Minneapolis, MN
Yardstik Moves HQ to Downtown Minneapolis | Twin Cities Business
While many companies continue to shed office space, Minnesota startup Yardstik is doubling its workspace.
Last week, the employment screening tech company moved to a new 14,000-square-foot office in downtown Minneapolis. The new space is actually more than double the size of the startup’s previous 6,000-square-foot office at the Pentagon Park development in Edina. Matt Meents, Yardstik’s founder and CEO, said the company needed more space to accommodate its growth.
“We ran out of space” in the old office, Meents said in a Wednesday afternoon interview. “There weren’t enough workspaces if we all came in.”
Today, Yardstik employs around 50 people in total, 30 of which are based in the Twin Cities. The remainder work remotely across the country. Meents estimates that local employees come into the office about three times a week on average.
Meents added that the company’s customer base grew by about 300% last year, and he expects to double it this year. Yardstik, which completed a $12 million raise in fall, sells software designed to automate employment screening. Some of the company’s current customers include Dispatch, Skipcart, and Sylvan Learning Centers.
Though Yardstik hasn’t been at the new office for very long – the company officially moved in April 8 – Meents said it’s been a positive change so far. And employee feedback has been “so far, so good,” he said.
To be sure, changes can be hard for organizations of any size or age. But, for startups, it’s imperative to get comfortable with quick changes. “As a startup, we’re constantly evolving. Our people, because they’re used to startup mentality, are embracing that change,” Meents said.
Yardstik’s new office is on the sixth floor of the 100 Washington Square tower in downtown Minneapolis. The startup has signed a multi-year lease for the space.
Built in the early ‘80s, Washington Square spans 22 floors, nearly all of which are occupied, according to the property’s website. The tower includes parking underneath, along with a fitness center and food hall.
Meents said “downtown has got a lot of good energy, and we want to be part of that as a growing startup.” He believes the new location will make it easier to hold employee gatherings, with easy access to Target Field and other downtown amenities.
“What we’re seeing with this new space,” Meents said, “is a ton of energy. I feel like it’s creating a competitive advantage. We’re moving faster, and we’re seeing a lot of relationships being created between departments.”
Before founding Yardstik, Meents founded and ran another company called Magnet360, a Salesforce consulting firm that was later aqcuired by India-based IT firm Mindtree in 2016.
Minneapolis, MN
Car fans flock to Minneapolis for Twin Cities Auto Show
At the Minneapolis Convention Center, it’s horns honking, engines revving and car gurus gathering under one big roof.
The Twin Cities Auto Show began on Saturday. This year, it’s running earlier than normal.
“I like the old stuff, you know, the older vehicles. I love ’em,” said Mickey Strickler of Minneapolis.
The show welcomes everyone under the sun to “lookie-loo” or wander in with a purpose. Chris Leeman of Zimmerman is getting a look at possible future rides for his wife.
“We came here just to get kind of an all-around fit and feel of what she might like in the next year or two,” Leeman said. “The Toyota cars right now ain’t quite to the standard that I think I want my wife to be in.”
There’s more than 325 vehicles inside the convention center. Nobody is able to sell or haggle on the showroom floor.
“The show reflects the car business in a lot of ways,” said Scott Lambert, president of the Twin Cities Auto Show. “Electric vehicles are in a big reset right now.”
WCCO spoke to some attendees who gave their opinions of the automotive industry’s current state.
“I think it sucks,” Strickler said. “It’s not like it used to be. It’s hard to find good vehicles now.”
“I like the Mazda 90 because of the inline-six engine,” said Laun Aiken of Sauk Rapids. “I’m old school. I grew up driving inline-six vehicles, and so for them to reintroduce it into their line is kind of interesting.”
The show runs now through Jan. 11. Tickets can be purchased online. First responders get in for free.
Minneapolis, MN
Teenager dead after shots fired into Minneapolis home, police say
A 17-year-old boy is dead after shots were fired into a Minneapolis home where he was on Sunday evening.
Police said officers responded to the shooting on the 2200 block of Ilion Avenue North around 6:26 p.m. They found the boy, who was suffering from an “apparent life-threatening gunshot wound.”
The officers provided him with medical aid before he was taken to the hospital, where he later died.
Police Chief Brian O’Hara said in a written statement that his agency will “devote every available resource to bring justice” for the boy and his family.
Investigators are working to learn the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Anyone with information is asked to email Minneapolis police or leave a voicemail for them at 612-673-5845. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers of Minnesota, or called in to them at 1-800-222-8477.
Minneapolis, MN
MN weather: Minneapolis, other cities declare snow emergencies
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Sunday’s winter storm is making travel difficult and not advised across most of southern Minnesota.
Several Twin Cities communities have already declared snow emergencies as the metro is expected to get between four and seven inches of snow, depending on where you live.
Minneapolis Snow Emergency
What we know:
The City of Minneapolis declared a snow emergency Sunday, going into effect at 9 p.m. Sunday.
Residents must get their vehicles off city streets, or they’re at risk for getting towed. Here are the rules for this snow emergency:
- 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28 to 8 a.m. Monday, Dec. 29 (Day 1)Do not park on EITHER side of a Snow Emergency route until 8 a.m., or the street is fully plowed.
- 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 29 (Day 2)Do not park on the EVEN numbered side of a non-Snow Emergency route until 8 p.m., or that side of the street is fully plowed, or on EITHER side of a parkway until 8 p.m., or the parkway is fully plowed.
- 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30 (Day 3)Do not park on the ODD numbered side of a non-Snow Emergency route until 8 p.m., or that side of the street is fully plowed.
Other snow emergencies
Timeline:
Here are other cities that have also declared snow emergencies. Check your city’s web site for what the parking rules are in the event of a snow emergency so plows can clear streets, and you won’t be fined and/or towed.
- Belle Plaine
- Bloomington
- Crystal
- Eden Prairie
- Elk River
- Montevideo
- New Hope
- Northfield
- Richfield
- Robbinsdale
- St. Louis Park
- St. James
- West St. Paul
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