In the past year, Snelling and Selby has drastically transformed into the powerhouse urban shopping district that Uptown once was. Yuppie cougars can still get their Starbucks but now they can find polished antique armoires and lingerie to show off to the pool boy. Even O’Gara‘s has been amping their music schedule with the MN Showcase for new bands. Around the newly born district, nearly every house of Merriam Park East has a landscaping project in progress. Looks like those Macalester students will have to pony up a lot more rent next fall.

Fortunately the authentic Snelling-Selby is still around. I walked into Cosmic’s Coffee, a neighborhood staple since 1995 to find that clean hardwood floors and strategically placed artwork has replaced the gritty, superhero diner feel of the past. Of course owner Fred Sande won’t say if Heavy Table‘s unjustified blasting of Cosmic’s as “one of Saint Paul’s worst” last June had anything to do with it. Still I noticed the large Peace Coffee sign had replaced the pizza slice sign. I ordered an iced mocha which he shook in a cocktail shaker and it came out smooth and frothy. The backroom corridor with old PCs from the ’90s remained unchanged and I was satisfied that at least something old school stayed behind. And can I say open until 1:00 a.m. everyday? Yes!

Cahoots Coffee Bar, the brainchild of Judith Favia, started a year earlier and was a GLBT community favorite for many years before settling into its quaint niche as a professor’s reading room filled with overstuffed couches and an alleyway patio with odd potted plants. It’s assortment of ice cream makes it the sweet alternative to Dairy Queen. New start-up Two Smart Cookies is gearing to be the cookie queens of the TC. They close early but if you can, catch their Vegan Peanut Chocolate chip and melt on the spot.

The permeation of clothing options (for grrls) is by far ridiculously awesome. Fresh spring vintage threads are in at Lula Vintage, Up 6 and Everyday People. Nearby Go Vintage carries a more upscale noir look that carries through the seasons. A. Michele Boutique provides the New York infusion of limited independent brands that the local wives crave for. Around the corner, newly located Flirt Boutique moved from its Grand location to appeal to the more tasteful audience in Merriam Park. It’s very pink and very lingerie inside, girlfriends bring your gfs or bfs.

A bit of news, Todd Turfler’s Rebel Ink screen printers is moving across town to 693 Raymond Avenue — at the University-Raymond Artists District. The controversial store has certainly challenged the yuppie status quo of Snelling-Selby in the past and will now fit in well along the Central Corridor LRT line.