By Rich Larson, News Director
The Bierman Home Furnishing Store, which has occupied the same 
space on the corner of Division and 5th Streets in Northfield for 125 years, will close its doors on December 31.
In a statement released to KYMN yesterday, Robert Bierman said the company, family owned for three generations, will be consolidating operations to their flooring store on Highway 3 South.
The statement praised the store’s staff and customer service, and said the company plans to “continue that heritage as we enter 2021 and add another year to our storied history of business in Northfield.”
No word on what the plans are for the Bierman’s downtown space, but the statement did say that “exciting redevelopment plans” will be announced soon.
City Councilor Erica Zweifel reflects on twelve years of service
The Northfield City Council held its final meeting of 2020 on Tuesday night, and when it concluded, Councilor Erica Zweifel closed the book on a 12 year, three-term career as the City Councilor from Northfield’s Third Ward.
She had been inspired to run for office in 2008 after educating herself about Climate Change and realizing that one person can have the most environmental impact at the local level. Zweifel said she is quite proud of the work she has done in that area.
“Obviously passing the Climate Action Plan was a huge capstone to the groundwork that was laid by myself and many, many others. And I’m really looking forward to the implementation of the climate action plan, there are a lot of recommendations in there. The city is doing a vehicle study right now, maybe we’ll get some electric vehicles if they look at it and it makes sense. We’ve replaced a lot of lighting in city buildings, we’ve done some energy efficiency in city buildings where we’re already saving money. The city is part of a community solar farm, and they’re saving some money there.”
Zweifel also singled out her work with the Mill Town Trails and the establishment of the regional park along the East Cannon River.
“Councilors all look at things through a different lens,” she said. “My lens is climate, gender and equity.”
She said is very excited about her successor in Ward 3, George Zuccolotto.
“Well, I don’t know him super well, but I do know him. I’ve had a couple conversations with him, he was part of the skateboard coalition when that was before the council. He’s been on the mayor’s youth council and a member of The Key. And I am really excited about the future of the council and for George to step into this role.”
She was also very thankful to everyone she has worked with over the years.
“Thanks to Northfield. I love this town. People are so engaged, and I’ve enjoyed every conversation. It comes out of a sense of caring and passion and love for this community when they come forward and bring up their issues. And thanks to my fellow councilors and staff and all the administrators that I’ve served and worked with, five of them. And of course, my family. Thanks to my husband Stephan and my son Christof.”
Her immediate plans for the future include becoming more active. “The City Council is a very sedentary lifestyle,” she said. “I’m going to move, and walk, and dance.”
She also said she will volunteer more with the local food shelf and hopes to serve on an advisory committee or two.
Chamber still has tickets for tomorrow’s raffle
And a few tickets yet remain for the Northfield Chamber of Commerce Raffle that is set for Friday. 
The grand prize is a 2020 Chevy Equinox, but there are quite a few additional prizes that will be given away, including a Bed & Breakfast package donated by The Contented Cottage, a John Deere air compressor donated by SEMA Equipment, golf packages donated by The Jewel and Willingers, and two custom built Minnesota Wooden signs donated by TRNKA (Trinka) Wood Products.
The money raised from the raffle will benefit the Chamber of Commerce, but Jody Gunderson a member of the Chamber board and a past board chair said, what that means is the money goes right back to support the Northfield Business Community. The Chamber, she said, operates the Convention & Visitors Bureau, acts as an advocate for local business interests to city and state governments and is a key piece in the overall marketing of Northfield to the rest of the state.
Moreover, said Lisa Peterson, the Chamber President, the Chamber has served as an important source of information to all Northfield’s businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“One of the things we thought was important early on, and we still maintain this, was regardless of your membership status with the Chamber, strong business equals strong Northfield. We’re just trying to blast out anything and everything that we hear regarding grants, funding opportunities and loan opportunities. Anything that we think can help our businesses in Northfield. Regardless of their membership, we’re going to send it to everybody.”
The Raffle drawing will be Friday at 4pm. Tickets are $100 and can be purchased with cash or a check at the Chamber Offices, the Community Resource Bank drive-through, Ziggy’s service station, Apple Chevrolet Buick of Northfield, and By All Means Graphics. For more information, visit northfieldchamber.com
