(12/06/2024) Anoka-Hennepin’s student-focused Alley & Ave retail boutique is now open in Historic Downtown Anoka, building employment skills for students and value for shoppers. The Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting December 5 to welcome the new store in time for holiday shopping. 

View photos from the ribbon cutting event. 

Alley & Ave is open to the public to shop home decor, gifts and furniture refurbished by students. The store provides hands-on experience for special education students who are part of the district’s work-based learning program, TEAM (Teaching Employability through Assessment and Manufacturing), a program designed for high school and transition-aged students to grow additional skills before seeking paid employment. 

The new location in Anoka is part of a relocation of district programming from leased space in Andover to facilities already owned by the district. The store was formerly known as Say it Again when operating from the Andover location. Along with the retail store, Alley & Ave includes a design lab, classroom and manufacturing shop where students paint, build and repair used housewares donated by the public. 

Alley & Ave is located at the Sandburg Education Center, 1902 2nd Ave. in Anoka, enter from the Second Avenue side of the building from the alley side of the building. Hours are Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. except on school release days along with periodic evening hours. Furniture donations are welcome during operating hours. Steve Christnagel is program coordinator. 

For more information visit the Alley and Ave Facebook page.