Women Winning
Last week I spent an inspiring night with other women and advocates of women in public office. Peggy Flanagan reminded us that fear is nothing to be ashamed of or to run away from; it’s how we move through our fear that defines us. Attacks on reproductive freedom and bodily autonomy have only increased since the election of Donald Trump and of course we are all afraid of what is to come, but as our City Council Member I can promise you that in whatever way I can stand up to protect and champion our rights to control our own bodies, I will. Thank you to Women Winning for you work and for a night of comeraderie.
More Business Closures:
What Is the Plan?
This week the community received bad news: Iron Door Pub will be closing very soon and Lago Tacos is moving its business to St Louis Park. This makes more than 50 businesses that have closed on the Hennepin and Lyndale Uptown corridors since 2022 when our Council Member took office.
The truth is that more businesses are leaving Ward 10 than are opening. The number of empty storefronts increases, creating a situation where negative growth has become the new norm and is spreading from the heart of Uptown out to Lyndale and Nicollet and down Lake St accordingly. We have all been waiting for a plan from the Ward 10 City Council Office and what we have received instead is SILENCE.
I am a problem solver. This is why I was hired as the youngest floor manager at UPS and not only one of the only women, but the only woman of color on that shop floor. I do not accept excuses and have already begun to dig into this problem by engaging in conversations with our business partners to understand the challenges and the opportunities. My goal is to rebuild and get back to the vibrancy that I certainly knew as a young person and adult nearly my whole life in Minneapolis.
Here is what I have learned:
- Businesses need public safety to be a priority.
- Businesses need infrastructure plans that do not leave them behind.
- Businesses need the Ward 10 City Council Office to actively engage in attracting new businesses and to be visible in the ward supporting vibrancy.
- Businesses need the Ward 10 City Council Office to work collaboratively with whoever is mayor in order to create policies that help small businesses get started and stay open.
Small Business Highlight
Caffetto Coffee House, 708 W 22nd St
Last week the team had a productive meeting at Caffetto, a cozy, eclectic coffee house on the corner of 22nd and Lyndale that has served as a community hub for neighbors for decades. If the weather is halfway decent, you know you’ll see the regulars outside on the sidewalk watching the world go by.
Thank you to our hosts and volunteers for organizing a successful Meet & Greet at Five Event Center last week!
If you couldn’t make it, I look forward to meeting you and answering any questions you may have about my campaign for the Ward 10 City Council seat at one of our upcoming events.
