Downtown Minneapolis News Archive

The archive of our weekly digest of stories about Downtown Minneapolis and the Central Riverfront neighborhoods:

WEEK OF MARCH 9, 2020

Minneapolis City Council committee nixes applying for federal grant for more cops
A Minneapolis City Council committee voted against applying for a $1.3 million federal grant that would have allowed the hiring of 10 new officers to beef up traffic enforcement citywide.

Downtown Minneapolis restaurant tightens security after shooting inside wounds worker
The gunfire occurred about 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the Breakfast Bar of Minnesota at 319 N. 1st Av. during what police said was a physical confrontation between a customer and the staff member.

Storage containers are a lifeline for homeless in Minneapolis
People can leave their things in the containers and go about their day.

Transit ridership in Twin Cities metro area declined slightly last year
Local bus usage continues to dip, but light-rail use up.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey wants to keep Mark Ruff as city coordinator
The city coordinator is the highest ranking nonelected position in city government, advising elected officials and managing seven departments.

Construction Update: The Dayton's Project
The 1.2 million square foot project has made significant progress since we last visited. While the office space has been largely ready for tenants to begin building out, the retail and amenity space is where we saw the most progress.

14 Developments to Watch
Executive vice president of AIA Minnesota Mary-Margaret Zindern and editor of AIA Minnesota’s Architecture MN Chris Hudson cued us in on some projects and key takeaways the Metro should be keeping on eyes for the next 10 years.

Game-Changing Commercial Real Estate Developments
The luxury condos, hotels, and office towers elevating the Twin Cities skyline.

North Loop company doubles in size, attracts big banks as customers
Minneapolis company attracts bigger banks with its system for signing up customers.

Bells will ring across Minneapolis for Minnesota Orchestra's new summer festival
Goodbye, Sommerfest. Hello, Summer at Orchestra Hall.

Art Exhibitions Coming to the Twin Cities This Spring
Find all the inspiration you need locally to bring renewed creative energy to your life (even if the snow sticks around).

The Loneliest Office in Minneapolis
What’s it like to work 10 hours a day in a glass cube 235 feet above downtown?

Restaurant Roll Call - The latest openings and closings
What's open, what's closed and what's still to come in the Twin Cities and beyond.

Billy Sushi to Open in May in the North Loop
Billy Sushi will be the name of the new restaurant that will be located at 116 N 1st Avenue. The name comes from the man behind the project, Chef Billy Tserenbat.

The Best Breakfast and Brunch Spots in the Twin Cities
Let's go to breakfast, people. In the mood for a three-hour mimosa fest? Classic hash browns? Something with a little kick? A morning sugar rush? We've got it all. Rise and shine!

Now open: Stilheart delivers quality cocktails (en masse) to the North Loop
When news arrived late in 2019 that a new effort from the folks at Lawless Distilling Co. and Bittercube Bitters was destined for the North Loop, our spirits warmed just thinking about what Stilheart Distillery and Cocktail Lounge might hold in store when its doors finally opened.

WEEK OF MARCH 2, 2020

We might ask ourselves: When did the fringes gain control of common truth?
We might also ask ourselves: What was the common truth at various points in history, and why?

Missing from Hennepin Av. overhaul in Minneapolis: Somewhere to sit
Some worry that a lack of benches will punish pedestrians and the homeless.

West Elm home furnishings store in Minneapolis' North Loop opens Thursday
West Elm furniture store is scaled to fit the needs of downtown Minneapolis residents.

Light-rail stations could benefit from proposed safety measures at Minnesota State Capitol
Ambassadors, more cops, cameras suggested to make system safer for millions of passengers.

U.S. Bank Stadium will super size the NCAA wrestling tournament next month
U.S. Bank might shatter attendance records for the three-day event.

U.S. Bank Stadium faces $21 million in leak repairs over the next two years
Contractors, not taxpayers, will pay bill.

Minneapolis cites Rouge at the Lounge nightclub again after fatal shooting
Rouge at the Lounge must update its security plan and pay a $400 fine.

Riley Hayes' new creative director champions 'irrational and emotional' in data-driven marketing world
Steve Tenebrini has created campaigns, experiences and content for brands including Harley-Davidson, Polaris Industries and U.S. Bank.

Guthrie nabs two big grants to work with Native American artists
The Minneapolis theater will use a $50,000 grant from the Joyce Foundation to create a new theater project that "centers the stories and experiences" of the Dakota and Ojibwe people.

Restaurant roll call: Local cocktails at the airport and a rash of downtown restaurant closings
What's open, what's closed and what's still to come in the Twin Cities and beyond.

Sneak Peek: Stilheart Distillery and Cocktail Lounge in North Loop
The first cocktail room in North Loop is upon us.

Now open: Mary Ellen's Bistro brings a taste of North Dakota to northeast Minneapolis
Northeast Minneapolis’s newest cozy dining spot has risen from the ashes where Maeve’s Cafe once thrived.

WEEK OF FEBRUARY 24, 2020

Another crime uptick in downtown Minneapolis — this time near Vikings stadium
Another crime increase downtown should prompt immediate action from city leaders.

Serious crimes spike 70% in Minneapolis' Downtown East
The area, also known as East Town, was part of the nearly two-thirds of the city's 81 neighborhoods that saw an increase in overall crime in 2019, from the previous four-year average.

Fatal shooting in downtown Minneapolis nightclub renews safety debate
Man dies at hospital hours after being shot at nightclub Sunday.

GOP lawmakers, Mayor Jacob Frey clash over Twin Cities crime bills
Republican lawmakers issued a series of bills aimed at crime in the Twin Cities.

Frey jumps into the fray as GOP legislators make issue of crime in Minneapolis, St. Paul
What does crime in the Twin Cities have to do with bike lanes and plastic straws? Either a lot or not much at all, depending on whether you’re the leader of Republicans in the Minnesota House — or the mayor of the state’s largest city.

Light-rail drivers paint grisly picture of crime on the train
It is not uncommon to find drunks, drug users and vagrants passed out or using Twin Cities light-rail trains as a toilet — and not just after hours.

Restore faith in public safety on Twin Cities light rail
It will take a multipronged strategy to reduce crime and bad behavior on trains.

Flush with Controversy
Everyone has to use the bathroom. And as homelessness has increased in the region, so has public urination.

'One-of-a-kind' loft, for sale for first time, helped kick off North Loop's revitalization
Unique four-level condo has a "house within a home," plus private deck and greenhouse.

Brisk Sales at Luxury Eleven Condo Tower
Minneapolis-based Ryan Companies US Inc. and Edina-based Arcadia LLC have teamed up to build Eleven, an uber-luxury condo tower on the downtown Minneapolis riverfront. On Tuesday, the partners announced that more than half of 118 units in the project have been sold.

Feline groovy? Cat Video Fest is Feb. 29
Felines can be like celebrities — aloof, moody, prone to attitude and incredibly popular. So it makes sense that they’re stars in a perennial favorite, the Cat Video Fest.

How the Twin Cities could be designed for winter livability
A few humble street corners show us how to create a "patio culture" year-round.

Online retailer Brandless closes, laying off Mpls. workers as key investor falters
The Minneapolis firm collapses after losses mount for key investor.

Park Board commissioners raise concerns about two canceled meetings this year
Some see the absences as petty politics surrounding the new board president.

Shakespeare comedy has strong moments but loses the plot
The Guthrie Theater’s “Twelfth Night” seems designed more to create memorable moments than to convey a narrative arc, so I’ll list my favorite moments:

First Ave, Dakota and Crooners make national 'best venues' lists (again)
We know they’re great, but it’s nice to know that music lovers around the country also still appreciate First Avenue, the Dakota and Crooners.

Home run for Isaac Becker with his fourth restaurant, Snack Bar
With his new Snack Bar, one of the Twin Cities' top chefs is once again proving his influence.

The Guardian of Barrels
Mike Hoops has been barrel aging beers for 20 years, and he's not about to stop.

Inside the Dramatic Dining Room Makeover of Eater Award Winner P.S. Steak
How a restaurant group and superstar design firm pulled off the most breathtaking dining room reveal of 2019.

Bite of the Week: Gogi Pork Fries at Umami Fries
If you’re going to build your business around a food experience that might most easily be described as “Asian-influenced poutine,” the first step is to make sure your fries are up to the task.

Vellee Deli’s new location inside NordHaus will be just Vellee
“Our vision of expanding Vellee is we want to grow, we want to have multiple locations, but we don’t want to be too big where we can’t control the quality."

Coming Soon: The Return of Moral Omnivore!
Much loved food truck returns to Graze food hall in the North Loop.

WEEK OF FEBRUARY 17, 2020

Minneapolis downtown population jumps above 50,000
The population boom in the city center has accompanied a surge in apartment construction.

Watch: Ultra-luxury condos in downtown Minneapolis attracting buyers well before opening
At 41 stories and 118 units, ELEVEN On the River features what many think is the most luxurious living in downtown Minneapolis.

Upscale condo tower has yet to rise in Minneapolis, but more than half of its units have sold
Four months into construction, more than half of the 118 residences have been sold.

Serious crimes spike 70% in Minneapolis' Downtown East
The area, also known as East Town, was part of the nearly two-thirds of the city's 81 neighborhoods that saw an increase in overall crime in 2019, from the previous four-year average.

Metro Transit outlines plans to combat crime on trains, buses
Transit ambassadors, support for homeless also part of plan to stem crimes.

Met Council chairman Charlie Zelle: Steps we're taking to make Metro Transit riders safe
We're stepping up our game. But good intentions aren't enough, nor is any single action. Safety results from collaboration.

Vikings, charities, lawmakers eye growing gambling revenue earmarked for U.S. Bank Stadium debt
Vikings, charities, lawmakers debate what to do with robust pulltab revenue.

The Loft Announces Wordplay Lineup: Alison Roman, Michael Ian Black, and More
Minnesota’s largest literary extravaganza returns with a whole new set of books and authors.

Wordplay fest to bring Lily King, Emma Straub, Gene Luen Yang, 100 more to Minneapolis
The Minneapolis event is scaling back to a single day for its second year, but a no-less ambitious lineup.

Wordplay Book Festival returns with 100 authors
This may be one of those times where it’s safe to say that there will be something for everyone at this massive celebration of the written word.

First Avenue Announces Initial 50th Anniversary Celebration Lineup
The bus depot-turned-music venue has big plans for its 50th.

New Fillmore Minneapolis music club gets most things right but …
Great sound is highlight of the new music club in North Loop.

Bong Joon-ho talked Oscars, actors, and Korean film at Walker Art Center
Quadruple Oscar-winning director Bong Joon-ho arrived at the Walker for the 30th anniversary of their Dialogues series just days after he made history at the Academy Awards with his masterpiece, Parasite.

Bong Joon Ho at the Walker
Straight from L.A., the recent Oscar winner and international sensation behind Parasite reflected on his work at the Walker Art Center's film dialogue.

9 Twin Cities bars and restaurants with crackling fireplaces
Get nice and toasty this Valentine's Day at these charming spots.

The 38 Essential Twin Cities Restaurants, Winter 2020
Where to dive into fresh piles of pasta, stuffed empanadas, and double-stacked burgers.

Bite of the Week: Big K.R.I.T. fried chicken sandwich at Soul Bowl
One of the pleasant surprises hidden within the stylish confines of the new North Loop food courts is that great food can emerge from even manicured, highly focus-grouped surroundings.

WEEK OF FEBRUARY 10, 2020

Watch / Read: Business booming in downtown Minneapolis, but much work remains in 2025 plan
Business leaders and volunteers were in the middle of a 15-year effort to transform downtown Minneapolis back in 2011 when the Downtown Council announced its “2025 Plan.” The goal of the plan was to make downtown Minneapolis better, busier and more attractive to businesses.

African market still a go, Minneapolis mayor says
An outgoing City Council member had a re-election pledge to build the mall.

Rolling Stones confirm May 16 date in Minneapolis at U.S. Bank Stadium
The third stop on the band's No Filter 2020 Tour will be among 15 shows in North America.

SUV crashes into lobby of downtown Minneapolis luxury apartment building
The vehicle ended up on some steps; driver jailed on suspicion of being drunk.

One dead in double shooting on bus in downtown Minneapolis
A suspect fled but was arrested shortly after; handgun was recovered.

Catherine Rydell, CEO of the American Academy of Neurology, retiring on a strong note
When Rydell retires in May, her 21-year tenure will be one of the longest among Minnesota nonprofit leaders.

All eyes are on the new Fillmore Minneapolis, which opens Wednesday with six straight nights of shows
Live Nation, the world’s largest music and entertainment promoter, is taking a huge gamble by debuting not with a single show, but six nights of concerts in a row, five of which are sold out. And another six shows, four sold out, are planned through the end of the month.

Watch: Fillmore music hall gets ready to rock in Minneapolis
An ambitious new North Loop music hall, the Fillmore offered media representatives a preview tour.

8 things to know about the Fillmore, Live Nation's luxe new Minneapolis concert hall
“This is going to be one of the most beautiful venues in the world!” Live Nation’s president of clubs and theaters, Ron Bension, declared during a hardhat tour of the Fillmore Minneapolis last August.

Q&A with Live Nation about Minneapolis' new Fillmore music hall
Our requests to interview Live Nation executives and local staff about the Feb. 12 opening of the new Fillmore Minneapolis were declined by the company, which also owns Ticketmaster. But the company did agree to answer questions via email.

Solve the Minneapolis Pre-Theater Dinner Dilemma
Whether a pre-theater dinner or a quick bite after a matinee, these restaurants offer convenient eats for theatergoers of every palate.

5 best things our food critic ate in Twin Cities this week
Restaurant critic Rick Nelson highlights the favorites of his recent dining-out schedule.

The latest openings and closings in the Twin Cities
What's open, what's closed and what's still to come in the Twin Cities and beyond.

Dine with Thomas Keller at Spoon and Stable’s Revived Synergy Series
Gavin Kaysen is back to inviting his celebrity chef buddies to Minneapolis.

After many ups and downs, the Bird in Loring Park is closed
After several attempts to get her Loring Park restaurant to take off, Twin Cities restaurateur Kim Bartmann is grounding The Bird. According to an Instagram announcement posted this week, the restaurant's storefront is shuttered.

Bartmann Group's The Bird closes on Loring Park for real for good this time
“The Bird Has Flown The Coop.” So began a missive issued by The Bird – the Bartmann Group’s breakfast and lunch spot – announcing its closure effective… about a month ago. As City Pages reported a few weeks back, the Loring Park restaurant would be closed through January.

Bite of the Week: The Pho and Ramen Bar at Kowalski’s on Hennepin
Kowalski’s has decided to cash in on the current interest in all things Asian soup-y, opening a Pho and Ramen Bar at its Hennepin Avenue location.

10-course Japanese feast at this North Loop spot is 'spectacular'
Think minimalist — and delicious — for this tasting menu at Kaiseki Furukawa, a restaurant within Kado No Mise.

WEEK OF FEBRUARY 3, 2020

Surdyk's is opening a restaurant and bar in its northeast Minneapolis store this summer
Longtime northeast Minneapolis liquor and cheese retailer to open restaurant in store. From the Star Tribune.

Local booze institution Surdyk’s is opening a bar
Surdyk’s Sidebar is being constructed at 303 E. Hennepin Ave., the same address as the booze retail biz and its offshoot Cheese Shop. From City Pages.

Chicago developer pitches 27-story apartment tower for former condo site in Minneapolis
New development partners propose apartments after fight over luxury condo tower.

U.S. Bank Stadium design and construction issues now focus of mediation
Officials wouldn't say what the problem is, but zinc panels, moisture have been previous issues at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Wanna buy this former Room & Board exec's $2.9M Minneapolis condo?
It's no coincidence the listing photos for 117 Portland Ave. No. 702 feature a whole lot of Room & Board furniture.

Coming Soon: West Elm North Loop
The brand will open its second Twin Cities location at the end of next month.

Giant exhibit at the U of M presents 500 years' worth of drawings
To call “The Beginning of Everything” a big drawing show is an understatement. Indeed, it is a huge show in a sprawling space at the University of Minnesota’s Nash Gallery that’s divided into roughly six smaller galleries, like a mini-museum.

Minneapolis Comedy Festival Announces 2020 Lineup
Nick Offerman, Whitney Cummings, and Jeff Foxworthy round out the bevy of comedic talent coming this June.

9 Twin Cities restaurant openings to look forward to in 2020
They're construction zones at the moment, but a bevy of new restaurants will soon be on their way.

The latest openings and closings in the Twin Cities
What's open, what's closed and what's still to come in the Twin Cities and beyond.

Where's the beef? These restaurants opened and closed in January
Looking back—heck, even in the midst of it—this January was a rough one for the Twin Cities' food and dining scene.

Ye olde Old Spaghetti Factory to become Pinstripes bowling bar
The former Old Spaghetti Factory is a covetable piece of real estate if ever there were. After 25 years of holding down the corner of South Washington and Park avenues by the Mill City Museum and the Guthrie, its departure left a noticeable hole in the dining landscape of downtown.

Sneak Peek: Unleashed Hounds & Hops
A bar for ALL your best friends.

Dog park meets beer hall, Unleashed Hounds and Hops opens in Minneapolis
Take a deep breath: the trained staffers are called "Ruffarees."

Where to Dine Like Royalty for Under $10 in Northeast Minneapolis
Fantastic, affordable meals are easy-to-come by in this culinarily rich neighborhood.

Review of Bachelor Farmer: This is what 'North' tastes like
At the Bachelor Farmer, chef Jonathan Gans uses his menu to tell the story of "this time and this place."

Legendary Minneapolis Burger Will Lead a New Food Truck Venture
Parlour launches a food truck and more in the AM Intel.

Where to Find All of the Twin Cities’ Hidden Bars
Sneaking into hidden spots makes tipping back a cocktail all the more fun. These bars might not be the easiest to find, but the search is half the fun.

WEEK OF JANUARY 27, 2020

Appeals court: City of Minneapolis can't operate Commons park
The Park Board has run the downtown park since an initial ruling last year.

Think the Minneapolis skyline is unique? Think again – we have copycat buildings in our midst
Some of our landmark buildings aren't so unique. Others are ours alone.

Inside Eleven, the New Minneapolis Luxury Condo Project
What's 41 stories tall and looks like a billion bucks? This building reaches over the top—and then a few floors higher.

E-sports extravaganza lures fans from around the globe to Minneapolis' Armory
The largest professional video game competition the Twin Cities has ever hosted kicked off Friday, drawing spectators from across the country and a slate of competitors seeking virtual glory.

New Element hotel opens above Fillmore music venue in North Loop
The 156-room hotel sits above the new Fillmore music venue in the North Loop. The hotel is the first of Marriott International’s extended-stay Element brand in the state.

West Monroe Partners to move into the nearly full Nordic building in North Loop
Technology-consulting firm West Monroe Partners announced Tuesday that it will move its 125 employees into the new Nordic office building in the North Loop of Minneapolis.

The chandeliers are lit: Fillmore music hall gets ready to rock in Minneapolis
Unlike many of the eight other Fillmores around the country, the Minneapolis one was built from the ground up.

Noura at the Guthrie Explores an Iraqi Immigrant's Identity
The Guthrie presents a modern story of belonging inspired by Henrik Ibsen’s classic “A Doll’s House.”

McKinney Roe closes after 3 years as fancy bistro, Irish pub in East Town
McKinney Roe was a few things during its three-year run in Minneapolis’ East Town neighborhood—but now it’s none.

Downtown Minneapolis restaurant McKinney Roe has closed
This is the second closure so far in 2020 for the fledgling East Town neighborhood near U.S. Bank Stadium.

Facing eviction, Ike's cocktail bar closes in downtown Minneapolis
After 18 years in downtown Minneapolis, Ike's Food & Cocktails is closed for good.

Ike's Food & Cocktails in downtown Minneapolis is closed, relocating to Bloomington
After shutting at the start of the year for renovations, the downtown bar will now close for good.

St. Paul's Naughty Greek heads for new Minneapolis skyway location
Angelo Giovanis, the chef-owner behind two St. Paul locations of the Naughty Greek, is excited about joining the unique culture of downtown Minneapolis’ skyways.

Seven Steakhouse and Sushi re-does menus and decor to feel less nightclub-y
Seven Steakhouse & Sushi plays many roles in Minneapolis’ Theater District. It’s a special occasion steakhouse, an event space, a sushi restaurant, and a swoon-worthy rooftop destination.

What Happens When One of Minneapolis’s Best Bars Goes Dry?
Marvel Bar’s decision to tuck away the alcohol is a stunning choice for a bar that’s been recognized time and again for its cocktails

JANUARY 6, 2020

Shoppers adjust to new 5-cent fee for bags in Minneapolis
At cash registers across the city, many shoppers seemed aware of the change, which took effect Jan. 1, even if they forgot their bags.

New Minneapolis housing policies won't work economically
They're well-intentioned, but not economically sound.

Minneapolis Park Board selects new president for 2020
Three abstained from the vote won by Jono Cowgill, 31.

How to find the right volunteer position
Retirees share tips on making the most of the opportunity.

Sanctuary restaurant in downtown Minneapolis closes its doors
After serving New Year’s Eve dinner, Sanctuary (903 Washington Av. S., Mpls.) quietly closed its doors.

Downtown Minneapolis Vikings bar to close Jan. 1, will move by fall
Erik the Red has a new home in south Minneapolis.

This Minneapolis cocktail bar is helping you do 'Dry January'
Marvel Bar kicks off an 'exploration' into non-alcoholic drinks beginning Jan. 8.

12 Bars to Score Refreshing Booze-Free Drinks
No matter the reason for eschewing the booze, there are plenty of bars and restaurants across the Twin Cities that mix zero-proof drinks with all the sophistication of their alcohol-filled counterparts.

WEEK OF DECEMBER 30, 2019

Changes approved in Minneapolis 2040 plan begin to take shape
“How is our city arranged? Who can live where? What do buildings look like and feel like?” The result was a 2040 Comprehensive Plan that eliminates single-family zoning, boosts affordable housing requirements and invites the creation of tiny houses.

Potential new rules in Minnesota could boost electric vehicle ownership
At least one dealer, in Hopkins, is poised for an emissions crackdown.

Fire at Drake Hotel in Minneapolis displaces more than 200 from temporary housing
Injuries minor in blaze at downtown Mpls. shelter.

Demolition underway at fire-ravaged Francis Drake Hotel
Red Cross, county officials work with families displaced by fire to find new housing.

North Loop mixed-use project with 36-story apartment tower clears historic preservation hurdle
The project would occupy an area next to Target Field that has been mostly surface parking lots and a transit hub.

Get Your Sweat on in the Stadium
This workout comes with a 360-degree view of U.S. Bank Stadium.

Minneapolis' Northern Coffeeworks looks to expand, add mobile coffee shop
Owners of Angry Catfish are expanding roasting capacity as well.

Family Friendly Restaurants in Minneapolis
With these Minneapolis restaurants, everyone can win, thanks to family-friendly vibes, convenient parking and exciting menus that offer an item for everyone in the gang. Your young critics will thank you later.

WEEK OF DECEMBER 23, 2019

Minneapolis sits on $10 million meant for parks
State law restricts where, how funds can be spent in city neighborhoods.

In a Twin Cities living room, the Steeles cook up their 35th annual Christmas show
The Steeles' annual Christmas show is a family affair, brewed up in a Golden Valley living room.

Meet the Steeles
In addition to performing as a family group, the five siblings stay busy with other endeavors.

North Loop nabs Madewell denim test store, only the 3rd in the country
Located between Lululemon and Fairgrounds Craft Coffee and Tea, the boutique will be only the third location for Madewell denim.

Recently homeless in Minneapolis, former businesswoman grateful for studio apartment
Homelessness, particularly among those 55 and over, continues to rise in the Twin Cities and Minnesota.

Age-friendliness: Minnesota must respect its elders
Such ageism is rampant in our society and is an indication that the time is right for Gov. Tim Walz’s executive order, announced last week, that the state create a Council on Age Friendly Minnesota.

Minneapolis' Eleganza! to rock 'Monday Night Football' theme during Vikings-Packers game
They’ve played to 80 people at Grumpy’s, 150 at the Polish National Alliance Hall and 1,500 at First Avenue. Of all the uniquely Minneapolitan landmarks where local garage-rock unit Eleganza! has performed, though, none will compare to next week’s gig at the base of the Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture outside Walker Art Center in front of 11 million or so audience members.

Art show at Weisman takes a deep dive into the Great Lakes
Artist Alexis Rockman dove deep for “The Great Lakes Cycle,” a research-heavy, visually enchanting series of large-scale watercolors, field drawings and huge paintings.

Minneapolis art exhibit rejects 'Middle East' in favor of a more inclusive community
Show at SooVAC rejects the term "Middle East" in favor of a more inclusive look at the region.

After a 42-year run, Al's Breakfast co-owner Doug Grina is retiring
The bard of Dinkytown bids a fond farewell.

Trust us, okay? Downtown Walgreens sells unexpectedly good sushi
Each afternoon, hungry mouths in business casual queue up outside the counter-service joint to order from the compact menu of sushi bowls (rice topped with cuts of spicy tuna, salmon, yellowtail, avocado, tempura flakes, and drizzles of eel sauce and spicy mayo), various udon soups, oshizuki, and specialty rolls. Takatsu’s seating is limited and the space is cute.

WEEK OF DECEMBER 16, 2019

Duluth leaders try to fire up legislators on passenger rail to Minneapolis
On Wednesday a procession of local political leaders and advocates pitched a visiting House subcommittee on the need for the long-planned return of passenger rail service between Duluth and the Twin Cities.

Minnesota takes first steps to become 'age-friendly society' for growing number of seniors
The Governor's Council on an Age-Friendly Minnesota likely will be formed during the first few months of next year to address demographic changes.

Minneapolis Cider Company Opens Pickleball Courts
The cidery is the first and only Twin Cities taproom to also house pickleball courts.

Mill City Summer Opera plans its first non-Mill City season in St. Paul
Mill City Summer Opera announced plans for its 2020 season — its first since losing its lease at the historic Mill City Museum ruins, and the departure of artistic director Crystal Manich after just one season.

Let the Vikes inspire during U.S. Bank Stadium's Winter Warm-Ups for runners and inline skaters
Warmth and inspiration from the team fuels a workout at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Two downtown Minneapolis office buildings sell for nearly $170 million
The Xcel Energy headquarters and the 510 Marquette building have sold.

Affordable units now a requirement for new apartment buildings in Minneapolis
Developers would need to include low-income units for 20 years.

Newly released surveillance video shows punching incident that led to Minneapolis officers' firing, rehiring
The two officers involved were later fired from the department, but have since won their jobs back through arbitration.

Teens arrested, charged in violent assaults on light-rail trains
The arrests come as Metro Transit grapples with a recent spate of violence on Twin Cities public transportation, including on light-rail trains where serious crimes, such as robberies, aggravated assaults and theft, were up 35% through October compared with 2018.

Walker Art Center balances its budget again in a leaner, quieter year
Walker Art Center balanced its books for the 38th consecutive year in a period marked by a lean budget.

Jeff Foxworthy will headline second year of Minneapolis Comedy Festival
Organizers of the Minneapolis Comedy Festival are making good on their promise to return for a second year. And they're doing it with at least one of the biggest names in stand-up.

Love Your Melon releasing Star Wars-branded hats as part of Disney collaboration
The hats — which will be available the day the movie opens, Dec. 20 — will feature R2-D2, Darth Vader and Yoda.

Before & after: 'Dated' North Loop loft gets state-of-the-art kitchen and bath
State-of-the-art kitchen and bath remodel helps couple entertain with style in their formerly "dated" space.

Madewell Is Coming to North Loop
The cult-favorite brand is branching out from the malls to open its first, denim-focused Minneapolis location this spring.

In 2019 Demi was home to the 20 hottest seats in town
When trying to obtain a coveted reservation at the hyper-popular Demi, the odds aren’t exactly even.

Open today: North Loop Galley food hall delivers on service and taste
The North Loop Galley, located on the ground floor of the brand new Nordic building on Washington Avenue, differentiates itself from the roster of local competitors immediately upon crossing its threshold.

Four New Food Stands to Get Excited About Inside North Loop’s Latest Food Hall
Detroit-Style Pizza, Hawaiian Plates, Asian Soul Food, and Fried Chicken open Monday.

21 Twin Cities Restaurants Open and Serving on Christmas Day
From steaks to pho to a nice pastrami sandwich, there are tons of dining options on December 25.

Say hello to the Freehouse's beautiful new 'winter domes
Is the North Loop prepping to colonize Mars?

St. Paul's Naughty Greek restaurant adding new location in Minneapolis skyway
It takes over an Au Bon Pain in the Capella Tower.

Man sues Blue Plate restaurant group over health care surcharge for workers
He said 3% health charge wasn't disclosed on menu when he visited the Freehouse in mid-November.

WEEK OF DECEMBER 9, 2019

Dinkytown McDonald's development hits snag with city staff
CA Ventures announced this summer it had its eye on the weird, sunken, ’70s-era landmark that is the McDonald’s in Dinkytown—not to mention the rest of the block it’s on.

Cities' checks of Uber, Lyft drivers appear to be hit or miss
Minneapolis and St. Paul have made it easy for people with criminal records or bad driving histories to work for ride-sharing companies.

Firing of Minneapolis officer who struck handcuffed man reduced to 2-week suspension
He'll get 2-week suspension for beating handcuffed suspect.

Minneapolis Mayor Frey wants city to hire, train new class of police cadets
Move would keep Mpls. sworn officer cap at 888.

Coming Soon: Billy Sushi to the North Loop
The former Sweet Chow spot is getting Billy-ed.

A Raucous, Fun Sushi Restaurant Is Opening in the North Loop
Billy Tserenbat takes over the old Sweet Chow location.

With Wrecktangle, the Cities finally gets its Detroit-style pizza specialist
For those of you who haven’t been keeping up on the North Loop’s food hall drama, 729 Washington Ave. will become home to the North Loop Galley in just a few short weeks.

18 Vital Twin Cities Breakfast Restaurants
No one loves a breakfast like a Midwesterner. There's something in our DNA that demands hearty, satisfying grub first thing the morning.

AxeBridge Wine Company opening in Minneapolis’ North Loop next spring
Ashley and Aaron Schram of Schram Vineyards Winery and Brewery build their vision for a new urban winery.

A New Winery is Coming to Town. Meet Axebridge Wine Company.
Designed by Minneapolis-based Shea Design, AxeBridge Wine Company opens next year will cover 10,000 square feet of space and will truly feel like a vineyard indoors.

We have a winner! These are the best entries in the 2019 Star Tribune Cookie Contest
They're appealing on many levels, especially the way each one introduces a wide range of delicious ingredients into our cookie universe: whiskey, sunflower seeds, turmeric and tea.

3 Christmas dining-out (and drinking) ideas in Minneapolis
Dining out for the holidays? Here are three spots to consider.

WEEK OF DECEMBER 2, 2019

Ababiy: The war on pedestrians
A few weeks ago, controversy erupted on the app Nextdoor in the University area. I hate to admit that I use it, but it's a nice way to gauge what the 50+ year old demographic is thinking about the neighborhood right now.

Changing perceptions of downtown safety
Having sufficient numbers of people living and working downtown to foster a safe, street-level environment is an admirable goal. However, it’s also a chicken-and-egg problem: people need to feel safe downtown before they’ll be willing to spend a large amount of time there; and without enough human activity on the downtown streets, people won’t feel safe.

Holidazzle kicks off for 2019 in Loring Park [Photos]
Holidazzle 2019 kicked off with fireworks a 16-foot yeti sculpted from mattress packing discards and an ice skating exhibition Friday, Nov. 29, 2019.

Holidazzle returns to Minneapolis' Loring Park with fireworks on Friday
The festival with lights, music and entertainment runs Friday through Dec. 22.

Shopping local this Christmas? Try this new Holiday Market in downtown Minneapolis
Stumped for Christmas gift ideas? If you're looking for something a little different, a little artisan, and very much local there's a new Holiday Market launching in downtown Minneapolis.

Nordic office building aspires to be 'the living room of the North Loop'
The Nordic brings gathering spots to the North Loop.

Developers head for the suburbs
Apartment developers will likely not slow down on building Twin Cities apartments for the next three years, but they’ll be doing more of their building outside of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Masters of indie film team up for one-of-a-kind movie event in Minneapolis
Director/musician Jim Jarmusch is on a mission to make sure the films of photographer Man Ray are seen. And heard.

Densely Populated North Loop Is Somehow Getting a Second Food Hall
North Loop Galley, a first-floor food hall is slated to hit the North Loop in Monday December 16, focusing on emerging chefs that offer a variety of food through 12-month leases as something of a test kitchen before opening their own brick and mortar locales.

Detroit-style pizza and Hawaiian food coming to new North Loop food hall
With Twin Cities food halls booming, four new restaurants to launch at North Loop Galley next month.

Minneapolis' 4 top spots to score burgers on the cheap
Got a hankering for burgers? Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best affordable burger outlets in Minneapolis, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of where to meet your needs.

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 25, 2019

Would You Invest in a Heritage Grain Brew-Pub?
Kim Bartmann's got 30 days to make this happen and is seeking equity partners.

Spoonriver restaurant closing after 14-year run
Partnership of Birchwood Cafe, Minnesota Farmers Union will be taking over the space.

After 14 years in business, Spoonriver will close in December
The message was delivered with the same warmth and sincerity that had endeared the restaurant to Twin Cities diners for the past 14 years.

Successful Minneapolis Restaurateur Hopes to Open a Heritage Grain Brewpub
Kim Bartmann, the restaurant owner behind such neighborhood classics as Barbette, Pat’s Tap, Tiny Diner, The Bird, and more needs investors to open a heritage grain brewpub in Minneapolis’ aptly named Mill District.

Dayton's Project Unveils Holiday Window Installations
The holiday magic returns to Nicollet.

Dayton's Project brings holiday windows back to downtown Minneapolis
The installations were designed by Kent Hensley, a retail consultant who started his career at Dayton Hudson.

Dayton's window displays are back for Christmas
Re-developer of downtown Dayton's store brings back a Minneapolis tradition.

U.S. Bank Stadium will open again this winter for runners and in-line skaters
ASM Global, which operates the stadium, announced that tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. Wednesday through ticketmaster.com.

Chameleon Shoppes Hosts Holiday Makers Pop-Up
The local collective is decking the skyway with holiday gifts for on-the-go downtowners.

Elliot Park Office Building to Be Converted Into Apartments
Designed by BKV Group, the building formerly known as the Strutwear Knitting Company Building would receive a top to bottom transformation. Standing 10-stories tall, the 261,457 square foot building located at 1010 7th Street SE would be converted into 179 market-rate apartments.

Construction Begins on 240 Hennepin
When complete, 240 Hennepin will stand 246’ tall and will include 346 market-rate apartments along with 20,969 square feet of ground floor retail space. In total, there will be over 350 parking spaces located on two underground levels and two above ground levels.

Barry's Bootcamp to Open First Minnesota Location In Minneapolis
Another fitness chain is setting up shop in the North Loop neighborhood.

Rand Tower sues Allie's Deli over relocation dispute
Rand Tower in Mpls. is being converted into hotel.

Minneapolis bicyclist killed in downtown semi-truck crash
An unidentified Twin Cities bicyclist was killed during rush hour Wednesday evening after a truck driver turned into his path.

Three U.S. Bank Stadium windows broken during spring thaw await replacement
Replacement of three panes is awaiting bids.

Cool details, Easter eggs, and things to spot in the Guthrie's 'Christmas Carol'
According to the Guthrie Theater, nearly half of their Christmas Carol audiences are first-timers. If that includes you, sit back and enjoy the haunting music, the ghosts' dramatic entrances, and the snowy Victorian set.

The Guthrie Theater finds success with broadly inclusive programs
Successful, diverse offerings let the theater finish season in the black.

Poetry inspires a world premiere at Walker Art Center this week
Composer Ted Hearne is a conceptualist whose multimedia projects are highly anticipated.

Scenes from the MCAD Art Sale
Now in its 22nd year, the annual MCAD sale features almost 7,000 pieces from over 400 students and alumni, and is a prime chance to find art at an affordable price.

Minneapolis' City Hall is home to a truly fantastic breakfast sandwich
Reasons to visit the epicenter of municipal governance are pretty limited, and usually have nothing to do with eggs.

In a corner of downtown Minneapolis, renters mobilize to solve grocery gap
Residents in Elliot Park say healthy, affordable food is hard to come by in their neighborhood.

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 18, 2019

Ranks of million-dollar condos have tripled in Twin Cities amid 'robust' demand
Four new projects in Minneapolis will bring about 180 new condos priced in excess of $1 million to one of the most rarefied real estate markets in the metro.

How many $1 million condos does Minneapolis need?
The millionaires of Minneapolis are on the move, but there simply aren't enough of them around for Bob Lux's plans.

Man shot and killed outside southeast Minneapolis apartment complex near Stone Arch Bridge
It happened in the Marcy-Holmes neighborhood, where already have met with police after crimes.

Prison for duo caught in Minneapolis luxury high-rise with 64 pounds of meth, $33K and guns
One of the defendants was running a "significant drug trafficking operation here in Minnesota," said the U.S. attorney.

Minnesota Vikings, U.S. Bank Stadium to consider cost of protecting birds from flying into glass
Estimates for treating the stadium glass range from $40,000 to $570,000 for materials alone.

'The Walker is like family': Minnesota collectors give the museum a remarkable gift
Assembled over 60 years, the exquisite art collection of Erwin and Miriam Kelen has a new home at the Walker.

Steel Magnolias Brings the Bonds of Women to the Forefront at the Guthrie
Despite a bumpy plot, the play has plenty of laughs and moments of sadness that will make you want to hug your closest friend.

A great con: Mu’s 'Fast Company' is silly fun with a family of crooks
In Fast Company, playwright Carla Ching couches a family therapy session inside a caper about big lies, double cross, and thievery. This Theater Mu production, presented at the Guthrie’s Dowling Studio, ends up being more heartfelt than heart-stopping, garnering a few laughs along the way.

Sneak Peek: ONE Fermentary & Taproom
The new North Loop brewery welcomes ALL drinkers.

Inside the debut of Tattersall's chic new private party room, the Clover Club
Since opening its cocktail room in 2015, Tattersall Distilling Company has been turning away customers. “We constantly get asked about private spaces or [accommodating] large groups or renting the cocktail room,” says co-founder and chief officer Jon Kreidler. “But we don’t close down our cocktail room to the public, so we couldn’t take advantage of those opportunities.”

Solve the Minneapolis Pre-Theater Dinner Dilemma
The Twin Cities have no shortage of performing arts venues. From the historic halls of American Public Media’s Fitzgerald Theater to the soaring river views from the Dowling Studio at the Guthrie, there’s something playing somewhere every night of the week. Whether a pre-theater dinner or a quick bite after a matinee, these restaurants offer convenient eats for theatergoers of every palate.

18 Gorgeous Twin Cities Party Rooms to Book Before the Holidays
The low lights flickering, a table packed with food, ice cubes clink against glass edges, and a room filled with familiar, smiling faces: this is the ideal setting for a perfect party. Outsource the food, find a central location, and book one of these fabulous private party spaces in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Mercy gets spicy with new 'Tuesday Taco Takeover' series
When was the last time you and your buds celebrated Taco Tuesday? If it’s been a while, Mercy Bar and Dining Room, downtown Minneapolis’ finest den of edible and drinkable frippery, is giving you a good excuse to hop back on that palomino.

The Herbivorous Butcher takes on Nestlé in David and Goliath trademark battle
The question is who can lay claim — if anyone — to the phrase "The Vegan Butcher."

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 11, 2019

Apartments key to developer's plan to revive Strutwear Knitting building in Minneapolis
Project aims to bring more affordable rental units to Downtown East area.

Condo Tower Dies for a Million Reasons
Principal Bob Lux says going ahead with the project would have put too many condos priced over $1 million on the market. Yes, you read that right: over $1 million. The competing Eleven condo project, developed by Minneapolis–based Ryan Cos. US Inc. and Edina–based Arcadia LLC, is under construction; the cheapest homes in the 118-unit complex are $900,000.

Serious crime is on the rise on Twin Cities light-rail trains
Metro Transit police say compared with the number of people who ride, it's still "very safe."

Big ideas to bolster light-rail passenger safety
Conditions on Blue, Green lines have deteriorated, and GOP legislator's plans are welcome.

As crime rises in Minneapolis, observers wonder whether it's part of a larger trend
Trend or aberration? Increase follows 30-year low in many crime categories in '18.

Holidazzle returns to Loring Park starting day after Thanksgiving
Fireworks, winter season movies among the main attractions during the downtown Minneapolis festivities.

Bird study: U.S. Bank Stadium among downtown Minneapolis buildings involved in high proportion of deadly collisions
U.S. Bank Stadium and three downtown Minneapolis high-rise office buildings account for a high proportion of bird fatalities among 21 downtown buildings surveyed.

Askov Finlayson Reopens as Direct-to-Consumer Outerwear Brand
It’s not every small business that has the luxury of pressing pause for the better part of a year to reinvent itself. But Eric Dayton is not your typical small business owner. So he closed the door on Askov Finlayson, his North Loop menswear boutique, and re-launches this week as a direct-to-consumer outerwear brand.

Theater Mu's "Fast Company" opening at the Guthrie
Previews Friday: Like most parents, Mable Kwan wants her kids to exceed her in her line of work. It’s just that Mable is a master con artist and her kids have been excellent students.

Guthrie's 'Steel Magnolias' gets it right without cribbing from the movie or past productions
It's not often that both a play's director and the company's artistic director admit to not having read a longstanding and popular script until it was on the table for a Guthrie Theater production, but artistic director Joseph Haj opens his program note with what he terms a "confession."

Guthrie Theater cancels Friday performance of 'Steel Magnolias' at intermission
The Guthrie Theater canceled its Friday evening performance of “Steel Magnolias” at intermission because one of the six actors in the show got ill during the first act.

Minneapolis comedy asks what happens when a pop star heads home to regroup
Some songs of summer endure beyond their appointed seasons (such as Drake’s “One Dance”), while others are tired before the leaves fall (Black Eyed Peas’ “I Gotta Feeling”). The play “The Song of Summer” falls somewhere in between.

Remembering the MN-themed 'King of the Hill' episode 'Revenge of the Lutefisk,' 20 years later
The episode is littered with Minnesota references—Stroup, voiced by honorary Minnesotan Mary Tyler Moore, brings to a welcome potluck a platter of lutefisk as a symbol of her people's "culture,” and calms Hank’s concerns about missing kickoff when she says she’s a Vikings fan. The “revenge” in "Lutefisk" comes about when Bobby eats the whole tray, gets horribly sick at Sunday service, and rushes out of the sanctuary to use the bathroom, where Cotton Hill enters to find the single stall occupied and reeking.

Forget Peter Luger. 10 Twin Cities steakhouses better than NYC's fallen star
Because Minnesotans know steak.

Nicollet Mall loses another restaurant with the closing of Rojo
It’s the second closure this year for the Michael McDermott-run chain. The Rojo at Southdale closed earlier this year. A previous incarnation in the North Loop closed in 2016.

Owner blames downtown Minneapolis for third straight failed restaurant
If you never ate at Rojo Mexican Grill on Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis, which closed for good this month, don't worry, the owner doesn't really blame you.

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 4, 2019

Pedestrians should not be blamed for their injuries or deaths
That's blaming victims of auto-centric city design, and the Star Tribune can do better.

Proposed Minneapolis skyway could link Ameriprise Client Service Center to rest of system
A representative from ESG Architecture and Design is scheduled to present the plans to the land use committee of the Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association on Nov. 5. The plans were already approved by the downtown skyway advisory committee though they would still need city approval.

After cancer diagnosis, Aldo Moroni asks for help finishing his final project
Local artist Aldo Moroni is known for his enormous, world-building projects.

Celebrated Minnesota artist Aldo Moroni mounts his final exhibitions
There’s no time like the present. This weekend Minneapolis artist Aldo Moroni stages a retrospective of his 45-year career in his renovated studio space, called Legacy Makers Place, in the California Building.

The Loft Holds First Wordsmith Conference
Sharpen your words at the Loft Literary Center's first-ever Wordsmith this weekend, for aspiring and established writers alike.

The Guthrie's 'Steel Magnolias' delights and breaks hearts
The Guthrie's must-see production of 'Steel Magnolias' offers humor and heartbreak.

An exercise in 'naturalization' at Minneapolis' SooVAC gallery
The artist Prerna questions the documents that legally define what it means to be American in an ongoing, performative installation.

Native American Cultural Corridor helps rejuvenate E. Franklin in Minneapolis
A housing development is just the latest piece of an effort to remake a once-tired stretch on the South Side of Minneapolis.

Let's gaze upon these spooktacular Halloween costumes at Psycho Suzi's
Was it a scary-good time in northeast Minneapolis? Sure seems like it! All photos by Mike Madison.

U of M scooter rider gets hit by car, turned into a meme [VIDEO]
If you're bold enough to track down video of the dumbest thing you've done and post it online, please know that people will laugh at you.

Love Your Melon launches first national TV ad campaign
With the help of local advertising agency Marketing Architects, Love Your Melon has begun to air 30-second television commercials touting its popular beanies as well as its mission to end childhood cancer.

Grumpy's Is the Best Bar in the Twin Cities
You might be drinking with Macaulay Culkin—or with George, Jimmy, Bud, and Howie.

11 Iconic Minneapolis Dive Bars
These are just a few of the cities most comfortable, well-worn, quick-serving bars that have become a part of the fabric of this city.

11 Cozy Twin Cities Restaurants For Dining Fireside
The temperatures are dipping down, which means it’s time to get cozy by a fire. Whether looking for a fine dining occasion or just the soft aroma of campfire tucked into a fuzzy sweater, there’s an ideal restaurant with a crackling fire waiting.

Hyper-local food finds a champion in Kieran’s Kitchen
Anyone who’s met him knows Kieran Folliard can spin a yarn. But the Irishman has also spent a lifetime building successful businesses here in Minnesota—founding the Liffey, Kieran’s, the Local, and 2 Gingers Whiskey—where he put in the work to back up those stories.

Zen Box and Lowry Hill Meats combine forces to host unmissable pop-up
In such a food-blessed metro as ours, it’s easy to lose sight of our dining scene’s other strengths. One is an astounding bent toward collaboration, especially between chefs at the pinnacle of their respective games.

As Restaurant Alma turns 20, a chat with its chef/owner Alex Roberts in Minneapolis
On the occasion of a significant anniversary for Minnesota's longest-running four-star restaurant, chef/owner Alex Roberts looks back, and ahead.

A steakhouse in Minneapolis, hiding in plain sight
P.S. Steak, residing at what is probably the Twin Cities' most famous culinary address, both avoids and embraces beef palace norms.

WEEK OF OCTOBER 28, 2019

Northern Spark is taking 2020 off
Since 2011, the annual fest Northern Spark has turned the Twin Cities into a nighttime art installation running ‘til the early hours of the morning.

Twin Cities art festival Northern Spark will take a year off next summer
Northern Spark, the popular two-night Twin Cities free public art festival, will take a break next summer. Its goal is to plan for the future following the impending departure of founder Steve Dietz, whose contract ends in March.

Sculptor Mark di Suvero creates joy out of steel
Eighty-six-year-old Mark di Suvero was up in a cherry picker recently, overseeing the installation of a work that had been moved from France to the Storm King Art Center in New York's Hudson Valley.

Watch: Project focuses on more public restrooms in downtown Minneapolis
The "100 Restrooms Project" is focused on increasing the number of restrooms open to the public in downtown Minneapolis.

Minneapolis Leaders Call for Expanded Restroom Access in Downtown
A new initiative launched by the Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District aims to get 100 bathrooms opened to the public.

Watch: Hundreds protest Washington mascot before Vikings game
The Not Your Mascot event was held outside U.S. Bank Stadium prior to the Minnesota Vikings hosting Washington.

Man accused of twice running over crowd outside Minneapolis bar faces attempted murder charge
Prosecutors on Monday filed attempted-murder and assault charges against a Minneapolis man they say ran over four people during an argument outside a Warehouse District bar, seriously injuring one of them.

Is Twin Cities architecture too meek? Retiring MSR Design founders share their views
The Minneapolis architecture firm founded in 1981 has racked up nearly 200 major design awards.

$3.2M loft in downtown Minneapolis boasts rooftop deck and views of the Mississippi
The luxe North Star Lofts was the first warehouse conversion in Minneapolis' Mill District.

Eric Dayton bets Askov Finlayson's future on selling parkas online
Dayton hopes to parlay brand into a national player.

Kieran's Kitchen Northeast Elevates the Food Building
The restaurant represents everything we’ve been waiting for in the local food movement. Not incidentally, it’s delicious.

Tattersall Launches Bottled Old Fashioned + Clover Club Room
Crack that cap and pour out fall.

One Great Plate: Billy Is Back at Bibuta!
Billy wants to know: Would you ever drink in the skyways?

Kim Bartmann ventures dominate national list of 100 restaurants serving 'good food'
According to Good Food Network’s just-released Good Food 100 List, Kim Bartmann and her conscious-dining empire won big.

The State Fair's best cheeses bless Fulton's new food menu (with beer to match)
Head to Fulton’s North Loop taproom in the near-ish future and you might change your cheesy tune. For the next several weeks, they’ve partnered with Undeniably Dairy to serve special flights of State Fair award-winning cheese paired with their beers, including one brewed just for the lactose-heavy occasion.

‘ONE’ taproom for all: How craft beer vets are gambling big in the North Loop
You know Whack-a-Mole? That carnival game that hands players mallets and convinces them they can master weaselly, unpredictable behavior that’s constantly changing course? That’s an approximate metaphor for the business side of Minnesota’s craft beer scene over the past few years.

WEEK OF OCTOBER 21, 2019

Lawsuit seeks to clear Minneapolis sidewalks of e-scooters
An advocate for people with disabilities is suing the city of Minneapolis and two electric scooter sharing companies, alleging the vehicles have made sidewalks inaccessible.

Disability rights advocate sues rental scooter companies, alleging blocked sidewalks
Advocate says the deluge of vehicles, unsafe riders is a violation of the ADA.

New 100 Restrooms Project Aims To Add Free Restroom Options Throughout Downtown Minneapolis
The initiative, named the 100 Restrooms Project, will implement wayfinding signage pointing the public toward the closest available restroom, new portable restrooms in locations where there are gaps in restroom availability, and an opt-in program for private businesses to offer public use of their private facilities.

Fling open the restroom door, group tells downtown Minneapolis
Downtown Minneapolis’ booster group has a message for building owners: Open your restrooms to everyone.

Wave of the future? Downtown Minneapolis micro units rent for $1,250 a month
Developer says the 17-story downtown Minneapolis complex is already half-leased.

Proposed 25-story apartment tower renews debate over Dinkytown's future
A Chicago developer is pitching an ambitious project that would reinvent a commercial block that includes the McDonald's at 4th St. and 15th Av. SE.

A small way to save on rent
Several new developments in the Twin Cities are aimed at people looking to live small.

Minneapolis City Council begins research on rent control
Earlier this month, the council directed staff to find consultants to study the effects of rent control in Minneapolis.

Light-Rail Stops Boost Twin Cities Property Values, Study Shows
Rental costs were higher along transit lines, too, according to the study.

After statewide ban fails, Minneapolis and St. Paul to outlaw conversion therapy
When Minneapolis City Council Member Phillipe Cunningham first walked into his office last year, conversion therapy was one of the issues he was determined to tackle.

New music venue Fillmore Minneapolis announces first run of shows
Waaaay back in 2017, news broke that international concert giant Live Nation would bring a venue themed after San Francisco's famed Fillmore music hall to Minneapolis' North Loop.

Brandi Carlile to Open The Fillmore With 3 Back-to-Back Shows
The Fillmore Minneapolis announced its initial lineup for the grand opening this February, starting with three nights of Brandi Carlile.

Brandi Carlile to open Fillmore Minneapolis with three-night February run
Live Nation's new club in downtown Minneapolis also announced Buddy Guy, Motion City Soundtrack, Jonny Lang, Yung Gravy and Evanescence among its initial concerts.

Kathryn Haddad and the Resistance
The playwright and arts activist just opened a new show, Zafira and the Resistance, at the Guthrie for its yearlong focus on Arab American theater.

15 Occasion-Worthy Restaurants for Monday Night
Many restaurants shut down, but these goodies are here to kick the week off.

WEEK OF OCTOBER 14, 2019

Why do so many Fortune 500 companies call Minnesota home?
As of last count, Minnesota had 17 on Fortune’s ranking of 500 largest companies. And all but one is located in the Twin Cities, just the 16th largest metro area in the country.

How Did The Saloon Get the Baby Trump Balloon?
Before President Trump's rally, protest organizers crowdfunded not one, but two Baby Trump balloons to be stationed in downtown Minneapolis.

What a Trump rally in downtown Minneapolis looks like
MAGA enthusiasts were met by protestors as they packed downtown Minneapolis' Target Center on Thursday, Oct. 10, for a rally to reelect President Donald Trump.

New round of bids for Metro Transit bus garage in Minneapolis will be solicited
The action means the opening of the long-planned garage in the North Loop will be delayed four to six months, according to Met Council spokesman John Schadl.

Meet the Art Girls Curating Local Art for Your Home
Kelly Netishen and Hollie Blanchard are bringing their "fine art concierge" service to your front door.

Michael Druskin Returns to Retail With Jaxon Grey
Michael Druskin makes a new mark in the North Loop with menswear concept Jaxon Grey.

Love Your Melon Teams Up with Disney
The two-year collaboration will include headwear featuring Disney, Pixar and Star Wars characters.

'Avocado bar' destined for the new Dayton's project on Nicollet Mall
The people at Dayton’s didn’t mean for us to find out like this… but here we are.

Snack Bar, a small plates and pizza restaurant from Isaac Becker, quietly opens in the North Loop
It's the fourth member of the family of restaurants operated by spouses Isaac Becker and Nancy St. Pierre, which includes 112 Eatery, Burch Restaurant and Bar La Grassa.

The 38 Essential Twin Cities Restaurants, Fall 2019
The Eater 38 answers the often-asked question, “Can you recommend a restaurant?”

The Most Exciting Food Events for October, 2019
Way more than just Oktoberfest is happening this month.

WEEK OF OCTOBER 7, 2019

One-of-a-kind downtown Minneapolis urban castle back on the market
Jeff Arundel is having a helluva time unloading one of Minneapolis' most unique properties.

Group that stages Minneapolis' Art-A-Whirl is back in the black
Trouble erupted last October, when NEMAA missed out on an expected $60,000 grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board and $20,000 in smaller grants.

New Walker Art Center curator wants to engage 'wide variety of audiences'
As the new chief curator, Henriette Huldisch has been tasked with thinking "about how art matters."

Walker Art Center show offers a peek at new director as curator
Mary Ceruti, who started as the Walker's executive director in January, co-curated "Carissa Rodriguez: The Maid," which will be on view beginning Thursday, Oct. 3.

Walker Art Center hires German to fill long-vacant post as chief curator
Walker Art Center hasn't had a chief curator for years, but come January that will change. The Walker announced Monday it hired Henriette Huldisch for the dual role of chief curator and director of curatorial affairs.

Despite opposition, plans move ahead for Somali mall in Minneapolis
Some call Council Member Abdi Warsame's efforts a political maneuver.

The Dayton's Project expected to open in Spring 2020
The development in downtown Minneapolis will include a food hall, retail, and office space.

Dayton’s Project Targets New-to-Market Tenants
Developers of the Nicollet Mall landmark offer a glimpse at their progress and assurances that leases are in the works.

Thr3 Jack brings boozy virtual golf to North Loop
This weather sucks. In theory, you could golf in it. But let's face it, you're not British, wouldn't enjoy it, and would blame conditions for your poor performance.

Golf Year-Round Inside the North Loop’s Newest Restaurant
Thr3 Jack has six golf simulators and a fine-dining friendly menu.

Restaurant roll call: The latest openings and closings in the Twin Cities
What's open, what's closed and what's still to come in the Twin Cities and beyond.

5 best things our food critic ate in the Twin Cities this week
From the bacon to end all bacons to must-have potstickers, here are the highlights that popped out while I paged through my barely legible dining diary.

Betty Danger's skips all the holidays, goes directly to Christmas
For at least one bar in Minneapolis, Christmas is coming (very) early this year.

Best Best Bars Ever!
Have you picked up your copy of our October 2019 Best Bars issue yet?

WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2019

Key ramp to Interstate 35W from downtown Minneapolis set to open Thursday
The ramp at 10th Street and 4th Avenue was not scheduled to open until 2021.

Financing set for $190M downtown Minneapolis condo building — the biggest in the state
A nearly $190 million financing package will pave the way for construction to begin early next month on the tallest — and most expensive — condominium building in the state, but it will scuttle plans for a competing condo tower just a few blocks away.

Changes Made to North Loop Green Design
Developer Hines is planning a “vibrant, high-density, transit-oriented, mixed-use development” they’re calling North Loop Green for a site located at 520 N 4th Street.

Calabrio's big year climaxes with move to North Loop office
Maker of customer-service software has a new North Loop office to match its new way of work.

Q&A: Mary Ceruti Is Not a Player
The new director of the Walker Art Center talks about why she doesn’t collect art, why donors give away money, and what could possibly attract a young curator to the tundra.

Under Haj's direction, Guthrie's 'Glass Menagerie' becomes a story about hope (and unicorn fandom)
Beyond Shakespeare, there aren't many playwrights more familiar to American theatergoers than Tennessee Williams.

The Glass Menagerie Hits Home for Modern Audiences at the Guthrie
The family at the center of the semi-autobiographical Tennessee Williams play escapes their painful reality through their past memories.

Sneak Peek: Thr3 Jack in North Loop
On the ground floor of one of those buildings is a new bar and eatery with an idea. Thr3 Jack is not only a place to get burgers and Old Fashioneds, it's a game bar (so hot right now).

First look at Borough, revamped: Roaming trolleys and a new butcher's menu
Blink and you may have missed it: North Loop standby Borough closed for a week earlier this month for a revamp.

WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 23, 2019

Minneapolis, I love you and I might leave you
All this change plays out differently on a practical level than it does intellectually.

Northrup King's success with artist community shows that capitalism works
You have to wonder, once again, exactly what's wrong with trying to make money or why a nonprofit has to step in.

Developer of historic North Loop block pivots from offices to a hotel
Developers to present modified plan to Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission on Tuesday.

Minneapolis considers lower speed limits citywide
It's one of several strategies the city is considering to eliminate deaths and serious injuries from crashes.

Walker Art Center Selects Angela Two Stars for Sculpture Garden Commission
After an open call to Indigenous artists, the Walker Art Center has chosen Angela Two Stars to commission a piece for the Sculpture Garden.

Artist Angela Two Stars selected for Walker Art Center's Indigenous Public Art Commission
The sculptural artwork will make connections between land, water and language. The location of the piece has yet to be chosen.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey featured in Men's Health
If you’ve picked up an issue of Men’s Health lately, you might have seen the unexpected, smiling face of Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey peering out from within the pages.

Stilheart cocktail lounge—from Lawless and Bittercube—to open in the North Loop
Located at North Second Street and Third Avenue North in a historic building dating back to the 1880s, Stilheart Distillery and Cocktail Lounge (all-caps styling theirs) will offer 16 tap cocktails, plenty of room to chill on both floors, and have distillery production space in its basement.

Coming Soon: Stilheart Distillery & Cocktail Lounge
The North Loop's first (woman-owned) distillery opens in time for the holidays!

North Loop Will Soon Sport a New Micro Distillery with Two Cocktail Rooms
Stilheart is a new distillery taking shape at 124 North 3rd Street with a crew of familiar names in the local booze world.

Restaurant roll call: Two North Loop spots reopen, Red's Savoy returns to St. Paul
What's open, what's closed and what's still to come in the Twin Cities and beyond.

Minneapolis' new Marquette Lounge: Or, why you should go to hotel bars in your own city
When the Marquette Hotel in downtown Minneapolis abandoned Jacques restaurant, which locals had little reason to know was there, they brought on Peter Botcher as their new executive chef.

Northeast Minneapolis pizza news: Custom 'Slice' shop pops up on Hennepin
For those who haven’t had the pleasure of passing by the jumble of awkwardly angled streets just across the Mississippi in northeast Minneapolis, a sign popped up seemingly overnight announcing the arrival of a new ‘za joint at 519 E. Hennepin.

Copper Pot Indian Grill in downtown Minneapolis has closed
The restaurant opened in 2012.

Minneapolis gem Pizza Nea closing after 17 years
Maybe you went to Pizza Nea for their date night: $45 for two drinks, two pizzas, dessert, and a perfectly good excuse for getting out of the house on a Wednesday.

After 17 years, Pizza Nea on Hennepin Av. is closing
The Neapolitan pizza restaurant will serve its last pie on Saturday evening.

4 Restaurants Coming Soon That We're Excited About
Table talk about the new restos you’ll want to hit in the future.

14 Glorious Twin Cities Rooftop Bars with the Best Views
Perched above the city, chilling beverage in hand is the ideal way to appreciate the fleeting glory of warm nights in Minnesota.

WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 16, 2019

Oh dang! Artspace is buying the Northrup King Building with help from Intermedia Arts
It’s rarely good news when an artists’ complex is sold. However, today’s case is an unusual one, as northeast Minneapolis’ Northrup King Building has been purchased by an organization with altruistic goals.

Deal will preserve 'crown jewel' of northeast Minneapolis arts scene
Nonprofit will purchase Northrup King complex, home to 350-plus artists.

For Doran Cos., biggest Minneapolis project may be its last
The reason? A planned inclusionary zoning ordinance that requires developers to include income-restricted units in all new buildings.

Northeast Minneapolis neighbors fight off new apartments on popular street
Developer has withdrawn plan for five-story building on NE. 13th Avenue.

Rabid bat discovered in downtown Minneapolis
The winged mammal tested positive for rabies after a group of work colleagues found and captured it near the intersection of Marquette Avenue and 6th Street.

Nicollet Mall Station safety and the visually impaired
Can urban designers see the problem? A recent close call proves the point.

Nearly 300 U.S. Bancorp workers to move to Capella Tower in downtown Minneapolis
The bank said workers will move into redesigned space on the 10th floor of the 58-story Minneapolis tower.

The Hottest Shows Coming to the Twin Cities this Fall
A Real VIP—like you—doesn’t just go to all the big concerts, shows, and games. You deserve the best seat in the house. But where is that exactly?

After nearly a year, North Loop Szechuan restaurant Jun reopens this weekend
A sprinkler system malfunction flooded the restaurant last October. Now it's reopening to the public.

8 Breweries Ideal For Local Drinking in the North and North Loop
From restaurants, to futból, to fired pizza, these taprooms all make fantastic beer.

Chew on this: Hell's Kitchen owners sell their restaurant to employees
Co-owner Cynthia Gerdes blazes a creative exit that carries some risk.

WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 9, 2019

Majority of Minneapolis residents back hiring more patrol officers
Citywide survey shows strong support for adding officers to the overburdened force.

Homeless patrons find community, comfort at Minneapolis Central Library
It's proof that libraries have always been more than just buildings full of books.

Three injured when distracted driver hits pedal bar in Minneapolis Saturday
Two people on the party bike were injured and taken to Hennepin County Medical Center.

Bus-only lanes arrive on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis
Bus-only lanes mean more efficient flow and less congestion during rush hours.

The Vikings just cut their long snapper. Wanna buy his condo?
Just look at 801 Washington Ave. N. #304, the fabulous Minneapolis condo that's being sold by recently cut Minnesota Vikings long snapper Kevin McDermott.

West Elm Is Coming to North Loop
After rumors of a West Elm Hotel, the Brooklyn-based home retailer has finally signed a lease in North Loop—but for a store, not a hotel.

West Elm furniture will open in North Loop next year
Furnishing retailer's plan to open hotels appears to be up in the air.

First Bite: A Look Inside Graze Food Hall
North Loop's new food hall opens officially on Friday, here's the what.

5 things to know about Graze, the North Loop’s (now open) food hall
With so many stacked amenities, a deep roster of food vendors, playfully upscale drinks, and an indoor/outdoor setting unmatched in downtown Minneapolis, we figured a cheat sheet for how to best approach this colossus was in order.

North Loop’s Sweet Chow closes after 18 months in business
In its fleeting run, Sweet Chow developed a devoted fan base thanks to chef John Krattenmaker’s reputation for creating delectable dishes like steamed buns, fried soft shell crab, pho, and Vietnamese coffee pot de creme from their 80-seat home at First Street and First Avenue North.

16 Essential Twin Cities Pizza Restaurants
Everyone has an opinion when it comes to the perfect pizza. Thin crust/thick crust/whole wheat or even fried crust? Should the shape be a traditional triangle or a Minnesota-made square? How much and how seasoned should the sauce be?

WEEK OF AUGUST 26, 2019

Minnesota State Fair: Who’s in Charge?
Who has authority to cancel the fair? And other burning questions about the Great Minnesota Get-Together.

Hey, what's the deal with those blob statues on the federal courthouse lawn?
Outside the U.S. District Courthouse in downtown Minneapolis, scattered amongst little green hills and mossy flagstones, you’ll find a miniature community of smiling, clumsy, mostly circular people.

'Transit is not a shelter': Green Line curtails all-night service
Move, which begins Monday, will displace homeless riders.

Twin Cities light-rail trains shouldn't be rolling homeless shelters
Cutting overnight services makes sense, but more help is needed for those without housing.

Large Nicollet Mall sculpture barricaded to stop homeless encampment
For the second time this summer, the largest sculpture on Nicollet Mall has been sealed off to discourage a growing number of homeless adults from gathering and sleeping there.

A new Fire Station 1 in downtown Minneapolis is on the horizon
The current building opened in 1909. The new space would have three taller bays for trucks with extended ladders because of taller buildings in the area.

Vikings toss hat in the ring to host NFL draft and another Super Bowl
The Vikings have tossed their hat into the ring to host yet another Super Bowl, as well as an NFL draft — both national extravaganzas that bring in thousands of out-of-town visitors and millions of dollars.

Minneapolis approves stronger protections for adult-entertainment workers
Goal is better working conditions in strip clubs after damning U report.

Man found shot dead on rail bridge over river in Minneapolis was father of two
Chad N. Wojahn, 47, of Fridley, suffered multiple gunshot wounds. His body was located shortly after 6:30 a.m. on Aug. 13 on the bridge north of 16th Avenue NE., the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office said Monday.

Scene + Heard: Meals on Heels
Guests in “cocktail party” attire and killer shoes attended the Meals on Heels gala at the Nicollet Island Pavilion in Minneapolis, hosted by social marketer Sarah Edwards.

'Hot Asian Doctor Husband,' Theater Mu’s take on race and romance, is hot (and hilarious)
Hot Asian Doctor Husband is one of the sharpest and funniest rom-coms to hit Twin Cities stages in years, but anyone expecting Leah Nanako Winkler’s world premiere to be a hot Asian When Harry Met Sally... will be surprised by the very first scene.

Theater Mu's 'Hot Asian Doctor Husband' premieres with deadpan wit
How could a play that’s so rollickingly funny and sharply satirical suddenly go so meh?

AmazonFresh Sprouts in Twin Cities
AmazonFresh offers one- and two-hour delivery options for Prime members to “shop tens of thousands of products from meat and seafood to fresh produce and everyday essentials,” according to the company’s statement.

AmazonFresh grocery delivery service rolls out to Minneapolis
While the Twin Cities recently lost one of its grocery delivery services in Coborn's, Amazon is sweeping in to offer residents another option.

3 ways to meet out-of-town food and drink stars coming to Minneapolis
Some of the hottest stars in restaurants and bars in New Orleans, New York and London are touching down in the Twin Cities. Here are three chances to experience their culinary contributions, without having to leave the 612.

WEEK OF AUGUST 19, 2019

Minneapolis mayor requests 14 more cops in next year's budget
Mayor Jacob Frey's 2020 budget includes response to police chief's plea.

Man found dead on West River Parkway
Officers were in the 200 block of West River Parkway shortly before midnight when they spotted the man lying unconscious and with no heartbeat on a bike path.

Police investigating suspicious death in NE. Minneapolis
Police in northeast Minneapolis are investigating after a body was discovered on a railroad bridge.

Bird advocates question green recognition won by U.S. Bank Stadium
Results of independent study of bird safety at U.S. Bank Stadium are expected this fall.

New Concert Venue Steps on All the Toes with Bungled Opening Announcement
Annoying icons of local industry seems like a bad way to start a business.

New York Times editor demoted after claiming Minneapolis not part of Midwest
As East Coasters are occasionally wont to do, New York Times congressional editor Jonathan Weisman appears to see the Midwest as a series of Norman Rockwell paintings, filled with a delightful ensemble of rubes and bumpkins.

Thoughtful new leader brings 'a nice shift in tone' to Walker Art Center
Sculpture is central to the story of Walker Art Center's new boss. But people skills may matter more.

Minneapolis film festival presents 7 eye-opening views of Iran
With tensions rising in the Persian Gulf, the Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul offers a timely reminder that Iran’s rich culture continues pushing upward through the cracks of a repressive regime.

Gensler design firm's new Minneapolis offices are an idea showroom
"We think of our whole office as a workshop and the design lab is the heart of our shop," said Bill Baxley, principal and managing director.

Minneapolis’ Most Popular Distillery Plots Major Expansion
As Tattersall continues to go national, the distillery plans for more space, more states, and more whiskey.

Minnesota-based Izzy's ice cream is now being made in — gasp! — Wisconsin
Izzy's takes production to Wisconsin in push to become regional brand.

What to expect at Graze, the new North Loop food hall opening soon
Originally scheduled to open last week, it's now set to debut next month.

A pig and a vegetarian walk into Bacon Social House
One food item booming in sales and cache for a whole damn decade is not a "trend," it's an era. Bacon Social House, now open in downtown Minneapolis last week, is betting the reign of smoked pork belly is only just beginning.

9 Essential Twin Cities Steakhouses
From queen-cut prime rib on Saturday night to bold t-bones cooked just right, these are the old and new school restaurants that serve that prime beef cooked perfectly to order.

Closed by a flood, North Loop's JUN Szechuan to reopen
The Chinese restaurant has been undergoing repairs since October 2018.

WEEK OF AUGUST 12, 2019

$10 million later, the renovated Peavey Plaza is an accessible success
A renovation has restored the downtown gem's singular looks while making it accessible to all.

The First Memorial for Survivors of Sexual Violence Breaks Ground at Boom Island Park
To help end the silence on the prevalence sexual violence, Minneapolis will become home to the country’s first memorial dedicated to survivors.

An Icon of a Bygone Era Succumbs to Downtown Minneapolis’ Changing Landscape
The Old Spaghetti Factory hung on for 25 years, now a Pinstripes is planned.

Minneapolis-St. Paul inundated with rideshare scooters. Why we love them – and hate them
Fans love scooters for short trips, while foes fret about safety and accessibility.

30 percent of Minneapolis scooter users are doin' it wrong
If someone does walk into an indoor structure dry, you should 1) glare suspiciously, and 2) approach immediately and yell, "STAY OFF THE SIDEWALKS!" Clearly they've arrived via scooter, and according to the city of Minneapolis, 3 out of 10 of them are still struggling with following (or knowing) the rules around those newfangled things.

It's the law: Scooter riders must stay off sidewalks
A large majority of riders have been law-abiding, but new signs have popped up in recent weeks along Hennepin Avenue, Nicollet Mall and on streets in the Uptown area as the city tries to curb some bad behavior.

These Twin Cities 'juicers' scour the streets to collect and recharge Lime scooters
The millennial couple aren’t picking beans and peas in their garden. They’re cruising city sidewalks, streets and alleys, picking up electric scooters for Lime, one of the companies that has a fleet of ride-share scooters on the streets of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Car wars: Will Minneapolis follow other cities' lead?
Minneapolis could follow international examples on automobile restrictions, though deliberations will go on for a while. Meanwhile, personal liberation is yours for the taking.

See the people of Open Streets 2019 take over northeast Minneapolis
Open Streets Minneapolis took over Northeast on Sunday, August 4.

Plans for African market in Minneapolis' Cedar-Riverside not welcomed by all
Some merchants say Minneapolis should deal with crime, not eliminate parking.

World premiere in Minneapolis finds Pulitzer Prize winner in the mood to laugh
Guthrie commission from Lynn Nottage finds humor in a truck-stop kitchen.

Floyd’s at the Guthrie: Hope Is a Sandwich
A worldwide premier play by a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner that will make you hungry.

Good eats at the Guthrie Theater: 'Floyd’s' serves hot dish on post-prison life
Prison is the great equalizer, argues a character in Floyd’s. No matter your age, race, or gender, doing time transforms your life.

MSP Iranian Film Festival
MSP Film Society presents the second annual MSP Iranian Film Festival August 15-18, 2019 at the Film Society’s Screen 3 at St. Anthony Main Theatre. The Festival showcases acclaimed and award-winning new Iranian cinema, and presents a variety of themes, genres, and perspectives of contemporary Iran.

Sound for Silents 2019: Film + Music on the Walker Hillside
Join us at sunset on the hillside for an electrifying evening of live music paired with silent films from the Walker’s Ruben/Bentson Moving Image Collection. Celebrating its third year, Sound for Silents features a newly commissioned score from Twin Cities–based funk, soul, and hip-hop collective Astralblak.

Take a photo tour of Minneapolis' forthcoming Fillmore music venue
L.A.-based concert promoter Live Nation offered a glimpse yesterday at what will become the Fillmore Minneapolis, a 1,850-capacity music venue right next door to Target Field.

Live Nation previews its Fillmore Minneapolis concert venue: 'It's not just a black box'
The entertainment conglomerate promised it will stand out from other venues in the international chain — and local competitors, too.

Take a look inside the Fillmore Minneapolis, opening in 2020 in the North Loop
In February 2020, Minneapolis will expand its portfolio of live music venues with the opening of the Fillmore Minneapolis in the North Loop, just northwest of Target Field.

Michael Druskin's Jaxon Grey Coming to D.NOLO
Following a cocktail bar and sale outpost, co-op style boutique owner Veronica Clark makes room for Druskin's menswear comeback.

Bacon Social House, a bacon-themed bar and restaurant, opens Friday in downtown Minneapolis
The Denver-based restaurant is opening its first location in Minnesota.

Bacon-Loving Bar and Restaurant Opens in Downtown on Wednesday
Denver’s Bacon Social House has a branch all set in Minneapolis.

The 44 Best Burgers in the Twin Cities
We’re obsessed. You’re obsessed. It’s a hot damn hamburger bandwagon. Hop aboard!

Restaurant roll call: The latest openings and closings in the Twin Cities
What's open, what's closed and what's still to come in the Twin Cities and beyond.

WEEK OF AUGUST 5, 2019

Developers Deploy $1.5 Million Sales Center to Sell Condos
Not just anyone can walk into the sales center for the planned Eleven luxury condo tower: You have to know somebody.

Street art festival announced for downtown Minneapolis
A new event coming next month will see downtown Minneapolis transformed by street artists.

Scenes from Northeast's arf-tastic Dog Parade
You better believe tails were waggin' on the streets of northeast Minneapolis during Friday's annual Northeast Dog Parade. All photos by Mary Mathis.

Last chance to see groundbreaking art show by more than 100 Native female artists in Minneapolis
More than 100 Native female artists from across the U.S. and Canada came together for the groundbreaking exhibition “Hearts of Our People,” the first of its kind at a major institution.

Women rule the Guthrie's version of 'Guys and Dolls' in Minneapolis
Through Aug. 25: Women rule the Guthrie Theater’s production of the beloved musical about ’50s gamblers and the “dolls” who steer them straight, “Guys and Dolls.”

City Center plans face-lift for 7th & Nicollet Mall corner
A $3 million makeover comes as City Center management plans to announce three new retail tenants for the property.

Ryan Cos. Begins $3 Million Renovation of City Center
Later this summer, “several new tenants” are slated to be revealed, the company says.

Minneapolis officials say they undercounted delayed police responses by 5,525 calls
The mix-up was attributed to confusion about the way some of the calls were coded.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey faces off against City Council on call for more police
Several council members have spoken out against it.

Rescue team of 16 frees trapped worker at downtown Minneapolis construction site
The worker for Kraus-Anderson is expected to be OK after being pulled from a trench.

Controlled chaos defines this efficient, 35-minute interval workout in the North Loop
Basecamp Fitness offers an efficient, effective workout with "assault" bikes and strength training.

Unleashed, a dog park within a beer bar coming soon to Minneapolis
There will be dog beer.

Coming soon: 'Unleashed,' Minnesota's first combined dog park, tap house, and eatery
Beer just tastes better with a good boy (or girl) tucked by your feet. This is a fact of life. The folks behind Unleashed: Hounds and Hops understand this, and want Minneapolitans to experience this sense of joy beyond the confines of their homes.

12 Bars to Score Refreshing Booze-Free Drinks
No matter the reason for eschewing the booze, there are plenty of bars and restaurants across the Twin Cities that whip up mocktails just as crafty as their alcohol-filled counterparts.

Former Irish pub impresario opening new restaurant in northeast Minneapolis
Kieran Folliard is opening the cafe in the Food Building.

Kieran's Kitchen brings poetry and really good food to northeast Minneapolis
Poetry is at the heart of Kieran Folliard’s new venture, Kieran’s Kitchen, located in Minneapolis’ Food Building at the corner of Northeast 14th Avenue and Marshall Street.

Every Outdoor Patio Spot You Should Eat At This Summer
Great food and warm sunshine make for a wonderful dining experience. Minneapolis combines both to create one of the best outdoor dining scenes in the nation.

WEEK OF JULY 29, 2019

Peavey Plaza reopens with a splash on Nicollet Mall
It took $10 million and more than 10 years to renovate the 1975 spot.

Hennepin Avenue businesses buckle down for three brutal years of construction
The last time Hennepin was rebuilt was in 1986, and the pavement is on its last legs.

In Minneapolis, 911 nonresponses underscore needs for more cops, advocates say
Mpls. chief sees "critical" officer shortage; others say more cops not answer.

Another downtown Minneapolis shooting puts spotlight on security plans
Gunfire at Crave underscores need for businesses to work with city and police.

An Insider's Guide to the 2019 Minneapolis Summer X Games
Bringing you everything from extreme sports and live music to nonstop festivities and A LOT of energy drinks, X Games Minneapolis is back August 1-4, for another round.

Federal Reserve abandons plan to build 800-space parking ramp in North Loop
After opposition from neighbors, city planners rejected the project 5-4.

Chicago developer latest to pitch project at North Loop's Duffey Paper site
Cedar Street Cos. envisions 200 apartments and 20,000 square feet of retail space in the North Loop neighborhood.

Northeast Yacht Club celebrates turning 120 (!) with party this Sunday
So, today I learned one of the very best dive bars in Minneapolis—the Northeast Yacht Club—is turning a spry 120-years-old.

'Everyone has been eating mozzarella wrong': Pizza, pasta are served with a lesson at Giulia
Beautiful Giulia focuses on well-crafted northern Italian fare while capitalizing on its historic downtown Minneapolis setting.

Follow this light-rail beer crawl along the Green Line, from Minneapolis to St. Paul
Grab a brew at any — or many — of these 19 taprooms along the Green Line.

Bachelor Farmer's Top Sommelier Erin Rolek Leaves Town
But, it's for an all-woman-superstar California project, so ... we get it.

Graze—Minneapolis' massive, soon-to-open food hall—announces tenant roster
Its name might summon a Mumfords-loving cow from Silver Lake, but Graze Provisions + Libations—the massive food hall coming to Minneapolis' North Loop—is shaping up to be pretty cool.

Where to Get Delicious Hot Dogs in Minneapolis
Foot long, kosher, pastured pork, or smothered in chili.

Colorado’s Bacon Loving Restaurant Will Open in Downtown Minneapolis Next Month
The Bacon Social House is edging closer to an August opening in downtown Minneapolis. The burgeoning chain began in Denver’s fittingly named Sunnyside neighborhood and has since expanded to Littleton.

13 Glorious Twin Cities Rooftop Bars with the Best Views
Warm nights in the Twin Cities don't last long and what better way to enjoy it than sipping drinks up high?

Two Heavyweights Return to the Restaurant Business with New Northeast Plan
Chef Ian Gray has partnered with Kieran Folliard, the man who built a mini-Irish empire in Minneapolis.

Vote: 2019 Burger Bracket
Which of these 32 burgers will join the League of Champions? You decide.

WEEK OF JULY 22, 2019

Another downtown Minneapolis shooting puts spotlight on security plans
Gunfire at Crave underscores need for businesses to work with city and police.

Charges: Victim of downtown Minneapolis restaurant shooting was involved in earlier shootout
Police believe the shooting at Crave American Kitchen & Sushi Bar was retaliatory.

Minneapolis official wants to get ahead of police use of facial recognition
A Minneapolis council member, citing concerns about privacy and civil liberties, plans to push for tight regulations on any future use of facial recognition technology by the city’s police.

Peavey Plaza reopens with a splash on Nicollet Mall

It took $10 million and more than 10 years to renovate the 1975 spot.

Mudslide closes part of East River Parkway in Minneapolis
A section of East River Parkway on the University of Minnesota campus will be closed for the rest of the week following a mudslide that barreled down the bluff toward the Mississippi River on Wednesday morning.

Once a decade, Minneapolis Institute of Art opens its gallery walls to all artists — with a catch
Having your art displayed in a major museum is a rare honor. But once every ten years, Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) offers that singular experience to all Minnesota artists -- with one small stipulation.

Guthrie Performance of Floyd's to Benefit All Square
A special performance of Floyd’s will give proceeds to All Square, the local sandwich shop that assists formerly incarcerated individuals. Cheesy, but good!

Developer agrees to scale back short-term rentals at Minneapolis complex
Sherman Associates, facing neighborhood pushback, is reducing the number to 25.

Hines pitching North Loop complex with 36-story apartment tower, 14-story office tower
Houston firm hopes to add hundreds of units, elevated gathering space at transit crossroads.

Building that houses Barrio on Nicollet Mall sells for $10.1M
A century-old building on Nicollet Mall at 9th Street that houses Barrio restaurant and other businesses has been sold to a Florida family for $10.1 million.

X Games: Does No Study Mean No Impact?
Despite the lack of a report, the X Games still pack a punch.

Bus lanes coming to parts of Hennepin, Nicollet and Chicago avenues in Minneapolis
The lanes will be in effect only during morning and afternoon rush hours. The decision comes after a trial run last year on Hennepin.

New North Loop Food Hall Pulls In All Star Lineup of Minneapolis Vendors
Soul Bowl, MidNord, Ramen Kazama and Honey & Rye open August 15.

Vendors revealed for new North Loop food hall
It's due to open to the public next month.

Coming Soon: Bar Brava Natural Wine Bar
Over 100 natural wines, a chef from San Francisco, dinner six nights a week ... what more could you want?

The 38 Essential Twin Cities Restaurants, Summer 2019
The Eater 38 answers the often-asked question, “Can you recommend a restaurant?”

Keith Mrotek Is the New Head of P.S. Steak’s Bar
Keith Mrotek, the longtime director of drinks at Minneapolis’ Norseman Distillery has left to take over the bars inside P.S. Steak.

11 Iconic Minneapolis Dive Bars
These are just a few of the cities most comfortable, well-worn, quick-serving bars that have become a part of the fabric of this city. Each historic spot is blessedly dark, easy on the wallet and usually an ideal location to steal away far from the maddening crowds.

WEEK OF JULY 15, 2019

ApartCondOtel? Sable project allows condo owners to use units for short-term rentals.
New condo buildings remain relatively rare amid the ongoing boom of apartment development. Minneapolis–based developer United Properties was planning 57 rental apartments next to its new Nordic office building in the North Loop.

North Loop parking ramp denied by Minneapolis Planning Commission
The Federal Reserve Bank wanted the 800-spot ramp for its employees.

Why is southeast Minneapolis located northeast of downtown?
When Harlan Nickerson drove delivery trucks, he often cruised across Minneapolis’ Hennepin Avenue Bridge into the neighborhood surrounding the U, where the streets are labeled “southeast.” After driving the route for years, the 64-year-old realized this nomenclature didn’t quite make sense.

Downtown Minneapolis may get a new fire station as developer remakes block with apartments, ramp
Before Sherman Associates can build apartments, it must create new downtown station for city.

Electric scooters will be available in Minneapolis parks under new agreement
Companies previously weren't allowed to leave vehicles on park property.

University Ave SE and 4th St SE Restriped in “Protected Bikeway Study”
Within the last two weeks, University Ave SE and 4th St SE, both arterial one-way roads, have been restriped to reduce the lanes of vehicular traffic and to start to create a protected bike lane in each direction on the corresponding roads.

Citing problems on Nicollet Mall, Haskell's Wine Bar has closed
The longtime wine and spirits shop remains open.

Surge of new apartments fuels fear over a changing northeast Minneapolis
St. Anthony West, a quiet area with modest homes, is growing more densely populated.

Fast-growing Foodsby headed to Downtown Mpls HQ
CEO Ben Cattoor said Foodsby has vacated 7,000 square feet on Broadway St. N.E. and relocated to 16,000 square feet of interim space in the Baker Building at 705 Marquette Av.

California-based CommonGrounds Opens Minneapolis Co-Working Space
The company has signed a 130-month lease for the second floor of the former TCF Bank Building.

The Face Foundry to Open Second Location in North Loop
After a successful launch at Galleria, the unique spa concept is expanding into Minneapolis.

Hazel & Rose Boutique Closing in North Loop
After only a year, Hazel & Rose is leaving their North Loop storefront for a long-term stay at Winsome Goods.

Butcher & the Boar named top-rated restaurant in all of Minnesota
As of July 2019, not only does Butcher & the Boar serve City Pages-certified fantastic steaks, it’s also the very best restaurant in the whole state of Minnesota.

Cut Out of Work Early with These Minneapolis Happy Hour Deals
The best post work plans involve drinks and snacks on the cheap.

WEEK OF JULY 8, 2019

Helping downtown Minneapolis survive and thrive
Minneapolis is better because of a decade of work by DID ambassadors.

Officials eyeing move for downtown Minneapolis police station
Officials say they have identified several replacement locations, notably the site of the Public Service Center.

Askov Finlayson to reopen with new focus: selling its own brand of winter outerwear
The retailer, owned by Eric and Andrew Dayton, will reopen its North Loop store in November.

Apartment building with burn healing center may rise in Minneapolis
Developer Sherman Associates is planning a new apartment building in downtown Minneapolis that will include a healing center for burn and trauma survivors in cooperation with Firefighters for Healing, a nonprofit organization.

Downtown Minnesota Valley Transit Authority bus routes, stops will change due to congestion
Downtown Minneapolis construction has caused "un­ac­cept­able de­lays" for com­mut­ers.

Man shot dead in downtown Minneapolis overnight
The gunfire occurred at 1:50 a.m. in a busy part of downtown.

Two men shot, wounded in downtown Minneapolis
The gunfire broke out around bar closing time. A juvenile is in custody.

Kraus-Anderson just can't get enough of downtown Minneapolis
On the heels of its mixed-use headquarters projects, the developer is tackling a $105M apartment tower next door.

Restaurant roll call: The latest openings and closings in the Twin Cities
What's open, what's closed and what's still to come in the Twin Cities and beyond.

Minneapolis Restaurants with a View
We love dining outdoors. Patios are blissful and rooftops give us life. If we can’t eat outside, we at least want to be able to see it. Luckily, some of the best views of the city can be found at our downtown restaurants.

WEEK OF JULY 1, 2019

Urban sanctuaries
If you're looking to unwind and get in touch with nature, there's no need to head north. As alluring as lake country can be, there are plenty of places around the Twin Cities that can serve as your oasis.

Dayton's Project converting historic JB Hudson store into Nicollet Mall restaurant
The plan is to transform the downtown space into a history-filled dining establishment.

Minneapolis pastor and First Covenant Church evicted over LGBT stance
The Evangelical Covenant Church voted Friday to evict the Rev. Dan Collison from the Minneapolis denomination, ending a five-year conflict over LGBT inclusion and cementing the denomination’s position on same-sex marriage.

Minnesota pastor faces unprecedented defrocking because of LGBT stance
ECC eviction of Minneapolis church, and its pastor, would be the first in 130 years.

Officials eyeing move for downtown Minneapolis police station
Currently in cramped quarters in the heart of the downtown entertainment district, the Minneapolis 1st Precinct police station could move into a more modern and spacious facility closer to City Hall.

New ordinance would protect adult entertainers from workplace exploitation, unsanitary conditions
The proposal will go before a public hearing later this summer.

Minneapolis leaders announce plan for new East African market in Cedar-Riverside neighborhood
A developer for the "destination place" will be selected by year's end.

Big projects could put pressure on Minneapolis office market
Dayton's, RBC Gateway projects could increase vacancy rates, study says.

Andy Samberg and Lonely Island bring hip-hop humor to Minneapolis Armory
On the final night of their first-ever tour, musical-comedy trio the Lonely Island were joined by lots of famous guests, including Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga, Kendrick Lamar, Adam Levine, Nicki Minaj, T-Pain, Michael Bolton, Maya Rudolph, Haim, Lester Holt, Alf, Johnny Depp, Seth Meyers and Jose Canseco.

Askov Finlayson Refocuses Brand Strategy
The Minneapolis-based brand will solely dedicate its in-house product line to a climate positive parka.

New burger joint by Smack Shack founder lands in classic NE. Minneapolis dive bar
Tony Jaros River Garden has a new team at the griddle.

5 things to know about Tony Jaros' new Burger Dive
The scene: Tony Jaros River Garden, a dimly lit neighborhood bar in northeast Minneapolis.

11 Iconic Minneapolis Dive Bars
These are just a few of the cities most comfortable, well-worn, quick-serving bars that have become a part of the fabric of this city. Each historic spot is blessedly dark, easy on the wallet and usually an ideal location to steal away far from the maddening crowds.

Thrillist: Brit's Pub is one of America's best rooftop bars. Related: Someone bought Brit's.
If'n you're lookin' to be outside and consume food or drinks in America and insist on having some sort of view, you've got options. Lots of them.

17 Occasion-Worthy Restaurants for Monday Night
Every Monday should come with a built-in reward just for getting out of bed in the morning. However, it’s also most often the night fine-dining restaurants are closed for business.

Theatre in the Round's trippy new murals add to the West Bank skyline
In celebration of 50 years on the West Bank, the exterior of Theatre in the Round has a bold new look.

WEEK OF JUNE 24, 2019

In praise of the iconic staircases of the Twin Cities
The grand staircase is disappearing from our skyscrapers and large civic buildings.

Shadowy exhibits added to Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
Visitors to the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden will see new shadows there — even on cloudy days.

Watch: Skateboarders take over Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis
Skaters took over a block of Nicollet Mall to celebrate Go Skateboarding Day on Friday in downtown Minneapolis. The free event let amateurs of all abilities skate with pros ahead of the summer's X Games.

Amateur beekeeper stages a honey of a rescue in downtown Minneapolis
It's swarm season in Minnesota, when honeybees fan out in search of new homes. Sometimes, they pick the wrong neighborhood.

Minnesota historical figures step out of the shadows and into the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
New works in Sculpture Garden bring historical figures back into the light.

Joining the Twin Cities River Rats
How do you get to the top of the water ski pyramid that cruises the Minneapolis riverfront? For Cha Cha Plessner, you start by stepping on your sister’s head.

5 can't-miss shows in the Minneapolis Comedy Festival
The inaugural Minneapolis Comedy Festival may not be as star-studded as other cities’ showcases, but it has a decent mix of up-and-coming acts, unsinkable veterans and diversity — if short on female comics.

Running down the rest of Rock the Garden's 2019 lineup
Courtney Barnett returns to the Walker's garden party alongside punk legends X and locals Bad Bad Hats and Heart Bones.

Native art and new work in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden: This week's art happenings
The rest of the world is catching up to something that's been obvious to anyone paying attention to Minnesota's art scene for some time: Native American art is foundational to this place, and also at the forefront of contemporary thinking and practice.

Guthrie to host local companies, artists, in its 2019-2020 season
A new play by Twin Cities writer Kathryn Haddad will premiere at the Guthrie Theater in the fall. “Zafira and the Resistance,” about a schoolteacher who becomes a victim of rising Islamophobia in the wake of 

WEEK OF JUNE 17, 2019

Millennials get all the credit for embracing city living. But the trend started with Generation X
Yeah, yeah, millennials like cities. You don’t have to venture too far into Uptown, Northeast or the North Loop in Minneapolis to see how members of that generation, now in their twenties and thirties, have shaped the urban landscape, with high-rise apartment buildings, third-wave coffee shops and breweries built to accommodate them.

Neighbors, council member fight Airbnb-style rentals in Minneapolis
94 short-term rentals would dominate one downtown building.

For Nicollet Mall, new trees and maybe extra greenery
New landscaping reflects what people wanted, part of the $50M renovation.

Vice President Walter Mondale's influence pervades Minnesota, even in his 90s
The vice president is still admired for his diplomacy, humor and decency.

Bolster security at Minneapolis City Hall
Council member has sounded an alarm that deserves a serious response from her colleagues.

Why were so many of Park Avenue's original mansions torn down?
Many people travel to Summit Avenue in St. Paul to admire its extensive collection of historic stone mansions. Good luck doing the same in Minneapolis.

Man shot dead while trying to break up downtown Minneapolis fight; suspect in custody
The shooting happened behind the Gay 90's — and steps from police precinct.

Murder charge filed in Monday killing in downtown Minneapolis
A second victim survived, but is permanently paralyzed after a bullet severed his spine.

Small fire burns inside new downtown Minneapolis hotel
Firefighters quickly extinguished the flames in the early 20th century building.

Justin Sutherland Teams With Tattersall on Signature Whiskey
Local Top Chef and local top distiller meet at the barrel to sip mash and talk trash.

Back Bar at Young Joni named one of Esquire's 'Best Bars in America'
Despite being one of the "best kept secrets," Minneapolis consistently leaves its mark on Esquire's "Best Bars in America."

All the June Food Events Worth Your Precious Summer Time
Food trucks, corgis, izzy scoops, and more.

How to Eat Your Way Through Minneapolis in 24 Hours
Here is a jam-packed guide to one very full day in this happening half of the Twin Cities.

WEEK OF JUNE 10, 2019

Minneapolis struggles to build a more inviting downtown, with room to, well, sit
You can find a seat downtown, if you know where to look. You just have to navigate blocks of seatless streets and charmless plazas to get there.

Escalating Problems
What's behind the preponderance of broken escalators in downtown Minneapolis?

Bird adds electric bike to its fleet
The Bird Cruiser can carry two and will be released this summer.

Minneapolis homeless youth drop-in center celebrates renovation, $6 million fundraising campaign
YouthLink expanding to help a growing, vulnerable population.

Watch: Storm front rolls over downtown Minneapolis
The system spawned severe weather watches and warnings across the Twin Cities.

The Walker Announces Summer Movie Screenings
A new Bob Dylan documentary and a slew of indie films are screening at the Walker Art Center this summer.

'Fixer Upper' stars Chip and Joanna Gaines dine out in Minneapolis' North Loop
The HGTV celebs had dinner Tuesday at Nolo's Kitchen & Bar.

Fixer Upper Stars Dig the North Loop’s Hardware Store Turned Eatery
Chip and Joanna probably loved NOLO’s yard stick wall.

9 inventive Twin Cities brunches that go way beyond bacon and eggs
Sometimes when you want brunch you want diner classics. To slide into a vinyl booth and peruse the laminated menu, or watch from your counter perch as nearly bursting over-easy eggs sizzle next to piles of potatoes and strips of greasy bacon.

Travel inspires these food truck owners adding vibrancy to Twin Cities scene
Successful veterans, and a Minnesota Lynx player, put items from Maryland and Belgium on their menus.

6 new food truck trends rolling into the Twin Cities
From sushi and prosecco to tailgating and trailers, here's what's new in Twin Cities food trucks this season.

9 new restaurants in the Twin Cities and beyond this spring and summer
Spring has sprung for restaurant concepts whose ideas were sown long before the thaw. Now, Twin Cities eaters reap the rewards, with dozens of recent restaurant openings — and many more to come. Here’s just a sample of the latest crop.

Burger Friday: Get the amazing burger at Travail's Homage pop-up before it's too late
The burger: Timing is everything, right? An impressive-in-every-way burger is hovering in blink-or-you'll-miss-it mode. 

Breweries with Patios
There’s only one thing that can make sitting back and sipping a cold, craft brew even better: doing it on a patio! Luckily, breweries with patios aren’t hard to come by in Minneapolis. We love our beer and we love the outdoors so, why not do both?

WEEK OF JUNE 3, 2019

Sale likely spares downtown Minneapolis apartment relic from wrecking ball
Multimillion-dollar restoration lies ahead for apartment building.

Watch: Minneapolis’ Oldest Apartment Building Gets Restored
https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/video/4095391-minneapolis-oldest-apartment-building-gets-restored.

Biggest attraction of Doors Open? Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis
Doors Open event brought 72,000 visitors to Minneapolis buildings and businesses.

Minneapolis shoe rehab owner can repair anything, including the broken man he once was
Meet the skyway's Lazarus of Leather.

Mia Celebrates Native Women Artists With "Hearts of Our People" Exhibit
For centuries, Native American women’s art has been misappropriated, misinterpreted, and, generally, missing in action. A blockbuster, once-in-a-generation exhibit at the Minneapolis Institute of Art promises to rewrite that history.

Meet 5 Native women whose art is at the heart of a groundbreaking Minneapolis exhibit
A sampling of the Native women whose art is the focus of the new exhibit "Hearts of Our People."

Landmark exhibition 'Hearts of Our People' showcases the female power behind most Native artwork
Selling art at her mother’s trading post on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming, Teri Greeves came to recognize Native artists as primarily women.

Overnight fire strikes foundry in northeast Minneapolis
Building suffered extensive damage; no injuries reported.

Watch: Law enforcement adding patrols in downtown Minneapolis
From Memorial Day until Labor Day, Minneapolis police, the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office and Metro Transit police will increase officers downtown.

Woman, 39, charged in fatal stabbing in downtown Minneapolis
Police said the stabbing followed an argument among people known to each other.

The Haunted Basement is moving into an abandoned Herberger's
For over a decade, the Haunted Basement has been scaring the shit out of thrill-seekers each Halloween. The event started in the unfinished basement of the Soap Factory before striking out on its own in a space on East Hennepin Avenue. This year, it's spreading out even more, taking over a huge storefront in the Rosedale Center.

Movin' on up, to the Eastside
What do you get when you give a flagging downtown eatery to a couple of boss ladies, then add a golden swan full of booze and cocktail weenies on toothpicks?

Walkin' Dog's top dog relishes his role: Feeding downtown Minneapolis
Hot dog seller Dave Magnuson has provided bargain eats with a personal touch from his spot in Northstar Center for nearly three decades.

4 great Twin Cities patios to try right now
Patio season has finally arrived (we hope). Here are four Twin Cities spots perfect for a nice day.

6 food truck trends rolling into the Twin Cities
From sushi and prosecco to tailgating and trailers, here's what's new in Twin Cities food trucks this season.

A Mayan myth translated into a meal at Popol Vuh in Minneapolis
Popol Vuh, the hearth-cooking Mexican restaurant in northeast Minneapolis, is hosting a dinner next week that will be built around passages from the same Mayan creation myth that gave it its name.

Parlour Bar 'deeply apologizes' for this past Sunday
Parlour Bar -- the burger/cocktail destination in Minneapolis' North Loop -- had a rough one this past Sunday. Admittedly understaffed, the restaurant was smacked so hard by a Memorial Day weekend rush, it was forced to close down early.

15 Hottest Dog-Friendly Patios in the Twin Cities
There's nothing like a warm day romp with your best friend. Long summer days stretch through a leisurely meal and the two of you are able to recline on a sunny patio,partaking in some of the warmest hospitality and delicious food in the Twin Cities.

3 Glorious Twin Cities Rooftop Bars with the Best Views
Warm nights in the Twin Cities don't last long and what better way to enjoy it than sipping drinks up high? With more rooftops around town adding expansive patios in town and the weather warming in our favor, there is no better to head up on the roof for a sip and a bite.

WEEK OF MAY 27, 2019

An affordable-housing project in Minneapolis will use unusual financing
Great River Landing, a new apartment building for men who were formerly incarcerated that is expected to open this year in the upscale North Loop neighborhood in Minneapolis.

Woman fatally stabbed in bustling Hennepin Avenue theater district
Police are looking for any suspects in the nighttime killing on the downtown avenue.

Meet the Minnesotans who helped bankroll Broadway's hottest new musical
These Twin Citians theater lovers invested in the hit "Hadestown."

Theatergoers feel 'Caught' between truth, reality with sly play at the Guthrie
“Caught,” Christopher Chen’s heady, high-concept play that made its regional premiere Saturday at the Guthrie Theater, leaves you unsure of where you sit, or stand.

Walker Art Center's 2019-20 performing arts season embraces politics
The 2019-20 performing arts calendar is packed with works that strive to change the world.

Co-working Gets Social
The businessperson’s social club is not dead. The modern iteration is one that tries to promote creativity and networking, all rolled into one classy happy hour.

Best Restaurants Readers' Poll Winners 2019
We asked and you answered. These are your favorite best restaurant picks for 2019! Thousands of readers, eaters, and foodists voted online to proclaim their favorites. Consensus view: We all like to eat!

4 great Twin Cities patios to try right now
Patio season has finally arrived (we hope). Here are four Twin Cities spots perfect for a nice day.

Gavin Kaysen's Tiny Demi Is a Big Wow
After Spoon and Stable and Bellecour, chef Gavin Kaysen brings his biggest culinary ambitions yet to the counter at Demi. Want to know what you’re missing?

North Loop is getting a winery
The yet-to-be-named winery will boast a bar/tasting area, outdoor patio, and on-site vino making.

Schram Vineyards Plots New North Loop Winery
A tasting room, bar, and patio will be part of the package.

Where to Eat Near the Minneapolis Convention Center
Most seasons in Minneapolis are beautiful. There’s the verdant green of summer and all the other ones that are easily viewed from our skyway system connecting most of downtown in an ariel glass pathway that means while visiting, it’s easy to stay out of the elements.

WEEK OF MAY 20, 2019

Minnesota ranked third-best state in U.S. News & World Report survey
The U.S. News & World Report survey ranks states based on 70 metrics, including education, health care, the economy, public safety, roads and the fiscal health of the state's government.

Construction on Minneapolis' new Gateway skyscraper expected to begin soon
City is expected to finalize sale of property by end of June; tower to be one of 10 tallest in Mpls.

Two Hilton Hotel Brands Slated for One Empty Office Building
Projects calls for 201 new rooms in downtown Minneapolis.

Metro Transit to cut Green Line light-rail service in early morning hours
Homeless will have to go, agency acknowledges.

Nice Ride launches discount bike-sharing memberships for lower-income residents
Officials say 65,000 people are eligible to join Nice Ride for All.

Ten Thousand Things' 'The Sins of Sor Juana' doesn't back down from telling a story of a complex woman
Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz was a woman, a writer, and an independent thinker in a 17th-century world where it was widely frowned upon to combine any two of those characteristics, let alone all three.

Ten Thousand Things stages powerful play on 17th-century poet punished for her 'curiosity'
Powerful drama draws from the true story of a Mexican nun who was ahead of her time.

5 Takeaways from Wordplay
From the sold-out Rock Bottom Remainders concert at First Avenue to a headlining Stephen King interview and a litany of literary talks, here's what we learned from the inaugural Wordplay book festival.

Bookmark: Looking back on the inaugural Wordplay writers festival
Well, in the end, it was all pretty great, wasn’t it? Starting with the weather, which had been iffy right up to the opening of the first Wordplay book festival.

The Bachelor Farmer Hires a Forager
All the cool restos buy ramps, but TBF is taking a much bigger leap forward.

Here's why you should spend $200 for dinner at Demi in North Loop of Minneapolis
At 20-seat tasting-menu spot Demi in the North Loop, chef Gavin Kaysen sets new standards for Twin Cities dining.

12 Decadent Dessert Restaurants Made for Indulgence
Transcendently delicious desserts come in all forms, from traditional French pastries to loaded soft serve. Here’s where to find them in the Twin Cities.

14 choice spots to eat and drink along the Twin Cities' lakes and rivers this summer
Where to eat and drink along the Twin Cities' lakes, rivers and falls this summer.

In limbo from light-rail construction, Lee's Liquor Lounge goes out with a twang
The downtown Minneapolis saloon is closing indefinitely pending light rail work.

Scenes from the final night at Lee's Liquor Lounge
In what can only be described as a honky-tonk heartbreaker, Lee's Liquor Lounge is no more.

Extreme 6-foot cheese pull takes center stage at new downtown Minneapolis restaurant
Northern Italian restaurant Giulia is stretching scratch-made mozzarella right at your table.

Can You Brew an Old Fashioned? The Boozehound Cometh
Let's just invent a new category, shall we?

WEEK OF MAY 13, 2019

A long-lost video of Minneapolis captures the city in 1968
The film also features a catchy song by the team that wrote "We're Going to Win, Twins."

'Action-packed' opera invites patrons to wander Minneapolis' historic Pillsbury A Mill
A production of Handel's "Acis and Galatea" travels deep within the historic Minneapolis flour mill.

Theater Latté Da Releases 2019-2020 Season Lineup
Opera, vaudeville, a capella, and wartime ballads each take their turn on the stage.

This Weekend: Doors Wide Open
A weekend-long event celebrating architecture and civic pride comes to Minneapolis.

Minneapolis Passport Agency to open its doors for Passport Day, and other passport facts you need to know
The Minneapolis Passport Agency is located inside the Old Federal Building.

Commute by bicycle? Organizers of Bike to Work Day say give it a try
Twin Cities organizers hope thousands will join the national event Friday.

Milkweed Editions Launches New Fellowship Opportunity
The Milkweed Fellowship will be an entry-point into the book publishing industry for people of underrepresented communities.

Penthouse showcases sky-high luxury — 27 floors above downtown Minneapolis
The condo's luxe urban living includes three bedrooms and two outdoor balconies.

North Loop project flips from apartments to condos
The developer says more than half of the units have been reserved.

Coming Soon: Anda Spa at Hotel Ivy
After undergoing a $2.5 million renovation, the popular downtown oasis at Hotel Ivy will reopen in August under a new name.

Ann Kim Is the James Beard Awards 2019 Best Chef Midwest
The Pizzeria Lola, Hello Pizza, and Young Joni chef takes home the food world’s top honor.

Ann Kim, chef/co-owner of Young Joni in Minneapolis, reflects on her James Beard award
The new Best Chef: Midwest recalls her exciting evening.

New cider taproom opens in Minneapolis: 'Cider is having a moment'
Minneapolis Cider Co. started as a college project.

The Sioux Chef's Sean Sherman Honored by James Beard Foundation
The Leadership Awards honors visionaries working to create a better food world.

WEEK OF MAY 6, 2019

How did Nicollet Island become parkland with private housing on it?
The 48-acre sliver of land in the Mississippi River beside downtown is home to a secluded enclave of historic homes sitting atop public parkland. But that’s just one of the oddities of this place, an often-overlooked landmark of early Minneapolis that looks radically different today than it did half a century ago.

Sale likely spares downtown Minneapolis apartment relic from wrecking ball
Multimillion-dollar restoration lies ahead for apartment building.

Should you give money to people on the street? Homelessness experts weigh in
To give or not to give? That’s the question many of us struggle with as we see a person holding a cardboard sign at freeway exits or along busy pedestrian malls.

Northern Spark co-director/founder leaving the organization
Northern Spark's co-director/founder Steve Dietz is stepping away from his flagship all-nighter summer art festival in downtown Minneapolis that he founded in 2008.

Fight Night at the Minneapolis Armory is back in a big way
The sounds, sights, smells and splatters of big-time boxing are on display at the Minneapolis Armory.

How to see Stephen King, Amy Tan and more at Wordplay festival in Minneapolis
Everything you need to know about the inaugural Wordplay festival next weekend in Minneapolis.

Get to Know These Authors Coming to Wordplay
With an inaugural guest list including Stephen King and Amy Tan, the Wordplay festival aspires to become South by Southwest for English nerds.

Sneak Peek: You're a Gem by Designer Larissa Loden
The immersive, gemstone-inspired museum will open on Friday. Here's the skinny.

Minneapolis office towers attract new buyers as property sales boom
As investors diversify, Twin Cities' profile continues to grow.

Latest apartment trend: Fancy buildings with human names
Minneapolis joins trend of fancy apartments with human names.

Penthouse offers sky-high luxury — 27 floors above downtown Minneapolis
The condo's luxe urban living includes three bedrooms and two outdoor balconies.

Sneak Peek: Cobble Social House
A small but stylish new bar and store opens in the North Loop this weekend.

A 4-year-old (and his exhausted dad) review Betty Danger’s Country Club
Like most little kids, my dude flat-out refuses to eat anything. When he does, it’s typically some combo of breakfast bars, Lunchables, Go-Gurt, and his own human fingers.

The Whole Bartmann Empire Goes Heritage Grain
Big news in the heritage and local grain movement, folks. Red Stag, Pat’s Tap, The Bird, Barbette, and Book Club, are fully on board.

WEEK OF APRIL 29, 2019

Target Field Nabs Another Environmental Honor, Supporting its Title as “The Greenest Ballpark in America”
For the second time, Target Field achieves the highest level of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) recognition.

Nice Ride bikes roll out Monday in Minneapolis
It may be a bit of a sodden re-entry, but the annual spring launch of Nice Ride Minnesota bikes began in Minneapolis on Monday, coinciding with Earth Day.

Minneapolis police union offers free 'warrior' training, in defiance of mayor's ban
Police federation says the Minneapolis mayor's ban on training is illegal.

North Loop parking shortage causes luxury clothing retailer to offer rare valet service
Push came to shove in the North Loop's ever tightening parking situation. The owners of Martin Patrick 3, the luxury menswear and home furnishings retailer, took matters into their own hands last week and began offering valet parking in front of the store at 212 3rd Ave. N. in Minneapolis.

Youngblood Lumber winds down in northeast Minneapolis
Closing of Youngblood Lumber is another sign of the transformation of Central Avenue.

Affordable Apartments Planned For the North Loop
A planned mixed-use project in the North Loop has made the switch from market-rate to affordable apartments.

A Taste of Iceland Invades Minneapolis
Everything you need to know about the most interesting Nordic takeover since that one thing in the snow in Game of Thrones.

Taste Of Iceland in Minneapolis 2019
The four-day festival highlights the very best of Iceland’s culture, showcasing the nation’s cuisine, music, literature, and film with a variety of events throughout the city.

‘Top Chef’s’ Southern Eatery Relocates to Downtown Minneapolis
Top Chef star Justin Sutherland’s contemporary Southern restaurant Pearl & the Thief will relocate to downtown Minneapolis this summer.

Justin Sutherland's Pearl and the Thief lands a downtown Minneapolis address
To say chef Justin Sutherland's had "quite the year" would be an understatement that borders on patronizing.

'Top Chef' contestant opening first Minneapolis restaurant at new Moxy hotel
The hotel and residences are expected to open by the end of June, and the corner whiskey-and-oyster bar will follow later this summer.

Oh great, now Lee’s Liquor Lounge is closing too
Lee’s Liquor Lounge, the corner bar that became the twangiest, swing-dancingest place to be in Minneapolis in the ’90s, is closing up after 62 years in the biz.

A Minneapolis honky-tonk landmark, Lee's Liquor Lounge is closing after 62 years
The bar is losing its parking lot to make way for the Southwest light-rail line.

What is the Bootleg? Minneapolis distillery takes on the cult country-club cocktail
Tattersall Distilling serves up the classic drink, ready-made.

Tattersall Distilling founders embrace wider distribution of their craft spirits and liqueurs
Dan Oskey and Jon Kriedler are toasting the recent addition of four states to their network, raising the total to 22 less than three years after launching.

WEEK OF APRIL 22, 2019

Trying for a new look for Twin Cities condo buildings
Two Minneapolis condominium projects strive for a distinctive look.

THE DAYTON'S PROJECT: NEW DETAILS, NEW IMAGES
The redevelopment of what was most recently was a Macy’s in Downtown Minneapolis is moving forward and at full speed.

Remembering James Dayton, the man behind some of the Twin Cities' most eye-catching buildings
Through his eye-grabbing work, architect James Dayton made the Twin Cities a better, more beautiful place.

Minneapolis voted America's most underrated city
One would think that with Minneapolis' consistently high rankings in all manner of quality-of-life studies, our fair burg would have shed the descriptor of “underrated.” Such is the curse of being seated in northern Flyover Country.

Parking in downtown Minneapolis just got a lot less friendly
If you sensed a disturbance in the force on Monday, and you’re not ready to blame it on the blazing collapse of Notre Dame Cathedral, consider an alternate explanation: Minneapolis changed its downtown parking rules.

With meter rate changes, free parking vanishes in downtown Minneapolis
Chuck Henninger got an unpleasant surprise last Monday when he went to pay the parking meter in downtown Minneapolis. The price had gone up by $1 an hour.

Minneapolis raises rates on some downtown parking meters
Some of the 2,500-plus meters hadn't had a price change in 20 years.

Time-lapse: Snow to sun in 5 days
We took 96 hours of Minnesota weather and turned it into 60 seconds of zen.

Hennepin History Museum Curates Inventions and Innovations Exhibit
From the Bundt pan, to the pop-up toaster, to the "damper flapper," learn what inventions were made in Minnesota.

Public Functionary is having one last party before moving out
Northeast Minneapolis gallery Public Functionary has been at its current location since 2013, where it has hosted solo shows by local and national artists, and has been a go-to spot for social justice groups, artist collaborations, fashion events, and dance performances.

Guthrie Theater's current production covers stage in 12,500-pound pool of water
A Guthrie newcomer supervised the installation of a 6-ton pool for the Tony Award-winning "Metamorphoses."

Gallery: A look inside the revamped, newly-named Emery hotel in Minneapolis
The rebranded hotel opens its doors on Wednesday.

2019: Summer of the Bootleg?
It's about to get real minty up in here.

Bibuta could be your new go-to skyway lunch spot
If you stop by a new skyway spot and snag lunch for your co-workers, a very good sign is to get a text like this less than 24 hours later:

No more Au Bon Pain in the Minneapolis skyways
Au Bon Pain is bidding Au Revoir to the Minneapolis skyways, with its two downtown locations closing this week.

The 11 Hottest Patios to Bask in the Spring Sunshine
After heroic survival of another overly long winter, it’s finally time to head out into the warm sunshine. These new patios are where to flock when the weather cooperates.