"Downtown Thursdays" Features Activities and Events all Summer in Downtown

Via a June 10 Press Release from the mpls downtown council

Enjoy mpls downtown this summer with activities and programming taking place throughout our city’s core. With more workers returning to office and patrons to events, activities and patios alike, downtown’s reanimation continues each week.

Throughout the summer, there will be free events and programs happening that will add to your collective experiences. Headlined by Downtown Thursdays—which features the Nicollet Farmer’s + Maker’s markets, music, patio fun and more—downtown has many can’t-miss activities to check out on breaks, after work, or before a planned outing.

Visit www.mplsdowntown.com for information on Downtown Thursdays, walking tours, green spaces, what’s new, a full calendar of events and more.

“Downtown is ready for us to fully embrace the experiences and moments we enjoyed pre-pandemic,” said Steve Cramer, president & ceo of the mpls downtown council and Mpls Downtown Improvement District. “Each week Downtown Thursdays will be a full day of activities throughout downtown—from your morning commute to your after-work happy hour. And there are more activities throughout the week. We have a vibrant, resilient community, and we are ready to dive back into those moments we missed over the past 15 months.”

This summer’s weekly downtown events and programming will include: 

• Downtown Thursdays  |  Nicollet Farmers Market & Makers Market, Nicollet closed to bus route 6 am – 3 pm, MNSpin concerts, lawn games, Upper Lock & Dam Tours, Paddle Share promotions, Target Free Thursday Nights at Walker Art Museum, movies at Target Field Station, programming at The Commons, Twins games, various happy hour specials and programming at downtown restaurants and bars, and more
• Pianos on Parade presented by PNC Bank
• Peavey Plaza programming

“Summer is here, and there is nothing better than enjoying a patio before or after your favorite events,” said Ryan Petz, CEO of Fulton Beer. “We love being part of the downtown community nearby all the fantastic events and venues you can’t find anywhere else. Our taproom is thrilled to see downtown’s reanimation and love welcoming our patrons to enjoy summer together.”

Pre-pandemic, downtown welcomed 218,000 workers daily and millions of visitors annually. Today, with 53,000 downtown residents, over 26 percent of downtown’s workforce already returned with more coming this summer through fall, and stadiums, restaurants and entertainment venues preparing for full capacity, downtown is ready and able to accommodate its continued reanimation.

“We very much look forward returning to our downtown office,” said Meike Hengelfelt, CenterPoint Energy Strategic Marketing Manager. “We are so excited to be back in person with our colleagues to work collaboratively but also to enjoy downtown and all it has to offer – the Farmers Market on Nicollet Mall, spending the lunch hour by Peavey Plaza fountains, a summer evening on one of the beautiful downtown patios and so much more. Collectively, we are the ones who make downtown and we look forward to creating new experiences and making it an even better place for all this summer.”

Enjoy Downtown Thursdays all summer

Downtown is the place to be each Thursday this summer! Take in the Nicollet Farmers Market and Nicollet Makers Market from 6 am-2 pm. At Peavey Plaza, enjoy MNSpin live music (12-1 pm), free lawn games (11:30 am-1:30 pm), and piano performances (5-6 pm). The Mississippi Park Connection is offering Lock and Dam tours plus 10 percent off paddle share tickets. The Walker Art Center has its Target Free Thursday Nights from 5-9 pm. Plus, enjoy summer evenings with Happy Hours at our fantastic downtown restaurant scene. There will be special events and activities throughout the summer.

Pianos on Parade presented by PNC Bank returns

Pianos on Parade presented by PNC Bank return this summer with an extended run and includes pianos placed throughout downtown June through August. This year’s pianos are being painted through artist collaborations with Kulture Klub Collaborative, FAIR School, Art Buddies and other local artists to reflect a theme of A Vibrant Downtown. Pianos will be available for the public to share their gift of music, and they will also have more than 90 scheduled performances.

Splash and play at Peavey Plaza

Get ready for fun activities at Peavey Plaza throughout the summer. Enjoy free lawn games each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11:30 am-1:30 pm, free vinyasa yoga with the YWCA of Minneapolis on Tuesdays at 5:30 pm, Pianos on Parade performances on Wednesdays at 12 pm and Thursdays at 5 pm, MNSpin live music on Thursdays at 12 pm. Plus, enjoy the fountains and splashpad at Peavey Plaza throughout the summer.

Your favorite dish. Your perfect patio. The best part is you.

Downtown Thursdays complements a wide variety of happy hour specials at downtown restaurants including 8th Street Grill, Borough, Boulevard Bar & Grill, Constantine, Cowboy Jacks, CRAVE, Gluek’s, Lyons Pub, Monello, Nolo’s Kitchen Bar, The Loop and more.

For more information on downtown’s reanimation, a calendar of events, walking tours, and more, visit www.mplsdowntown.com. 

About the mpls downtown council

Founded in 1955, and one of the most historic central business associations in the nation, the mpls downtown council (mdc) is a membership-based entity that works to create an extraordinary downtown. The mdc’s collaborative developments of Intersections: The Downtown 2025 Plan was designed to help downtown businesses, community leaders and citizens build on downtown assets and implement future goals. For more information, please visit mplsdowntown.com.

About the Mpls Downtown Improvement District

The Mpls Downtown Improvement District (DID) is a business funded non-profit focused on creating a more vibrant downtown. DID leads and collaborates on programs that make downtown safer, cleaner and greener. DID convenes people across sectors and jurisdictions to work on issues of mutual interest; develop innovative solutions to complex public space challenges/opportunities including strategic activation and seek continuous improvement of ongoing programs including the ambassadors. For more information, visit www.mplsdid.com.

MPRB Invites You to Help Plan and Design Graco Park, a New Riverfront Park Project in NE Minneapolis

Via a June 9 announcement from Minneapolis Park and Rec Board

A view of Hall's Island, Plymouth Avenue Bridge and East Bank Trail running through the future Graco Park

Project includes new and improved park, new park building and connections to Hall's Island and Boom Island Park

A new stage of Northeast Minneapolis riverfront park development begins this summer! The new project includes:

• A new and improved park, called Graco Park on a parcel of riverfront land north of Plymouth Avenue Bridge that currently hosts a section of Mississippi East Bank Trail and a gravel beach facing Hall's Island.
• Design and construction of a building supporting Graco Park on the former Parcel D site (now referred to as Lot 2) along Sibley Street NE.
  • See below for information on submitting a Letter of Interest for being a tenant, hosting programs, or both in the new building.
• Improved trail connections to Boom Island Park and a pedestrian bridge connecting to Hall’s Island.

The project will be based on a site concept plan approved by Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Commissioners and a series of agreements reached with Graco Inc. in 2018. 

An overhead view of the plan for Graco Park. Tap or click the image to open a larger file in an internet browser.

Get Involved!

The MPRB invites anyone interested in the Graco Park project to give feedback that will be used to develop park and building concepts. The first of three planned phases of engagement in 2021 just launched. There are multiple ways to get involved:

Online Survey and Resources: Visit the project engagement page to find maps and images with information about the project and prompts to provide input. All submitted ideas and comments will be documented and considered as designs for the project are developed. This survey will be open through July 7, 2021.

In-Person Event: Share your thoughts in person at Graco Park on Saturday, June 12, 1-3 pm. Look for the MPRB tent and table!

Virtual Conversation: Join MPRB staff and community members for an online conversation about the project on Wednesday, June 23, 4:30-6 pm. Use the Zoom link below to join:

Graco Park Zoom Link - Meeting ID: 928 8232 1476, Passcode: 303288

Down the Road: The first phase of engagement wraps up in July. Project staff will use feedback collected to create multiple park and building design concepts and share them in August for another round of feedback with another survey and additional in-person events. Then, in the fall, a single, preferred concept will be shared for a third round of engagement.  

Visit the Graco Park and Lot 2 project page and enter your email address into the box under "Subscribe to Email Updates" to stay informed about this project.

Call for Letters of Interest in Graco Park Building

The MPRB is soliciting letters of interest (LOI) from interested parties, organizations, businesses, or proprietors that are interested in being a tenant, hosting programs, or both in a new proposed MPRB building in Graco Park. As part of the new Graco Park design process, there is also an opportunity for a future separate commercial space to be developed on the site adjacent to the Park Board building with the intention of the building to support operations of a park-supportive vendor. This call for letters of interest is for both opportunities. Interested parties should review the submission guidelines and submit a letter of interested by July 23, 2021.

The new park owned and operated building will be approximately 4,000 square feet comprised of a combination of shared or independent office space, community meeting rooms, public restrooms, and an open programmable gallery-like hall. The design and configuration of the future commercial building may change as a result of the design process.

Letter of Interest Submission Guidelines

Schedule and Deadlines

Release of solicitation for proposals: June 7, 2021
Questions or requests for clarifications due July 7, 2021
Responses to questions or requests for clarifications posted July 10, 2021
Proposals due 5 pm CST, July 23
Interviews, if required early August 2021

Questions regarding this request shall be directed VIA EMAIL ONLY to:
Carrie Christensen, Senior Planner, cchristensen@minneapolisparks.org

Small Business Spotlight: The Hitching Company

Article by Becky Fillinger

Mike Miller with Marty and carriage at the Nicollet Island Inn.

Looking for a fun way to see the sights of Minneapolis? How about a carriage ride? We spoke to Barb Miller, co-owner of The Hitching Company, about the company’s history, rides available (you can design your own route!) and the great care provided to their horses. 

Q:  Please tell us the history of The Hitching Company.

A:  The Hitching Company was started in 1988 with one white Cinderella carriage, pulled by two beautiful white horses, catering mainly to the wedding trade. After about a year or so of providing elegant carriage rides for weddings and special occasions, we purchased the assets of Cobblestone Carriage Company in Minneapolis. This acquisition gave us three valuable assets - a second carriage, the phone number of Cobblestone Carriages Company, and a daily ride schedule.

Barb and Mike MillerShortly after the purchase of Cobblestone, we started the long application process with Minneapolis to obtain our necessary permits to operate in the city. We were elated to be granted permits to operate carriages in Minneapolis. We operated out of The Hyatt Hotel for about a year and then decided to add The Nicollet Island Inn as a second location. The cobblestones of Main Street and the history of the Island seem to be a good fit with our historic and romantic carriage rides. We added two more carriages when we started at The Nicollet Island Inn. With the additional carriages, we purchased a building downtown to house the carriages. Over the years we have added more carriages and horses.

Regarding our horses, we have a farm just north of Minneapolis where they live when not working. The horses enjoy sleeping, rolling in the dirt (especially just before heading to work), and eating. We have a large field to let them graze in during the summer and walk around for exercise. The Hitching Company has had the privilege to provide our horses, carriages and staff to events not only in Minneapolis and St. Paul but all around the metro area. We have performed in thousands of parades and events as far away as Montana, New Jersey, Florida and almost everything in between. We have participated in weddings from the very beginning of our company and now we are providing wedding services to the kids of parents that used our services for their wedding day. We also provide horses and caisson for funerals - bringing a loved one on the last ride to the final resting place. The majority of our work is carriage tours in Minneapolis.

What's more romantic on your wedding day than a horse-drawn carriage ride?

Celebrating this girl's Quinceañera with a carriage ride.

Q:  Who takes a carriage tour and why?

A:  So many people love carriage rides - young, old, people on first dates, people celebrating weddings and anniversaries, visitors to the city, family holiday traditions and more. Some people love horses and want to spend time with our horses. Others wish to slow down and relax from the hectic pace of life. For the history lovers, we offer a fully narrated tour that is informative and educational.

These beautiful animals are well cared for.

Q:  How many horses do you have? Where are they stabled?

A:  We currently have 18 horses on our farm in Stacy, Minnesota. The horses are trailered to our Minneapolis stable on tour days.

Q:  What precautions do you have in place for your horses' safety and wellbeing?

A:  We give very good care to our horses. They get vet checks and shots throughout the year. Our farrier trims and shoes the horses on a regular basis so they can easily walk on the different surfaces of the city.

We also provide health, hoof and dental care for the horses. In addition, we provide long term care for every retired horse that works for our company. It may be a human thing, but knowing they can spend their golden years on our farm is the least we can provide for them.

A common sight on Main Street.

Q:  What areas do you serve? Are there choices of routes for rides?

A:  We are currently offering rides that start and end at The Nicollet Island Inn at 95 Merriam Street in Minneapolis. Our thirty-minute Mississippi River Carriage Tour takes you down the cobblestone of Main Street and around the Nicollet Island. The sixty-minute Mississippi River Grand Carriage Tour takes you over the Hennepin Avenue bridge to the North Loop area. From there we make our way along West River Parkway to the Stone Arch Bridge. The carriage crosses over the Stone Arch Bridge to Main Street. Once on Main Street the carriage will travel down Main Street to Merriam Street where it will go back on the Island and to the Nicollet Island Inn.

In the near future we will be starting and ending our tours from our stable in the North Loop, 925 N 5th Street. We will be offering 30-, 60- and 90-minute tours from the stable. The tours will offer the river area, North Loop and Loring Park/Nicollet Mall.

Our tours are predetermined but can be customized if planned ahead of time. Come ride with us!

Q:  How may we follow your news?

A:  Our website is www.thehitchingcompany.com. We are also on Facebook and Instagram.

Sunset from the Franklin Avenue Bridge

Submitted by Mill District resident Ric Rosow

I took a four mile walk the other day that included crossing the Franklin Avenue Bridge. Normally I am on my bike or in a car going over the bridge. Walking allowed me to visualize what a sunset photo on a clear night might look like.

I went back that evening. Although it was past 7:30pm I had arrived too early. Of course I did not want to be late as the sunset waits for no one. But at that time the sun was far too bright. It had not descended far enough for any photograph to be worthwhile. I walked back to my car and drove back down East River Road to the East River Flats Park to see if I could get a better angle on the setting sun that would not blow out all the detail from the sky. That was a waste of my time and the small parking fee in the parking lot, as the park is lower than the bridge and the view of downtown is nothing to write home about. I went back to the Franklin Avenue Bridge and decided to photograph the river looking to the east. The vegetation was lush and the river was calm. I could see the reflections of the railroad bridge and the Lake Street Bridge in the water. By the time I finished photographing to the east, the sun was setting quickly behind downtown. I hurried back to the intersection and crossed over to the other side of the bridge. This was the perfect time to take the photograph I had visualized. The sky was beautiful and the reflections in the river of the bridge was grand.

.

More of my work can be found at https://www.ricrosowphotography.com and in the Tres Leches Art Gallery at the Northrup King Building. 

May 2021 by the Numbers

Downtown real estate market update from Cynthia Froid Group:

Community Leader: Keith Parker, Executive Director, Great River Greening

Article by Becky Fillinger

Keith ParkerSince 1995, Great River Greening has engaged with organizations, communities, businesses, and volunteers on hundreds of projects in Minnesota. They are the leader in community-based restoration. We spoke to Keith Parker about collaboration and the many ways to volunteer for the rest of 2021.

Q:  You've held senior leadership positions focusing on Partnerships and Operations at many public and private organizations.  How does that experience help in your work at Great River Greening?

A:  Philosophically I believe that collaboration provides valuable perspectives that result in better outcomes, particularly when those involved share a common vision or goal. This approach helps me at Great River Greening because we have a mission that is rooted in collaborating with members of the community to restore land and water while providing education on the value and importance of conservation.

Q:  What are the organization's priorities for the rest of 2021? 

A:  Great River Greening is focused on continuing our efforts to engage communities throughout Minnesota in conservation efforts that educate and instill healthy environmental ethics. We will continue to do this by working with community members in creating healthy pollinator habitats and restoring a variety of open spaces to ensure healthy habitats for people and a wide variety of animal species. 

Q:  Please tell us about your youth engagement programs. 

A:  This is where collaboration is truly important. We will continue to partner with schools and organizations focused on youth development. We recognize that future generations need to understand the value of conservation and healthy environments. We are particularly excited about our partnerships with Spark Y and future work with Wilderness Inquiry.

Our work with Spark-Y Youth Action Labs engages thousands of students in their urban agriculture lab, classroom learning, and hands-on experiences. Together, we are helping carry out the City of Minneapolis's rain garden design for the Holland Basin in NE Minneapolis near Edison High School. Students from Edison High School are involved in the planning process, community outreach, and installation of the rain garden. Throughout the project, students will learn more about the basin, the importance of native plants and their connection to pollinators and our food system, as well as help recruit and inform their peers and the local community.

Youth leaders paired with Great River Greening's Volunteer Supervisors to lead small groups of volunteers in the planting of nearly 4,000 plugs in May. 

Great River Greening hosts several hands-on restoration-based volunteer events in each peak growing season. Typically, April to early June and September - October. We have an event coming up on Saturday June 12 – we’ll be doing a planting to add additional pollinator habitat near the Creekside of the Minnehaha Creek Greenway in St. Louis Park. 

The coming fall event season will be a busy one, we are actively planning numerous restoration events. We will need many volunteers! 

New this year, we are also offering independent volunteer opportunities by utilizing the community science-based platform, iNaturalist. iNaturalist lets folks record observations by taking photos of what they are seeing in nature and share with the online community. The app's AI helps identify what you have photographed, so no previous knowledge or research is really needed. These observations are compiled by location and our team of ecologists is able to see what is blooming or popping up at our restoration sites without leaving the office.  

Due to the pandemic, our plans to work with Wilderness Inquiry have been put on hold. We look forward to co-hosting events and canoe outings in the future to pair recreation with restoration. Stay tuned for more information on that partnership.

Folks can learn more about both the public events and iNaturalist project sites by visiting www.greatrivergreening.org/get-involved or by contacting Amy Kilgore, Outreach Program Manager, at volunteer@greatrivergreening.org.  

Q:  I know that your staff has put together a list of Hidden Gem destinations - parks and natural areas that might be overlooked as we all head outdoors. Do you have a favorite? 

A:  I enjoy them all, but I’m particularly fond of the Minnesota River Valley and Lebanon Hills Regional Park.  They’re close to where I live so I frequent them the most. What’s truly unique and special about our state is that there is an abundance of outdoor spaces that people can enjoy close to home. Exploring your community and surrounding communities is always a good place to start.

Q:  Does Great River Greening have a need for volunteers? What would volunteers do at GRG?

A:  We always need and welcome volunteers! Volunteers assist us in preparing and planting landscapes across many areas throughout the state. Anyone interested should contact Amy Kilgore at akilgore@greatrivergreening.org

Q:  How may we follow your news? 

A:  Check us out on Facebook or our website www.greatrivergreening.org.

The Oldest House in the City

Article by Michael Rainville, Jr.

When the first wave of settlers came to the St. Anthony Falls area, they had the always challenging task of establishing a successful city. In 1849, the village of St. Anthony was made official, and with that, more people flocked to the area. One of the more prominent citizens who helped make St. Anthony a desirable place to live was Ard Godfrey. Doing all that he could for the area and its businesses, the mark he left on the city can still be seen in Chute Square where his house, the oldest in the city, stands today.

The house in its current location, with the Industrial Exopsition Building in the background from 1936.

A modern picture from the same vantage point.

When Godfrey and his family first arrived in St. Anthony in April of 1849, they did not have to wait long to move into their new house, which was funded by his colleague, Franklin Steele. With one-and-a-half stories of living space and a one-story kitchen extension, the Godfrey’s lived in a modest Greek Revival styled house. It features a wooden shingled gabled roof and two redbrick chimneys, and it served the family for roughly four years. While they did not dwell very long at this house, the time period was vital for the city as it saw Ard Godfrey rise to prominence. Shortly after moving in, he became the first millwright in the area when he built the first dam and saw mill on the east side of the waterfall. He was also the first Postmaster of St. Anthony, and chairman of the Ramsey County Commissioners Board, as Hennepin County did not include the east side until Minneapolis absorbed St. Anthony in 1872.

The decades following the Godfrey’s departure from the house saw it fall into disrepair. However, their descendants and other local groups saw the importance of the house and did what they could to save it. In 1905, the Hennepin County Territorial Pioneer's Association purchased the house with intentions of preserving it, however, they could not raise the funds need to do a proper restoration. This effort caught the attention of the Minneapolis Park Board, and in 1909, they purchased the land that is now Chute Square on Central and University in order to move the house there, restore it, and open it as the City’s first house museum. From the time the Godfreys moved out to the present day, the house itself has moved four times. Its original location was Prince Street and 2nd Avenue SE, then moved to 2nd Avenue SE and Central, 109 Prince Street, Ortman Street and Bank Street, and finally, to its current location in Chute Square. It was closed to the public in 1943, and stayed that way until the late 70’s when the Woman’s Club of Minneapolis completed the last major restoration of the house.

The house as it once stood at 109 Prince Street.

As one of the few remaining original structures from the early days of Minneapolis, the Ard Godfrey House serves as a reminder of a time when our beloved city of almost half a million people consisted of only a few thousand. With East Hennepin growing by the day, it’s hard to imagine what the area was like in 1849 when Ard Godfrey first came to the city, but there’s no questioning that he and his family would be proud of the growth the neighborhood and city has seen since their time. It may not standout among the more modern tall buildings and condominiums, but the quaint little Ard Godfrey House is here to stay. 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -   

About Michael Rainville, Jr.

A 6th generation Minneapolitan, Michael Rainville Jr. received his B.A. in History from the University of St. Thomas, and is currently enrolled in their M.A. in Art History and Certificate in Museum Studies programs.

Michael is also a lead guide at Mobile Entertainment LLC, giving Segway tours of the Minneapolis riverfront for 5+ years.

He can be reached at mrainvillejr@comcast.net.

Small Business Spotlight: Stephanie Botzet, Co-owner and Baker Sarah Jane’s Bakery

Article by Becky Fillinger

June 4th is National Donut Day. Wondering where to get your fix of delicious donuts? Check out Sarah Jane’s Bakery, a Northeast institution. We spoke to Stephanie Botzet about their offers for the day and popular bakery items available every day.

Q:  Will you have special donuts or offers for National Donut Day?

A:  We sure will. We are offering 2 dozen assorted boxes ready to come in and pick up- as well as cases stocked full of all of our fan favorites! 

Q:  What bakery item do you wish more people would try?

A:  Honestly, our donuts are popular all around- but I would say our MN springing! Donut (MN shaped raised donuts with strawberry rhubarb filling and strawberry glaze) is a must try. Also, our coconut lime donut (raised donut with lime buttercream dipped in toasted coconut) is refreshing on hot days and slightly unique! 

We also have 3 different flavors of old fashioneds! (Sour cream, blueberry, and chocolate). Those would be my suggestions! Here’s a tip - come early to get the best selection!

Q:  What are the bakery’s most popular products?

A:  Our most popular donuts are probably the crunch donut (glazed cake with crunchy donut cinnamon sugar coating), the apple fritters, and MN shaped donuts.

Sarah Jane's is located at 2853 Johnson Street NE

Q:  Sarah Jane’s has been a neighborhood fixture since 1979. Your family acquired the bakery five years ago. Please tell us about the experience since the purchase. 

A:  Our experience in owning the bakery for the last 5 years has been great! The building has actually been a bakery sense 1927…so there's a lot of history here! We're trying to uphold the tradition while adding new things! It's a great corner (Johnson Street And 29th) with lots of great small businesses- we feel truly grateful to be part of this community! Come visit us!

Follow Sarah Jane's on Instagram and Facebook.

The Pioneers and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery

Article by Michael Rainville, Jr.

At the corner of Cedar Avenue and Lake Street in South Minneapolis lies the oldest surviving cemetery in the city. Housing roughly 20,000 graves, the Pioneer and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery served the early settlers of Minneapolis from when it first opened in 1853 to its closing in 1919. Since then, it has turned into a peaceful area to honor those who paved the way for residents of this city and state.

1936 photo of the front gates of the cemetery

The founder of the cemetery, Martin Layman, settled in South Minneapolis with his wife Elizabeth in early 1853, where they built the 6th house ever constructed on the west bank of the Mississippi. One of the major problems for early Minneapolitans was finding a place to bury their loved ones. Those who had connections with Fort Snelling could be buried there, but that was only a fraction of the population, and unlike east coast cities, churches did not have cemeteries on their grounds. To ease the situation, Layman decided to use his South Minneapolis land as a cemetery, and shortly after, on September 11th, 1853, his pastor’s 10 month old daughter passed away and became the first burial in the cemetery. Close to the city center and located on a major road that connected Minneapolis to Fort Snelling, Layman’s Cemetery quickly became a popular spot to bury loved ones, and in 1858, Layman started selling plots as demand was rising. Throughout the next few decades, the cemetery expanded a few acres at a time, and in 1886, the cemetery reached the extent it does today.

Dedication of the Philander Prescott monument at his gravesite in 1936.

The cemetery saw many veterans buried there who served in the War of 1812, the Civil War, and the Spanish-American War, as well as the first non-Native American child born in Minneapolis, the daughter of Colonel John H. Stevens. The cemetery is also home to three noteworthy early residents of the city. The first is Philander Prescott, who died in 1862. He was an important interpreter for the territorial and state government of Minnesota, as well as a successful businessman who had a trading post along the St. Croix River, where modern day Prescott, Wisconsin is located. The second noteworthy early resident of the city is Charles W. Christmas. One of the first surveyors of Hennepin County, Christmas played a significant role in establishing the borders of many towns and roads, and most importantly, much of Minneapolis’ original border. The final noteworthy resident has a much darker story. Known as “The Minneapolis Svengali,” and “the most bloodthirsty soul ever to usurp the human frame,” Harry T. Hayward is America’s first serial killer. Having lost thousands of dollars to a gambling problem and committing numerous arsons, the straw that broke the camel’s back was the murder of Katherine Ging near Lake Calhoun (recently renamed Bde Maka Ska). On March 11th, 1895, Hayward was found guilty of first degree murder and sentenced to death by hanging.

As of August 1, 1919, new burials were not allowed in the cemetery, and it took about a decade of planning to convince the city of Minneapolis to save the cemetery. Families of those interred in the cemetery received help from the Grand Army of the Republic, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the American Legion to make sure the importance of the cemetery was not forgotten. In May of 1927, the Minneapolis City Council voted to issue $50,000 in bonds to purchase Layman’s Cemetery and implement improvements. Shortly after, Layman’s Cemetery was renamed Pioneer and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery, and during the next couple decades, monuments were erected, such as the memorial to the Pioneer Mothers and the Charles W. Christmas monument.

The Pioneer Mothers memorial

While it may just look like another small cemetery in the city, it is much more. From tragic deaths of children to the hanging of America’s first serial killer, the Pioneers and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery has 20,000 stories to tell. The next time you’re catching the light rail at the Lake Street-Midtown station or waiting for the bus at Cedar and Lake, would like to honor those veterens who fought in our first wars as a nation during this Memorial Day weekend, or just need to get out of the house in this 90-degree weather - take a few minutes to stroll through the tranquil and serene 165 year old cemetery to take in and treasure the monuments of those who lived here before us.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  

About Michael Rainville, Jr.

A 6th generation Minneapolitan, Michael Rainville Jr. received his B.A. in History from the University of St. Thomas, and is currently enrolled in their M.A. in Art History and Certificate in Museum Studies programs.

Michael is also a lead guide at Mobile Entertainment LLC, giving Segway tours of the Minneapolis riverfront for 5+ years.

He can be reached at mrainvillejr@comcast.net.

Small Business Spotlight: Mohamed Malim, Founder and Creative Director of Epimonía

Article by Becky Fillinger

Mohamed Malim

Meet Mohamed Malim, the 25 year old Founder and Creative Director of Epimonía – the Minneapolis fashion label that upcycles life jackets that were worn by refugees on the Mediterranean Sea and discarded upon arrival in Greece. We talked to him about his inspirations and changing the narrative about refugees.

Q:  Please tell us about your journey to Minneapolis.

A:  I was born in a Refugee Camp in Kenya in 1996 to parents fleeing the Somali Civil War. My family lived there until I was 3 years old when we were able to resettle in the U.S. and landed in Minneapolis, MN, where there's a large community of Somali refugees and Somali Americans. My parents obtained their U.S. citizenship a few years later through the typical process which granted me automatic U.S. citizenship.

Q:  You debuted your company's fashion at New York Fashion Week on February 18, 2021. Congratulations! What was that like?   

A:  Our experience with New York Fashion Week 2021 was incredible! To date it's been the largest platform we've had to spread our message of the importance of supporting refugees. The entire NYFW and IMG teams were amazing and clearly wanted to see us succeed. Because the show was fully virtual, that also allowed us more creative freedom to showcase our mission along with our collection of products. The support that we got from our followers when they saw us at NYFW was amazing, and we were so happy to welcome all of our new followers that came from that exposure. 

Q:  Do you have fashion industry mentors?

A:  My biggest fashion inspirations have always been Virgil Abloh and Teddy Santis. From Teddy Santis - how he embraced his background to create Aime Leon Dore. ALD products represent a whole community that catches people’s attention in a unique yet simple way. We also like how his label emphasizes materials and feel – we want our products to feel and look great too. Virgil Abloh is also a major inspiration in terms of bridging the gap in the design community. We hope to support refugees in many ways, and Virgil is always talking about empowering the community. We believe Epimonia can play a big role in empowering and developing refugee talent for future years. We are all about giving back to our community.

Q:  You say that Epimonía is changing the narrative of refugee support. What does that mean to you?

A:  Our Change the Narrative initiative is hugely important to our mission, and it's not something that we commonly see in the fashion world because it's not as profitable as focusing all of our energy into products or content. There's a widespread misconception about refugees that we attribute to misrepresentation in the media. Our Change the Narrative initiative is our effort to remedy that through sharing stories from refugees and refugee supporters themselves and correct the inaccuracies. Refugees are hardworking, they're resilient, they're compassionate, and most of all they're human beings. They don't choose to leave their countries, and they're not just looking for handouts. Through a combination of our blog, our podcast, and our social media, we are on a mission to change the common perception of refugees. 

Q:  Please tell us about your partnerships - I saw a line of Love Your Melon life jacket beanies with your orange label.  

A: Yes! We've collaborated with Love Your Melon twice now, we love working with another local Minneapolis brand that is also doing their part to support those in need through fashion. Most of our other collaborations so far have been creating products with NGOs or nonprofits supporting refugees like Choose Love and Oromia to raise money for them through a targeted campaign.

We're working on a product collaboration with Minnesota United Football Club that we're really excited about, and we're also working on a couple of different products directly with refugee artists. One thing that we love about collaborating with bigger fashion brands that don't necessarily have a social mission as a part of their brand identity is that through those collaborations, we get to introduce a social aspect to an already well-founded fashion brand. Making refugee support a part of consumers' everyday lives is a goal of ours, so having collaborations with brands that don't already do that is a great way for us to get our mission out there.

Q:  How may we order your t-shirts, sweatshirts, beanies and jewelry?

A:  Our shop is currently 100% online at epimonia.com, but we have a couple of retailers that sell our products in Minneapolis. The Minneapolis Institute of Art had an incredible special exhibit in collaboration with Ai Weiwei that was dedicated to refugees, so our bracelets are for sale in their gift shop, and MartinPatrick3 is a high-end retailer in Minneapolis that also sells our bracelets. 

Q:  How may we follow your news?

A:  Because we're an ecommerce brand, following us on social media and subscribing to our newsletter is the best way to stay up to date on our company. On our social media you'll find pictures of our products, fact posts about current events in the refugee world, behind the scenes content, collaborations, and more. Our newsletter subscribers get access to exclusive discounts and presales for new products. We also have a blog and a podcast that are both linked on our website where we share refugee news as well as stories of refugees and refugee supporters.

Blog: https://epimonia.com/blogs/news 

Refugee stories: https://epimonia.com/blogs/refugee-stories

Podcast: https://epimonia.com/blogs/podcasts

Instagram: www.instagram.com/epimoniamn

Newsletter: www.epimonia.com at the bottom of any page on our site!

A Message From the mpls downtown council on Downtown this Summer

Via a June 1 News Release from the mpls downtown council:

Mpls Downtown this summer: The best part is you.

Whether it is a return to play or return to office—or both—we’ll see you downtown.

Sunshine and summer are here, and mpls downtown is signaling a return to collective urban experiences. Whether you are returning to play, to work—or both—the downtown community is ready for you to take part in a dynamic lineup of events and programming.

The time is now to enjoy festivities in our city’s core. Approximately 24 percent of downtown’s workforce has returned to the office this spring, and three distinct return-to-office waves are being planned: After Memorial Day, after the 4^th of July, and after Labor Day.

Couple that with downtown’s 53,000 residents and many entertainment venues adding capacity and events, and we have the recipe for a vibrant summer downtown. The best part is you. See you Downtown.

“Across all industry sectors, our downtown community is collectively working together to create converging events that will add to your overall experience while you’re here this summer,” said Steve Cramer, president & ceo of the mpls downtown council. “We are ready to be together again, and there will be ample opportunities to enjoy multiple activities while you’re downtown this summer.”

A variety of events and activities await you, including: 

• Twins games at Target Field
• Lynx games at Target Center
• Live concerts at First Avenue, The Armory, Target Field and more
• Minnesota Orchestra concerts at Orchestra Hall
• Patio happy hour specials
• Downtown Thursdays including Nicollet Farmers Market + Makers Market
• Live MNSpin concerts, yoga and games at Peavey Plaza
• Pianos on Parade

“This is such an exciting time as we look ahead to audiences returning to Orchestra Hall,” said Michelle Miller Burns, President & CEO of the Minnesota Orchestra. “We are so excited to welcome our patrons back not only to experience live music with the Orchestra but to enjoy the full downtown experiences—a walk along Nicollet, a few moments enjoying the Peavey Plaza fountains, and perhaps a patio seat. These are the collective experiences we’ve missed and look forward to again this summer.”

While downtown, enjoy your favorite restaurants or try one of several new spots that opened this spring. More than 300 restaurant and retail locations are open for full or partial hours, and more are scheduled to open this summer. Some of the recently opened or re-opened stores include 112 Eatery, The Butcher’s Tale, Afro Deli, Bar La Grassa, Coconut Whisk, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, Sistah Co-Op, Snack Bar, and Whiskey & Soda.

“Downtown’s vitality is critical to our fans’ experience coming to Lynx games this summer, so we know how important it is for us to work collaboratively with the business community to ensure a series of great experiences during their trip to Target Center,” said Ethan Casson, Chief Executive Officer for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx. “We are all in with our partners on helping create fun and vibrant experiences each time our fans return.”

The mpls downtown calendar includes upcoming events and can help you plan your next visit. Check out the calendar, plus learn more about walking tours, green space, your long overdue staycation and more at www.mplsdowntown.com.

About the mpls downtown council

Founded in 1955, and one of the most historic central business associations in the nation, the mpls downtown council (mdc) is a membership-based entity that works to create an extraordinary downtown. The mdc’s collaborative developments of Intersections: The Downtown 2025 Plan was designed to help downtown businesses, community leaders and citizens build on downtown assets and implement future goals. For more information, please visit mplsdowntown.com.

Small Business Focus: Quebracho Empanadas

Article by Becky Fillinger 

Belén RodríguezWho doesn’t love an empanada? If you haven’t tried them yet – there’s a world of flavor waiting for you! An empanada is a Spanish or Latin American pastry turnover filled with a variety of savory ingredients and baked or fried. Now that you know, meet Belén Rodríguez, Founder and CEO of Quebracho Empanadas. Quebracho Empanadas recently introduced their full line of frozen empanadas into 28 grocery stores as well as six farmers markets. We talked to Belén about earliest influences and why she is focusing on empanadas.

Q:  What is your earliest food memory?

A:  I can't pinpoint a specific event, but I do have a lot of early childhood memories of grilling with my dad – either him grilling and me playing in our backyard with my sister and our dog, or trying to learn from him. I was born and raised in Rosario. It's a pretty big city north of Buenos Aires. There was always something so special about those days in Rosario, especially if it was during spring, with the sun kissing our cheeks and experiencing that nice cozy feeling of the first warm days of the year.

Q:  Please tell us about your journey from Argentina to Minneapolis.

A:  My husband Rob is from northern Minnesota. We originally met in Colorado in 2006. I was travelling after college and he happened to be living there at the time. We both worked at a ski resort in the Vail Valley and lived in the same employee housing complex. After a couple of years moving back and forth, we moved to Argentina in 2008 and got married two years later. I moved to Minnesota in 2012, after living back home in Argentina with Rob for four years.

Sunday asado (barbecue) with friends

Q:  Who are your culinary influencers?

A:  I think my cooking is very much influenced by people who have used cooking as a way of bringing people together. My two grandmothers and my dad really shaped the way I cook and the way I like to work with ingredients, and my path through the culinary industry formalized that approach. I worked at Honey & Rye Bakehouse, Campiello, The Bachelor Farmer and also did an internship at 1884 Restaurante Francis Mallmann – all of these places, their founders/chefs highlighted individual ingredients, which is a core concept of Argentinian cuisine. I suppose that somehow created an emotional response in me and made me feel closer to home.

Q:  How did you end up focusing on empanadas? What should we know about your empanadas?

A:  Empanadas have a very special place in my heart. My grandma Iaia (YAH-yah) taught me how to make them and we always ate them at family gatherings. Our empanadas have been in my family for almost 80 years, and have remained virtually unchanged. I really do mean it when I say they are just like my Grandma used to make, and I'm so happy to share them with my Minnesota community.

Q:  Where may we purchase these delicious treats?

A:  Our empanadas are available online at www.quebrachomn.com, with delivery to 120 zip codes. You can also find us at six local farmers markets, as well as in 28 stores across the Twin Cities Metro area. The flavors people can expect to find in stores are:

- Beef with green olives and hard-boiled eggs, with earthy notes of paprika and cumin.

- Chicken with soffritto and béchamel sauce, with bright notes of rosemary, thyme and lemon.

- Spinach with ricotta cheese and garlic, with warm notes of nutmeg and black pepper.

Q:  Ok, I’m sold. How may we follow your news?

A:  The best way to stay up to date is to follow us on Instagram and Facebook.