Modist Brewing Company Begins $2 Million Renovation in North Loop

Construction expected to be completed in mid-July 2023

Kraus-Anderson Construction has begun a $2 million renovation of Modist Brewing Company located at 505 North 3rd Street in the Minneapolis warehouse district. 

Designed by Perkins&Will, the 7,000-square-foot renovation of Modist’s existing North Loop building features a buildout of its event space and adds new offices and a brewing lab for staff.

The spirited atmosphere of the new event space reflects Modist’s commitment to community and equity, while displaying the creativity and innovation of the Minneapolis brewer.  Detached from the existing tap room, the renovation of the existing brick industrial building features a flexible, two-story event space.  The renovation also includes a pre-function bar and waiting area. 

Modist’s focus on staff wellness sets a new standard for team members by refreshing the back of house with natural light, attractive views and an abundant open space to foster creativity and push the boundaries of brewing innovation.  The new immersive event space visually opens to the existing state-of-the-art brew house through full-height glass, spanning the entire length of the space. 

The brewer’s playful design language expresses a bold and experimental material pallet that aligns with Modist’s philosophy.  The glitter concrete floor, large murals, dichroic glass, and mirrored ceilings with mounted neon fixtures help to provide the warehouse district community with a unique celebration space. 

“Our team intentionally involved various user groups to build a North Loop modern, tricked-out, punk rock- and chic-designed event space to be welcoming and inclusive of many communities and uses,” said Daniel Paul Willendorf, owner of Modist Brewing Company.  “Group gatherings of all kinds are back, and this will be a community space perfectly suited for a corporate presentation, happy hour, a wedding party or to take your dog's birthday party to the next level.” 

The design and construction processes are also rooted in a commitment to equity with both the access and enjoyment of the space.  

“Contractor Kraus-Anderson (KA) is working in partnership with Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) contractor J. Benson as part of KA’s multi-year mentoring relationship with the certified BIPOC-owned firm, recently named Minnesota Associated General Contractors’ Diverse Business of the Year,” said Angelique Lisboa, Modist’s HR and DEI facilitator.  “The partnership allows Modist to bring local minority builders to the project.” 

KA has been working with Modist for more than a year of preconstruction planning to prevent the disruption of ongoing business in the existing building during construction.

Puttshack's Tech-infused Mini Golf Experience Coming to the North Loop in 2024

Puttshack, a tech-infused mini golf experience has signed a lease at 246 7th Avenue N inside CEDARst’s newest North Loop development, a 360-unit apartment community, and will occupy more than 20,000 square feet. Puttshack Minneapolis is slated to open in late 2024 and will feature craft cocktails and dishes inspired by flavors from around the world.

This new location will feature three highly engaging and competitive nine-hole mini golf courses, accentuated by a high-energy, upscale nightclub vibe featuring local DJs. The space will feature two bars and a main dining area. Like each Puttshack location, Minneapolis’s menus will be deliberately constructed through hands-on research to represent the city’s unique tastes and styles. A private event space with capacity for up to 70 guests will also be available for those in search of an exclusive space for a variety of gatherings from company outings to birthday parties and more.

“The North Loop neighborhood is a vibrant, trendy warehouse district with several exciting entertainment concepts. Puttshack will soon be a top attraction in the area for locals and visitors alike to experience our one-of-a-kind game and unrivaled food and beverage program,” said Puttshack President, Dave Diamond. “We’re excited to be a crucial part of CEDARst’s development strategy and to work with our partners at CEDARst to develop the second phase of this project.”

Puttshack is the latest leading concept in the emerging and growing market of competitive socializing. Founded by the creators of TopGolf, Flight Club, and AceBounce, Puttshack combines its patented Trackaball™ technology with a first-class, immersive social environment to elevate the game of mini golf into a cutting-edge, high-energy experience that is unlike anything currently on the market. Surrounded at every turn by colorful and eclectic décor, the brand’s ground-breaking technology is integrated throughout the game experience ensuring the gameplay experience is elevated by seamless automated scoring, bonus points opportunities, interactive games at each hole, and more.

Since opening its first location in 2018, Puttshack now has five locations in the United States - Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Miami, and St. Louis - and four in the U.K. Minneapolis is one of 13 new locations that have already been announced to open through 2023 and beyond, with Denver, Houston, Pittsburgh, and Scottsdale projected to open in the coming months.

The Guthrie Theater’s Born with Teeth: A Discussion with Director, Rob Melrose

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Rob MelroseBorn with Teeth is at the Guthrie through April 2 – don’t delay in getting tickets. Yes, you could stay home and stream the latest video on Netflix, but you would miss the immediacy and vibrancy of two actors giving their all for 90 minutes with no intermission. We talked to Director Rob Melrose about why the play is relevant today and I can attest that you’re going to love the action, danger and betrayal. 

Q:  For people who shy away from Shakespeare productions, what would you tell them that might entice them to see Born with Teeth? 

A:  Although the play is set in Elizabethan times, the design and the language have a distinctively contemporary almost punk feel. So, it is not at all like hearing a Shakespeare play and not understanding some of the words. Also, the play is 90 minutes long with two actors and is packed with acting and action. There is a palpable tension between the two actors from the start of the play and it never lets up, right to the very end. Audiences do not need to know anything about Shakespeare or Marlowe when planning to see the show. I've had friends who are non-theater people come see it and it. I think there is just something undeniable about seeing two wonderful actors acting their hearts out.

Dylan Godwin (left) playing Will Shakespeare and Matthew Amendt playing Kit Marlowe

Q:  You do your research. For a production of Coriolanus you spent a week researching in DC at the Folger Shakespeare Library. Did Born with Teeth require research on your part? 

A:  Ha! Becky, how did you know that about Coriolanus? That was during my freelancing years when I had the luxury of spending a week in DC going to the Folger Shakespeare library. Now that I am the Artistic Director of the Alley Theatre in Houston, I have to spread out my research over a longer period in much smaller bursts. Part of my research is really a lifetime of studying, directing, and seeing plays by Shakespeare and Marlowe. There were a number of books I revisited specifically for this production, they were extremely helpful: Will in the World by Stephen Greenblatt, A Year in the Life of Shakespeare: 1599 by James Shapiro, The World of Christopher Marlowe by David Riggs, and The Reckoning by Charles Nicoll. 

Q:  Why is the play relevant for 2023 Minneapolis audiences? 

A:  The play is about being an artist during divisive and dangerous times. Playwright Liz Duffy Adams was inspired by a contemporary performance at the Belarus Free Theatre dealing with life under an authoritarian government. It made Liz think about the Renaissance Faires with turkey legs, dancing and beer drinking as being somewhat of a Disney-fied view of the time. People were split between Catholics and Protestants, and you could be executed if you were the wrong religion at the wrong time. There was spying and plague and riots and betrayal at every turn. I think that danger makes the play more immediate and makes it feel closer to our own uncertain times. There is nothing old-timey about it! 

Children’s Theatre Company Announces 2023-2024 Season

2023-2024 Season Includes Two World Premieres, an International Sensation, a Holiday Smash Hit and a 3-Time Tony Award®-Nominated Musical

Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) is excited to announce the 2023-2024 Season of seven productions featuring two world premieres, Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress and Babble Lab,  the international sensation Cookin’ from South Korea, the only Minnesota stop of the national tour of The Carp Who Would Not Quit and Other Animal Stories from Honolulu Theatre for Youth, the return of last year’s sold out production of Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, the 3-time Tony Award®-nominated musical A Year With Frog and Toad, and the wildly inventive Alice in Wonderland.

 

CTC Artistic Director Peter C. Brosius is directing three productions in the 2023-2024 Season. It was recently announced that Mr. Brosius has decided to depart CTC on June 30, 2024, at the end of the 2023-2024 Season. His artistic vision has transformed the theatre into the nation’s leading theatre that serves a multi-generational audience.

 

“We are thrilled to announce this season of imaginative and inventive world premieres, as well as touring productions, that have dazzled audiences across this country and around the world,” said Peter C. Brosius. “In addition we will be bringing you our very own Tony Award®-nominated musical and our wholly original reimagining of a hilarious classic tale, and of course the most beloved holiday show we know. We can’t wait for you to see all of these shows. It is a joy to share brand new works and productions that have never been to Minnesota and productions we just had to bring back to delight, surprise, and carry you away.”

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The season kicks off with knife-juggling, food-flying fun with a production from South Korea! With a crazy deadline looming, the four frenzied chefs of Cookin’ turn their kitchen into a dynamic, veggies-flying-everywhere performance as Korean samulnori drumming and martial arts take center stage. During this outlandish cooking competition, the chefs put on a masterful display of food chopping, knife throwing, pot banging and fire-blowing wizardry that will make you laugh, scream in delight, and even beg for a chance to sample their food. Get ready to stomp your feet and clap your hands for a show that’s truly Cookin’! Directed by Seung-Whan Song, Cookin’ comes to CTC from PMC Production Co. and Broadway Asia. Best for all ages, this production runs September 12-October 22, 2023 on the UnitedHealth Group Stage.

 

"I can’t wait to meet the audience in Minnesota at a prestigious theatre like Children’s Theatre Company,” said Director Seung-Whan Song. “I hope you will feel the freedom from the unique rhythm of Korea and, through the comedy on stage, also feel the great pleasure of getting away from your daily life."

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Next comes Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress, by juliany taveras, based on the book by Christine Baldacchino and Isabelle Malenfant, with direction by Heidi Stillman. Morris likes lots of things: doing puzzles, painting pictures, pretending to be an astronaut, and wearing a tangerine dress from his school’s dress-up box because it “reminds him of tigers, the sun, and his mother’s hair.” But some of his classmates think boys can’t wear dresses because … well, because they’re boys. With his vivid imagination and space-animal friends, Morris travels the galaxy in search of an answer to the all-important question: “Do astronauts wear dresses?” Running October 10-November 19, 2023 on the Cargill Stage, Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress is recommended for everyone aged 4 and up.

 

“It’s been an absolute delight to get to write this play,” said playwright juliany taveras. “Diving into the expansive, resilient imagination of Morris Micklewhite has nourished me in a way I hope our audiences will experience too, because this story is a salve. Amidst the (often fear-fueled) rules and binaries of the world around us, Morris reminds us of the power of authentic, loving self-expression—even (or at times, especially) when it ruffles the feathers of the status quo. CTC has been such a wonderful dream-maker and co-conspirator, and I’m thrilled that this tale we love so much will soon premiere on their stage!”

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He’s back by popular demand! CTC’s smash-hit crowd-pleaser Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! returns for the holiday season. Featuring a book and lyrics by Timothy Mason and music by Mel Marvin, the production will once again be directed by CTC’s Artistic Director Peter C. Brosius with choreography by Linda Talcott Lee. A miserly and miserable, ever-so-cantankerous Grinch has observed the despicable Christmas joy of the Whos with disdain, from a distance, for decades. Enough! In this beloved holiday favorite, filled with music and Seussian rhymes, he plots the greatest heist imaginable—stealing the very thing they love the most!. Until, that is, the smallest of the Whos, tiny Cindy Lou, extends a hand. Through the combination of kindness and community, we witness not only a change in the course of Who-History, but the size and capacity of the old green guy’s heart. Best for all ages, this musical extravaganza runs November 7, 2023-January 7, 2024 on the UnitedHealth Group Stage.

 

“When composer Mel Marvin and I were writing this musical adaptation of the How the Grinch Stole Christmas nearly 30 years ago, we were aware that we’d been entrusted with the genius of Dr. Seuss and his irrepressible spirit,” said bookwriter and lyricist Timothy Mason. “We wanted the Seuss to shine through. It’s one of the great joys of our lives to know that children who saw the Grinch at Children’s Theater Company all those years ago are now bringing their own kids to see this show, and that for them and many others his spirit does indeed live on right here on this stage.”

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Winter magic continues at CTC with The Carp Who Would Not Quit and Other Animal Stories, by Reiko Ho and the Honolulu Theatre for Youth (HTY) Ensemble. Reiko Ho also directs the production. See a heroic carp climb up a waterfall (and so much more) in this energetic retelling of traditional fables from Japan and Okinawa. Through artful puppetry, masks, and three imaginative actors, you’ll also meet a grateful crane, a mouse who shares, and an industrious rabbit who teaches everyone to do the mochi dance! During this invigorating show from Hawaii, live music played on the koto and taiko drum will accompany young audiences as they dance, clap, and sing along. Running January 16-February 18, 2024 on the Cargill Stage, this production is best for everyone aged 4 and up.

 

“Sharing our cultural stories is one of the most important things I do as Asian American theatre maker,” said creator/director Reiko Ho. “I’m delighted to adapt a few of my own favorite childhood stories for the stage and introduce some of the beautiful performance traditions and aesthetics of Japanese and Okinawan culture to a new generation of young people and families.”

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Up next, prepare to take a tumble down the rabbit hole with Alice in Alice in Wonderland … and you’ll land in a wonderfully wacky world of rhymes and ridiculousness, checkerboards and cheeky cats, Mad Hatters and mayhem. In this head-spinning version of Lewis Carroll’s timeless classic, adapted for the stage by Sharon Holland with music by Victor Zupanc, Alice chases the White Rabbit through the audience, attends the most absurd tea party in history, and faces off with the ragingly red Queen of Hearts, all amidst a melee of teeny tiny songs. Humpty Dumpty on a ladder — what could possibly go wrong? Curiouser and curiouser. Directed by CTC’s Artistic Director Peter C. Brosius, Alice in Wonderland is recommended for everyone aged 6 and up and runs February 13-March 31, 2024 on the UnitedHealth Group Stage.

 

“Our Alice in Wonderland features an extraordinary scenic and costume design by the remarkable Skip Mercier,” said director Peter C. Brosius. “Skip created a world of illusion, surprise, mystery, and hilarity. We are thrilled to bring this wonderfully quirky and joyfully theatrical production to our stage. It is a magical tale of discovery, of standing your ground and following your curiosity. Alice is a musical and visual feast, a wild journey down the rabbit hole and into incredible new worlds.”

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 Strap on your safety goggles and clean out your ears! When an experiment unexpectedly goes awry, a concoction of sneaky, sprightly L E T T E R S takes over a weird and wondrous science lab in Babble Lab. Watch them jump into jars, spring from drawers, bounce around the room, and even play hide-and-seek as our scientist makes her surprising findings: Bluku terullala blaulala loooo! Rakete bee bee? Rekate bee zee! Enjoy the exploration of spoken blurbbles as they spring forth in this one-of-a-kind, gee-gaw-filled laboratory. Written by CTC Company Member Autumn Ness and directed by Sarah Agnew, Babble Lab runs March 9-April 14, 2024 on the Cargill Stage. Babble Lab was created with early learners in mind and is best enjoyed by audiences aged 0 to 105!

 

“I am so excited that with the world premiere of Babble Lab, I get to return to performing for my favorite audience, the pre-schoolers,” said playwright Autumn Ness. “This play is about discovering the power of your own voice, and learning to be fearless in using it. I want every preschooler that sees our show to find their own magical, musical, courageous, EPIC voice!”

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Returning for the first time since 2017, the cherished CTC original musical A Year With Frog and Toad will conclude the 2023-2024 Season. In the only show from Minnesota ever to be nominated for three Tony Awards® (including Best Musical), you’ll meet Frog and Toad: best friends who embark upon a year’s worth of adventures with great merriment, comedic agility, and joyful song-singing. A Year with Frog and Toad is based on Arnold Lobel’s Newbery and Caldecott Honor books, and features music by Robert Reale with lyrics and book by Willie Reale. The 2024 production will be directed by CTC’s Artistic Director Peter C. Brosius. Best enjoyed by audiences of all ages, this production runs April 23-June 16, 2024 on the UnitedHealth Group Stage.

 

“We are super stoked that A Year With Frog and Toad is returning to its birthplace at Children's Theatre Company to celebrate its 21st year," said Bookwriter & Lyricist Willie Reale and Composer Robert Reale. "Despite the fact that it is old enough to be welcomed in a saloon, we trust that the innocence and fun of the show will be on full display once again at CTC.”

 

Full season subscriptions and renewals for the 2023-2024 Season are now on sale and can be purchased online or by calling the ticket office at 612.874.0400. CTC’s 2023-2024 Season of artistic and educational programming is supported by The Shubert Foundation, Inc. and the Minnesota State Arts Board.

Mill City Museum to Premiere Fulbright Photo Exhibit, Ukraine: War and Resistance

Exhibit showcases photographs documenting the realities of contemporary life in Ukraine

A photo exhibit depicting life in Ukraine during the Russian invasion is coming to Mill City Museum this spring.

The exhibit, Ukraine: War and Resistance, will be on view from March 23 to May 14 in the Mill Commons area of the museum, which is free to visitors. Images, captured by Fulbright Scholars in the country, present the harsh consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the resolve of Ukrainian people.

“I wish we didn't have a reason to organize this exhibit,” said Roman Tyshchenko, a Ukrainian Fulbright Scholar who worked with Mill City Museum to display the exhibit in Minneapolis. “But the least I can do is support my fellow Fulbrighters in Ukraine. They are routinely risking their lives, working under missile attacks, so people in the rest of the world can see what Ukraine is going through.”

This will be the North American premiere of these large-scale photographs, first exhibited last fall in Vinnytsia, a city under Russian missile attacks for the past year. Most were taken in the past 12 months, but some date back to 2014, when Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula and invaded the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

The exhibit is sponsored by Fulbright Ukraine and the Fulbright Association Minnesota Chapter. The Fulbright Association Minnesota Chapter paid for printing and mounting the photographs because the exhibit furthers the Fulbright goals of international understanding and peacemaking, according to Michael Dorsher, Ph.D., the chapter’s president.

The Minnesota Fulbrighters sought out the Mill City Museum for this premiere because they visited a similarly striking exhibit there a year ago, displaying the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder in Minneapolis. And recently, USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards recognized Mill City among the Top-5 history museums in the U.S.

Starting March 23, the exhibit will be open to the public during regular museum hours, 10 am–4 pm on Thursdays and Fridays, and 10 am–5 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. 

Minneapolis Attorney Leads Team Exonerating Louisiana Death Row Inmate

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Michael and Ed upon Michael’s release in February, 2023Ponchatoula, Louisiana native Michael Wearry spent the last 25 years in prison. He was charged with murder in the 1998 death of a 16-year-old pizza delivery driver and sentenced to death. Wearry spent 14 years on Angola Prison’s death row in an 8 by 9-foot cell in solitary confinement.

The U.S. Supreme Court reversed his conviction in 2016 after ruling that prosecutors failed to disclose evidence that could have helped his defense. The court stated that prosecutors should have turned over evidence casting doubt on the credibility of a prison informant and another witness who testified against Wearry.

The court also said the state failed to disclose medical records raising questions about a witness' description of the crime. Mr. Wearry’s case drew national attention.

Ed CassidyQ:  What does this have to do with Minneapolis?

A:  A lot. The attorney who led his death row exoneration is Edward Cassidy of Fredrikson & Byron. Cassidy spent countless hours as lead counsel, and Counsel of Record at the United States Supreme Court on Wearry’s case. For his pro bono efforts, he was named 2016 Attorney of the Year  from Minnesota Lawyer.

Q:  Why is this news now?

A:  Michael Wearry finally walked out of the Hunt Prison in Louisiana as a free man on February 15, 2023. Attorney Cassidy was there to greet him.

The path to overturning wrongful convictions is long and exhausting – for the wrongfully accused and the attorneys who take on the cases. Fredrikson took this case in 2009.

“I’m incredibly pleased with the outcome of this case and to see Michael finally leave the prison as a free man,” said Cassidy. “He is getting his life back and is able to reconnect with his family, including grandchildren.”

John Koneck“This case represents Fredrikson’s commitment, against all odds, to pro bono work,” said John M. Koneck, president of Fredrikson. “We applaud Ed and his team for the tremendous time, effort, and excellent skill and legal work to bring this case to a successful conclusion, given the many challenges over such a long period of time. We encourage our attorneys to take on pro bono work, and our attorneys and staff contribute thousands of hours in pro bono services to individuals in need and nonprofit organizations throughout the local and national community.”

We salute you, Ed Cassidy and Frederickson & Bryon, for your social justice work!

New Art Exhibit, Reawakening of Color, Opens at The Mill Yard April 2

 

Reawakening of Color

Opening Reception Sunday, April 2, 4:00 - 6:00PM

Stonebridge Lofts, 1120 S 2nd Street

Join us at The Mill Yard opening reception to meet the featured artists and engage with beautiful art. Wine, beverages and snacks are served.

Artists featured at this show: 

Tracy Frizzell, Painter

Growing up in a family of artists, Tracy began her artistic career early. Raised in northern Minnesota, her inspiration was always water and nature. Tracy graduated with degrees from North Dakota State University in landscape architecture, environmental design and art. With each piece she “strives not only to accurately portray a scene but also capture that elusive ‘something’.” Tracy paints in oil or watercolor utilizing a style that adds action to the scenes. Her favorite subjects are Minnesota and Canadian wilderness, but also urban and industrial landscapes that characterize much of Minneapolis.

Eddie Hamilton, Painter

Eddie is a painter living and working in Minnesota. A native of Los Angeles, his palette is inspired by his childhood in the sun and surf. His paintings use a gestural feel with attention to line and form to reflect childhood joys. Eddie has painted urban surreal and naïve scenes full of color and energy. Currently his work has evolved to bring that energy to paintings of nature and wildlife. Eddie’s work has been shown around the country.

Peder Hegland, Studio Potter

Peter has been a full time Studio Potter since 1976. He is grateful to have studied with masters: Dean Schwarz, Peter Deneen, David Stewart and Marguerite Wildenhain. Ancient pottery from around the world has also been his teacher. Making pots that are useful and beautiful to look at and touch has always been his goal and pleasure. For the past 30 years Peder has worked and lived on Pine Point, a little peninsula north of Sartell, MN surrounded on two sides by the Mississippi River. The river, it’s trees and animals, always provide daily lessons.  

Andy Ness, Painter

Andy earned his BFA from Pratt Institute and his MFA from the Rhode Island School of Design. His artist residencies have included the prestigious Vermont Studio Center, MacDowell Colony, Denniston Hill, and he was a two-year Fellow at the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, MA. Andy has taught at RISD, Studio in a School in New York City, and the Grand Marais Art Colony. Andy’s work has shown both nationally and internationally. He currently has shows in Texas, Tennessee and in Trento, Italy.

Dean Seaton, Photographer

Dean has been using photography as art for over a dozen years. He perfects capturing a moment in time that “tells a story and evokes emotions through the use of line, shape, color, lack of color, shadow, texture, subject matter and composition.” He has learned the big difference between taking a picture and making a picture. He explains, “making a picture takes patience, thought, timing and sometimes a bit of luck.” All his images are Limited Editions that include a Certificate of Authenticity. Dean’s studio is in the Northrup King Building.

Anne Waddell Toohey, Jewelry Opening Reception Only

Anne has always been an artist. After graduating with a BFA in Metalsmithing and Jewelry Design she enjoyed a successful career selling high-end jewelry, always creating her own in a garage studio. For over five years Anne has focused exclusively on her own brand, drawing inspiration from her life experiences and nature. She works with gold, silver and precious and semi-precious gemstones. She has numerous successful collections and curated partnerships which allowed her to open a new studio in Deephaven, MN.

The Mill Yard at Stonebridge Lofts

Residents celebrate our area’s industrial heritage of the mighty Mississippi River and the mills. Today, what we see are the most recognizable Minneapolis landmarks. However, this is only part of the story. Rail lines were key to Minneapolis’ growth, and were particularly integral to the Mill District, bringing in wheat and timber and shipping out flour and lumber. We also honor the history of the mills, the reason for the rail yard’s existence. The Mill Yard aims to be both a gathering place for art and artists and a conduit by which art can be shared with and disseminated into the wider community. Contact: TheMillYard.Stonebridge@gmail.com

Universal Human Exhibit Reception at A-Mill Artist Lofts, April 5

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Beyond our ordinary worlds defined by our memory, our intellect, and our five senses is a mystical realm of beauty, magic and extraordinary potential.

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Universal Human

An Exhibit of Original Paintings by Lori Lentz 

Reception - April 15 12:00 - 5:00 pm

A-Mill Artist Lofts Gallery

315 SE Main Street, Minneapolis, MN 55414

AUTHENTICITY, Acrylics on gallery wrapped canvas 20 x 20" x 1 1/2"

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COMPASSION, Acrylics on gallery wrapped canvas 20" x 20" x 1 1/2"

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METAMORPHOSIS, Acrylics on gallery wrapped canvas 20" x 20" x 1 1/2"

March 2023 Minneapolis Central City Tunnel Project Update

Via a March 17 e-announcement from the City of Minneapolis:

Project Overview

The City of Minneapolis Public Works Department is constructing a new parallel storm tunnel, enlarging a portion of the existing storm tunnel, and constructing a new tunnel access in Downtown Minneapolis.

The new tunnel is being constructed parallel to the existing tunnel located under Washington Ave S between Nicollet Mall and Chicago Ave. The existing tunnel under Chicago Ave between Washington Ave S and the Mississippi River is being expanded to handle the increased stormwater capacity. The purpose of this project is to reduce pressure in the existing tunnel, provide more room for future growth, and to reduce the need for future repairs and tunnel failures.

Project Map

Latest Project News

Mississippi River Portal

• Crews continue enlarging the existing storm tunnel at the Mississippi River and continue to work on lining the tunnel with concrete.

2nd Ave

• Crews continue tunneling the new parallel storm tunnel under Washington Ave from the new tunnel access shaft in the southbound lanes of 2nd Ave S, just north of the Washington Ave intersection and continue to work on lining the tunnel with concrete.

Portland Ave

• Crews continue tunneling the new parallel storm tunnel under Washington Ave from the existing tunnel access shaft at the northeast corner of the Washington Ave and Portland Ave intersection and continue to work on lining the tunnel with concrete.

Tunneling Progress

In March, the project reached 88% completion with excavation. Crews have removed approximately 60,000 tons of material to date. As noted in the infographic above, 60,000 tons is equal to the weight of almost six Eiffel Towers.

Lining progress

In March, crews continued to work on the concrete tunnel lining. To date,1,800 cubic yards of concrete have been poured. As noted in the infographic above, 1,800 cubic yards is about half the volume of an Olympic swimming pool. This process is approximately 12% complete.

Long-term closures/restrictions

• The north westbound lane, bike lane, and parking lane remains closed on Washington Ave between Portland Ave and Park Ave. These closures will remain in place until the project is completed. This is necessary for the contractor to utilize the existing shaft to connect the existing tunnel to the new tunnel.
  • During this closure, pedestrians can still use the sidewalks along Washington Ave.
  • Crosswalks across Washington Ave and Portland Ave will remain open.
  • Bicyclists will share the traffic lane.
  • The existing left turn lane on Washington Ave at the Portland Ave intersection will temporarily become a left turn and through lane.

• The north sidewalk along Washington Ave remains restricted between Hennepin Ave and Nicollet Mall. The contractor will resume tunneling from the existing tunnel to the new tunnel at a later date.
  • During these restrictions, pedestrians share the bike lane on Washington Ave.
  • The crosswalks at the Washington Ave intersections of Nicollet Mall and Hennepin Ave remains open.

• The sidewalk on the east side of 4th Ave S remains restricted through the end of the project. The dewatering well and pumps are installed in this area.
  • Pedestrians can use the sidewalk on the west side of 4th Ave S.
  • The crosswalk at the Washington Ave and 4th Ave intersection remains open.
  • Access to driveways off 4th Ave S remains open.

• The west sidewalk of Portland Ave south of Washington Ave will remain restricted to pedestrians around the dewatering well and pumps until the project is completed.

• The parking lot and trail near Mill Runs Park will remain closed until spring 2023.

• 2nd Ave S remains a single lane in each direction using the northbound lanes between Washington Ave and 1st St S. Access will be restricted until the project is completed.
  • Access to driveways off 2nd Ave S remain open. There may be short-term access delays while crews move equipment and materials around.

Stay Connected

There are multiple ways to get information including email updates and ongoing stakeholder meetings. Visit the project website for more information and to sign up for project updates: https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/projects/central-city-tunnel/

Email the project team: info@mplscentralcitytunnel.com

Contact the project hotline: 612-888-9418

“We Are What We Drink” - Free April 5 Workshop with Art to Change the World at MWMO

Workshop includes a takeaway memory from the drawers and a “Pearl” T-Shirt.

Join Art to Change the World for a workshop exploring the origins of our drinking water. Explore Pearl’s 21 discovery drawers and participate in experiments and activities focused on water quality.

The event takes place April 5th, 6:00-8:00pm at Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (WMWO) 2522 Marshall Street NE.

Workshop includes a takeaway memory from the drawers and a “Pearl” T-Shirt. Please state size in registration request. Maximum Registration 10. Ages 8 and up. For more information contact: francesbates22@gmail.com.

To register email: info@arttochangetheworld.org. Learn more about this Art to Change the World project here.

The 2023 Minneapolis Teen Job Fair is April 15th

Minneapolis Teen Job & Opportunity Fair
10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, April 15
2117 West River Road N

The Minneapolis Teen Job & Opportunity Fair brings together hundreds of young people and youth-serving programs every year from around the city to learn about opportunities with many local employers. This is the perfect place for Minneapolis youths to power up their summer job search.

Employers attending and hiring at the job fair include:

• City of Bloomington
• Great Wolf Lodge
• Home Depot
• The Loppet Foundation
• Minneapolis Police Department
• Steven Scott Management
• True Friends

Young people can attend one of the prep rallies in the days and weeks before the April 15 event to meet employers, research jobs, discover their skills and interests, and create their resume.

Learn more about how to get involved.

A Discussion with Ben Johnson, Director, Minneapolis Department of Arts and Cultural Affairs

Article by Becky Fillinger, photo provided

We welcome Ben Johnson back to the Twin Cities, specifically to Minneapolis as Director of the newly formed Department of Arts and Cultural Affairs. He has some wonderful plans to promote Minneapolis as a leader in the arts world and to collaborative broadly to achieve his goals.

Q:  Congratulations on your new position as the first director of Minneapolis’ recently created Department of Arts and Cultural Affairs! Do you have an immediate to-do list or will you have time to tackle long term visionary projects – or both?

A:  Thank you! It is a very exciting time for the City of Minneapolis, and I am thrilled that they are prioritizing arts and culture as an important value for the city. Aside from getting settled, I think I need to understand the priorities of the city by connecting with cultural communities, neighborhoods and stakeholders. I also think it is important to start building trust with the staff, City departments and diverse community coalitions. From there, we can set the stage for building the department and affect real cultural change for the City of Minneapolis.

Q:  You’ve said, “Minneapolis is such an important arts city, both nationally and internationally, and it is a symbol of creativity and leadership throughout the world.” Please tell us a bit more on your thoughts about Minneapolis’ place in the arts world.

A:  Since I’m from Minnesota, and have previously worked at the Ordway Music Theatre and Northrop Concerts and Lectures, I know first-hand the reputation of Minneapolis and where it fits within our national and international networks and cultural ecosystems. I want to ensure that the creative communities are supported and are allowed to thrive, as I feel it is important to have Minneapolis be at the forefront of progressive arts ideas and leadership. I’ve always felt that Minneapolis was the North Star for social justice, innovation and experimentation, and I want it to be a symbol of creative inspiration for everyone in Minneapolis and the world - so a lot of our energy will be placed in developing support programs to sustain and position our community in the best ways possible.

Q:  What is one program you implemented in Los Angeles that might be easy to replicate in Minneapolis?

A:  Many of my ideas of how to implement deep and meaningful work stem directly from my time at the Ordway Music Theatre, where I was able to form four cultural advisory communities based within the African American, Chicano/Latiné, Native American and Asian/Pacific communities. Like the work at the Ordway, much of the work we will do at the City of Minneapolis will be informed by working directly with the community and through working in partnership and collaboration as much as possible. These initiatives will be designed and tailored to each community and the surrounding neighborhoods. One such example from LA is when I founded the Performing Arts Alliance of South LA, which was represented by an informal coalition of 50 African American artists, arts organizations and cultural spaces. This group was formed at the onset of COVID to find a way to have a monthly check-in with the cultural leaders of this community. Each month, we focused on the needs and challenges of the community, and the members were able to share information and communicate about upcoming projects and opportunities. Often, the members were able to build collaborations and identify shared and new resources to continue to work and to sustain their spaces and arts practices. For me, this is an ideal way of working and one that I hope we can replicate in Minneapolis.

Q:  Do you have ideas on how you’ll gather input from the local arts community, and also the local business community, in terms of supporting and nurturing the arts? 

A:  At this point, we will be building on the good work that has already been done by the department, and we will do everything within our power to insert the arts and culture conversation into the future work of the City. We will be proactive in engaging with a diverse spectrum of the arts, education, business, and diverse communities. Community building through arts and culture is an iterative process, and it happens person by person, project by project, and over years. I hope this represents a new way of working within the City, one that showcases a demonstrable and positive collaborative spirit to the citizens of Minneapolis.

Q:  How may we follow your department’s news?

A:  Arts and Cultural Affairs news and all City news can be found at news.minneapolismn.gov.

Grain Exchange Barbershop Closing March 31 - Memorabilia on Sale Now

Editor's note: Thank you to Bob Haddow and David Skarjune for sharing this information!

The oldest barbershop in Minneapolis succumbs to renovation - Closing March 31

Many downtown office towers had barbershops in their lobbies years ago. The Grain Exchange Barbershop is the last of its kind and oldest barbershop in Minneapolis. A little hard to find, invisible from the street, it’s worth the effort if you appreciate turn-of-the-century architecture.

New Grain Exchange building management will be renovating the lobby, and the barbershop is the last surviving business in the lobby. While the building itself is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the barbershop is not protected under that status.

Whenever a shop like this disappears, the community suffers. The downtown area is transforming into a residential neighborhood, while business activity has declined. Bob worked hard to maintain relationships with longtime customers, along with attracting new downtown residents.

The barbershop is full of history, classic barber equipment, artwork, and funky kitsch (Bob the Barber is also a painter, writer, and art historian). Here’s the last chance to tour the shop, chat with Bob, and even get a reasonable haircut at a reasonable price.

For more information on hours, servies and items available for purchase, visit the website, call 612-333-7426 or visit Barber Bob.

Douglas K. Amdahl Public Attorney Career Achievement Award Caps Off a Successful Law Career for Mill District Resident Ric Rosow

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided by Ric Rosow

Ric with his son Michael and wife Vicki at the award ceremony. 

In 2022, Mill District resident Ric Rosow was awarded the Douglas K. Amdahl Public Attorney Career Achievement Award by the Minnesota State Bar Association in recognition to dedication and commitment to public service and the public practice of law.

Q:  Congratulations! Please tell us more about the award and your years of law practice that led to the award.

The award is named after Justice Douglas K. Amdahl, a Minnesota Supreme Court Justice. Justice Amdahl’s career involved 34 years of public service including being the Chief Justice on the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Most of the attorneys who receive the Justice Douglas K. Amdahl Award are attorneys who have worked as employees for governmental entities or for non-profit entities. My situation as an attorney in private practice was different. I was nominated by the General Counsel of the League of Minnesota Cities who asked a partner in our firm to co-sponsor the nomination with her. Both were familiar with my career and public service.

January 31st was my last day as an attorney in my law firm. On that day I sent out an email on the City Attorney listserv announcing my full retirement I received many responses to my announcement. I have selected one to share with you, the response from the General Counsel of the LMC touched my heart. She wrote:

"Ric - We are all sad to see you "fully retired from the practice of law" but very excited for you as you dive more deeply into your other passions of photography and travel. An "icon" of the municipal law community is a term bestowed on a select few. As you see from the comments today made by Minnesota's city attorneys on this forum, you have earned that title. Congrats! On behalf of the entire legal team here at LMC – thank you, thank you, thank you and all the best."

My public service included service to variety entities. I served a term as president of both the Environmental Law Section and the Alternative Dispute Resolution Sections of the State Bar Association. I served a term as president of the Minnesota City Attorney’s Association. I represented on a pro bono basis several non-profit entities including two fire fighter associations, a non-profit that provides aid to two townships in South Africa and a non-profit formed by me and my wife that provided aid to people living in a province in a country in Asian.  

In addition to the non-profit work, I assisted other City Attorneys in Minnesota. I was recognized at a city attorney conference as the city attorney making the most responses from faraway places around the world. The most remote response location was from Asia while in a Nomad tent. I respond with such frequency that some city attorneys would contact me directly to seek my advice, rather than submit the question to the group.

Ric in the South Africa township of Malungeni, traveling with Arm in Arm in Africa to distribute food and clothing, and provide financial assistance to the township. 

In North Minneapolis with the Mobile Loaves and Fishes truck delivering food to first responders on the day the tornado tore through North Minneapolis. The MLF team and a pizza delivery service were the first to bring food into the area.

My public service extended beyond my work as an attorney. I was elected twice to the Minnetonka School Board and was Chair of the Board for 3 years. I served on the Finance Committee for our church for 10 years and was chair for about 6 years. I also assisted in making Mobile Loaves and Fishes Minneapolis a reality in Minneapolis. Our involvement in Mobile Loaves and Fishes led me to recommend to my law firm that in place of giving fruit baskets to our clients as a holiday gift in December, that we take the same amount of money and donate it to Mobile Loaves and Fishes. As a law firm we have donated over $30,000 to Mobile Loaves and Fishes. The firm continues making this donation.

Ric and Vicki on their first trip to Tibet, where they stayed in a 500 year old mud home with a family. In this photo they are wearing clothing provided by their host.Finally, my non-legal work in the non-profit area would not be complete without telling you about the non-profit Vicki and I formed “Companions In Compassion.” In 2009 Vicki and I traveled to the country in Asia where the Dalai Lama is from, our guide was a woman Vicki met in an art class three years before. Our guide worked with Buddhist monks in Dharmsala, India who had fled their home country, helping them write grants for improving their living situation. We were in the country for two weeks and spent one of those weeks in a small village in a mud home. Many residents came to thank our guide for her support. We were guests at both a monastery of Buddhist monks and a convent of Buddhist nuns. We stayed over-night at the convent. The nuns told us they wanted to learn English. When we returned to the U.S. Vicki and I both took classes in teaching English as a second language. Vicki volunteered for two years teaching English as a second language at two schools. In preparation for our return trip, we acquired through donations 12 laptop computers, two iPads, one desk computer, paper, pencils and materials to teach English, clothing for 100 children and funds to pay tuition for children’s schooling. With this assistance one young person in the village completed school from elementary to a Post Graduate Degree. We returned with our guide in 2011. We attempted 5 different routes to get to the city we visited in 2009. Four times we were stopped by the police after six hours or more of driving and sent back to our starting point. The fifth time we were allowed to stay in a village where we had been stopped. My most memorable experiences were riding a horse through the mountain grasslands and spending the night in a tent with a nomad family and 24 baby yaks. Vicki joined with villagers in sewing prayer flags onto thick ropes to be placed high up on the mountain overlooking the village.

Q:  You were also recognized by the Minnesota Firefighter Initiative. You received the Fireman’s Axe which is inscribed with “We appreciate your tireless dedication to improving the lives of Minnesota’s firefighters. Many thanks for everything.” Please tell us about your work on behalf of firefighters.

A:  I was asked by the Eden Prairie Fire Chief if I would provide pro bono services to form a new non-profit, Minnesota Firefighter Initiative (MnFIRE). The purpose of the organization is to provide firefighters with the tools to prioritize and protect their health, specifically in the areas of Cardiac, Cancer and Mental Health. After forming the non-profit and obtaining Federal 501(c)(3) status I served as legal counsel on a pro bono basis. 

Q:  You’re retired now from the practice of law. Are you still involved in supporting firefighters?

A:  Yes. Subsequent to receiving the award, a fireman from Chanhassen, Doug Foote, volunteered to walk in fire gear from the southwest corner of the State to the Capital grounds in St. Paul to raise funds for and awareness of MnFIRE and its mission. I volunteered to photograph the last three days of his walk. The very first city did not have a big turnout of firefighters to greet him but the fire chief’s wife walked with him to the next city. At each succeeding city there was a larger turnout. At the end of the walk Doug was awarded the Firemen’s Axe. See news report on the walk at this link.

Taking photographs in the Dolomites in July, 2022.

Hiking in Zion National Park and taking photographs.

Q:  I first knew you as a talented photographer, supplying many fabulous photographs to the Mill City Times. How may we follow your news as a photographer?

A:  I post my new work to my photography website, the Tres Leches Art Gallery website, my professional page on Facebook, and on Instagram. I also display my work at the Tres Leches Art Gallery, Studio 173, located in the Northrup King Building in NE Minneapolis. Tres Leches Art Gallery is open Friday from noon to 4 pm; Saturday from noon to 5 pm; and the first Thursday of each month from 5 pm to 9 pm.

At a fund raiser for Peter Yorrow’s Anti Bullying Foundation where his donation was rewarded with signatures on his guitar by Peter Yarrow and Paul Stokes of Peter, Paul and Mary.

Miller Lite Free Rides Teams up with MTC on St. Patrick's Day, March 17

Twin Cities locals can count themselves lucky this St. Patrick’s Day as Molson Coors will partner with Metro Transit to offer free public transportation through the Miller Lite Free Rides program. Ensuring a safe transportation option is available to those having a shamrockin’ good time, fare will be free beginning March 17 at 6 p.m., until the end of regular service.

St. Patrick’s Day Free Rides is the first event in the 2023 annual Free Rides program — part of Molson Coors’ three-decade-old tradition of promoting alcohol responsibility by helping individuals celebrate safely on major holidays and celebrations throughout the year. In 2022, free transportation was offered in nine different cities through Molson Coors’ partnerships with local mass transit. This year, merrymakers across the country can look forward to free rides during the Kentucky Derby, the NFL season and New Year’s Eve. Since the inception of the Free Rides program, safe transportation has been provided to more than 8 million people.

“We are excited to continue our longstanding partnership with Molson Coors and help provide people access to safe and reliable transportation as they celebrate St. Patrick’s Day,” said Metro Transit interim general manager Lesley Kandaras. “Since 1997, the Miller Lite Free Rides program has become a dependable option to get Minneapolis residents to and from their holiday destinations.”

Visit the Metro Transit website to review transit routes and plan a safe ride home.

The Classical Music Project Presents Beethoven REimagined, April 23 at Westminster

The Classical Music Project has announced their inaugural concert, Beethoven REimagined, will take place at 3:00pm on April 23 at Westminster Hall, Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1200 Marquette.

This all-Beethoven event includes the Minnesota Premiere of Sonata for Orchestra, the brilliant transformation of Beethoven’s Sonata no. 7 for Violin and Piano into a showpiece for a much larger ensemble, arranged by Garrett Schumann and Yaniv Segal. Also programmed is Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No.4 Op. 58, showcasing Steinway Artist Ignacio “Nachito” Herrera. Conductor/composer Yaniv Segal will be on the podium throughout.

The Classical Music Project is an emerging musical venture, created by professional musicians who are passionate about music composed primarily between the 17th and 19th centuries (but not only), and want to bring it to life in delightful new ways. The Classical Music Project aims to showcase outstanding local, national, and international talent in flexible configurations, ranging from one solo player up to a 33-piece classical-sized orchestra. Through engaging, thought-provoking, and carefully crafed programs, The Classical Music Project aspires to create an intimate, approachable, and moving musical experience that both delights each listener of the audience and celebrates live music.

Hosted within the Incubator Program of Springboard for the Arts, The Classical Music Project is guided by a spirit that older music can be made wonderfully new again.

The Sonata for Orchestra was arranged in Beethoven’s style, from the Sonata Op. 30 No.2 for Violin and Piano, by Garrett Schumann and Yaniv Segal. The collaborators have by effect created a new C minor symphony that foreshadows Beethoven’s dramatic Symphony No. 5. The orchestration requires capable musicians at every stand in the ensemble. The Sonata for Orchestra is available on a recording with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. 

Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No.4 Op.58 in G Major is one of the pinnacles of the piano concerto repertoire. The concerto’s opening was considered radical when Beethoven premiered himself in 1807. His early biographer suggested the slow movement’s interplay between strings and piano conjures the imagery of Orpheus calming the mythical Furies. The elegant almost Haydn-like last movement dazzles with a rhythmic theme. For many audiences, the cadenzas alone make the performances of this masterpiece fulfilling.

Steinway Artist Ignacio “Nachito” Herrera is a master of Afro-Cuban jazz as well as Classical music, winner of Emmys, Grammys, and Minnesota Music Awards. He has performed with the Minnesota Orchestra among many others and made his solo debut at the age of 12, performing Rachmaninoff’s Concerto No.2 with the Havana Symphony Orchestra. In January 2023, he headlined the Havana International Jazz Festival for the second consecutive year.

Yaniv Segal has achieved critical success since childhood for his work as a conductor, composer, actor, and violinist. A rising star who is “redefining classical music” (Esquire Magazine), Yaniv is Music Director of the Salina Symphony, Conductor Laureate and Artistic Advisor of the Chelsea Symphony, and former Assistant Conductor of the Naples Philharmonic and Detroit Symphony Orchestras.

The Orchestra of The Classical Music Project is comprised of highly accomplished local, professional musicians who have performed with all the major musical organizations in Minnesota, as well as other distinguished ensembles across the U.S. 

Tickets:

$50 Premium seating /$20 General seating. Purchase tickets online, or call the Dakota Box Office at 612-332-JAZZ (5299). Attendees have the option of parking in the Westminster Garage beneath the Church, entrance on Alice Rainville Place, $10.

CEO Now – Free Program Available to Eligible Hennepin County Entrepreneurs

Article by Becky Fillinger, photo provided

Zack AvreDid you know there’s a program available for Hennepin County CEOs to grow their businesses, connect with coaching experts and meet local peers in the same business growth stage? We spoke with Zack Avre, Senior Economic Development Analyst for Hennepin County, to learn the details of CEO Now.

Q:  Who may apply for the CEO Now program?

A:  To be eligible, business owners must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Be incorporated or operating in Hennepin County
• Have two years of operating history
• Employ at least one person other than the owner
• Report between $250,000 and $2 million in revenue
• Have a demonstrated desire to grow their business
• Be receptive to coaching, mentorship and collaborating with peers
• Prepare to commit up to 10 hours each month through the 7-month program

Q:  What is the cost to participants?

A:  Thanks to investments from Hennepin County, CEO Now is completely free for eligible business owners. The only cost is the time businesses choose to invest in their business.

Q:  What is the length of the program?

A:  The curriculum lasts seven months and includes 40 hours of in-class time led by an executive training coach, speakers and other advisors. Participants will also spend about 12 hours working with peer CEOs in the program to share experiences, learn from each and build a trusted network. The program will be offered three times between 2023 and 2024.

Q:  What is the genesis of the program? 

A:  This is a new program from Hennepin County. It comes out of the heritage of CEO Next, an ongoing regional program that caters to midsize or second-stage companies. Hennepin County’s Department of Community and Economic Development saw a need for that kind of executive-level training for younger businesses, too. It was designed to empower those growth-oriented business owners to reach the next level. Much of the program is focused on tools and skills needed to scale your business and helping owners approach their business systematically and strategically.

When owners leave the program, they will have a three-year strategic growth plan, a network of peers and local advisors, and the confidence to follow that strategic plan.

Q:  Who will advise the cohort?

A:  The program is facilitated by Interise, a national business executive training firm, and it builds on their StreetWise ‘MBA’ training program. The lead educator is Dr. Stephen Crawford, an experienced executive coach here in the Twin Cities. Participants will also learn from other professional advisors who will share their expertise in finance, marketing, procurement and other topics with the group. The peer network established through the program also serves as a layer of peer-to-peer advising.

Q:  Do you have businesses who are sponsoring CEO Now?

A:  There are no financial sponsors for this program. This program is funded completely by Hennepin County to help businesses grow, and to spur economic activity across the county.

Q:  How may we follow news of the program?

A:  To keep up with CEO Now and all business resources and programming from Hennepin County Economic Development, connect with the county via our website, newsletter, and social media:

CEO Now program page
Elevate Hennepin website
Hennepin County Economic Development website
Hennepin County Economic Development LinkedIn
Newsletter signup link
Our February newsletter and January newsletter featuring CEO NOW

FRGMNT COFFEE Comes to the Mill District Spring 2023

FRGMNT COFFEE is a multi-roaster cafe that is focused on bringing coffee and offerings from around the globe. FRGMNT COFFEE is owned by Ben Banse, a veteran of Twin Cities craft coffee, and his business partner Sarah Roehl. They opened the first cafe in late 2019 in the North Loop in the Nordic, 729 Washington Avenue. They added their second location in Spring 2022 in the One Southwest Crossing building in Eden Prairie, with a third location opened Riverplace in January 2023. They are now set to open their fourth location in the Mill District this Spring in Open Book, 1011 Washington Avenue S.

Open Book is a center for reading, writing, and book arts. It is a cornerstone of the Mill District and FRGMNT is excited to bring a cafe back to the space. The space is being designed by Christian Dean Architecture and will have several seating areas as well as bar seating with a front-row seat to the action.

This location will offer FRGMNT's rotating espresso and coffee offerings as well as a retail market, baked goods from Honey & Rye, and FRGMNT fares grab-and-go food.

Follow them on social at @frgmntcoffee.

NIEBNA and NEBA Sponsor Summer Fun Events

The Nicollet Island-East Bank Neighborhood Association and the Northeast Business Association are pleased to announce major summer fun events in the Nicollet Island-East Bank Neighborhood!

April 22, 2023 EARTH DAY Celebration and Neighborhood Clean-Up. Spend quality time with friends making sure the local community is cleaned up in honor of Earth Day. RSVP

June 23, 2023 DOG PARADE. This popular event returns! Show up at Riverplace on Main with your costumed canine and kids for a really fun parade and prize contests. RSVP

August 1, 2023 NATIONAL NIGHT OUT, Chute Square Park. Food, fun, and celebration of this great neighborhood with your friends and neighbors. RSVP

NIEBNA and NEBA welcome volunteers for each event - Sign up here. You can also keep up with NIEBNA on Twitter or Facebook.

Small Business Spotlight: Little Tijuana Neighborhood Lounge

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Travis SerbusTravis Serbus is co-owner of the revamped Little Tijuana, and he invites you to plan a visit to the new location at 17 E 26th Street. We talked to him about his interest in the restaurant business, the vision behind the restaurant’s rebirth and a drink you must try!

Q:  You’re owner or part owner of two Minneapolis restaurants, Petit Leon and Little Tijuana. What prompted your interest in restaurant ownership? How did you get your start in the restaurant business?

A:  I started working in restaurants when I was 15 years old. I started in the back of house washing dishes and line cooking before moving to front of house. I enjoyed the fast-paced environment, camaraderie, new friends, providing hospitality to guests. What prompted my interest in ownership was probably mostly hubris. As I got older my interest in ownership became things like providing well-paying restaurant careers and adding something unique to the culture of our city.

Q:  Little Tijuana was recently awarded “Best Comeback Bar“ by the 2022 Eater Awards – congratulations! The award mentions that you and your partners brought the restaurant roaring back to life with “scrappy panache.” Can you share with us the vision and philosophy your team had for revamping of Little Tijuana?

A:  We knew the previous history of Little Tijuana and wanted to hold true to some of the soul of the previous business but also put our own little twist on it. We wanted to ramp up the quality of the food and beverage programs but keep the relaxed atmosphere. We wanted co-owner Dan Manosack to have a platform for his cooking; we're really excited about his future. For the interior I tried to design it to feel like a southwest dive bar. Every aspect of the startup was totally DIY. I was the general contractor and designer, and did a lot of the interior work myself. I'm not qualified to do any of those things. Ultimately, we wanted to honor Little T's past while re-creating it for a new generation and provide something for the city that we didn't think existed anywhere.

Q:  Several articles about you mention that you are a cocktail aficionado. Do you agree with that label? How do you design a cocktail menu for your individual restaurant properties?

A:  I don't know about that label. I think I have a pretty decent palate and know how to set up a bar fairly well. I design each cocktail menu based on the restaurant concept and what the space of the bar allows. Things like the food offerings, how much we want to spend on labor, and beverage price points all factor into the cocktail menu. Little Tijuana was really fun to create because we were so handcuffed. We have a tiny 6-seat bar with hardly any backbar space and very little cold storage available, and we didn't have money to spend on redoing the bar or adding new equipment. We wanted to make an enjoyable and nostalgic cocktail menu with drinks that we're quick and easy to prepare to allow for us to only have one or two bartenders working because you can't fit anyone else behind that cramped bar. We can be at full capacity at the restaurant and one talented bartender can make drinks for that entire restaurant. I'm really proud of it.

Q:  What’s your favorite cocktail from all of your restaurants? Would you share the recipe with us? 

A:  I like all of the cocktails for different reasons, but I'm really into one at Petite Leon called Verde. It has a lot of different flavors going on but they all shine in their own way without any of them bullying the other ingredients. It's well balanced and it's very easy to drink. Here's the recipe:

3/4 oz Luna Cupreata Mezcal

3/4 oz Ida Graves Aquavit

3/4 oz Pineapple Syrup

1/2 oz Ancho Reyes Poblano Liqueur

   1 oz tomatillo juice

1/2 oz lime juice

Shaken and strained over ice and then topped with cava/sparkling wine.

Q:  Sounds exquisite! What’s on the horizon for you in 2023?

A:  We're working on a few things. Nothing that we can officially say yet but there are a couple new projects on the way.

Q:   We are interested – so how may we follow your news?

A:   Stop into the restaurants and say hi! Or, check Instagram.