Today we're talking about what happens when you take an old building with a lot of history, a little bit of vision, and a willingness to take a chance. Jack Lester and Eric Kramlinger are two of the owners of The Shoe Beverage Bar in Rochester, Minnesota. They took a former shoe repair shop that had been part of the community for decades, and transformed it into what they describe as a classy dive bar: a place for drinks, conversation, live music, and bringing people together. Jack and Eric share their backgrounds, why they decided to get into the bar business, what drew them to this particular building, the importance of preserving some of its history, and what a place like The Shoe Beverage Bar can contribute to Rochester's growing destination.

When you think about iconic attractions, a giant nutcracker probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind. But in Luverne, Minnesota, nutcrackers have become much more than a holiday decoration: they've become part of the community's identity and a growing tourism story that's attracting visitors and national attention.

This episode offers a look at how one unique idea evolved into a destination brand and what other communities can learn from Luverne's experience.

Joining the conversation are Betty Mann, whose remarkable nutcracker collection helped inspire it all; Katie Walgrave, who helped bring the world's tallest nutcracker to life; and Tony Schomacker, who has helped lead Luverne's destination branding efforts.

When we talk about destinations, we often focus on attracting visitors, but the strongest destinations are also great places to live: communities where people want to build careers, raise families, start businesses and connect with others.

Join Alison Zelms, City Administrator for Rochester, MN, Mike Mornson, City Manager for Hopkins, MN and Sharon Hanson, City Administrator for Marshall, MN as they discuss building places people want to visit and live.

This episode was recorded in Rochester, Minnesota during the 2026 League of Minnesota Cities Annual Conference, where local leaders from communities across the state gathered to share ideas, discuss challenges, and learn from one another.