Image from We Got Served
Usually we talk about local design on this blog, but I thought I would deviate for a day to bring focus to the 50th and Bryant neighborhood in South Minneapolis. No doubt most know about Thursday’s fire that destroyed the building built in 1912 that housed the popular Blackbird, Heidi’s, Patina, and the months old Shoppe Local and Stacey Johnson Jewelry. Although we are all fortunate that no one was seriously hurt, the feeling in the neighborhood is still somber. The neighborhood shares in the loss that the owners of all of these businesses feel.
While we pay so much attention to how to make our own houses beautiful, we sometimes take for granted how beautiful neighborhoods impact our home life. The building on 50th and Bryant housed some of the best local cuisine and gift shops and contributed to the beauty of the neighborhood. It was not only the good food and shopping that they provided for us, those business were our neighbors and our friends. Being situated in a cozy neighborhood, they were the places we could walk to and enjoy a cup of coffee and a black bean burger. They were where we took our friends and families to celebrate and to share great conversations and create great memories.
These businesses were an asset to all who lived in the neighborhood. They created the vibrant vibe of the neighborhood, and as neighbors, we took pride in sharing these innovative businesses with our friends. Having local businesses within walking distance is so important to our home life. They impact how we feel about where we live. They make us proud to live where we are living. They make us happy to be able to support local entrepreneurs who are fulfilling their own dreams.
Although it is uncertain what the next step will be for these businesses, they should know how big an impact they made in their patron’s daily lives and for the Minneapolis community. So to the folks at Stacey Johnson Jewelry, Blackbird, Heidi’s, Patina, and Shoppe Local- we wish you a successful recovery. We all are behind you for a stellar comeback!