Come summer, residents of the Hill & Lake area and surrounding communities will have a new destination for Thursday evenings. Thanks to a strong, multi-neighborhood, all-volunteer effort, an Uptown Farmers Market will launch on June 12 outside of Seven Points. The market will run Thursday evenings, from 4-8 p.m. through September 25, along Lake Street and the Girard Avenue Plaza, between Lake Street and 31st (one block east of Hennepin Avenue). Mark your calendars!
The Uptown Farmers Market is focused on activating the core of the Uptown business district. Building on the success of the East Isles Farmers Market, the expanded concept will provide a fresh, weekly community touchpoint for the eight collaborating resident associations immediately surrounding Uptown, with the ultimate goal of attracting visitors from across Minneapolis and the nearby suburbs.
The effort has been in development for the past 18 months, after the EINA made the decision in 2023 to pause the market that used to run in the park along the Mall, west of Hennepin. Last summer, pop-up markets were held across the area in order to build a partnership among neighborhood associations and collect opinions from residents.
The overwhelming response at the end of the 2024 season was that an expanded, more central market could play a key role in activating Uptown. As a result, the EINA board agreed to serve as the initial fiscal sponsor to get the project off the ground. As news spread, the concept grew and momentum accelerated, and a dedicated multi-neighborhood team of Up town area residents stepped forward to lend their time, make connections and apply their expertise to bringing the idea to life.
Amy Sanborn, who has served on the EINA board for many years, and past president/cur rent vice president of the Kenwood School PTA (an area “super-volunteer,” if you will), summed up her experience to date, “I’m so impressed with [the team] and the work they’ve done for the UFM. It’s a true joy to work on this project.”
Uptown small business owners have also supported the effort. Judy Longbottom, who owns and runs the Hennepin Avenue UPS Store and is providing an in-kind printing sponsor ship, points out that the “only way things are really going to continue to improve is if we all keep pitching in.”
Added Michaella Holden, the founder and principal at Lucent Blue Events + Design (whose office is at Seven Points), is spearheading the placemaking and event programming strategy:
“A vibrant Uptown is what originally drew so many residents to the surrounding area — and we know it’s ripe for a comeback. Yes, it’s been strained, and yes, it’s seen better days … but I’d suggest that it’s a phoenix about to rise from the ashes. What’s great about the Uptown Farmers Market is that it will become a DES TINATION for all ages. Not only will it offer fresh produce and great local food, but we’re planning so much more, including music, kids’ programming, chef demos, and even a beer gar den, if we can get our permits lined up. I’m ex cited for its potential, both to bring more vibrancy to the area, as well as to help revitalize Uptown’s business district.”
Indeed, I’m excited as well. As chair of the committee, working behind the scenes to rally the troops and secure funding has become a second job! However, the need is so clear and the response so universally positive. Neighbors and local businesses recognize that the market is a major first step in Uptown’s turnaround. We’re off to a great start. However, it takes a lot of time and effort to get an effort like this off the ground — especially in such a relatively short period of time.
That’s where readers of the Hill & Lake Press can play a vital role in the market’s success. In addition to funding via civic grants, corporate sponsorships and neighborhood as sociations, we are aiming to raise another $25,000 in charitable contributions prior to launch. And we’re already well on the way with significant, unsolicited donations from Steve Havig of Lakes Area Realty, The Wedge Com munity Coops and Uptown commercial property owners Tim Prinsen, George Zeller and others.
But Uptown needs and deserves our collective investment. If you’re in a position to make a tax-deductible donation, please visit https://uptownmarket.org/ or use the QR code below. While you’re on the market’s website, we hope you’ll subscribe to the mailing list as well to stay informed on new developments and up coming volunteer opportunities.
No matter what, we hope you’ll choose to make Thursday evenings at the market a cornerstone of your summer routine — the more we all show up, the brighter Uptown’s future will become.
We can’t wait to see what the community builds, together.
MAKE A FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION?
VISIT – uptownmarket.org or scan this QR Code
