![]() ![]() “We’re missing a lot of the convenient aspects, like an all-star bakery… ” (The high profile Salty Tart left the Market in 2018.) “We’re not getting young people in here like we used to,” he said. Hannigan said it’s hard to argue that the market is still relevant. You have to clean it and make it really welcoming to the guests, or they’re not going to come.” “They’ve always stood on the idea that they’re not running this place to be a profit center. “We’ve got emails going back years with the type of issues we’ve been having,” said Hannigan. Hannigan also expressed frustration with cleanliness and facilities maintenance. Credit: Jaida Grey Eagle | Sahan Journal 2021 Soleil Ramirez opened Arepa Bar in January 2021. They fail, but they still keep getting money.” They used to fundraise and blow their horn about how much money they’ve raised, and then there’s no budget! … We’ve had five businesses come and go in the last five years. “And they’re using our statistics to do it. “I’ve seen a lot of failure here, and they’re still raising a lot of money,” said Hannigan. Hannigan is the owner of The Produce Exchange, the first business to sign a lease when the market opened. From Kevin Hannigan’s perspective, the market is at a historic low point. “Most of the people who opened here were gone within a few years.” Hannigan added that while landing the Indigenous Food Lab is a “huge win,” he’s not optimistic overall. “From the beginning, they have not had the ability to attract the best of the best,” he said. Hannigan’s business was the first to sign a lease at the market, and from his perspective, the market is at a historic low point. “They seem to do better when the businesses fail,” said Kevin Hannigan, the owner of The Produce Exchange. ![]() ‘I’ve seen a lot of failure here’Ĭonditions at the market have put some of its vendors at odds with its parent organizations – the non-profit Neighborhood Development Center (NDC) and the Cultural Wellness Center – and their complicated funding model. But even as the market touts its plans for expansion, some vendors express frustration with the market’s leadership and anxiety about its future. Its plans for the future include a beauty node offering grooming services slated for the end of 2022, the newly established Indigenous Food Lab by Sean Sherman, and an ancient grains culinary center. The market has put a positive face on its prospects by focusing on events programming and new growth. These alternate venues offer new food businesses a wide range of possible locations. Markets ranging from posh and diverse spots like The Market at Malcolm Yards and Graze Provisions + Libations to grassroots spots like Hmongtown Marketplace and Mercado Central offer visitors a range of choices that Midtown Global Market must strive to match. At the same time, other food halls are offering stiff competition. Foot traffic throughout the pandemic has been down 75 percent. Stalls are empty, the neighborhood has been rocked by the George Floyd uprising, and the market manager position is vacant. ![]() As the market hit its stride five-10 years ago, it became a natural gathering place for neighborhood residents, foodies, and curious visitors looking for a cosmopolitan taste of Minneapolis.īut the market is now facing challenges bigger than any it has ever faced. The market’s focus on incubating businesses owned by people of color and creating a thriving food hall environment was widely hailed as a step forward for South Minneapolis. When Midtown Global Market opened in the former Sears building on East Lake Street in June 2006, there was nothing quite like it in Minnesota. Whoops! There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. ![]()
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