Made in Roseville
Ten products and people with origins in Roseville
With over 36,000 people living in the fair city of Roseville, talent and creativity is constantly brewing in our neighborhoods, schools and workplaces.
The following ten products and people have origins in Roseville, MN:
1 - Zubaz
Calling all 80s children, remember the Zubaz pants craze? Those obnoxiously patterned, pajama-like pants that everyone wore (even your grandma)? Yep, they were invented here in Roseville at Twin Cities Gym in 1988. The owners, Bob Truax and Dan Stock, wanted to create a gym wear line for weight lifters that was comfortable and non-constrictive. The craze took off and everyone from WWF to NFL players were wearing the comfy Zubaz pants.
Feeling nostalgic? You can still buy Zubaz online in their iconic Zebra patterned comfort.
2 - Target
The first Target Store opened its doors on Snelling Ave on May 1st, 1962. The Dayton Hudson corporation’s goal was to produce a store with 75 different departments to serve as a retail store that featured quality fashion at quality prices. Their marketing plan must have worked and Roseville residents responded, because Target is still going strong today with 1,989 stores in the United States alone. The original store was demolished and replaced with a 185,000 square foot Super Target in 2005.
3 - Fantasy Flight Games
For the strategy game fans, you’ll be pleased to know that the distributors of the Settlers of Catan have local connections. Fantasy Flight Games headquarters is located right here in Roseville and the staff spends their lunch hours testing out the games. Not a bad gig. Build your game shelf at Gamezenter at 1975 County Road B2 W in Roseville.
4 - Old Dutch
Old Dutch Potato Chips has their production facility in Roseville with over 600 Minnesota workers. They’ve been located in western Roseville since the 1960s and are proud to be locally owned. Their iconic way of selling potato chips (two bags per a box) are found at parties and grocery stores everywhere.
5 - Sweet Martha Cookies Creator
Martha Rossini, Creator of Sweet Martha’s Cookies worked at the House of Wong in Roseville from age 16-27. In 1979, Martha and her husband opened a frozen yogurt shop in downtown Minneapolis. That same year they applied to the Minnesota State Fair to open a cookie booth. Sweet Martha’s Cookies is now the largest vendor of the Minnesota State Fair producing over 3 million cookies a day to hungry fair goers.
Even though Martha no longer works at House of Wong, they are still open 7 days a week. Who knows who else is working in their kitchen and what they will create?
6 - Gift & Craft Shoppe
Looking for something made by a Roseville resident? The Gift & Craft Shoppe at Aŋpétu Téča Education Center features many handmade goods from Roseville artists and crafters. You’ll never know what you will find—handmade goods including knitted hats, potato cozies to cook your potato in a microwave (and they work so well) and lovely beaded jewelry. Maybe someone needs one of these card-holders to assist with holding a full hand of cards? It’s a gem for little hands and older ones too.
Check out the store located in the updated Aŋpétu Téča Education Center.
7 - Hed Cycling Racing Bike Wheels
Roseville-based Hed Cycling’s Aero Dynamic racing bike wheels assist bike enthusiasts and triathlon competitors to go fast. Back in 1984, founder Steve Hed saw a need and developed the first carbon fiber wheel prototype in his garage. Hed Cycling’s designs paved the way in aero-dynamic wheel design today. Time to upgrade your bike wheels? Head to the Hed Cycling online store.
8 - Prepare Enrich
Thinking about getting married? Or does your marriage need a little help? Take the Prepare or Enrich online assessment produced by Life Innovations Inc, headquartered in Roseville. They are global leaders and trainers in the area of relationship building. Who knew Roseville business owners care about the heart too?
9 - TC Swing
Speaking of relationships, a good place to meet someone face to face is while dancing! Longtime Roseville residents, Terry and Cindy Gardner of TC Swing, have been teaching Twin City dancers how to “step, step, rock step” since the 1990s. Terry and Cindy have taught private lessons in their home, Roseville Community Education classes and also coordinate weekly and monthly swing dance events open to the public. Time to make a move?
10 - Olympians
Olympians are made in Roseville! Olympic gold medal winning hockey player Lee Steicklein grew up in Roseville and played Raider Hockey. Speed Skaters Greta Myers and Giorgia Birkeland trained at the Roseville Oval. Both competed for Team USA in Milan-Cortina in 2026. The Roseville Oval is the nation’s largest outdoor refrigerated skating facility in North America. Many other Olympic speedskaters trained at the Oval including Amy Sannes (1998, 2002, 2006 Olympics), Maria Lamb (2006, 2010, 2014), Jason Hedstrand (2002) and Rebekah Bradford (2010).
Greg Simbeck
There’s lots more to be discovered in Roseville. What else has been made in Roseville? Share your fun facts in the comments or email news@rosevillereader.com and we'll collect them for a future article.
ICYMI
Naomi Krueger
Naomi Krueger
