The Mill City Times Interview: PinKU Japanese Street Food

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos supplied by PinKU

Xiaoteng (X) Huang, Managing Partner of PinKU Japanese Street Food

The COVID-19 pandemic doesn’t diminish our desire to eat good food. Minneapolis is blessed with hundreds of restaurants still cooking and delivering delicious options for us. We talked with PinKU Japanese Street Food about their unique history and how to order their offerings in this time of restaurant shutdowns.

MCT: What is your earliest food memory? 

X: I grew up in a small town called Marshall which is three hours southwest of the Twin Cities. As you can imagine there are very limited ethnic food options where I grew up, so my family used to drive to Minneapolis weekly just to find authentic Asian restaurants to eat and a store to buy Asian groceries. This motivated me very early on to start an authentic Asian restaurant that is accessible, approachable, and affordable - even for residents of rural areas not very familiar with Asian cuisine.

MCT: Why did you establish your restaurant at its current location? 

X: We wanted to create a restaurant with not only authentic food, but also an authentic story. The Saint Anthony Main area is the birthplace of Minneapolis with a storied past and diverse residents. The space we found is small and narrow, which is representative of many of the restaurants we saw in Japan. We want our restaurant to feel casual but sincere, culturally authentic but fun and welcoming for everyone. Our current location at 20 University Avenue NE is the perfect mixture of what we were seeking.

MCT: What menu item do you wish more people would try? 

X: The Okonomi Pork Gyoza. Most people order our regular pan-fried gyoza, and we certainly appreciate that, but the deep-fried Okonomi version is so unique and flavorful because it's extra crispy and has some creative toppings such as bonito flakes, roasted seaweed, and Japanese mayo. The mixture of extra toppings makes it a surprising and delicious choice. Because it tastes best when it's hot, we offer it for carry-out only and not for delivery services.

Okonomi Gyoza and Crispy Shrimp on Rice

Wagyu Beef on Crispy Rice

MCT: How often do you revise your menus?

X: We change our menu every week by creating weekly specials. Some of our most popular weekly specials include Okonomiyaki (Japanese savory pancake), Chicken Katsu Curry, Wagyu Ramen Burger, Tuna Poke Bowl with Tempura Egg, and so many more. These items are best eaten in the restaurant so we have not offered them for to-go and delivery services. Once business is back to normal we will definitely bring them back! We’re currently open Monday – Saturday 11AM-2PM and 5PM-8PM for carryout and delivery services only. Please call 612-584-3167 to order.

MCT: How do you communicate with customers? Do you welcome input from customers? 

X: We always directly communicate with each customer who visits our restaurant. We try to understand what they like so that they order something they’ll enjoy. We are not perfect and welcome input from all customers so we can improve ourselves! In fact, we have responded to every email and customer review on Yelp, Google, and TripAdvisor in the past 4 years (over 800 reviews and counting!). We care deeply about how our customers feel about us so we will continue to respond to reviews and take customers' input into consideration for as long as we're in business.

MCT: Who inspires you?

X: This has been the most challenging time we've ever encountered. We are inspired every day by all of our customers who have continued to order to-go and delivery services from us. Many of our guests come multiple times a week and we are inspired by them every week. Most importantly, we are inspired by our staff who have continued to come to work every day despite everything that is happening around us. We're grateful for them all.

MCT: Thank you, X. What social media channels are available for your restaurant?

X: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Seared Salmon on Rice Cake

Salmon Crispy Shrimp Speciality Roll

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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. 

The Mill City Times Interview: Captain Casidy Anderson, Community Risk Reduction Officer at Minneapolis Fire Department

Article by Becky Fillinger

Emergency response teams can’t work from home. A global pandemic doesn’t keep fires from starting and dedicated municipal workers must respond. Last week’s Central Avenue fire required Minneapolis Fire Department firefighters to work long hours to extinguish the fire. Mayor Jacob Frey calls the MFD "indispensable" in tragedies we see every week and during extraordinary circumstances, like the coronavirus outbreak.

One of the MFD’s dedicated staff is Casidy Anderson, Staff Captain and Community Risk Reduction Officer. We spoke to Captain Anderson about her role in the Minneapolis Fire Department.

Left to right - FMO (driver) Aaron Banks, Captain Sean Churchill-Weekes, Firefighter Milagros Ramos, and Captain Anderson

MCT:  What do your day to day activities consist of?

CA:  The job title “Community Risk Reduction Officer” started replacing “Fire Safety and Prevention Educator” in many fire departments about 15 years ago. The reason for this is because firefighters typically respond to more than just fires – in fact, the number of fires that we respond to has gone down significantly over the years. In addition to fires, firefighters respond to medical calls, hazardous material spills, vehicle accidents, specialized rescues, emergencies in the water (such as lakes and rivers), and much more! For that reason, the typical “fire educator” now educates the public not only on fire safety and fire prevention, but also other topics such as emergency preparedness, slip and fall prevention, evacuation planning, and sometimes basic medical-skill training such as first-aid and CPR. We teach “risk reduction” skills to reduce injury and loss from many types of accidents and disasters.

Much of my job from day to day requires interfacing with the public: classroom visits teaching kids about fire safety and fire prevention, fire station tours for groups of all ages, speaking events and businesses, tabling with information at community events, talking to tenants in multi-unit high-rises, and more.

The umbrella of the job has widened significantly over the years. Not long before I took this position, the job was strictly about teaching young children about fire safety and fire prevention. Fast forward to today - our outreach includes children, adults, businesses, faith communities and more!

With COVID-19, I am now working entirely remotely, trying to reach out to people via newsletter, email, sharing best practices from local and far away communities, dropping activity books off at places for kids and families to access, and other tasks that minimize interacting face-to-face with the public.

I’ve started the process of seeing how firefighters in the stations can read a story book to children via video – either in real time or pre-recorded. I’ll let the Mill City Times know in advance of the storybook scheduling. COVID-19 is definitely challenging us to think outside the box and be creative and innovative with our outreach!

MCT:  Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic – any advice or tips you’d like to offer readers?

CA:  We’ve all heard the basic things many times – the recommendations by the CDC are to stay home as much as possible, wash hands frequently and maintain social-distancing. The CDC and health departments are the experts on this subject, so turn to them for the best information!

I am not shifting over to COVID-19 activities exclusively. I’m still focusing on fire prevention and other risk-reduction outreach; however, I will include updated tips to stay healthy during COVID-19 as part of that outreach. I’ll be taking information from the CDC and Minnesota health departments in that messaging.

That being said, a few people had contacted me wondering what they as a community could do to help – and it’s such a catch-22 because we all want to help, and yet the directive to “stay home” makes it difficult! So, I started looking at what other communities are doing – particularly on the east and west coasts where the virus is a bigger problem. Here is one of the articles I found when researching how neighbors, friends, and families can help each other out during this time. To help vulnerable neighbors, someone suggested having a shared spreadsheet where neighbors/friends/etc. could log what some basic needs are, and then people could take on one of those items and sign up to help. For example, let’s say my elderly neighbor needs house supplies. I could list that need on the spreadsheet, and someone could adopt that need and when they are at the store, pick up a few items for that neighbor, and drop it at their front door. Maybe another neighbor has a vulnerable immune system or an underlying medical issue and cannot leave their home. It’s a start at looking out for one another.

Captain Anderson leading a fire station tour with a group of Head Start families in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood.MCT:  Do you target any special groups or demographics for risk reduction?

CA:  Yes. I am deliberate about reaching out to our immigrant population, people with disabilities, and people in transition - such as those moving from shelters to independent living. For example, imagine living in a country where you’ve never used a modern stove or oven, and moving here where everything is different, including how you cook! Unattended cooking (stepping away from the stovetop when it’s on) is the #1 cause of home fires. Teaching people how to cook safely prevents a lot of fires! Or imagine being deaf or hard-of-hearing and living in a home that does not have appropriate smoke-alarms with strobe lights or alerting devices to wake you when you’re asleep. It’s important that we reach out to people who are at higher risk for fires, and I’m thoughtful about that.

MCT:  Are there any blind spots in the city’s risk focus that warrant additional attention or modification?

CA:  That is something I try to take time to analyze year to year. In general, the top causes of fires and fire-related injury and death have remained consistent for decades (both nationally and locally): #1 cause of fires are unattended cooking – which is 100% preventable by just being more careful in the kitchen. The #1 cause of fire-related death is falling asleep with a cigarette (although in the last few years unsafe heating, such as space heaters left on too long or too close to something, have vied for that #1 spot). That being said, it’s important to look at the data from year to year to see if there are any trends happening that we should focus on to keep people safe.

MCT:  Who is accountable for results in your work?

CA:  It’s a team effort! Although we have a small team of people who are assigned to “community risk reduction” as their primary job – myself and my colleague David Carson, who was just added to this position earlier this year (prior to that it was just me) – we rely on the fire station personnel to help with community events, station tours, and even school visits. The MN State Fire Marshal Office leads the charge to connect all the fire department community risk reduction specialists in the State of Minnesota. We have regular meetings and share ideas and resources.

But people in risk-reduction collaborate across jurisdictional boundaries as well. I’m part of several teams of people whose primary job is prevention and risk reduction. We all collaborate on some level to help and support each other: Minneapolis Police, Health, Regulatory Services, Emergency Management; as well as networks of people from other cities and states.

MCT:  How do you work with neighborhood associations?

CA:  I rely a lot on partnerships with MPD Crime Prevention Specialists to connect with neighborhood associations. They send out fire-related safety information for me as needed. I’m also available to speak at neighborhood association meetings, and have been invited to do that, particularly when there is a pressing fire-related concern in the neighborhood. Minneapolis Communications handles most notices to the neighborhood associations.

MCT:  Do you hold Zoom meetings (or other free videoconferencing) with citizens?

CA:  I have not held Zoom meetings as part of this job. However, with COVID-19 I have attended more Zoom meetings in the last two weeks than I have in my entire 20-year career with MFD! I anticipate holding Zoom meetings as part of my outreach if the directive to social-distance and stay at home continues for a while.

MCT:  Is your department more concerned with risk prevention or mitigation?

CA:  MFD prioritizes both prevention and mitigation. Prevention is incredibly important, because most fires can be prevented by teaching people about the causes of fires, and safer habits that lead to less fires. Although I stated that the #1 cause of fires is unattended cooking, to be specific, the #1 cause is PEOPLE. People cooking carelessly. People leaving the candle burning when they leave the house. People discarding a cigarette, still hot, into a pile of dry brush. If we can teach people to have safer habits, we will reduce fires drastically and we have seen the number of fires drop with these efforts. But mitigation is incredibly important too! The MFD is prepared to respond to every fire, medical, and hazardous emergency that we are called to. We are the biggest fire department in the State of Minnesota, serving the largest population, and our response times are incredibly fast. We want the public to have a toolbox of prevention knowledge and empower them to be safe at home and at work, but when emergencies happen, know that MFD will be there quickly!

MCT:  Thank you Captain Anderson for your time and commitment!

CA:  Thank you for sharing our story. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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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. 

The Mill City Times Interview: Dancing Bear Chocolate

Article by Becky Fillinger

Dancing Bear Chocolate is in the final weeks leading up to opening their Northern Chocolate Studio at 4367 N Thomas Avenue in the Victory neighborhood. The coronavirus pandemic has shutdown much of the state.  Small businesses are still attempting to move forward, and in the spirit of supporting our community we will continue to report on how businesses are adapting. We sat down with the owners – practicing good social distancing - Joe Skifter and Steven Howard, to talk about their new space and their dreams for the business.

MCT:  What’s the anticipated opening date for your new space?  You had mentioned in other interviews that it won’t be a traditional retail location. What do you envision for your studio space?

JS:  We hope to be open the week before Easter, with the gelato/ice cream and treat window in operation at that time. We are at the mercy of COVID-19 right now so we will open for business as soon as we can. All construction is on pace to be finished mid-April. New windows and doors have been installed. We’re using all safety precautions to move ahead with our construction and to protect our crew. Currently we are planning on having the store open Thursday and Friday 3PM to 7PM and Saturday 10AM to 4PM. During warmer weather we will add hours of operation for the walk-up gelato window on Sunday and summer holidays.  During December, we plan to be open every day leading up to Christmas. We are planning to close the store for the month of January, reopening in February for Valentine’s Day.

SH: We’ll use the studio for fulfilling our online orders. Our space is wide open – the new windows are very large - with work tables and shelving separating retail from the kitchen. We want our customers and neighbors walking by to see what we are working on. We imagine it as a very interactive space – with demonstrations and classes. You’ll also see orchids in the window – we grow them at home and see them as adding to the beauty of the studio.

Joe Skifter and Steven Howard

MCT:  What’s the history of this building?

JS:  The structure was built in 1929 as a grocery store. In the 1940’s, it was a Spudnut Donut location.  Children would carry out trays of donuts and sell them door to door in the neighborhood. It then became the office of Dr. Vern Steffens, a dentist from the late 60’s till the 90’s. After that a local church ran a maternity assistance clinic at the location, aiding new mothers and babies. It sat vacant for a number of years.  I saw the real estate listing on New Year’s Day 2018 and knew it would be the perfect location for our dream of owning a chocolate shop. 

SH:  Every prior business here took care of the neighborhood – whether it was groceries, dental work or helping moms. We’re going to keep that pattern unbroken. We are actively looking for photos and stories of any of the earlier businesses and services at this location. Please contact us – we’ll share your stories too.

Dancing Bear Chocolate building design

MCT:  Steven, you’ve worked in chocolate in the past. You worked in desserts and pastries at RSVP Cruise Lines, D’Amico Cucina and you were a chocolatier on Nantucket Island. You also opened KoKoa Chocolatier in Tulsa OK, which grew to three locations. Was Dancing Bear Chocolate always in the back of your mind as the Minnesota entrepreneurial business you wanted?  

SH:  Some of my other positions were also very entrepreneurial. KoKoa, a chocolate-themed restaurant in Tulsa OK, started with one location and grew to three. For Dancing Bear, I want this to not just be an entrepreneurial business venture but also be a place for happiness and wonder. I’m envisioning a real Willie Wonka customer experience. It is certainly a goal to open the studio with my husband, Joe.

JS:  We want this to be a center of neighborhood experiences and activities. This is our future and we want to make a connection with every customer. **

MCT:  What is your formal chocolate education? 

SH:  I’m a self-taught chocolatier and executive pastry chef with over 20 years of experience.

MCT: A Yahoo small business article advises chocolate startups to start small and build a demand before investing in a big commercial space or expensive equipment. Have you followed this path?

JS: We are in our 3rd year of operation - we have taken a ‘go slow’ approach to this project. Selling online and through pop-up shops gave us the momentum to move forward with our own retail space and studio. We realize that we do not have unlimited funds and the funds we do have need to used wisely. We own the building which will keep our monthly expenses down.  The cost of the renovation is about double what we originally thought. A grant from the Victory Neighborhood Association has been very helpful in the renovation of our building.

MCT: How do you introduce customers to your products?

JS:  Well, we launched the company in 2018 without a retail location. We did pop-up sales at Chameleon Shoppes at Gaviidae Common and at Open Book. We’ve sold via Etsy.com. We have a strong social media presence with Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. We’ve sold wholesale and also donated product at many charitable events. 

SH: Most recently, we donated chocolate to go along with the meals Emilys F&M provides for people unable to venture out for meals during the coronavirus shutdown.     

MCT:  Empire Chocolates, a chocolate startup, describe their customer as “passionate about the arts - creative and sociable, they enjoy galleries and attend fashion events, they celebrate cultural and artistic icons they admire.” They have certainly drilled down to a specific an understanding of their customer? Who is your customer?

SH:  Our customers are all over the map. We all know that Minneapolis is an incredible foodie town - like Empire we have customers who fit the chocolate aficionado description. Our studio is also across the street from Loring Elementary School and Victory Park. We meet a lot of moms and families! We don’t want to price ourselves out of the market. Our chocolate and pastries will be accessible. Great chocolate does not have to be a luxury item. We meet our customers where they’re at. My main goals with the chocolate is that it taste delicious and create wonder, happiness and love – which can happen at many price points.

MCT:  What is behind the company name?

JS:  The name we chose for the business - Dancing Bear Chocolate – and the names of many of our products, have interesting stories. Steve is a fan of all things related to polar bears. He wanted the name and logo to be a dancing polar bear with a Northern Star. We hope our logo inspires hope, love and kindness. The logo also acknowledges our Minnesota roots. Our creations will often feature bears, hearts and stars. You’ll have to come by and check out our “Kodiak” bar and Bear Paw brownie. We hope to inspire our customers with joy and happiness through our products. Our customer reviews to date have told us that we’re meeting our objectives!

MCT:  What have been your biggest challenges? Have you found a way to overcome them?

JS:  We have had many challenges along the way, especially since taking on our building renovation. We had to re-zone our building from Office-Residential to Commercial-Retail, which was the original zoning for the structure. We had the good fortune of connecting with Zoe Thiel, Manager of the Minneapolis Small Business Team. Zoe has helped us immensely. We could pick up the phone and call her for advice and she always responded quickly. We took every setback in stride and continued to move forward. Failure was not an option and conquering each challenge is an unbelievable feeling of accomplishment. I said in an early conversation with Zoe, about the zoning challenges, that Minneapolis has been an incredible place for me to live, she has never let me down and I believe this is not the time she will.  I’m happy to say that Minneapolis did not let us down.  By the way, Under the Minneapolis 2040 plan, which Dancing Bear Chocolate did not fall under, it will be a lot easier to improve properties as well as to start and operate businesses in Minneapolis.

MCT: Do you handle corporate accounts? Custom orders?

SH:  Yes and Yes. This past holiday season, we received an order for 38 corporate gift baskets. We can incorporate corporate logos on chocolate pieces. Once we are in the studio, our capacity will skyrocket. Our cakes are all custom designed and made to order. 

MCT:  What’s on your wish list for 2020 and beyond?

JS:  We see a full line of Dancing Bear provisions. It could include honey, lemon curd, take and bake scones, sweet and savory crackers, etc. We see cooking classes by area chefs and artisans.

SH:  I feel that we birthed the business two years ago. We’re now growing it and putting it on the right path. Of course, the business will allow us to continue to support the charities important to us. Those are Polar Bears International and Open Arms of Minnesota. We live a few blocks from here. We’ve been blown away by the community outreach to us, even at this point. When we needed to rezone, the number of neighbors stepping forward to help was tremendous. Our goal is a bright, loving future for the business and our greater community.

**During our meeting, Joe Skifter saw a neighbor looking in the new windows. He opened the door to speak to her and give her an update on the business.

Coming Event

MCT:  Anything else you’d like to tell our readers?

DBC:  Follow our social media – come by for a gelato or chocolate in April – we look forward to meeting you!

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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. 

The Mill City Times Interview: Brenda Langton, Founder and Development Director – Mill City Farmers Market

Article and photos by Becky Fillinger

For over 40 years, Brenda Langton has led the organic and healthy food movement in Minnesota through award winning restaurants and by founding the Mill City Farmers Market (MCFM). We sat down with her during the March 7th Winter Market.

Mill City Farmers Market founder Brenda Langton with Martha Archer, Executive Director and Jenny Heck, Market & Social Media Manager

MCT:  You’re the founder of the Mill City Farmers Market. Can you tell us more about the beginnings of the market in 2006?    

BL:  Actually, I was blessed with being able to ask for help from others to build the market. As I was building my new restaurant Spoonriver, I discovered the Chicago Plaza space and realized that it would be ideal for the MCFM. We’re very grateful for seed money that was provided by the Wedge Coop. I then went to work recruiting other people and sponsors to get it rolling and doing the work to make the market a reality.  

MCT: Did anything happen that you did not anticipate?

BL: Yes, the city didn’t want us to have a farmers market. We were going to have artists and other non-farmers as vendors at the market - items other than food - and the licensing and city officials didn’t know how to deal with us. They basically hoped that we would go away. We persevered because we knew that building a healthy community was the right thing to do at this location. We celebrate our 15th anniversary this year. We’ve seen tremendous growth in residential and commercial spaces in the area – which is terrific because the farmers need our support and people need fresh organic food. 

MCT:  Your earliest tagline was Healthy Foods, Local Farmers. Has your vision endured? 

BL:  It has endured. We’ve gone beyond just a tagline. We just updated our Strategic Plan for 2020-2023.  I’m pleased to share our new guiding principles:

• Farmers – Held farmers succeed because they are the foundation of our food system
• Market – Curate and sustain a vibrant, financially viable marketplace for all
• Programs – Empower a healthy community through experiential learning and access to nourishing food
• Partners – Advance the local regenerative food system through innovative leadership, strategic partnerships, and sustaining donors and stakeholders
• Capacity – Ensure that MSFM and MCFM-CF (Charitable Fund) are sustainable organizations with the financial and organizational capacity to support our mission and impact

The Market just doesn’t happen by magic each Saturday. We host over 5000 people a day in the summer. It takes a lot of planning to make it successful and financially viable and our team wants to be prepared for each individual market day, and also for the future. 

MCT:  “Spoonriver has never been just a restaurant.”  “Relationships have always been at the heart of our business. Our mission has been to build a healthier community through the meals we serve.” Is MCFM a way for you to sustain and grow the relationships built by your restaurants?

BL: Yes, I love to build community. I’ve worked directly with local producers and growers for over 40 years. I love to engage with all the different partner organizations that can lift up organic farming and healthy eating. Ultimately, we can only do what we can do in our community. The rest of the country is dealing with so much - I feel that by addressing local issues we can help our community work collaboratively on the issues closest to home.  

Jeff Nistler of Nistler Farms grows sweet corn, squash, melons and tomatoes. He also sells honey and quick breads, as pictured here.MCT:  How do you spot opportunities for innovation? 

BL:  I love reading, hearing and listening to anything that is regenerative to the soil. If it will help our climate and food producers, it is front and center with me. I learn something new and perhaps it combines with my prior knowledge for something new altogether. I try to get engaged with good organizations that are doing good and we can learn and work together. I’ve never been a person who lives in the past. It’s always forward for me.

MCT:  MCFM is clearly more than a traditional farmers market where consumers meet the local producers of their food. That is very important, but when I looked at the MCFM website I am surprised at all of the ancillary programs. Tell us about the other things that MCFM does.

BL:  I’m very proud of them. Other programs include:

Next Stage Grant – We designed the Next Stage Grant to provide funding to local, sustainable farmers and other food producers who experience hardship or are improving sustainable farming or growing toward the “next stage” of their local food businesses. We started this grant program in 2013. The inception of the Market’s Charitable Fund in 2017 has allowed the MCFM to nearly double its grant awards to over $122,000 in just two years and expand the pool of grantees to local farmers and food makers throughout the region.

One of our grants went to Prairie Hollow Farm. Pam Benike, the farmer, suffered a serious back injury. Our grant allowed her to purchase a standing potting table and a Japanese-designed Paper Pot Transplanter. We’ve learned that sustainable farming also includes sustaining the physical health of the farmers. With our $1800 grant, she is able to continue farming.*

We’re also purchasing CoolBot units for our vendors. Refrigeration is very expensive. Our farmers were throwing away (or leaving in the fields to rot) valuable product that could be saved with an inexpensive cooling unit. I want to buy one for every farmer! Flowers stay fresher longer, vegetables don’t wilt so easily, everyone comes out ahead with a little bit of inexpensive refrigeration.

Mill City Gives – This is our food donation, or “gleaning” program. MCFM has been working with volunteers from Augsburg University’s Campus Kitchen since 2013, collecting excess produce from farmers at the end of the market day. Farmers donate fruits and vegetables that didn’t sell, CSA boxes that didn’t get picked up, etc. Starting in 2018, we are able to compensate farmers for their donated product thanks to a generous sponsorship from Delta Dental. Volunteers collect over 5,000 pounds of MCFM produce that they deliver to families and individuals in low-income housing in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. Any leftover produce is used in Campus Kitchen’s community garden lunch, the campus food shelf or for their Sunday night cooking class which teaches low-income and first-generation college students how to prepare healthy and delicious dishes using the fresh vegetables.

River, a MCFM day staff member, demonstrated a recipe at the March 7 market Mill City Cooks - Our goal is for every visitor to prepare at least one meal per week using ingredients from our farmers.  As part of this mission, MCFM offers free 20 to 30-minute professional cooking classes every Saturday between 10 and 11 AM. Classes are in the train shed patio area in the summer and across from the Information Booth in the winter. Today’s recipe is Mason Jar Vinaigrette. We encourage our guests to use #WeeklyMarketMeal to show us your meals.

Meet Your Vegetables - This is another of our experiential programs. It is a nutrition and public health internship in partnership with Allina Health. Designed for undergraduate students, interns work to create healthful, seasonal recipes to sample at the Market. They also complete a community engagement project focused on nutrition or food access. The internship requires a minimum of 120 hours, which is completed between May and October.  Students work alongside chefs, farmers, health care providers and non-profit professionals, giving them the opportunity for mentorship and career development in related fields.

Mill City Kids - Formerly called the Power of Produce, this free program teaches kids about healthy food choices and introduces them to farmers.  Kids ages 3-12 can sample a seasonal fruit or vegetable at the Mill City Farmers Market’s information booth.  After sampling, they earn a $2 market token that can be used to purchase produce at the market.

Zero Waste - In 2009, MCFM became the first Zero Waste Farmers Market in Minnesota! MCFM is proud to be a Zero Waste Market, where all the “waste” generated at the market from food sales, samples and events is composted or recycled. We have a 98% landfill diversion rate.

Community Booths – We are happy to offer other non-profits and local businesses space to share their good work through tabling at the market. MCFM receives lots of interest from local organizations interested in having a presence at the market, and we typically accommodate one or two organizations each week.  We give preference to healthy food, agriculture, cooking, environment, wellness and Mill District neighborhood organizations.

Heidi Skoog of Serious Jam at the March 7 market.

MCT: NPR published a study in 2019 that there were too few farmers to populate the market stalls and too few customers filling their bags with fresh produce at the 8600 nationwide markets, and as a result some markets were failing. Is the MCFM profitable? How healthy is the MCFM?      

BL: We are in relatively good financial health. MCFM lost a few sponsors and I working to recruit others.  Our Harvest Dinner in September is our annual fundraising event.  We fund our grants program with some of the proceeds from the dinner. We have vendor fees, which we want to keep low and the third leg of our financial picture is sponsorships. One of my jobs is to find ways to partner with vendors and sponsors in a meaningful way. An example is CoBank. Mike Romanowski, President of CoBank, is on our charitable fund board and the bank will be a sponsor of the market. CoBank is a national cooperative bank providing loans and other financial services to farmers, agribusinesses and rural power, water and communications providers in all 50 states. They have a knowledge sharing program that will benefit all of our farmers. Our interests intersect on many levels.   

We do measure visitors to the market.  We remain about the same year after year – we haven’t lost visitors. We have a very loyal clientele. We know that there is a notion that MCFM is expensive. If you buy organic, our pricing is in line with what you would find at a brick and mortar organic food grocer.

MCT:  How do you select the vendors for the MCFM? 

BL:  We have a Vendor Advisory Committee. We’re selective - we want the right mix. We curated the market from the beginning. We don’t want to offer too many of any one item, such as cheese. We’re currently looking for fruit vendors. We have a good mix because we’re thoughtful.  

MCT: Can you give us an update on the collaboration between Birchwood Cafe and the Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) to open a new restaurant in the Spoonriver location?

BL: We’re very excited to see Birchwood and the MFU partnering again. It is not a new relationship – they collaborate at the Farmers Union Coffee Shop at the State Fair. The new Mill City restaurant will continue to build awareness of the need to support Minnesota farmers. I’m not helping with any part of it. They're all very capable business people and it should be open by the summer. MCFM looks forward to MFU as a sponsor.  

MCT:  How is social media handled for MCFM?  

BL:  Jenny Heck, Market and Social Media Manager – she handles our social media on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram.

We’re looking for more people to help post on social media. We have so many stories to tell! If it helps the farmers, we welcome it. Please follow us and post photos and comments from your trips to the MCFM!

MCT: As a true local visionary, what’s next? 

BL:  I’m a Senior Fellow at the U’s Center for Spirituality and Healing. The next class will be offered next winter. I see myself consulting more in the future. Right now, I’m happy with the market and it is incredibly nice to have more free time for once in decades.   

MCT:  Other thoughts?

BL:  We’re very grateful that people meet their friends for coffee at the market. It’s fun here – the music, the coffee, the pleasant atmosphere. But we encourage them to also bring their shopping list. I guarantee the lettuce you buy here is going to taste a lot better than you find in traditional grocery stores, and you’re helping local farmers stay in business. 

*Mill City Times reached out Pam Benike of Prairie Hollow Farm. “A year ago I was trying to figure out how to spend the rest of my life and support my family if I could no longer farm. My surgeon told me that my back injury would not allow me to ever squat or bend in the future. I plant and grow year-round in hoop houses and in the ground. The grant from MCFM allowed me to have a future in farming. I can pot and plant standing up. The grant allowed me to continue in my livelihood. It was way more than the money – it was the idea that people cared about me and invested in my future.”

Pam Benike with a standing potting station.

Transplanter in use at Prairie Hollow Farm.

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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. 

The Mill City Times Interview: West Elm North Loop

Article and photos by Becky Fillinger

Ribbon cutting - photo: West ElmGlobal lifestyle and design brand West Elm will celebrate its grand opening on Thursday, March 5 from 6-8 PM at its new location on the ground floor of the Second + Second development in the North Loop.  The event is open to all and will feature local bites and specialty cocktails (for those over 21), the new spring line and shopping for a cause:  shoppers will receive a 15% discount during the event and a portion of the proceeds will go to Urban Homeworks, a local nonprofit transforming vacant and distressed Twin Cities properties.  Speed up your check-in by rsvp’ing ahead of time.

Ahead of the grand opening, Mill City Times sat down with Hannah Wickberg, spokeswoman for West Elm, to learn more about the company and its vision for the North Loop location. 

Hemp beddingQ: Welcome to the North Loop!  What kinds of challenges do you face when you open a new store?

Hannah: We always partner with a great, local development company to build out our space in new markets. Since no store is exactly the same—and the space footprints vary—we enjoy the challenge of working with our developer, construction partners, and store design team to create a showroom and space that is unique to the market and fits in seamlessly with the neighborhood. The North Loop location has over 11,000 square feet and is on the first floor of a mixed use building.

Decorator aesthetic   

Q: What are you most excited about in this new location?

Hannah: We love the urban location in the North Loop. We’re excited to be part of a diverse mix of retail, dining and cultural opportunities for people to explore while they’re downtown. West Elm is a neighborhood brand with our roots in a neighborhood, so we’re thrilled to continue having a community around us. 

Q: Is there an unmet market you are hoping to serve? And if so, what is it?

Hannah: We look forward to serving the growing community of city dwellers in Minneapolis, from young professionals to established urbanites. We also hope to offer a convenient location for the large community of college students in Minneapolis-St. Paul.

Modern aesthetic 

Q: How do you build an assortment that is relevant to the local market?

Hannah: Two examples of how we keep our retail locations relevant to local markets are our in-store Design Crew Services and our LOCAL assortment. Our Design Crew services offer customers free design consultations in store for everything ranging from floor plans to fabric swatch selections. Our West Elm LOCAL program was launched in 2013, and since its inception has introduced over 900 artisans and their unique pieces to customers across the country. The downtown Minneapolis location will carry a unique selection of locally crafted goods from local Minnesota makers Solid Manufacturing & Kate Arends of Wit + Delight.

Kaloh Stoneware Dinnerware SetsQ: What are your best-selling items?

Hannah: Our unique, modern designs are what we’re best known for. Each customer is coming to us with their own personal style, so that’s why we offer a variety of visual expressions in our assortment.  Our three design aesthetics are on display in the store:  Decorator, Pure and Modern. The styles range from playful, colorful, geometric (modern) to velvets, fur and gleaming (decorator) – with lots of choices in each to customize your home design.

Q: How are you thinking about sustainability?

Hannah: Sustainability is one of West Elm’s core values, and we like to say that each one of our products is consciously designed to make a positive impact. Our assortment features GOTS-certified organic cotton, goods that are Fair Trade Certified™, and furniture made with wood certified to the high industry Forest Stewardship Council standards.  We just celebrated our 5 year partnership anniversary with the Fair Trade label last fall. This commitment makes a difference by ensuring safe working conditions and fair wages.  A portion of the purchase goes back to the factory in the form of a premium. Each factory decides how to spend the premium. For example, our makers in Haiti purchased bicycles for employees who typically walk 2-4 hours daily to and from work. Another partner opened a health clinic, not just for employees, but for the entire community. 

Many of our selections are also handcrafted, sourced from a network of 35+ artisan groups in 15 countries, employing nearly 5,000 makers.

Recently, we expanded our bedding assortment to include a new Fair Trade Certified™ collection of hemp bedding including sheets, duvets, and a coverlet. West Elm is the biggest retailer of hemp for bedroom products. Hemp is generally considered to have a low environmental impact because growing the hemp plant requires significantly less water and land than other conventional bedding materials and does not typically require the use of pesticides.

View more about West Elm’s commitments to responsible retail at westelm.com/commitments.

Q: Are you thi​nking about delivery/supply chain differently for this city location? Do consumers shop a downtown location differently than locations in suburbs?

Hannah: We thoughtfully plan each store’s assortment knowing what the community is shopping for. For example, the downtown Minneapolis store may feature more small-space solutions than a store in Dallas, Texas, which may have more large sectionals and expanded dining tables.

Q: How much autonomy is the individual store given?

Hannah: The local stores have a lot of freedom and are encouraged to exercise their creativity. They are empowered to plan and host pop-up events and workshops in the store and participate in community events outside of the store. The local shopkeepers and stylists know their communities best, so we trust them to serve and relate to their customer base as they see fit.  

With our LOCAL program, we love supporting and teaming up with local artists and makers to provide them a store-front location to showcase their products and reach a diverse audience. We also empower small businesses to use our retail space as a footprint to host events and pop-ups.  

We plan to also get involved in community and neighborhood events, especially in the North Loop. We enjoy being a good neighbor, and that means participating in neighborhood functions – whether it is hosting book clubs, wine nights or fundraising events in our retail footprint. 

West Elm has unique social media accounts for every location. For the North loop, check out Instagram: @westelmmpls and Facebook: @westelmmpls. 

Q: How often do you get new product?

Hannah: West Elm always has something new! We change our assortments with each season, three times per season. Our local makers also come out with new products several times a year.   

Q: What’s your favorite thing about working for West Elm?

Hannah: I love working for a brand that values corporate social responsibility. From being the first home brand to offer Fair Trade certified home goods to innovating a new bedding material with a sustainable hemp option – West Elm is constantly evolving its approach to design and looking for ways to make a positive impact. Our tag line is that we make design accessible – I’m proud to be part of that as it is as it is played out in our stores and online.

Dapper animal salad plates - koala

Q: Does West Elm offer design services and will staff visit a customer's condo or apartment to assist with room layout and design?

Hannah: Yes! West Elm Design Crew offers complimentary, personalized styling and design services for our customers. Our Design Crew can advise you in the store or visit your home for a consultation. There is zero obligation to purchase. The design services can run the gamut of measuring and selecting furniture for a room to choosing appropriate dinnerware for a special occasion.

We also offer installation services for a small fee, from hanging curtains to mounting gallery walls or a TV! For those who prefer to keep things online, we also now offer a free Design Chat function on WestElm.com.

Q: Why did West Elm decide to not open a hotel location in Minneapolis?

Hannah: We don’t have any updates on the status of the hotel. When we have updates to share, we will inform the community.

Q:  Any other information you’d like to share with our readers? 

Hannah: Visit us! Our store hours are Monday - Saturday 10 AM -7 PM and Sunday 11 AM - 6 PM. The store telephone number is 612-445-9378.

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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. 

When You Get Tangled Up, Go to Tango

Article and photos by Becky Fillinger

Thanks to Al Pacino for our title. Why does he recommend it? 

Tango is the one of the most popular partner dances worldwide. It is 140+ years old, originating in the Argentine and Uruguayan port areas along the Rio de la Plata, where native urban dwellers mixed with slaves and European immigrants. In 2009, UNESCO included tango in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists. Tango is now known to offer therapeutic healing – benefits were recognized in 1980, and numerous scientific studies have shown that tango dance improves quality of life, cognition, endurance, balance, social satisfaction, and emotional health. Tango is recognized by the Veteran’s Administration to assist in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease – it improves balance and walking, and is a safe psychological touching environment that can help in rebuilding trust. The combined mental and physical aspects of Tango, practiced consistently, make a big difference in veterans’ wellbeing. Tango can also help build empathetic communities. There’s a Tango Society of Minnesota. Pope Francis danced the tango in his younger years. 

Wow – it’s a dance powerhouse! What can it do for our hyper-local Mill City community? A lot. Tango’s cultural heritage, along with its physical and mental benefits, are celebrated weekly in the Mill District.

James Schmit and Nancy Arnison   

James Schmit founded Mill City Tango in 2019. He came to tango as a remedy for serious back pain caused by a sedentary IT career. “I was spending many hours on the floor at work every day just trying to manage my back pain. My job as an IT person, sitting all day at a desk, was clearly aggravating my condition, but doctors continued to avoid naming the real problem, prescribing palliative care again and again.” James determined that moving his body would be key to recovery and that dancing would be his way to a better lifestyle.

He retired from the desk job and started dancing. His early dancing adventures in Minnesota led him to Country Two Step, West Coast Swing, and then after moving to Florida, to Salsa. He noticed that the pain was diminishing week by week. The Salsa dancing he witnessed in Miami involved unbelievable sensuality and gusto, causing James to realize that the world “just didn’t need one more aging white guy attempting Salsa.” Enter the Tango. “I found I enjoyed Tango music. I liked sensing the kinetic movements of my partner and I began feeling the flow of the dance. As challenging as the dance was, I began to realize I was stronger and felt much better for doing it. My core had to be engaged to survive practice, and the mental challenge was significant. I have tried to quit Tango many times in complete frustration, but I keep coming back to it.” When he moved back to Minnesota, James founded Mill City Tango to continue his practice and healing and to meet new people.

Instructor Rebecca Abas (red shirt) instructs on the connected tango embrace, or abrazo. 

Rebecca Abas is the instructor for Mill City Tango. She teaches at her studio, Four Seasons Dance Studio in Loring Park (where she has taught for over 20 years), and at the U of M. Rebecca has taught dance coast to coast at corporate events, and has choreographed many theatrical productions. She is an enthusiastic promoter of tango’s social aspects and ability to build community. “Couples enjoy it because they can each contribute to the partnering fun. Singles like it because they can meet people in a safe happy environment. I think Argentine Tango has more connection than most dances because of the close physical contact and intense music - it is very social.

The Mill District is a fairly new community that has been thrown together by all the nearby development. We know people seek others with similar interests to have a social network. Dance is wonderful for the physical and mental exercise, and social dance brings people together unlike anything else. It's a little risky (to be vulnerable) for someone, but if they stick with it they soon have a group of people they can trust, and when they live in the same building or neighborhood that connection will extend to other aspects of living in the Mill District.”

When I visited the Mill City Tango, they were dancing to Cristal by Francisco Canaro. The music is beautiful and melancholy - worth a visit to hear new music!

Other students’ reactions were enthusiastic as well. Beth Lee noted, “Tango is a nice way to meet people outside of your wheelhouse. It is something I totally would not do before Mill City Tango.” Cindy and Darrell Randle “wanted to take dance classes forever – the steps and little pivots are fun to learn.” 

Mill City Tango meets every Tuesday at 6:15p at The Legacy, 1240 S 2nd Street. What do you need? A sturdy shoe with a smooth bottom and a willingness to learn and trust. Dancing lasts about an hour and then the group socializes for another hour. There is a suggested donation of $15 per class, and all are welcome to the social after class. For those in the Mill District interested in improving their physical and mental health – i.e. untangling - for a brief interlude, please get in touch with James via jschmitr@msn.com. (No registration is needed, but you can request to be added to the email notification list.)

The shoes are important - you need to be able to glide and pivot to tango.

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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. 

Ryan Companies: Building A Better Workplace

Article and photos by Becky Fillinger

What company was ranked #9 in the Star Tribune's Top Workplaces for 2019? Here’s a visual clue for you:

Photo credit Legacy resident, Tabitha Mays

If you live in the Mill District, you’re probably aware that the Ryan Cos. US Inc. (and Edina developer Luigi Bernardi) are building The Eleven. But did you know that Ryan Companies headquarters are located in the Mill District at 533 S 3rd Street in the Millwright Building? I visited their offices in January and was impressed with the handsomeness and functionality of the LEED Platinum certified building.

Lamp with rebar baseI know that Ryan is a construction company, but was nonetheless delighted by the wide-open workspaces, ample areas for private meetings, visibility and accessibility of company executives and creative incorporation of construction materials into the interior design and decoration.

Rebar and cranes are repurposed as lighting features and private meeting rooms are built from construction gang boxes. I loved a 3D model of the Minneapolis cityscape in the front lobby. The Downtown Building Model was constructed by Rolly Stephens, Director of Virtual Design, whose hobby is, not surprisingly, wood crafting.

Ryan Companies welcomes the public to view the model from either outside or drop in to take a closer look.    

3D cityscape model with The Eleven condo project in yellow

Broader view of the cityscape

Ryan has been in business for 83 years, employs 1300 people in 16 offices in 8 regions, with the Minneapolis office being the largest office. It is certainly a Minnesota business success, but what makes it a top Minnesota workplace? Employee surveys – but what makes an employee admire their employer? Glassdoor reviews are very positive – 90% of anonymous respondents would recommend Ryan to a friend and 97% approve of the CEO. Quotes include: “A great culture that actually practices their morals and values” and “Great leadership and company culture make it a place that you enjoy going to work every day.”  I found many quotes about great benefits and honesty in all interactions with clients and employees.

Company motto displayed above a gang box meeting area

“Our company motto is ‘Do The Right Thing’ and you’ll see it reflected year-round at Ryan,” said Public Relations Manager Kathy Jalivay. "Examples of living the motto are played out in our philanthropic programs and helping with regional disasters. The monumental Cedar Rapids flooding of 2008 impacted 5,390 houses, dislocated more than 18,000 residents and damaged 310 City facilities. Ryan helped with pre-flood preparations and put a dedicated team in place to handle flood recovery construction. Ryan was pivotal in restoring Cedar Rapids, including rebuilding the city hall, public library, fire station, Veterans Memorial Building and the historic Paramount Theater." Jalivay added, “The Cedar Rapids story is a great testament to how we operate as a company. We don’t just build buildings. We build communities where people can thrive. Why did we do it? We had an office and employees there, we knew how to do it and it was the right thing to do.”

Light fixture made from a crane componentEvery Ryan employee is encouraged to use up to 20 hours of worktime each year to volunteer in their communities. The corporate goal is to contribute 3% of Ryan’s pre-tax earnings to local communities through volunteering. With 1300 employees, that’s over 3200 work days devoted to volunteering. The North Region spent almost 1,500 hours in 2019 at Ryan's Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity house, building a home for their partner family in South Minneapolis. The North Region builds a Habitat for Humanity house each year. Employees who typically do an indoor desk job might be found doing a dry wall installation – it ties the employee to the actual business of the company and to its charitable endeavors.

Another impressive goal is donating cash and sponsorships equal to 2% of pre-tax earnings each year. This is with a stated revenue of 2 billion dollars in 2018! Ryan matches 100% of employee charitable contributions to qualifying non-profit charities, up to $500 per charity per year. RyanGivesBack efforts raised $838,130 in 2019, including employee donations, corporate matching funds and direct contributions. The North Region’s RyanGivesBack 2019 campaign raised over $301,000 in employee donations, pledges and corporate matches.

Tom RehwaldtOne amenity jumped out at me as praiseworthy – a shared bicycle program. Employees may use corporate bicycles for quick trips around town for business or to take a work break.

Tom Rehwaldt, a Civil Engineer and Mill District resident, is an avid user. “The shared bicycles are a great amenity for our office. I often use them to grab lunch with friends on the other side of downtown. Biking instead of walking is much more enjoyable and saves me about 20 minutes.” 

Ryan Companies is evidently ‘doing the right thing’. It’s wonderful to learn that our Mill District corporate neighbor is doing well, taking care of employees and being recognized for it.

Original company truck on display in the lobby

Constuction-themed decor 

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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. 

Mill District Residents Adapt a Houseful of Holiday Cheer to Condo-sized Christmas Wonderland

Article and photos by Becky Fillinger

What to do if you really, really love decorating for the holidays but you’ve moved from a large single family home in the Maplewood suburbs to a Mill District condo? You learn to curate your collection to fit your new space – and do it with panache!

Randy Goetz, now a resident at The Legacy, grew up in Halliday, N.D. In the late 50s early 60s, the North Dakota prairie town of a few hundred people strung colored lights from street lamp to street lamp. Randy’s father built a large wooden star decorated with blue C9 bulbs for display outside the home. Randy took over tree and other interior decoration duties in the 5th grade. “I remember the decorating as a time of family engagement – Dad and I could bond over our plans for the holiday season."  

Jump forward to Randy’s home in Maplewood in the 1990s. He would put up three 7-foot fully decorated trees, and every room would be tastefully decked out for Christmas. He would begin decorating the Friday before Thanksgiving and it would take three full days to finish. Moving to the Bridgewater Lofts 10 years ago presented a dilemma for Randy. It was necessary to cull his collection by half. A subsequent move to The Legacy required another downsizing. As a result, this year it took Randy only 4 hours to decorate, but the outcome is still spectacular.

In addition to a beautiful white flocked Christmas tree with red decorations, his display this year includes Christopher Radko bottle brush trees, vintage tulle and aluminum trees, Gurley candles and a fresh advent wreath. Randy prefers vintage ornaments to mass produced items – finding many of them online at Etsy and eBay. Organic, fresh floral arrangements are also on display throughout the holidays. 

Why does he continue the traditions? “It makes me feel good. I have wonderful memories of decorations in my childhood and later on in my adult homes, and even going to Minneapolis to look at Dayton’s displays.” Randy and his husband, Kevin, have another Christmas tradition. They make cookies, and a lot of them.  This year cookie day was December 6, during which 22 varieties were baked for a grand total of 1,314 Christmas cookies!

How do you celebrate the winter holidays? Do you have long-standing traditions you'd like to share with Mill City Times readers? Let us know via our Facebook page.  

The Mill Yard Art Review by Mill District Resident Becky Fillinger

Article and photos by Becky Fillinger

Do you sometimes think there’s nothing to do on a Sunday evening?   Not if you live in or visit the Mill District! The Mill Yard – Art at Stonebridge Lofts hosted a new art installation reception on Sunday, October 27th. The four featured artists were present to discuss their motivations, subjects and styles.

Susan Wagner

Aquaduct by Susan Wagner

Susan Wagner has her studio in the Casket Arts Building in Northeast Minneapolis. She’s past president of the Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association, an organization that now supports over 1000 local artists.  Traveling and hiking - and sketching what she sees - are essential to Wagner’s motivation. She discussed how landscapes and structures hold stories. Wagner also mentioned how abstract art is more welcoming to female artists; the dialogue of what is “art” is not so rigidly defined as in more classic styles. Her paintings on display at The Mill Yard incorporate oil, Venetian plaster and Hanji paper. Visit the exhibit and let us know if you think the piece Aquaduct is reminiscent of the bridges in our Mill District.

Peter Wong

Bitter Gourds by Peter WongPeter Wong has four decades of professional commercial photography experience and has now ventured into fine-art and travel photography. Peter enjoys taking students on lengthy US National Parks and South East Asia photography classes. He encourages his students to slow down and take meaningful photographs that show real connections. At the reception, he described an extended photo session at the market in Hue, Vietnam and pointed out the resulting beautiful photographs. The bitter gourds photograph is anything but mundane. Are you interested in a different type of travel experience? Join Peter on a 2020 trip to photograph the traditional rice harvest in North Vietnam.

Greg Preslicka and Old Tree

Old Tree

Greg Preslicka has a passion for plein air painting. He is a member of Outdoor Painters of Minnesota (OPM) and believes in the healing power of getting lost in thought while painting in the solitude of nature. Greg chatted with other plein art practitioners at the show – our friends and neighbors in the Mill District. Pat Gannon, a Stonebridge Lofts resident and OPM member,  enjoyed speaking with the artist.  She remarked “Greg Preslicka’s plein art pieces are wonderful, thoughtful interpretations of outdoor wilderness landscapes - the colors and value shifts are perceptive and well-chosen to evoke the feeling of each setting”.

Greg’s studio is in Savage and he also welcomes you to like his Facebook page. He often paints with his son, who is learning the plein air style. Naked Tree, acrylic on canvas, was painted on location in Hyland Park Reserve in Bloomington. Greg explained that it was a grey winter day during a winter that with little or no snow. Though it was overcast, he was struck by variations of greys in the landscape and thought the old tree had a lot of character. 

This Place No Longer Belongs To Me by Mary MeuwissenMary Meuwissen is an abstract painter, influenced by all the people she has met in her life (family, friends, students, teachers) and her world travels. Her studio is in the Northrup King Building in Northeast Minneapolis, where the public is always welcome to visit.

Mary appreciates how the Mill Yard show allows her to bring her art to the community. She thinks the Stonebridge lobby is a beautiful venue for an art exhibit and welcomes feedback as people continue to view her works for the next three months. Mary sold several pieces during the show and is grateful for those who attended, shopped and engaged with her during the opening event.

The show runs through February 5, 2020. To gain entrance to The Mill Yard, text art committee volunteer Sharon Teska at 612.940.2654.