Keep your friends close and your farmers closer. That’s the motto of new(ish) Hopkins hotspot, MinnyRow Market. Part local grocer, part culinary test kitchen, and part community gathering place, MinnyRow Market has already established itself as a beloved Twin Cities favorite.
Owned and operated by married couple Dana and Peter Smith, MinnyRow Market is a boutique that specializes in locally sourced and ethically produced foods. Located in the heart of downtown Hopkins – a charming Minneapolis suburb with a decidedly small-town feel[1]– this experimental storefront is based in the belief that by changing a small part of our food consumption – what we eat, how we shop, and where we get our food – we ultimately make a lasting impact on our larger community. Indeed, the majority of foods sold at MinnyRow Market are locally sourced and made in Minnesota. Not only does the Smith family believe in the value of shopping local, but they also intentionally source their foods from ethically-minded companies that are cognizant of social and environmental impact and actively work towards creating positive change in the world.
MinnyRow’s goal is simultaneously simple and yet applaudably lofty: To create a community around the local foods and products that the market carries. The boutique aspires to simplify shopping local and encourages Minnesotans to support their community by offering a wide variety of homegrown products all under one roof. Their small-scale staff – run largely by Dana and Peter themselves – makes the place feel intimate and friendly, and that paired with the products’ pure, local goodness instantly creates a space that is welcoming and homey for all who step through the market’s front door.
Named in part after the state and in part after the couple’s eldest daughter, Rowan, MinnyRow Market highlights a variety of vendors that celebrate the unique charm of small-scale food. From local brands like Rise Bagel Co. to T-Rex Cookie to The Get Down Coffee, visitors won’t be disappointed by the wide variety of delicious items to sample and select from. In addition to its assortment of packaged products the market also offers an impressive menu of to-go and a la carte items that are perfect for a quick snack or a hearty, healthy lunch.
MinnyRow Market recently celebrated its one-year anniversary, and I decided to pop in for a visit to see what all the well-deserved hubbub is about. I entered the shop to discover a flurry of activity: Patrons were ordering lunch items, perusing the well-stocked shelves, and vibrantly chatting with individuals they had only just met. The air was buzzing and fizzing with activity, and I stood there taking it in, appreciating the view from the center of it all. Dana and Peter were radiant in action: Conversing with customers, fulfilling order requests, and answering questions about the local products on their shelves. They made a point of stopping and connecting with everyone in their store – myself included – wanting to know everything from name to occupation to favorite kind of coffee. My experience was pleasant, inspiring, and deeply memorable, and I couldn’t be happier for this small storefront that not only successfully stood itself up during one of the toughest economic years in recent history but also established itself as a beloved bedrock of the local community.
While this time I walked away from MinnyRow Market with a simple cup of warm coffee and an even warmer heart, I am positive this first experience won’t be my last. If its first year of existence has proven anything it’s that MinnyRow Market is passionate, innovative, and determined to serve the community while also keeping its best interests at heart, and I can’t wait to see how this local staple continues to grow, iterate, and inspire. We could all benefit from keeping our friends close and our farmers closer; this holiday season I encourage you to explore your own community and uncover hidden gems that likely exist right under your very nose. For when we stay curious, try new things, and support those around us there’s no shortage of lessons to be learned and adventures to be had. The world is a wonderful place filled with beautiful people and their beautiful ideas, and we may just encounter something phenomenal, inspiring, and new if we approach our community with a curious heart, open mind, and a fierce commitment to forever be surprised.
[1] As is readily evidenced by the beloved Raspberry Festival the city hosts every year.
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