The Mill City Times Interview: Bob Rice, Owner of Pow Wow Grounds
Tuesday, July 21, 2020 at 9:28AMArticle by Becky Fillinger
Our Native American neighbors were recently featured in local news for their actions in defending their Franklin Avenue neighborhood during the riots following George Floyd's death. Twenty businesses and nonprofits were saved by the actions of community leaders. Bob Rice, owner of Pow Wow Grounds, offered his coffee shop as staging grounds for the AIM street patrols. We spoke to the community leader and businessperson about his coffee shop and his views on the notion of community.
Bob Rice
Q: Tell us the history of Pow Wow Grounds.
A: We opened Pow Wow Grounds in 2011. NACDI was looking for someone to run a coffee shop and they knew I had a shop on the North side of Minneapolis. They convinced me to open up at the Franklin Avenue location.
Q: How did you participate in the AIM patrols during the riots last month?
A: Pow Wow Grounds was not open for regular business. I offered up the space as a staging area for the community members who were working to patrol our neighborhood. I provided free coffee. This allowed people to have a central space to gather - put plans together for each day and stay connected. Community members from teenagers to those in their 70s helped with the effort. The parking lot of Pow Wow Grounds was also used as a donation site for some time after the rioting.
Franklin Avenue mural honoring AIM and other community members who protected the community during rioting.
Q: I read that you harvest the wild rice used in your restaurant. Have you been harvesting a long time? Where do you harvest?
A: I have been harvesting wild rice since the age of 12 - so it’s now been 46 years for me. My father, uncles, cousins and family friends taught me and my brothers how to harvest. Mentoring the next generation is just what you’re supposed to do as a community member. I harvest from McGregor to White Earth East and West from Brainerd to Inger North to South. The family name of Rice is a bureaucratic coincidence. A great-grandfather needed an “American,” or “English” name for some government enrollment records. The Ojibwe family name wouldn’t do.
Philly Cheesesteak on Fry BreadQ: What are your best sellers? What do you wish more people would try?
A: My best seller is the Fry Bread Tacos. We make them on Fridays, but I think we will begin to make them more often and also increase making pizza during the week. We pick one day for Philly Cheesesteak on Fry Bread. The Wild Rice Quiche is a favorite. I make about 6 dozen wild rice blueberry muffins during the week, and sell a dozen wild rice yogurt parfaits during the week. The Chicken Wild Rice Soup is a favorite during the cooler months.
Wild Rice Quiche, Wild Rice Blueberry Muffin and coffee
Q: Do you cater outside events?
A: Yes, I’m able to offer hominy soups, fry bread tacos, sweet fry bread, buffalo roasts and other items. I can plan a menu with you. We cater many different types of celebrations from pow wows to funerals.
Q: How can we stay in touch with Pow Wow Grounds?
A: Visit our shop at 1414 E Franklin Avenue. Call us at 612-545-5598. Like us on Facebook! Try our food and check out our t-shirts too!
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About Becky Fillinger
I’ve been a resident of the Mill District only since July 2019, but have visited the Guthrie, the Farmers Market, restaurants and friends in the area for many years prior to making the leap to Minneapolis. I’ve lived in many places (and climates) in the US and can testify that our cultural events, bicycle and hiking trails, parks and green spaces, museums, diverse neighborhoods and wonderful restaurants put Minnesota and Minneapolis high on my best places list. I’m a member of the Mill City Singers and look forward to our choir practices and performances.
One of my main interests is community - a very broad concept. For me it means bringing people together with common interests to form meaningful relationships. I look forward to reporting on businesses and individuals in our neighborhoods. Feel free to drop me an email at becky_fillinger@hotmail.com with your thoughts and ideas for stories.
