| Minnesota’s first Community Supported Pub starts in Minneapolis |
The Smokehouse Brewpub has already begun making exterior improvements to the old Oak building on the corner of 38th Street East and 28th Avenue South. | Ever dreamed of owning your own pub? Your chance may be just around the corner. After stock market fluctuations left Jamie Robinson and his business partners with a financing gap, he approached the City of Minneapolis to find funding for his craft beer and smoked foods concept in the former Oak Plus store on 38th Street. But instead of city subsidies, a grassroots model of community ownership quickly emerged. Kristin Guild, the city’s manger of business development, informed Robinson that the Seward Co-op raised $1.5 million for a new building by selling shares to small investors. “Community supported business is something Minneapolis does well,” she says. Through word-of-mouth among craft beer aficionados and a website, Robinson has already raised $101,000 from 150 people. The full goal of $160,000 could be reached within a month. “The local food movement wouldn't be complete without locally-made craft beer,” said Council Member Gary Schiff. “The pub would create 25 jobs and bring new vitality to 38th Street, just blocks from the Light Rail station. Jamie and his team are proving that despite the recession, people crave authentic, local experiences more than ever.” Go to http://www.smokehousebrewpub.com/ for investor information. Jeremy Messersmith plays the cemetery |
Jeremy Messersmith will perform a benefit concert at Pioneers and Soldiers Cemetery Oct. 8th. Proceeds will support efforts to restore the cemetery’s historic fence. | Indie pop-musician Jeremy Messersmith will perform a benefit concert for Pioneers and Soldiers Cemetery, 2925 Cedar Avenue South, on Saturday, October 8th. Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles will also share the stage. Proceeds from the performance will help support the Friends of the Cemetery’s efforts to restore the historic steel and limestone pillar fence that protects the cemetery along Lake Street and Cedar Avenue. The historic cemetery is a fitting venue for Messersmith, as it was the inspiration for this third album. Tickets can be purchased at Electric Fetus, Hymie's Vintage Records, Treehouse Records, and online at www.friendsofthecemetery.org. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the show. Tickets are limited, so advanced purchase is advised. Tickets are not required for children 12 years and under, however donations are accepted. Pioneers and Soldiers Cemetery in the Ninth Ward is one of several historic places competing for $1 million in preservation grants through a new program from American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Voting is being conducted on Facebook page of Partners in Preservation, a community-based program that will bring a total of $1 million in preservation grants to historic places in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area. Local residents and people around the country are encouraged to vote at www.Facebook.com/PartnersinPreservation. People who “Like” Partners in Preservation on Facebook can vote once per day through October 12th. The historic place that receives the most votes will be guaranteed its full grant request, up to $125,000, with the balance of the $1 million being distributed to the remaining sites based on recommendations from an advisory committee composed of civic and preservation leaders. This Friday Sept 30th at Breakfast with Gary – Can city government be more efficient? With an annual $1.3 billion operating budget and more than 3,000 employees, Minneapolis city government ranks as a major business and employer in the city. But with federal and state aide falling and property taxes soaring, what results should city taxpayers expect for the tax dollars they invest? As the City Council begins its annual budget process, join your neighbors to get answers to these questions and more, with Council Member Gary Schiff and Minneapolis City Coordinator Steven Bosacker. Bosacker has served as the City Coordinator since January 2006 and was chief of Staff for Governor Jesse Ventura. Breakfast with Gary is a monthly meeting held from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. the final Friday of the month at the Mercado Central, 1515 East Lake Street. $5 buys a delicious breakfast hosted by La Loma. | 
