Mert Shapiro and Art Lavintman, the co-owners of Allied Parking, first became friends at age four. Their decades-long bond has helped them build a parking empire that runs like a well-oiled machine, with parking lots and garages scattered throughout Minneapolis and St. Paul.

While their top priority is convenience, they also strive to encourage eco-friendly driving through a variety of green practices. They situate their lots near public transit, for instance, and select lots even offer charging for electric cars or electric chauffeurs.