Minneapolis’ vibrant corridor is open and rebuildingJes Lahay
Lake Street stretches for miles through Minneapolis, from the chain of lakes to a bridge that spans the Mississippi River connecting to the other twin city, St. Paul. From Nicollet Avenue to the Lake Street/Marshall bridge, it’s dotted with a multitude of small businesses, many immigrant-owned. This was also the part of town that bore the brunt of much of the destruction from the nights of riots that began as protests over the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer.
For three nights, the city burned, but when the sun rose, crews of volunteers showed up to to clean the street and put things back together. While some businesses, like the wonderful Indian/Bangladeshi restaurant Gandhi Mahal or Town Talk Diner with its iconic sign were lost, many others are open for business.
Driving down the street, the tapestry of cultures that make up this beautiful city are on full display. To help contribute to the rebuilding, visit We Love Lake Street.
A newly constructed apartment building with a Los Ocampo location on the ground floor faces Chicago Avenue. This spot had been the site of a pop-up grocery service for the neighborhood in the aftermath of the destruction.Chicago Lake Liquors had its windows smashed and looted. The building is a landmark of the intersection. George Floyd was murdered just a few blocks away on Chicago Avenue, which some are calling to be renamed George Floyd Avenue.Los Ocampo, a popular Mexican restaurant with several locations in the Twin Cities, parked its truck outside of a former seafood restaurantMercado Central is a market filled with shops, food stands, and services for the Latinx community.Taqueria y Birrieria Las Cuatro Milpas is serving take away from the corner of Lake and Bloomington AvenueIngebretsen’s, a family owned Nordic market and store was looted and vandalized. This location has been owned by the family for nearly 100 years. During Christmastime people line up for lutefisk, Swedish meatball mix, and other traditional dishesIngebretsen’sLa Poblanita is a Mexican restaurant and pastellaria selling loaded huraches, giant quesadillas, and moreTaco Taxi is a popular taco shop and stand on East Lake StreetTaco Taxi’s truck quickly reopened. In addition to graffiti nearby demanding justice, one person also wrote, “Im hungry.”Taco trucks are a part of East Lake Street and many reopened quickly, feeding volunteers, the neighborhood, and workersBecause of the breadth and variety of taco options, East Lake Street has been a popular location for taco crawls.An Arby’s that sat across the street from the Minneapolis Police Department’s Third Precinct was completely destroyed. All that remains is a torched sign and a collection of bricks and garbage bags.Minnehaha Lake Liquors stood at this location since the 1930s. Founded by a Holocaust survivor, it became a backdrop for many images shared by the media as it became engulfed in flames.Liquor, grocery, and auto parts stores along with pharmacies were targeted across the metro by looters, arsonists, and vandals.The charred ruins of the sign that stood above Minnehaha Lake LiquorThis used to be the Town Talk Diner. Next to it stood El Nuevo Rodeo. Around the corner was Gandhi Mahal. The former site of Gandhi Mahal. Owner Ruhel Islam famously said, “Let my building burn. Justice needs to be served.”
Joy Summers
Moon Palace Books and Geek Love Cafe refused to allow the police to use its parking lot during the protests.
Joy Summers
Amongst the burned out buildings and damage, murals are being painted commemorating George Floyd and celebrating this neighborhoodThe memorial for George Floyd outside Cup Foods near the intersection of 38th and Chicago Avenue