MPD Interns Connect w/Community
At the Chief’s community BBQ I took time to connect with MPD interns who are the future of policing in our city. It was heartening to see so much diversity and to connect with young people who truly represent us. Embracing these young people is one of the most important ways that the community can work to achieve the transformation we need.
Embracing Our LGBTQ+ Businesses
Smitten Kitten is a sex positive store that has been serving as a community anchor for over two decades. In addition to selling products, they offer classes, community events, and acts as a gathering space. This spring they sent out the alert that they are dangerously close to closing up shop — send them your support and let’s keep the doors open!
- They are open Wed-Sun, 1-8pm at 3010 Lyndale Ave S.
Many of you who participated in this year’s caucuses are familiar with another of our vibrant LGBTQ+ inclusive gathering spaces, Queermunity. This is a great place for co-working and hosting events, and even has a cafe where you can stop in any time. The cafe and events are open to all, but membership helps sustain the programming.
- They are open every day 8-8pm at 3036 Hennepin Ave S.
One of our newest businesses on Hennepin is also LGBTQ+ owned. You can see that commitment to inclusivity in Mosaic Coffee‘s concept description on their website: “Mosaic isn’t just about coffee it’s about people. It’s about creating a place where every piece fits, every story matters, and everyone feels at home.”
They are open every day Mon, Th, Fri from 7-4pm and Sat/Sun from 8-3pm at 3040 Hennepin Ave S.
Small Business Highlight
Spyhouse Coffee, 2451 Nicollet Ave
Two weeks ago the team met at Spyhouse on Nicollet for our weekly meeting. Some of us remember when the look was 1950s atomic modernism rather than warm and sophisticated. Spyhouse remains the perfect spot to get work done on a rainy day.
Uptown Futures Forum
June 26, 2025
I want to send a shout out to our committed community who continues to come together to forge a path ahead for Uptown.
Special thanks to the electeds who took time out to speak with us and answer community questions: thank you Sen Scott Dibble, Representative Katie Jones, and Mayor Jacob Frey.
Thank you also to the panelists who shared their perspectives from our business community: Sam Ankin from Seven Points, Peter Caffrey from Caffrey’s Deli, Jim Graves from Graves Hospitality, Bill Lundeke, Minnpost columnist and UMN urbanist, Judy Longbottom from the local UPS Store, Hilary Otey & Kayla Barth from Queermunity, Peter Remes from Granada, Lawrence Thomas from State Farm, Jimmy Tidmore from Moasic Coffee, and Facilitator Allison Murn from the U of MN Carleton School of Business. Finally, thank you to the entire team at Uptown Association for once again organizing a program that brings the community together to work through the challenges we face.
All of the panelists did an outstanding job, but I want to highlight the comments of Jimmy from Mosaic Coffee who shared constructive ways we can make it easier to open small businesses — something that I will be focused on and taking action to address as your Ward 10 City Council Member. The complexities of working through multiple layers of permitting is unacceptable. We need to find ways to help small businesses navigate this process without needing to hire outside consultants, and in this ward we must find ways to help support young people stepping up to take the risk of investing in our community.
Ways to Connect
Look for me at the Pride Parade on Sunday morning, June 29. My team and I will be celebrating with the community at Loring Park.
