Katies’ love letter of support to small businesses
By Eleanor Anderson
February 14th can be a complicated holiday. People who are single (and unhappy about it) are forced to watch couples flaunt their adorableness more than usual for a whole 24 hours. Even people in healthy relationships have only overcome the first hurdle. Then there’s the matter of PDA or not, how much money to drop on your partner, and the dreaded reservation waitlist at any and all romantic restaurants. So, the Saint Kate’s Political Science Club decided to remove the social constraints, and send a Valentine of their own to local small businesses in the Twin Cities. After all, love and appreciation is not exclusively limited to interpersonal relationships; these Katie’s decided to show their love and appreciation for our community as a whole.
While tabling in the CdC on Feb. 3, PoliSci club members asked students to write the name of their favorite small business. With over 100 students participating and 90 different businesses spread between Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and surrounding suburbs, it’s clear that Katies enjoy supporting local. The club took the time to not only find the address of each business, but create an interactive map in which people can map out routes to visit multiple locations.
While visiting all 90 businesses on the list was infeasible, I took some time to visit 12 different suggested spots, and below are my personal takeaways. I separated the businesses into 4 groups: Coffee/Drinks, Food, Art, and Bookstores. I’m not explicitly ranking businesses against one another, but my favorite of the places I visited are bolded and include a photo.
Coffee:
Cafe Astoria
Vibrant and one-of-a-kind on Grand Ave, Cafe Astoria is a lovely place to meet someone for brunch. Usually packed and always delicious, this isn’t the ideal place to do homework (too loud and chaotic for me) but definitely worth a stop for a great breakfast and colorful coffee.
J.S. Bean
Another Katie classic, J.S. Bean is just over a mile from campus on Randolph Ave. With very limited seating options but a beautiful outdoor patio, I highly recommend visiting this coffee shop as the temperatures start to warm up (bonus: come back in the fall and try their combination Apple cider/chai beverage which is unlike any other!!!)
Nina’s
Anyone who knows me probably also knows that Nina’s is one of my favorite places in the whole world. Also packed 24/7, but often filled with people on their own who are reading, working and sometimes crafting and are more than willing to share the table, spending a morning at Nina’s is a great way to start the day. It is slightly further from campus and a little on the pricier side, but never fails to have immaculate vibes and immaculate coffee.
Food:
Hope Breakfast Bar
This could be considered a coffee shop, but you would be remiss to visit Hope Breakfast Bar and not have a meal. With classic comfort dishes and more interesting creations, this place is a perfect stop for a trendy brunch. There are several locations scattered throughout the Twin Cities, but the two-story location in Saint Paul is definitely worth a visit (pro tip: make a reservation!)
Cosetta’s
Cosetta’s is one of the most unique (and borderline intimidating) restaurants I’ve ever visited, but it’s very budget friendly and quick, so perfect for group outings. The classic Italian food is served in a lunch-line style queue with trays and everything, though you can take your time enjoying the meal anywhere in the expansive building. Don’t miss the bakery and chocolate shop on your way out, and if you feel like making a day out of it, you’re within walking distance from several Saint Paul attractions like the Guthrie theater, the Science Museum, and even US Bank Stadium.
Cecil’s
Anyone who passes through St. Kate’s must visit Cecil’s at least once. The deli has been open since the 1940s, and the vast menu has been building for just as long. They don’t take reservations, but Cecil’s deli is the perfect stop that’s close to campus, budget friendly, and promises a warm, home-cooked meal.
Art:
Art Scraps
In a stark contrast to Wet Paint, Art Scraps is like thrift shopping for crafting supplies. Filled with donations from the community, you never know what you’ll find, but everything from fabric scraps, to paper towel rolls; stickers to soda tabs; even old maps to random beads can be found. As long as you’re willing to dig for it, you are guaranteed to find the cheapest crafting supplies around!
The Yarnery
Unsurprisingly, The Yarnery sells exclusively yarn and tools necessary for yarn-based crafts. With an expansive collection of yarn of all shapes and sizes, this is a much higher quality stop than Michael’s or Hobby Lobby, though the price tags are higher as well. The Yarnery is the perfect place to meet grannies and people with granny-like hobbies.
Electric Fetus
Electric Fetus is a one-of-a-kind record store across the river in Minneapolis. Not only do they have a rich history of hosting concerts and musical events, they have an expansive collection of new and used vinyl. Don’t have a record player? No problem - at least half the store is filled with music paraphernalia, fun knick-knacks, and jewelry/art from local artists. Incorporated as part of Minneapolis’ historic First Ave, Electric Fetus is a great place to spend an afternoon appreciating music and culture.
Bookstores
Red Balloon
There are tons of amazing bookstores to choose from in the Twin Cities, but Red Balloon is well worth it for those who are still a kid at heart. The majority of books are aimed at youth and young adults, but that does not mean there is a lack of entertainment for adults. From adult stickers and book merchandise, to crafts, puzzles and jellycats, Red Balloon on Grand Ave is a phenomenal place to channel positivity and remind yourself of good reads from your childhood.
Next Chapter Booksellers
Located on Snelling and practically part of Macalester’s campus, Next Chapter Bookstore sells both new and used books, making it a more affordable option than many others around campus. With book clubs, staff recommendations, and numerous other activities, this store is a great option for wandering when you don’t have a specific book in mind.
Black Garnet
Black Garnet bookstore is where social justice and books come to life. As an independently owned and operated business on University Ave, Black Garnet houses only work by authors and illustrators of color. Their selection may not be expansive, and prices may be higher, but the community that they have created is welcoming and inclusive. With book-themed stickers, shirts, tote bags and more, in addition to phenomenal books, there is always something that catches your eye.
