Photographs by Ackerman + Gruber
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North Loop is a storyteller’s dream: a place where new happenings, new businesses, and emerging trends seem to pop up daily. And we decided the best way to tell this story was to turn it over to some of the true insiders—those who live in, work in, and are responsible for the care and creative flair of this vibrant area of the city. Here are just a few of the people in the neighborhood. —Jayne Haugen Olson
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jason-matheson
Jason Matheson
Looper since 2014 • Media personality and North Loop resident
What’s your best North Loop moment? Sitting in our hot tub during that freakish April blizzard several years ago and watching the snow fall with the towers of downtown in the background.
Your worst? Almost getting killed almost weekly by drivers paying no attention to the crosswalk by our place!
Best time of day in the North Loop? Happy Hour time
Best time of year in the North Loop? Twins season!
What’s the best thing about the North Loop? Mix of ages, culture, food, shopping and… the Twins!
What’s your go-to spot to celebrate in the North Loop? Red Rabbit!
How about to wallow in defeat? Monte Carlo
Where do you order take out? Your order? Red Cow—double barrel burger
What’s your favorite North Loop building? Colonial Warehouse
Who is your favorite North Loop person? Mike Binkley
What’s your North Loop secret place? It’s not a “secret” but the basement bar at Maison Margaux.
Most curious North Loop fact that you know? That cars pay no attention at all to the bike lanes.
What’s the thing that people most often get wrong/misunderstand about the North Loop? That it’s just young folks—one of the things I enjoy most is the mix of people, ages, demographics.
Do you have a favorite North Loop shop? Jaxen Grey
What’s your ideal North Loop day? Pre-game at Monte, go to a Twins game and post-game at Red Rabbit.
Any North Loop closing thoughts? I want to see the neighborhood continue to grow—but I hope the parking availability and infrastructure can keep up with the demand.
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Meka White Morris
Looper since June 2023 • Executive vice president, chief business officer—Minnesota Twins and North Loop resident
What’s your best North Loop moment? Morning walks to the Stone Arch Bridge.
Worst? No pharmacy (CVS, Walgreens, etc.).
What’s the best thing about the North Loop? Walkability.
Best time of day? Happy hour.
Your go-to spot to celebrate? Sanjusan.
To wallow in defeat? Home.
Where do you order takeout? No need to order takeout when I can walk, but if I have to, Black Sheep Pizza. Pepperoni with hot honey.
Your North Loop secret place? Butcher and The Boar for brunch—FANTASTIC!
What’s your favorite North Loop building? Target Field, of course.
What do most people get wrong about Nolo? That it’s all young people—when it’s pretty mixed in terms of age.
Do you have a favorite North Loop shop? MartinPatrick3, of course.
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gavin-kaysen
Gavin Kaysen
Looper since 2014 • Chef and restaurateur
Your best North Loop moment? I’m biased, but for me, it was November 14, 2014—the day I opened Spoon and Stable. I was moving back home from New York City, and I didn’t know much about the North Loop. I just knew that Eric Dayton had The Bachelor Farmer across the street and that they were always busy. At the time, they were the only restaurant on that street, so I thought another restaurant across the street would help generate more traffic for both of us.
Your worst? When Moose and Sadie’s closed. I loved that place; it was a staple. The people made you feel like you were at home. You walked in, and it gave you a big hug. It was a big hit for us when they closed.
Best time of day? I am there all day on most days. I love the morning, when I see many familiar faces at Cooks Bellecour, but also love how it transforms at night, from a happy hour vibe at 4 pm to a date-night scene at 7 pm to the late night at 10 pm…. I love the energy. That’s why it’s the best neighborhood in the Twin Cities.
The best thing about Nolo? Everyone walks—there are no skyways! People are on the street, walking in and out of retail shops, bars, and restaurants. It is beautiful city planning.
What’s your go-to spot to celebrate? Demi (can I say that?).
To wallow in defeat? Sit by the river and be near water.
What’s your ideal North Loop night? I would say the kaiseki menu at Kado no Mise would be my ideal night out. What they do there is unmatched in our town.
What’s your favorite North Loop building? The [Commutator] Foundry building is really cool. I love that it’s been preserved, and there is so much history in that building.
Who is your favorite North Loop person? James Fiorentino, the gentleman who owned the cuckoo clock museum across the street from Porzana. He has since passed away, but every day when I was building Spoon, I would walk past him and we would have amazing conversations about life, about that neighborhood. He was a treasure.
Curious North Loop fact you know? That there are a bunch of tunnels under most of the historic buildings.
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Greg Walsh & Dana Swindler
Loopers since 1994 (Greg, right) and 2007 (Dana) pictured with pups Ella and Cole • Owners, MartinPatrick3
Your best Nolo moment? Finding our current space after the Riverwalk antique mall closed in 2010.
Worst? Being closed down during COVID and seeing the entire neighborhood boarded up during the social unrest.
Best time of day? Late afternoon–early evening, the transition time when North Loop residents, workers, and people visiting shops all converge; the street energy can be very exhilarating.
Your go-to spot to celebrate? Spoon and Stable, Billy Sushi.
To wallow in defeat? Monte Carlo.
Your favorite building? (Greg) Model T Ford Assembly (Ford Center)—it’s close to our hearts; it’s where we first set foot in the North Loop with our first studio; it was very much an incubator site for small businesses. The transformation of the building by United Properties is remarkable and parallels the DNA of the North Loop.
(Dana) The Lowry Morrison building, the three-story brick building on Washington Avenue that houses Edwards Dessert Kitchen: It’s one of the oldest buildings in the North Loop, and the vibes of both Edwards and the restoration of the building speak volumes about what the North Loop is all about.
Who is your favorite North Loop person? John Rimarcik! He is a local businessman and character in the North Loop since the ’70s and is a force to be reckoned with! In reality, John has a big heart.
What’s your North Loop secret place? B.A.D (Billy After Dark).
What do most people get wrong about Nolo? People think it is downtown, like “downtown,” and it’s not.
What’s your ideal North Loop day? It’s definitely a Saturday, grabbing lunch at one of the local restaurants and being at the store engaging with customers from the neighborhood.
Do you have a favorite North Loop shop? Ha… how about second favorite, North Loop Liquor!
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Susan Brouillette
Looper since 2017 • Owner, Ūmei
Your best Nolo moment? Twin Citians showing up for a donabe (Japanese hot pot) event in the middle of a snowstorm.
Who is your favorite North Loop person? Well, there are two. Jim Hillegass—he is our building owner. He is kind of like Charlie, and he supports his small business angels. Kim Granger is a North Looper that is a terrific ambassador and supporter of small business owners in the North Loop. She has the mindset that she wants to support her locals.
What’s your go-to spot to celebrate? Monte Carlo, of course. I like a tall cold cocktail and the booths.
Your North Loop secret place? Gori Gori Peku, a Japanese whiskey bar above Kado no Mise—a cool little bar that is hidden away from many.
What do most people get wrong about Nolo? We get clients in from the outside of Minneapolis who are surprised as to how normal our area is. It’s not scary; we all just get along.
Closing thoughts? I love that the North Loop is such a layered, vibrant, livable neighborhood: from high dining like Spoon and Stable to grabbing a slice off the pizza truck outside StormKing; boutique to cool chain shopping (so many love Lululemon!); old and new condos; advertising agencies to glass artisans at GlassArt Design; the Twins; the breweries; the farmers’ market!
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holly-manthei
Holly Manthei
Looper since 2005 (pictured with Hannah) • VP of marketing, Fulton Brewing Company and North Loop resident
What’s the best thing about the neighborhood? The evolution. I’m a history nerd, and the second, third, and fourth lives of so many of our classic brick-and-mortar buildings is the unique DNA of this neighborhood. In the last 25 years, printing presses, pasta factories, and meat packers made way for salons, food halls, and coffee shops. In another 25 years, my condo will probably be a robot charging station, and that’s evolution.
Who is your favorite North Loop person? They say it takes a village to raise a child, and I’m really grateful for the friendly, patient, and generous neighbors in our building who don’t complain when our kids scream too loud in the hallways or push all the buttons on the elevator.
What do people misunderstand about Nolo? That the city isn’t a safe or ideal place to raise a family. Our kids are walking distance to art, nature, energy, diversity, culture, cuisine, music, and sports. We support our local businesses, and they support us.
Best time of day? Sunrise, when the streets are still sleepy and quiet.
"Best time of year in Nolo? Sundays when the Vikings are at home. Win or lose, the city just feels electric with enthusiasm and energy all day long."
—Holly Manthei
"What’s your North Loop secret place? Standing next to the organist at the Twins game for the cost of an inexpensive standing-room-only ticket."
—Holly Manthei
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Veronica Clark
Looper since October 2013 •Owner, D.Nolo
Your best North Loop moment? Finding the right location to support my vision.
What’s the best thing about the North Loop? Urban energy.
Your go-to spot to celebrate? Cobble Social House.
To wallow in defeat? Monte Carlo bar. Especially if Bill is working. His warm greeting always cheers me up!
Where do you order takeout? Black Sheep Pizza. I’m a creature of habit and order the #3 Hot Salami and Dried Chili Pepper.
Your favorite North Loop building? The Colonial Warehouse—formally Minneapolis Street Railway Company. Touring the underground was like walking back in time.
What do most people get wrong about Nolo? That it is downtown Minneapolis.
What’s your ideal North Loop day? Open the store and wait to see regulars and meet new friends who have traveled here
Any North Loop closing thoughts? It has been thrilling to see how this neighborhood has evolved over the last 10 years! I am proud to be part part of this community.
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Betsy Vohs
Looper since 2016 • Designer and owner of Studio BV
What’s your best North Loop moment? The day we moved into our office in the Loose Wiles Building.
Your worst? During covid when all the vibrancy was silenced in the North Loop.
Best thing about North Loop? The connectedness. It’s the only part of Minneapolis where the mixed-use nature of the community is really felt.
Your go-to spot to celebrate? Bar La Grassa for dinner.
To wallow in defeat? Freehouse at the bar.
What’s your favorite building? The Nordic because we were part of the design team that made that project, restaurants, and the plaza happen!
What’s your ideal Nolo day? Coffee with a client at Frgmnt, lunch at Nolo’s, and a great design work session at our studio in the afternoon.
Your ideal night? Happy hour at any of the great restaurant patios and then going to dinner at BLG [Bar La Grassa].
Do you have a favorite North Loop shop? The new Arch Salon that just opened up. We designed it but I love the products they sell and I love the vibe in the space.
What do most people get wrong about Nolo? It’s successful in so many ways; companies are back to the office in the North Loop, and it’s vibrant seven days a week.
"What’s your North Loop secret place? It's not a secret, but one of the best galleries in the city is Veronique Wantz Gallery!"
—Betsy Vohs
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Julius Collins
Looper since 1991 • Band leader, Dr. Mambo’s Combo, Sunday nights at Bunkers
Your best North Loop moment? Being onstage playing “Thank You” by Sly with Prince during a Mambo’s set in ’92.
Your worst? My first Mambo’s show without Billy Franze.
What’s your ideal night in the Loop? It’s always Sunday night at Bunkers with a special guest and people are energized because the music is great.
Ideal time of day? 9:15 p.m., starting to feel it, right before we go on. Sonny will say, “We’re gonna fuck em up tonight.”
Best time of year in the North Loop? I’m a fall dude in the North Loop. There’s a vibe about the fall: People are dressing up a little bit; colors are starting to happen. I dig the autumn ease.
Where do you order takeout? Monte Carlo. I get the wings.
Who is your favorite North Loop person? My favorite people are easily Jimmy and Jackie, the owners of Bunkers—the most beautiful people.
What’s the thing that people most often get wrong/misunderstand about the North Loop? That there’s no flavor because it’s so gentrified—there’s some really cool stuff going on right now.
North Loop closing thoughts? It’s more aspirational than anything: I hope the North Loop, while it’s growing and improving, will always keep a connection to the history of the area, which Bunkers is a reminder of.
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Isaac Becker & Nancy St. Pierre
Loopers since 2009 • Owners, Bar La Grassa, Snack Bar, and 112 Eatery
Best time of day in the North Loop? Nighttime.
Best time of year in the North Loop? Summer.
Where do you order takeout? Pizza from Snack Bar.
What’s your favorite North Loop building? TractorWorks (with its iconic deer heads adorning the entrance, opened in 1902 as a huge farm machinery distribution center).
Most curious North Loop fact? Washington Avenue is a county road, and the cross streets, city streets.
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Rich Henriksen
Looper since 2010 (pictured with Honey) • Owner, Nolo-based Nokomis Health and owner of soon-to-be-opened Berlin music bar in North Loop
Best time of day in the North Loop? After work when all the doggos are out with their humans.
Best time of year? Late autumn on a chilly fall day with the sun low in the sky. Everything glows in the sunlight.
Go-to spot to celebrate in the North Loop? Monte Carlo. I’ve been frequenting them since I moved to Minneapolis in 1988.
To wallow in defeat? Runyon’s. Best place to hole up on a sad gray day.
Favorite North Loop building? I am so fortunate to own and work out of Eric Dayton’s former building at 204 North 1st Street (the former Askov Finlayson building). I absolutely love our new home, and we’re excited to be bringing a music bar to the neighborhood.
Most curious North Loop fact that you know? Fur traders used to canoe down the river and stay in our building when it was a hotel, and they would sell their pelts at the tannery next door (now Porzana).
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Peter Prudden
Looper since 2001 • Real estate broker
The best thing about North Loop? Vibrancy and connectivity.
Your best Nolo moment? Meeting my wife and now business partner.
Worst? Have not had one yet.
Best time of day? I typically take a walk at midday to collect my thoughts and find inspiration.
What’s your go-to spot to celebrate? When I used to drink, an Old Fashioned at the Hewing Hotel.
Where do you wallow in defeat? MartinPatrick3 for retail therapy with Todd.
What’s your Nolo secret place? Castro’s. IYKYK.
Your favorite building? Eric Dayton’s rehab of 200 North 1st Street embodies historical architecture with a modern-day sensibility.
What’s your ideal North Loop day? Saturday-morning workout at Barry’s. Grab a coffee and be able to sell some of the coolest lofts in the city.
Any North Loop closing thoughts? North Loop embraces ideas and provides opportunities for business that are supported by its residents and visitors. How a neighborhood ought to be.
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Jessica Prudden
Looper since 2014 • Real estate broker
What’s your best Nolo moment? Selling my first condo over $1M at 801 Lofts.
Worst? I was sad to see The Bachelor Farmer Cafe close.
What’s your Nolo go-to spot to celebrate? Sanjusan.
To wallow in defeat? Requisite for a little retail therapy.
Your North Loop secret place? I have experienced some of the finest terraces in Minneapolis via my clients’ incredible homes.
What do people get wrong? There is a perception that the North Loop skews younger, but my experience is that people of all ages enjoy what it has to offer: walkability, shopping, real estate, grocery stores, restaurants, and entertainment.
What’s your ideal Nolo day? Workout at Barry’s, lunch on Nolo’s rooftop, and walking to a Twins game with my daughter and husband.
"Where do you order takeout? Your order? Bar La Grassa. Soft eggs and lobster or the chicken and polenta."
—Jessica Prudden
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Ben VinZant
Looper since 2014 • Commercial real estate broker and developer
Your best Nolo moment? Walking to a restaurant and seeing sidewalks full of people during a snowstorm.
What’s your go-to spot to celebrate? Any Isaac Becker and Nancy St. Pierre concept (112 Eatery, BLG, Snack Bar).
Wallow in defeat? A jog on the Mississippi trails.
Your favorite Nolo building? The historic buildings along 1st Street between 1st Avenue and 3rd Avenue. We’ve brokered transactions along the charming stretch and have learned the storied past of nearly all the buildings. Now the smart, creative developers and business owners are forming the bright futures of the street.
Who is your favorite North Loop person? The face of North Loop bus stop benches and my uncle, Fritz Kroll.
What do most people get wrong about Nolo? They consider the North Loop part of downtown.
Do you have a favorite shop? MartinPatrick3.
What’s your ideal North Loop day? Get a FRGMNT Coffee to-go. Go to North Loop Playground with my wife Breann and daughter Violet. Stop at Bellecour for a ham and cheese croissant. Meet with the team for our newest project at 204 N 1st St. Stop by North Loop Wine and Spirits for bottle of wine. Have happy hour at Fritz Krolls loft at Rock Island. Dinner with friends at 112 Eatery and a nightcap on the Monte Carlo patio.
Closing thoughts? The people that live, work, and visit the North Loop make it cool. The historic past and bright future are a bonus.
Photo courtesy of Larry Millett
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Everything Old Is New Again
How Minneapolis’s all-but-abandoned center of trade and industry was reborn as its most fully realized urban neighborhood. Read More
Photograph by Ackerman + Gruber | Photo Compositing by J. Bryce Bordenkecher
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A Few Days in the North Loop: August 23 and August 28, 2023, 204 North 1st Street, Minneapolis
Photo courtesy of Doug Olausen
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Dr. Mambo’s Combo Keeps the Music Rolling at Bunkers
Spending another Sunday night at Bunkers with the longest-running, most talented house band in the country, Dr. Mambo’s Combo. Read More
A Brief History of the North Loop
Taking its name from a long-dormant stretch of streetcar line, the North Loop transformed from a gritty urban warehouse sector into the hippest neighborhood in the city. Read More
Field Trip
nordic-plaza
The Nordic Plaza, adjacent to Freehouse, serves as a gathering spot for multiple buildings.
An Outdoor Oasis
When we consider the aesthetic appeal of the North Loop, we think of the patina accrued over the course of history or the elegance of industrial function, not necessarily the lush greenery of parkland. But if you know where to look, there are all kinds of alluring, almost secret, public spaces.
For instance, one of the most beautiful patches of emerald-green grass in the entire country is hidden in plain sight, just below grade, in the middle of the hood. OK, you might have to be a major-league ballplayer to actually touch the landscaping at Target Field, but you can still look! (And you don’t even have to buy a ticket—the plaza and amphitheater are available to all.) And of course, so many restaurants have carved attractive patio spaces out of these old warehouses: There’s the twinkling cul-de-sac behind the Federal Reserve Bank that Sanjusan has commandeered; there’s Monte Carlo’s classic see-and-be-seen terrace; there’s the loading dock bar at Borough; and there’s The Nordic Plaza, which connects North Loop Galley food hall with neighboring Freehouse and offers outdoor games and programming.
And you can always look up (or down) from one of Nolo’s rooftops, like the second-level patio at Graze Provisions and Libations, the rooftop pool and bar at the Hewing Hotel, or the perch atop Nolo’s. And if you’re craving real, live nature, explore the Mississippi Walking Trail, which meanders over a pair of small trestle bridges that cross the mouth of Bassett Creek. —Steve Marsh
Photo by Caitlin Abrams
backstory-coffee
With no visible windows from the sidewalk, Backstory Coffee Roasters is a true hidden gem tucked within The Duffy Flats.
Caffeination Connection
There’s no question this is a neighborhood to find a solid cup of coffee or mug of matcha. Need a cozy café to meet a friend, crank through an overflowing inbox, or finally finish that book with a perfectly crafted brew in hand? North Loop has you covered, and each spot has its own personality.
Backstory Coffee Roasters, in the lobby of The Duffey Flats, is the semi-new cool girl in town, complete with sky-high ceilings, more plants than the Arboretum (practically), and locally roasted beans. With a more playful vibe, Fairgrounds eschews barstools for rope-and-wood-plank swings and serves up a handful of cold brews on tap, along with a long menu of “elixirs” and teas. The Instagrammers love the cutesy coffee flights and espresso martinis at The Last Drop, in the Graze food hall, and the giant windows and warm wood at the ever-classic Spyhouse. The fur-baby crowd favors In the Loop for its enthusiastically dog-friendly patio and menu of treats for pups and people. And the pastry-first crew knows they can always get a Dorothy’s Blend to go with their croissants at Cooks Bellecour, a Cardigan donut or Honey and Rye treat at Frgmnt, or an espresso shot to chase their sweet treats (including many gluten-free!) at Edwards Dessert Kitchen when the drink alone won’t quite hit the spot. —Madison Bloomquist
Photo by Caitlin Abrams
martinpatrick3
The focus at MartinPatrick3, in recent years, has been to broaden its women’s fashion collections.
Shopping Small
While the growing list of national retailers (hello, Allbirds, Lululemon, Madewell, and West Elm) flocking to North Loop speaks to how hot the hood is, it’s the mix of locals that gives it the edge.
It’s fitting to start your excursion at D.Nolo, a co-op retail concept by Veronica Clark, an OG Nolo pioneer who set her sights on the neighborhood a decade ago. If you’re shopping for minis, hit Pacifier’s impressive flagship for the best clothing, toys, and gear in the game. Across the street is MartinPatrick3, which started as an annex of gifts and small décor accessories in an interior design studio and became a full-fledged boutique department store (men’s and womenswear, home furnishings, fine jewelry, apothecary, gifts—even a barbershop) that’s garnered acclaim from Vogue and GQ. D.Nolo is also where menswear concept Jaxen Grey incubated before grabbing its corner spot next to Monte Carlo. Don’t leave these bustling blocks without a stop at women’s fashion spots Statement, Requisite, Queen Anna, Parc; and vintage heirloom jewelry store Filigree; and newcomer Vivid Home, a showroom-meets-shop by a local design studio that is merchandised to mimic a full home, showcasing its designers’ go-to lines and brands in just about every category.
End your walk on North 5th Street, a budding shopping area just north of Target Field, where art, one-of-a-kind gifts, and homewares await at Veronique Wantz Gallery, J. Atelier, and Ūmei. —Madeline Nachbar
Photo by Caitlin Abrams
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Rock stars, diplomats, and regular folks all want to belly up to (or brush by) Monte Carlo’s iconic bar.
Dining Destination
No one can deny that the North Loop has been built by restaurants. And while some of the top chefs in the city are either currently cooking or about to light their stoves in this neighborhood—looking at you, Spoon and Stable, Porzana, Snack Bar, Billy Sushi, and Smack Shack—you can’t dismiss the depth and breadth of menus available for eaters of all appetites.
Starting early, you can get in line for the new hot bite in the neighborhood: a stacked egg sandwich from Egg on a Roll, tucked into the back of Fifth Avenue Market. That is, of course, unless you have already been to Rise Bagel for its legendary organic bagels and schmears.
Travel the world in this neighborhood through the Panamanian dishes at Guacaya Bistreaux, the Szechuan dumplings and noodles at Jun, and the Italian classics at Bar La Grassa.
The most walkable neighborhood in the city allows for the best kind of bar crawl: Start with an innovative sip at Cobble Social House, the tiny cocktail bar hidden by D.Nolo, then wander into the iconic bar at Monte Carlo for an ice-cold martini and the best wings. Move over to the lobby bar at Hewing Hotel, where the beautiful people drink Old Fashioneds, and stroll down to Parlour Bar for “The Burger” for sustenance. Finish your night shouting to new friends at the area’s favorite dive bar, Cuzzy’s. Pin a dollar on the wall and become part of the neighborhood forever. —Stephanie March
Coordinates
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Maps by Randall Nelson
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Washington Ave (The Main Drag)
Coming from the east, once you cross Hennepin Avenue, you have arrived in the North Loop. Businesses on the south side (up to 3rd Avenue North) have back doors to the historic Warehouse District and front doors to North Loop. This bustling stretch is the primary artery of the neighborhood, with cross streets taking you into pockets and subdistricts throughout.
1. Butcher and The Boar
2. Spyhouse Coffee Roasters
3. Bar La Grassa
4. Snack Bar
5. Bunkers MusicBar and Grill
6. Borough/Parlour Bar
7. Atmosfere
8. Frgmnt Coffee
9. Thr3 Jack
10. The Freehouse
11. Jun
12.Black Sheep CoalFired Pizza
13. Smack Shack
14.Backstory CoffeeRoasters
15. Egg on a Roll
16. Cuzzy’s
17. Nolo’s Kitchen and Bar
18. AxeBridge Wine Co.
19. Guacaya Bistreaux
20. Bassett Creek Mouth
21. In the Loop Coffee Co.
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5th Street Corridor
This zone of the neighborhood ushers in traffic from Highway 55, Interstate 94, and the light rail stop at Target Field. The primary connection to Washington Avenue is via 6th Avenue North. Insiders follow North 5th Street east to 2nd Avenue North to reach the North Loop hub.
1. Ūmei
2. Veronique Wantz Gallery
3. J. Atelier
4. Inbound BrewCo
5. StormKing Brewpub and Barbecue
6. Number 12 Cider
7. Fulton Taproom
8. First Draft and Burnt Chicken
9. Rise Bagel Co.
10. The Last Drop Cafe and Wine Bar
11.Graze Provisions and Libations
12. Modist Brewing Co.
13. Bricksworth Beer Co.
14. The Fillmore Minneapolis
15. Target Field
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Heart of the North Loop
The compact grid of streets make this an especially walkable part of the neighborhood. It’s home to Hewing Hotel (as well as Four Seasons Minneapolis at its edge). Interstate 394 ends at its front door, while Hennepin Avenue flanks Nolo to the east, and Washington runs the southern edge.
1. Runyon’s
2. Edwards Dessert Kitchen
3. InVision
4. Red Rabbit Minneapolis
5. Requisite
6. Mitrebox
7. North Loop Wine and Spirits
8. Jaxen Grey
9. J.D. Hoyt’s Supper Club
10. Hewing Hotel
11. Monte Carlo
12. D.Nolo
13. Cobble Social House
14. Pacifier
15. MartinPatrick3
16. Statement Boutique
17. Fairgrounds Craft Coffee and Tea
18. Demi
19. Parc Shop
20. Filigree
21. Vivid Home
22. Queen Anna House of Fashion
23. Maison Margaux
24. Cooks Bellecour
25. Spoon and Stable
26. Porzana
27. The James J. Fiorentino Museum
28. Sanjusan
29. Kado no Mise
30. Billy Sushi
31. Red Cow
Behind the Scenes with Mike Binkley
A retired newscaster’s unexpected second act: neighborhood historian. —Drew Wood
When Mike Binkley retired after 27 years at WCCO-TV in 2015, he and his wife, Mary Milla, could have gone anywhere. But instead of heading south, the Binkleys sold their condo in downtown’s Mill District, packed up, and headed north—about a mile up Washington Avenue to the North Loop. “We found ourselves over here so often for the restaurants and the bars and all that kind of stuff that we decided to move over here,” says Binkley. “We like walking to stuff.”
Little did Binkley know then, but that mile would spawn a retirement second act when the neighborhood association asked if he’d help tell the Loop’s story, which he’s most notably done through a series of plaques that describe what each building was a lifetime ago. “The North Loop benefited from the fact it was neglected and forgotten for so long,” he says. “It was dirty; it was rusty. These buildings were waiting to be rediscovered, and now they’re having their moment.” However, Binkley’s role doesn’t end at plaques and historical deep dives on the neighborhood association’s website. Nope, he is also the voice of something surprisingly more hip: the North Loop’s Instagram account.
“For a while, I didn’t want people to know I was doing the Instagram, but my wife gets such a kick out of the fact that that’s my new identity,” he says. “I walk around here, and nobody knows I used to be a news anchor, but when they find out I’m doing the North Loop Instagram, they have a meltdown.”
Looper since: 2018
Relation to the North Loop: I volunteer to run the North Loop's social media accounts, along with producing news articles, videos and photos for our neighborhood website, plus researching and writing about North Loop history via building plaques and posts in the Historic North Loop section of our website.
What’s your best North Loop moment? I really like showing off our neighborhood to visitors who haven’t ventured into this area for 15-20 years, if ever. They may have this image of gritty, abandoned warehouses and have no idea how far the neighborhood has come or how much it has to offer.
Your worst? It was eerie to see the streets of this vibrant neighborhood deserted and dark during the early days of the pandemic. There was so much uncertainty about all the businesses we love and the people who work there.
Best time of day in the North Loop? I like the mornings, around 6-9 a.m., when neighbors are out walking their dogs, jogging and biking. The coffee shops are bustling. So are the fitness facilities.
Best time of year in the North Loop? All four seasons are great here. We have someone else plowing our snow in the winter and we have big beautiful trees that pop with color in the spring and fall. But I’ll give the edge to summer because of all the outdoor activities, plus in 10 minutes I can walk from my condo to our seats at Target Field where we have Twins season tickets.
What’s the best thing about the North Loop? The great variety of experiences within a very short walking distance. It’s not only the energy of the nightlife, dining and shopping but also the tranquility of walking through the woods along the river or hanging out on a rooftop deck.
What’s your go-to spot to celebrate in the North Loop? Monte Carlo or JD Hoyt’s.
How about to wallow in defeat? Cuzzy’s is good for that.
Where do you order take out? Your order? Egg On A Roll, the new sandwich shop in the 5th Avenue Market. I get the Classic with ham.
What’s your favorite North Loop building? It’s a close race between many historic/revitalized buildings but I give the edge to The Hewing. Here’s a place that used to be a farm implement warehouse with manure spreaders showcased in the giant front windows along Washington Avenue. But now it’s an upscale hotel with perfect mix of historic and modern features.
Who is your favorite North Loop person? Pat Montague, owner of JD Hoyt’s. He was here long before this neighborhood was cool and he’s still here busting his butt and working the room to make sure everyone feels welcome.
What’s your North Loop secret place? The two little bridges in the woods above Bassett Creek by the river.
Most curious North Loop fact that you know? This neighborhood did a lot for American breakfast tables in the 1920s. At the same time that the world’s first pop-up toasters were being produced on 2nd Street, the world’s largest instant coffee producer of its time was right across the street, churning out 100 tons of coffee a week. And then over on Washington Avenue, the Sunshine Bakery was producing “enough biscuits to supply every man, woman and child in Minneapolis with 35 a day” according to a newspaper article.
What’s the thing that people most often get wrong/misunderstand about the North Loop? That it’s just a bunch of young hipsters living here. There’s a sizable number of retirees here too who’ve chosen to downsize from suburban homes and live a more streamlined life with a one-level condo or apartment.
Do you have a favorite North Loop shop? Absolutely, MartinPatrick3, and not only because of the great clothes; they’re also a tremendous civic-minded neighbor, quietly contributing to the efforts of our volunteer neighborhood association.
