Growing Minneapolis November: News and Information from the City of Minneapolis department of Community Planning and Economic Development

Growing MPLS

November 2017

CPED's Mission: Grow a vibrant, livable, safely built city for everyone. 

Events

Minneapolis Holiday Boutique

Friday November 10-11
10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Sunday November 12,
10 a.m.-5 p.m.

A unique shopping event at US Bank Stadium. Discover unique, high- quality vendors showcasing the latest trends.

Learn more

November Winter Market

Sunday November 12,
9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Join us for the November Holiday Market! Local farmers, bakers, craftsmen & artisans will gather in the greenhouse at Bachman's Garden Center on Lyndale Ave. for an indoor farmers market and some holiday cheer!

Learn more

12th Annual Green Gifts Fair

Saturday, November 18,
10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Shop among 80+ local, eco-friendly artists and businesses and enjoy our educational passport activity with green living demos and prizes.

Learn more

Plaid Friday Winter Market

Friday, November 24
12-5 p.m.

Minneapolis Craft Market returns to Sociable Cider Werks for our annual **outdoor** winter markets on Plaid Friday and Small Business Saturday of Thanksgiving Weekend! 

Learn More

Black Friday on Broadway

Friday, November 24 
4-8 p.m.
Saturday, November 25
12-5 p.m.

Shop local while experiencing new ideas from entrepreneurs and businesses. This unique shopping opportunity builds wealth and economic development in North Minneapolis.

Learn more

Small Business Saturday

Saturday, November 25
9 a.m.-9 p.m.

Get out and support local, small business for Small Business Saturday! The Northeast Riverfront District offers a plethora of local shopping opportunities, all within walking distance of each other.

Learn more


In the News

Bus company set to expand into North Minneapolis, creating 70+ jobs

The Metropolitan Transportation Network, Incorporated (MTN), a Fridley-based company, is set to expand into North Minneapolis. The organization and its CEO and President Tashitaa Tufaa were honored at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 13 at the organization’s newest Terminal – the Iverson Terminal – in the Lind-Bohanon neighborhood. The early morning event was attended by elected officials and business leaders. 

Read full story in North News

Wall St. Journal declares one U.S. travel destination among world's hottest: Minneapolis

Of all the possible travel destinations this world has to offer, the Wall Street Journal has declared Minneapolis as one of the very hottest for the coming year — and the only one among the 10 in the good old U-S-of-A.

The national newspaper best known for reporting on all things money last week placed Minnesota's largest city fourth among its 10 "hot destinations for adventurous sophisticates, curious foodies and deep-pocketed beach bums."

Read full story in Star Tribune

Nicollet Mall will host 10-day Super Bowl festival

Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis are putting together a Minnesota-centric lineup

It wouldn’t be a Minnesota Super Bowl without Prince. 

A tribute to the late music star, free shows and ice sculptures are among the sights promised at Super Bowl LIVE, a 10-day festival that will bring locals and visitors to the south end of Nicollet Mall before the big game next February.

Read full story in The Journal


New & Expanding Businesses

Food/Beverage

Retail

Co-working Space


Contact CPED

612-673-5001 or 311
Staff Directory
Website

Crown Roller Mill
Executive Administration
105 Fifth Avenue South
Suite 200
Minneapolis, MN 55401

Public Service Center
Development Review
Customer Service Center
250 South Fourth Street
Room 300
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Map and Parking

City Hall
Business Licensing
350 South 5th Street
Room 1C
Minneapolis, MN 55415

Business Profile: Modehaus Bridal Atelier

Modehaus Bridal
Photo: Chelsea Lovett, Owner and Designer, Modehaus

Chelsea Lovett says hers is a classic story. After not being able to find the wedding gown she envisioned, she made her own. A few years later, Modehaus was born. Chelsea creates custom designs for her brides, tailoring every aspect of the bride’s wishes for style and shape into a paper representation and then, fine fabrics. When Chelsea decided to expand her business by adding non-custom gowns, she turned to City of Minneapolis B-TAP service provider, the University of St. Thomas Small Business Development Center (SBDC), for guidance. Together, they refined her business plan and she secured a loan which helped to purchase needed equipment and supplies for expansion. Now, Modehaus carries collections of gowns which are available to bridal shops internationally. Chelsea continues to call on SBDC when questions arise and says their support, along with her family and friends, has been invaluable. If you’d like to check out Modehaus Bridal, they are hosting a grand opening in their new, larger space in the Northrup King Building (1500 Jackson St, #225), 5:00 – 10:00 p.m., Thurs, Dec 7, 2017.  


Lake Street Council and Heavy Table Foodie Blog Partner to Review Independent Restaurants Along East Lake Street

Taco dish
Lake Plaza (Photo by LSC).

The Lake Street Council has invited the hungry souls at the Heavy Table foodie blog to review every single independent restaurant along East Lake Street. With a readership of 15,000, Heavy Table is helping the Lake Street Council attract new and returning customers to local businesses. 15 installments of restaurant reviews and original illustrations, published over several months, will remind visitors that there is always something new to try on Lake Street. Interviews about the project on Minnesota Public Radio and other stations will attract an even wider audience. 

This project is part of a comprehensive initiative to celebrate and support East Lake's independent businesses with a combination of creative marketing, in-depth business technical assistance and a public art program. 

Program partners include: McKnight Foundation, City of Minneapolis Great Streets, LISC, Neighborhood Development Center, Latino Economic Development Center, and Corcoran Neighborhood Organization.  

East Lake Checklist: Lake Plaza

East Lake Checklist: Gorditaas el Gordo to Pineda Tacos


New Public Art Integrated into City of Minneapolis East Side Storage and Maintenance Facility 

Randy Walker image
Minneapolis artist Randy Walker will be integrating public art into the design for the East Side Storage and Maintenance Facility

The City of Minneapolis’ Art in Public Places program is collaborating with Property Services on a public art project in conjunction with the construction of the East Side Storage and Maintenance Facility. Located in Northeast Minneapolis, new public art will be integrated into the design for this new City building.

In addition to public art, the East Side Storage and Maintenance Facility will include an educational storm water management system, native, pollinator-friendly plantings, connector bike and pedestrian trails, and a public gathering space.

Minneapolis artist Randy Walker was selected by a panel comprised of community members, arts and architecture professionals and the project’s design team from 15 applicants. Walker will work with the project design team and a steering committee of community members, as well as participate in community engagement activities to gather input on draft concepts. Connect with Kirstin Wiegmann for more information. 


Small Business Update: Smoke in the Pit

Smoke in the Pit restaurant photo
Smoke in the Pit located at 3733 Chicago Avenue (Photo by MCCD).

Smoke in the Pit is a BBQ restaurant owned by Dwight and Ivy Alexander located at 3733 Chicago Ave that the City has supported over the years

More recently, City departments collaborated to help the business address some code compliance issues.  As a result, the business is undertaking a significant addition to its kitchen by adding new sinks, a walk-in cooler, dry storage, and a new smoker. This expansion will resolve the code issues and also increase capacity allowing them to accept larger catering contracts. 

The City, the Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers, and Spire Credit Union together are lending over $200,000 for the expansion.  Smoke in the Pit also received help navigating these changes from the City’s Business Technical Assistance Program.

The expansion will occur just in time as Smoke in the Pit was recently selected as a tailgate vendor for the Super Bowl.


City of Minneapolis Minimum Wage Rules and FAQs Available

Minimum Wage Graphic

The City of Minneapolis has drafted minimum wage frequently asked questions and rules documents to provide guidance on the City’s Municipal Minimum Wage Ordinance. The FAQs and rules are now available for public review and comment through Nov. 17, 2017.

Large businesses that employ more than 100 workers will be required to pay employees a minimum per hour of $10 beginning Jan. 1, 2018 and $11.25 beginning July 1, 2018. Small businesses with 100 or fewer employees will be required to pay workers at least $10.25 beginning July 1, 2018.

For more information and resources, go to minimumwage.minneapolismn.gov. Resources include a downloadable poster giving notice to employees about Minneapolis labor and employment rights. The poster must be displayed in workplaces across Minneapolis by Jan. 1, 2018. 


PARTNERS with Youth Conference Engages Youth Workers

Mayor with BUILD Leaders
Mayor Betsy Hodges poses with Minneapolis BUILD Leaders attending the conference, along with their trainers David Carson (far left) and Connie Rhodes (third from right). (Photo by CPED)

On October 19th, 160 metro area youth work professionals and community leaders gathered at the Whittier School & Recreation Center for the annual Minneapolis PARTNERS with Youth conference. For the seventh year, the City of Minneapolis has supported the convening of youth workers and provided workshops that speak to the expertise of youth work professionals.

Attendees enjoyed workshops built around creating pathways to equitable youth engagement that included tracks in Healing, Activating, Sustaining, and Opportunity.

Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges gave a welcome presentation that thanked youth work professionals for their outstanding commitment and vision for young people in our community to be safe, engaged, and thriving.  National keynote speaker, Jason Sole, also spoke to attendees while discussing his memoir, From Prison to Ph.D.: A Memoir of Hope, Resilience, and Second Chance.

The Partners with Youth Conference was sponsored by Minneapolis Employment and Training, the Minneapolis Health Department, the Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board, and Youthprise. A special thank you goes out to Hennepin County Libraries, Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board, Community Bridge, and Whittier School for their support in coordinating the event and making it such a success. 


Minneapolis 2040 Graphic

Over the past year, City planners have been doing a lot of listening about the future of Minneapolis. One theme we’ve heard is that everyone must benefit from a growing city. Done right, population growth can help our city become a healthy, sustainable, and thriving place for all. We have some ideas on how to achieve that, and would like to hear your thoughts. 

We want to hear from you!

Engage in Person at Community Meetings in December 

Please attend one of the following interactive engagement events. Each event will feature the same family-friendly activities created by artists and City staff, as well as free food from local businesses. 

Saturday, Dec. 2
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 
Van Cleve Park Gym
901 15th Ave. SE
Co-hosted by SE Como, Waite Park, and Marcy-Holmes neighborhoods

Tuesday, Dec. 5
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Farview Park Gym
621 29th Ave.N
Co-hosted by Hawthorne neighborhood

Saturday, Dec. 9
10 a.m.-noon 
Roosevelt High School gym
4029 28th Ave. S
Co-hosted by Standish Ericsson and Corcoran neighborhoods

Monday, Dec. 11 
5:30-7:30 p.m. 
Martin Luther King Park multi-purpose room
4055 Nicollet Ave.
Co-hosted by Tangletown, Kingfield, Armatage and Lowry Hill East Neighborhood Association  

Engage Online and with your friends

  • Starting November 20, visit www.minneapolis2040.com and check out our new interactive content and leave feedback
  • Follow us on Twitter @Mpls2040
  • Sign up for our email list 
  • Download the Meeting-in-a-Box tool kit to host your own engagement meetings and report back 

About Minneapolis 2040

Minneapolis 2040 is an update to the City’s Comprehensive Plan, a document that shapes how Minneapolis will grow and change. The plan will cover topics such as housing, job creation, the design of new buildings, and how we use our streets.


Wirth Co-op Celebrates Grand Opening on the North Side

Wirth Co-op ribbon cutting
Left to Right: Wirth Co-op General Manager Winston Bell, Council Member Blong Yang, Wirth Co-op Board V.P Teasha Reid, Mayor Betsy Hodges, Latino Economic Development Center Staff John Flory, Latino Economic Development Center Executive Director Ramon Leon, and Wirth Co-op Assistant Manager Snow Aukema participate in the ribbon cutting celebration of Wirth Co-op's Grand Opening

On October 26, the grand opening for Wirth Co-op was held at its store located at 1835 Penn Ave N, below The Commons apartments.

This much anticipated store is open in an area where 67,000 residents live over one mile from a supermarket, making it one of the largest federally-designated food deserts in the country. The idea of the co-op was initiated by a group of residents from Harrison, Bryn Mawr, and Willard-Hay. They first met in 2007, all driven by the same passion and convictions: the need for accessible food, the desire to bring new life into the neighborhood, and the need to boost the local economy.

Wirth Co-op is a true community project made possible by the collaboration of many partners including CPED, Community Reinvestment Fund, Hennepin County, Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC), McKnight Foundation, Shared Capital Cooperative, Sunrise Banks, and Twin Cities LISC. Additionally, the Co-op was supported by over 700 members upon opening.

Wirth Co-op hopes to be a great source of neighborhood strength, pride and sustainability. Already, it’s brought more than 10 new full-and-part time jobs to the area, in addition to healthy foods.