Located along Central Avenue, Columbia Heights offers a dedicated community, quiet residential streets and a thriving strip of local businesses. This former winner of the All-America City Award is an excellent example of how community outreach and a commitment to business development can reimagine a city. The Minneapolis Improvement Company Northeast chose its name in 1982 over others, such as Fairview Park or Hazel Heights. Much of the area was developed for manufacturing during World War II. A strong base of manufacturing and automotive jobs has allowed for a vibrant small business community to grow. Locals can find outdoor experiences next to Central Plaza and other nearby shopping centers from the Mississippi River to Kordiak Park. “Columbia Heights is an inner-ring Minneapolis suburb known for its accessibility — attracting commuters with a 15-minute drive into downtown Minneapolis,” says Joe Kasel, Realtor with RE/MAX Results. Aside from its urban convenience and proximity to downtown, Columbia Heights maintains a small-town feel through events like the annual Jamboree, local restaurants like Roman’s Cafe and landmarks like the Heights Theater — a 1920s art film house that features indie movies and organ pipe shows. With immediate access to Central Avenue, day trips into the Twin Cities are highly accessible.
Central Plaza has many stores and restaurants for Columbia Heights residents to choose from.
The Heights Theater is a historic theater in Columbia Heights, Minnesota.
Central Avenue runs through Columbia Heights and has a majority of the neighborhood's business.
Roman's Cafe is a local favorite breakfast spot in Columbia Heights.
Columbia Heights is a city in Anoka county with over 21,000 residents.
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Shopping along Central Avenue
Columbia Heights residents can easily shop with various big-box retailers and locally owned businesses along Central Avenue. Groceries and everyday essentials are available at Target, Aldi and Walgreens Pharmacy. Or check out international grocers like Pooja Grocers and Dong Yang Oriental Foods. Department stores and retailers like Menards, Dollar Tree and Petco are also available on Central Avenue. When dining in the area, locals can start their day with a home-style breakfast at Roman’s Cafe, which serves all-American classics from 7:00 a.m. to Noon every day. Or check out Flameburger, known for its classic burgers and traditional diner atmosphere. For various craft beers, visit Minnesota native Forgotten Star Brewery for a tasting in the former Northern Pump Company Building — a naval production manufacturer during WWII.
Central Plaza has many stores and restaurants for Columbia Heights residents to choose from.
Aldi is one of the local grocery shopping stores for residents in Columbia Heights.
Columbia Heights residents can visit the local Target less than 5 minutes away in Fridley.
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The annual Columbia Heights Jamboree
The Columbia Heights Lions Club hosts the annual Columbia Heights Jamboree in June. This summer festival fosters a sense of community in Columbia Heights, celebrating the city's accomplishments and resident's achievements. Locals can visit Huset Park Midway on Jefferson Street, dance to live music, grab a drink at the beer garden and await the anticipated fireworks display on Saturday night. The fireworks are free. However, admission into Huset Park is $2.00 per adult. Neighbors also look forward to the Columbia Heights Parade, which begins at 44th Avenue NE and Quincy Street NE and continues throughout the community.
Ranch styles and Cozy Craftsman
Streets in Columbia Heights have tree-lined sidewalks for convenient strolls around the city. While single-family homes dominate the area, recent developments have welcomed multi-family dwellings and apartment buildings. Columbia Heights offers a variety of home styles ranging from ranch styles and two-story Craftsman to multi-family condos and townhouses. With a median sales price of $280,000, homes here range from the low $100,000s for a two-bedroom ranch-style fixer-upper to upwards of $650,000 for a five-bedroom Craftsman. “It is a more affordable inner ring suburb attracting first-time home buyers and it's perfect for growing families,” says Kasel, a Minnesota native with over 20 years of real estate experience in the area. The community boasts subdivision options from those along Sullivan Lake in Temple Terrace to condos in areas like Black Forest and townhouses in Park View. Homes with lake views or beside community parks are often subject to increased price points here. Houses often feature detached garages and are fronted by mid-sized lawn space with enough room for a few trees and ample room for gardening.
Single-families in the housing market of Columbia Heights can seek out Ranch-styled homes.
Many homes in Columbia Heights are bungalows with nice-sized yards.
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Education at Columbia Heights Public Schools
Students in Columbia Heights can attend schools like Highland Elementary, Columbia Academy and Columbia Heights High School, which have respectively earned ratings of C, C and B from the educational review site, Niche. Highland Elementary School offers an average class size of 23 students and boasts a 7:10 ratio of teachers with advanced degrees. Columbia Academy serves Grades 6 through 8 and provides a variety of extracurriculars and after-school activities from art and choir to music exploration and robotics engineering. Columbia Heights High School incorporates Advanced Placement (AP) courses into its curriculum for increased career readiness and potential college credit. Private options like Totino-Grace High School and Al-Amal School are also common here.
Highland Elementary School in Columbia Heights teaches around 500 students per year.
Prodeo Acadamy is a great Charter school for locals to attend in the Columbia Heights area
Columbia Heights High School has great sporting facilities.
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Film viewings at Heights Theater
Unleash an inner movie critic at the Heights Theater, a Columbia Heights landmark famous for screening independent films since 1926. Visitors can enjoy the regal atmosphere and attend showings of the current pipe organ on Friday and Saturday nights before the 7:10 p.m. shows. For time outdoors, Columbia Heights residents have 15 city parks to choose from. Check out Keyes Park in the winter for a great community sledding hill. Or Huset Park in the summertime, where a splash pad and spacious playground are popular meetup spots. While LaBelle Park and Riverfront Regional Park are great options for a relaxing stroll with waterfront views of Labelle Pond or the Mississippi River. Golf enthusiasts are in luck with the public Columbia Golf Club nearby, offering an 18-hole course and driving range for fine-tuning the perfect swing. Daily admission rates vary depending on age and rental add-ons.
The Heights Theater is a historic theater in Columbia Heights, Minnesota.
Enjoy beautiful views of the Mississippi River at Riverfront Regional Park in Columbia Heights.
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Nearby healthcare and commuting downtown on Central Avenue
Columbia Heights residents rely on Minnesota State Highways 47 and 65 for easy access to U.S. Interstate-694, downtown Minneapolis and neighboring areas like Fridley and Columbia Park. Central Avenue isn’t a very walkable main street. Drive-through locations and parking lots make it easy to navigate by car. Locals seeking public transportation options can hop on the Metro Transit, which operates along Central Avenue into downtown. Or grab a seat on the Northstar Commuter Rail accessible at Fridley Station. Those interested in traveling further outside the community can visit the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, 20 miles south of Columbia Heights. For healthcare, Mercy Hospital is 6 miles North of the city.
Columbia Heights residents can ride on Northstar's Commuter Rail at the Fridley Station.
Brenda Schiemo-Smith was raised in Minnesota, with a Business degree from St. Cloud State University, and currently residing in Coon Rapids, MN. Her family life is full with husband, four sons, daughter-in-laws and 4 grandbabies! In addition to being a full-time real estate agent since 2003. Brenda owns and has operated apartments, vacation rental homes, and property management for other single-family homes and townhomes.
Also, with a love of travel both domestic and internationally, Brenda has worked for four years in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in the education and hospitality industries; plus travels to Singapore, Philippines, Germany, France, and Canada. After her travels, she worked in marketing positions for a food products company and an International Engineering Company in Minneapolis, MN.
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