It is in my opinion important to bring in outside perspective as my small town of Albert Lea moves forward in improving our community. Not only in bringing businesses to town, but also looking at ways we can improve our hospitality. Truly giving those who enter our town from any direction a “Minnesota Nice” welcome. My friend Audrey over at Minnesota Prairie Roots visited Albert Lea in October and has wonderful insight to share with us.
“EXITING INTERSTATE 35 in southeastern Minnesota into Albert Lea, I saw the usual hotels, fast food places, a Big Box retailer and gas stations that could have made this Anywhere, USA. Nothing special. Just another place to fill up with food or gas, turn around and continue onto a destination.
But Albert Lea was my destination on a recent day trip to explore this city of some 18,000.
I knew little of this community, only that it hosts the annual Big Island Rendezvous and Eddie Cochran Days and is home to a chemical dependency treatment center.” Continue reading more here.
I wish I got to spend more time exploring Albert Lea. Donna and I talked about the Elbow Room. It’s really beautiful.