerts, Activity Center, education, exercise . Swimming, trails, parks, golf nearby, art center/stages, bowling, MIP, . Movies, stage, library, baseball, fast food, playgrounds, trails, ice cream . Parks, dining, theater, skatepark, shopping.......as well as heroin, crack, prostitution... . Baseball park . bike paths, skateboarding, arts activities, music in the park . Great parks for kids, all seemingly within walking or biking distance. Great walking and biking trails that we make much use of. The movie theater and close restaurants make for a reasonably priced night of entertainment. . Trails for walking and bike riding. Baseball/softball teams in Central Park Hockeyllce skating at the Hopkins Pavilion from Sept- Feb. . Not enough for the young adult age, 18-30. We know a ton of young newly married people in Hopkins and there really are not a lot of recreational things other than the movie theatre, Big 10 (the favorite) or bars. Not a lot there. If theres more, we have no way of knowing about it. . Clubs, bowling, ball parks, bars. . Many parks, trails, senior center, art center, sports fields . Plenty: parks, theatre for the arts with various offerings, music in the park, raspberry activities, movie theatre, walking/biking path, shops . Bike trail that needs to be PAVED. . A lot for children - not too many for adults . Ice arena, art center, movie theater, senior center, community parks, downtown park, recreation department, trails, skate park . Many parks! Trails . Very few at the moment. Plymouth and Chanhassen are cities that offer many community building activities in the spring and summer months, such as concerts, picnics, poetry readings, 5K runs, etc... Neither of these cities has the benefit of a traditional town center, so they have to be creative. I know of a small town in Idaho, can't remember the name, that allows artists to sell their wares on tables and in tents along their main street on weekends all summer long. The artists pay a small fee, and the entire town benefits from the traffic. There are bakery stands, drink stands, and a street performer, dressed in pioneer garb, that walks around greeting people, entertaining them with folksy stories. It creates a festive, upbeat atmosphere that's good for business. I don't see why Hopkins couldn't do something similar. When I was a kid, Hopkins was the place where motorheads went to drag race. Hopkins has since effectively sanitized the city of that . element, but like it or not, it's part of Hopkins' history. Hopkins was a lure for kids with hot rods from the 50's through the 70's, and it created a vibrant atmosphere on weekend nights. I'm not suggesting Hopkins reintroduce drag racing on Main Street, but there are a lot of hot rod enthusiasts in the Twin Cities that remember those days. If Hopkins promoted itself as a place to see classic cars on weekends, I can guarantee the nostalgic car crowd would turn out in droves. . Just about everything. Sports, theater, beach, hockey, skating, biking, golf . Biking (we have excellent access to regional trails) Ice Skating (during winter) . there is a full catalog of park and rec programs . Biking/hiking trails; arts & entertainment; dining and amateur league sports. . Walking, walking and more walking. Walk to shops, theatres, resturants and on the trails. Biking on the trails. You can go all the way to Lake Minnetonka and farther west or go east into Mpls. Many opportunities to play sports at the atheltic fields. Kids can play in the many parks. Skating in the winter and sledding too! And through community education there are opprtunites to get exercise at the Williston center and Eisenhower center. Many classes are offered through the performing arts center. . Many -- many child-friendly activities, sponsored by local businesses, I love the Raspberry Festival and Main Street Days. Traditions are important! The bike trail is a huge plus!! We get a lot of people coming through and to Hopkins on the bike trail. . Ice skating, skateboarding, walking trails, lots of baseball diamonds, good parks with equipment there . Parks, Theatres, Hopkins Activity Center, Pavilion, Shady Oak Beach, Skate Park, Bike Trails . A lot of recreational opportunities for kids. Bike trails and tennis courts for adults. . Parks, beach . I use the trails and parks frequently. . Bike trails are good and the Hopkins-Minnetonka Baseball program is outstanding. Maetzold Field is a gem!! Shady Oak Beach is lovely and the redevelopment there has been great, but it is really outside of Hopkins proper. . The bike path system and the parks. Shady Oak and the ice Arena. The programs offered through recreation are all wonderful. The skateboard park and school locations all offer recreational opportunities. Some of the parks are not as family friendly with large groups taken over. . baseball park; arena; skateboard park; Hopkins Center for the Arts, Stages Theater . Night out with restaurants, movies and art center (also skate park). Hopkins offers more to it's residents, but it is no more than oth~r surronding suburbs. 12. What is the reputation of the school system? . so far it's been excellent, that's why i moved to Hopkins . It was AWESOME until the negative press it got last year with the finance trouble...it is a little more diverse than most suburb school systems. That can be viewed as a positive and negative. . Excellent. (Though a BIT over budget last I heard) . highly ranked in the metro area; has slipped somewhat in the past few years; they need to go back to higher standards of excellence starting at the elementary level. . EXCELLENT, best in Minnesota! . Very good they have outstanding teachers and opportunitys . It used to be good but it's gone downhill because of No Child Left Behind, cost increases, and money mismanagement . A very good school system from what I've heard. No personal experience . I've only heard good things about the Hopkins school system. I am a single person, no children. it used to be super good. now, educationally, it still has a good rep but in terms of fiscal responsibility and how well it treats firsUsecond year teachers, it has dropped in esteem in the metro and among teachers. . Very good, especially Hopkins high school . We do not have kids in the school system, but I've many good things from other parents. I think the latest overspending of the previous superintendent is going to be a minor setback. . Very good . Excellent . Good . as far as i know, it is very good. the kids i know are brilliant and highly motivated. i also enjoy the fact that there is the main street school in town for the more artsy kids. . Excellent . Very good. . Fabulous. The 2 downtown schools (Alice Smith and Catherine Curren) are very much neighborhood schools where many people know each other. There is a lot of diversity as well. . Quite good, but also threatened by the declining caliber of the neighborhoods. . Excellent, but not like it used to be. They have used that too long. Other schools like Wayzata and Minnetonka draw more now. . Excellent . excellent -- this is the first thing I ever heard about Hopkins "They have a great school system" . Outstanding. This is the primary reason we moved back to Hopkins, to get into the Hopkins school district and its special education program . Excellent . Very good . Hopkins has always been known for it's superior school system. HOwever, recently they have lost ground, because they have cut back on staff and spend too much time educating those who do not want to be educated or who do not understand the language of English. These hold those who want to learn back. They need to improve teaching so all, including those who are capable and want to learn, can have the same opportunities as those who don't speak the language or don't want to learn. . Excellent but took a big hit with the financial mess last year and carrying forward . Excellent . Good, but spend too much money from what I read. . Excellent . As good as any school system. . Very good. One of the best in the Twin Cities. (Though better financial management needs to make sure it stays that way) . Good . Excellent . excellent - but more questionable now since the statutory operating debt snafoo. Oops! . It used to be much better, and then the problems of last year happened. I think the reputation is not great any longer. . Excellent- and we've joked that there must be something in the water to account for the high achievement of Hopkins students in the performing arts programs. The community has shown tremendous support for the school system in past years . Great . Excellent - and with two children I can attest to the fact is wonderful. . Excellent . Good Very good Not too good right now, operating in a deficit and all . Excellent - although the recent budget issue tainted it. . Up until this year, excellent. It has many challenges as the population of Hopkins becomes so diverse (thus, I think we have enough low income housing to last us forever). I do think it is important for a town of have a mix of many incomes, though. Another asset Hopkins has is the fact that it is multi-generational - there are many options for senior citizens here and the neighborhoods have a great mix of families and retirees!! Much better than a typical suburb!! . The school district has always been top of the line. Its too bad they had the financial setback. I think that whole situation has had a negative impact. . I know a number of students who have chosen to commute to the Hopkins Schools for the educational opportunties (and reputation). . Excellent but recent financial troubles haven't looked good. . Good. (Although it is really slipping in the last few years. When talking to parents outside of Hopkins I never hear anymore "I heard you have a great school system. ") 13. Do many people grow up and stay to raise families in the city? . LOTS of they do stay . Some, I would say SO/50 . No idea, I just moved here 3 months ago . don't know . YES! This is true in our own family! We know of many people who were raised in Hopkins and have continued to live here, with their own families. ABSOLUTELY! . Yes . No, they try to move up when the kids are young. . it seems to be so . think people who grew up in Hopkins in the past 30 to 50 years left it. The people raising families now have come from other areas because of its convenience, good schools, safety. This is how I perceive it although I don't really know . I wouldn't really know about that, as I'm a transplant, but my neighbor is living with his wife in the house he grew up in! . did not grow up here nor would I have wanted to grow up here. When I made the choice to move to the city, I also made the choice to not have kids. . Older generation seems to stay. Younger generation seems to move, in part to limited housing . As far as I know, yes . I think they move away from Hopkins but stay in the Hopkins school district due to its reputation. . don't think it is as many as it used to be. . Not much anymore, if they can avoid it. . Seems like there are long family lines within the city. . Seems like it. . Don't know, but we grew up here and were both away for 10-15 years, and have now moved back to raise out family. . Yes, because of the school district, 270 . Yes some, both of my husbands parents grew up in Hopkins and now we live here. Their parents also grew up and lived in Hopkins and now off shoots of family live in their houses. . Seems that way . In the past they did. Now people no longer feel the pride what once was in Hopkins and they move away. I do not know of anyone who has stayed in Hopkins recently, after they have started their families. They do not see it as a city to raise children in. yes, not enough 2nd, larger homes when starter homes become too small for a family How would I know? I have, but they do not usually . They may grow up, but I doubt they stay. . I moved here 2 years ago but It certainly looks like most residents have grown up here. . The city being Hopkins? I dont know. I havent lived here long enough to say. . Yes . No idea . Although I was not raised in Hopkins I have came across many people who were raised here and have stayed here. If people leave Hopkins it seems they stayed connected to the city. . Yes - it's been my experience that a lot of people have been here 50+ years. . I'm not sure. I should hope so -- it's a great place to do so. I live on 20th Avenue North, and it seems young couples move in to start their families here. The houses are rather small, though, so after they have their second child, they seem to sell their houses to move to something larger. I don't know if they stay in Hopkins or not. But my area, for some people, is a place to buy their "starter" home. . Especially families with school-age children . They seem to, isn't the average age mid 30's? . Yes . I think more and more are choosing to do so - the problem is the housing stock. Very few two story homes. . I believe yes. The town has changed a lot over the years with so much rental (Westbrook area) I do not know if these people stay in the area. . I would guess its about half. I think many people look at homes in Hopkins as starter homes. And for the people that can't afford more home, they stay and raise their children. . 14. What makes you proud to be from Hopkins? . Good schools, parks, library. A downtown area that is improving . Go Royals! . It's a charming city. I can easily walk to different stores and to downtown. There's a great school system and the widely recognized Stages Theatre . the streets, the sidewalks, the theatre . Excellent education, active city council, well-educated citizens who value living here for the education opportunities. and all the other things mentioned above. We expect to live here the rest of our lives, because there is something here for every age group. . everyone knows where it is and what it is . I do not live in Hopkins. I'm proud to have my business there because we have a large, varied antiques community and it's fun for people to come and spend a whole day visiting all the shops. . It's just a nice, good reputation kind of place! . not too much since we are trying to move out of Hopkins . smart growth, good government, nice people, history . I love downtown. I embrace the small businesses and I love the fact that the owners of the businesses embrace their residents. . Small town, friendly environment . All the above . People know its here even though they have not been to Hopkins . my husband and i decided to stay in hopkins because of the downtown (we live a block off main street) and the ability to walk everywhere ON SIDEWALKS! . Hopkins is a convenient place to live but I would not say I am proud to be from Hopkins. . Feeling connected with the community and school. And, seeing the city become proactive and trying to make our "town" even better . Long term resident raising my children here as well as running my own small business renting residential real-estate, and fighting however unsuccessfully to keep the city from becoming a ghetto. I will also be proud to maintain my high standards for my tenants, until I can no longer get quality people to come to this city to live. . I don't tell people that anymore . My neighborhood! . I am not a resident but a worker bee in the City. I think the city is forward-looking which is what will keep it successful. . Small town feel, big town amenities and access. The school district. The uniqueness, and for the most part well maintained, properties and neighborhoods. . There's no real negative thoughts associated with Hopkins. . That this is where the family is. . The renesance of the downtown, esp Mainstreet . have always been proud to be from Hopkins, however, I have mixed feelings these days. I feel bad about that, because I want to be proud of Hopkins . Good reputation, many activities and certainly everything I need within the city limits. Easy to access anywhere else from various highways, etc., great school system . Art Center and schools. . Clean suburb town; a special main street atmosphere. . My grandfather was one of the first Doctors in Hopkins. My wife and I both were From Hopkins. We are hoping to move back to Hopkins in our retirement years in the near furture. . like it here . Knowing members of the community . I'm not from Hopkins, but growing up in the Lake Minnetonka area, I spent a lot of time in Hopkins as a kid. Hopkins has a lot of potential if local people are willing to back a unified vision. There's no reason people shouldn't be proud to be from Hopkins, it just needs some spit and polish, and a little creative marketing. Good Luck! Chris Foote LakeMinnetonka.com . I live here and that we have a center for the arts that emphasizes children's plays and musicals . The sense of community, the diversity, the small town feel and the real-ness of the people. . The coolest little city in the best part of the Metro area. . I live in a very safe community. I know my neighbors and the owners of shops that I patronize. I feel a sense of community. People care about one another and the betterment of our city. I like that I live among the elderly and people of different races as well as families, young and old. We all get along. Life in Hopkins is easy. Life in Hopkins is not about how much money you make or what kind of car you drive, life here is about quality. Life is about taking your dog for a walk in the morning to the coffee shop and greeting neighbors along the way. Meeting friends at Hoagies for breakfast or the Big Ten for dinner to catch up. Stopping into the grocery store or hardware store to pick something up but stopping to talk to a familiar employee because you have the time and you care. If I won the lottery I would remain at my small house in Hopkins because in Hopkins "Life is Good"!!!!!!! . Our fire department is best in the state. They should be compensated in more ways. We have retained our "small town" feel. We should be careful not to attract the upper eschelon of home buyers. We are a city of blue collar workers who value family. . The feeling that it's a real town -- not just a suburb. The city is well maintained, clean and attractive. I like that it's fairly small, too. More intimate and personal. I know where the mayor works, and feel I could go talk to him anytime about concerns. Not that I ever . have, but a town of this size makes me feel like I'm a member of the community, and not just another face in the teeming crowds. . Small town feel, can bike anywhere, enjoy eating at mainstreet establishments, enjoy walking the mainstreet, Walk up town and run into someone you know . It is a town with a history but it is progressive. It has good schools and clean government. It is also a diverse community. . Not from Hopkins . Small town feel. I love knowing my neighbors. . I'm proud the city is trying to move in a positive direction . Being from a town like Hopkins is special. From the city doing the garbage pick up to the Raspberry parade to being able to walk to town to get all your needs all leads to positive thoughts of our town. I am proud I went to school in Hopkins I am proud my kids have grown up here. I am proud of the people and I am proud of all the uniqueness that is Hopkins. . I work in Hopkins but have never lived here. However, my perception is that I would indeed to be proud to say I live in Hopkins. It is a more diverse community than many suburbs and retains the small town feel of connectedness. When a problem arises, people come forward to address it. . How far we have come from the early 1990's when Mainstreet was a quiet, fairly uninteresting place (especially on nights and weekends). . Historical Mainstreet. I love seeing the eclectic design of side beside buildings. When ever I can take someone to Hopkins and bring them to the downtown, they pick up an interest in coming back. The people that do not live in hopkins that have a favorable view of hopkins always mention Mainstreet. The people that have no opinion of Hopkins or think negatively about it are people that do not know about Mainstreet. History isn't just for education, it can be a major selling point if you concentrate on it. .