Carlson Partners Secures Landmark Zoning Approval for Salvation Army’s First Edina Location

Carlson Partners Secures Landmark Zoning Approval for Salvation Army’s First Edina Location, Overturning Decades-Old Restriction on Secondhand Retail

City Council votes 5-0 to rezone property and amend ordinance that banned secondhand stores larger than 2,500 square feet from all Edina zoning districts

Edina, Minn (July 31, 2026) — Carlson Partners is pleased to announce it represented The Salvation Army in securing a new lease for a retail location in Edina. The transaction supports the introduction of The Salvation Army Family Store model into the Edina market following key municipal approvals.

The lease follows a unanimous 5–0 vote by the Edina City Council on June 16 approving the rezoning and zoning ordinance amendments required for the project, concluding a more than 13-month effort to amend a longstanding city code that had prohibited secondhand retail stores larger than 2,500 square feet in any zoning district and effectively prevented The Salvation Army from operating in the city for decades.

Joe Becker and Ted Carlson of Carlson Partners represented The Salvation Army throughout the process, overseeing two sketch plan reviews with the Edina Planning Commission and City Council, guiding the formal site plan application, and helping secure approval through the public hearing process.

The approved project will bring a 27,495-square-foot Salvation Army Family Store to 4200 W. 76th St. in the Southdale area, converting an underutilized industrial and flex building along the France Avenue corridor. The site will include approximately 18,425 square feet of retail and 9,434 square feet of donation intake and processing space, creating approximately 12 full-time and 24 part-time jobs.

“For years, The Salvation Army had historically been told no in Edina because the code simply didn’t allow secondhand stores at a meaningful scale,” said Joe Becker, tenant advisor with Carlson Partners. “This wasn’t a situation where we could find an existing path forward, we had to build one. Through a combination of market expertise, community data, and a methodical engagement with the city, we turned a decades-old restriction into a landmark policy change that will benefit Edina residents for years to come.”

Envoy Tom Canfield of The Salvation Army said the approval marks a milestone for the organization’s mission in the Twin Cities.

“We are excited because this thrift store brings sustainability opportunities to the Edina community. All the proceeds allow second chances for those who struggle with substance abuse and The Salvation Army ARC will be able to make a greater impact in the Twin Cities.”

The building is owned by Hyde Development, with landlord representation provided by Eric Batiza of JLL. The property was previously occupied by LVC Companies, which relocated its operations to Golden Valley prior to the transaction.

About Salvation Army

The Salvation Army, has served the Twin Cities for more than 130 years. All proceeds from The Salvation Army Family Stores in the Twin Cities support the Adult Rehabilitation Center in Minneapolis, which offers holistic, faith-based recovery programming to individuals struggling with addiction and reintegration. The ARC provides a structured environment where participants rebuild their lives through counseling and community support. For more information, visit salvationarmyusa.org.

About Carlson Partners

Carlson Partners is a privately held commercial real estate firm founded in 2011. Based in Edina, MN, the firm is focused on strategic planning for occupiers of space, aligning business strategies with real estate. To ensure clients have a trusted advocate, the firm focuses solely on tenant representation to industrial, office, and retail clients throughout the world. The firm provides a full range of services including lease negotiations, acquisitions and dispositions, site selection, build-to-suit planning, government and location incentives, portfolio management, and project management.