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An Insider's Guide on Where to Eat, Stay and Play in Minneapolis – EBONY

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An Insider's Guide on Where to Eat, Stay and Play in Minneapolis – EBONY


Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today, to get through this thing called life.” If you aren’t familiar, these are some of the most famous lyrics from Minneapolis legend and entertainer Prince. The Minnesota city not only birthed him, but it has also worked to position itself as a destination that travelers of all interests want to visit.

I recently visited for a few days to get a firsthand look at all of the area’s hotspots, and now I want to put you on so that you are well equipped when you decide to pop in for yourself. While I certainly will not gloss over the fact that it was the place in which George Floyd ultimately lost his life, what I can say from my experience, is that the city—and local entrepreneurs and businesses—are working to ensure that the “Twin City” is a more inclusive and inviting place for visitors of all races.

From Black-owned business and must-try restaurants to a newish Four Seasons Hotel, here’s how you can explore Minneapolis like a true insider.

Where to stay

By now you’ve likely heard the viral social media sound asking the young child if they want to go to the Four Seasons in Orlando. Well, lucky for me, Minneapolis opened a property just two summers ago and it is absolutely gorgeous. Located in downtown, and within walking distance of just about everything you’ll need, the Four Seasons Minneapolis has all the upscale amenities you dream of, including: a full-service spa, rooftop pool and bar, multiple dining options and each room has plush robes and slippers waiting for you.

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King room at Four Seasons Minneapolis. Image: DeAnna Taylor.

Upon my arrival, I was greeted with a cold glass of champagne before being escorted to my king room on the 26th floor. With a view of what felt like the entire city, I spent lots of time just taking in the views. Additionally there’s a complimentary house car on property that will take you anywhere within a 3-mile radius and there are bikes available for guests who want to explore on two wheels. On most weekends, you can catch a rooftop yoga session or other workout classes taught by locals.

Mara Restaurant inside the Four Seasons Minneapolis. Image: DeAnna Taylor.

Beyond the Four Seasons, there are tons of other hotels and boutiques within the area, so it just boils down to your personal preference.

Best places to eat

I was pleasantly surprised at the number of Black-owned eateries within walking distance from my hotel. For my morning caffeine fix, I walked across the street to check out Mocha Momma’s Coffee on the bottom level of the Minneapolis Central Library. With a mission statement of “mentoring urban youth with coffee so the community thrives,” I knew that I was in the right place. I went with an iced lavender oat milk latte—my usual order almost anywhere—and it hit the spot. On one of the morning when I needed a full service breakfast, I set out on foot to Breakfast Bar of Minnesota for the Southern staples I’m used to. Fried salmon croquettes, cheese grits, eggs and biscuits filled my belly before I started a very long day.

Interior of Mocha Momma’s Coffee. Image: DeAnna Taylor.

If you don’t mind going a little farther in the city, Houston White’s The Get Down Coffee Co. is a whole vibe in itself.

For lunch, I stayed at the hotel and went to the rooftop to check out Riva Terrance where I ordered the panzanella salad topped with skirt steak. Other must-try spots are: Butcher & The Boar for the smoked short rib and eggs for brunch (Pro Tip: ask for the jalapeño cheddar biscuit instead of tortillas), Borough for its fork-tender pork belly at dinner, Soul Bowl in Graze: Provisions + Libation and, in the spirit of something sweet, check out Edwards Dessert Kitchen—all in the North Loop neighborhood. While there, pop in to Cobble Social House (also Black-owned) for a few lights bites and a nightcap from its rotational cocktail menu.

Pork belly over black rice from Borough. Image: DeAnna Taylor.

Where to play

While I was technically in Minneapolis to cover the 2024 U.S. Gymnastics Olympic Team trials, I still had ample time to visit some of the city’s hotspots. If you’re like me and love to peruse local boutiques and shops, you’ll love North Loop. A few standout spots for me were: Queen Anna House of Fashion (Black-owned), D. NOLO (also Black-owned) and Martin Patrick, which although it’s geared toward men, I loved browsing the coffee table book selection as well as home decor.

Interior of D.NOLO. Image: DeAnna Taylor.

Of course, you’re in The Purple One’s hometown, so it’s only right that you pay homage to him while there. If time permits or you’re able to snag a ticket for your dates, I highly suggest taking the trip to Paisley Park. If not, you can opt to swing by his larger-than-life mural near the interaction of N. 5th Street and Washington Ave. Or, as you’re heading back home, you can patron the official Prince store in the Delta terminal of Minneapolis’ airport.

Paisley Park Atrium. Image: Meet Minneapolis.

For the artsy folks, the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District neighborhood hosts Open Saturdays from noon until 4p on, you guessed it, Saturdays. Typically in warmer months, you’ll be able to browse dozens of local art studios.



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Minneapolis, MN

BCA identifies armed suspect, Minneapolis officer who fired shots at him

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BCA identifies armed suspect, Minneapolis officer who fired shots at him


The armed man and an officer who fired shots at him in Minneapolis last week have been identified by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA).

The BCA identified the suspect as 26-year-old Hanun Mohamed Awow and the Minneapolis police officer who fired his gun as Ariel Luna Sanchez.

Sanchez has three years of law enforcement experience and has been placed on critical incident leave, the BCA said.

Minneapolis police officer shoots at armed man, BCA investigating: MPD

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According to the BCA, officers responded around 12:30 a.m. on Thursday to a 911 call from a resident on the 3000 block of Fifth Avenue South, who said a neighbor had pointed a gun at their mom.

The caller told Minneapolis police that the neighbor, later identified as Awow, had a handgun and went back into his apartment. Officers went to Awow’s apartment and he opened the door and stepped out with a gun in his hand.

Police shouted for him to drop the gun and that’s when Sanchez fired shots, the BCA says.

Awow, who was not injured, was taken into custody by police. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said last week that he believed Awow was intoxicated at the time of the incident.

BCA crime scene personnel recovered a handgun from the scene and body cameras worn by officers.

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Minneapolis man is third convicted in Coon Rapids triple murder

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Minneapolis man is third convicted in Coon Rapids triple murder


An Anoka County jury has found guilty the last of three defendants in last year’s fatal shootings of a woman, her son and husband after he and two accomplices posed as UPS delivery drivers and went into the family’s Coon Rapids home looking for money.

Omari Malik Shumpert (Courtesy of the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office)

Omari Malik Shumpert, 20, of Minneapolis, was convicted Friday in Anoka County District Court of three counts of aiding and abetting first-degree murder in the Jan. 26, 2024, killings of Shannon Patricia Jungwirth, 42, her son Jorge Alexander Reyes-Jungwirth, 20, and her husband, Mario Alberto Trejo Estrada, 39.

Shumpert fatally shot Estrada after he fought back, prosecutors said.

He’s scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 9, a day after his older brother Demetrius Trenton Shumpert will go before a judge for sentencing.

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Jurors previously convicted Demetrius Shumpert, 33, of Minneapolis, and Alonzo Pierre Mingo, who prosecutors said orchestrated the robbery plan and pulled the trigger in the killings of Jungwirth and Reyes-Jungwirth.

Mingo, 39, of Fridley, was sentenced to life in prison in September.

Mingo, a former UPS seasonal employee, wore his old uniform while carrying a box to convince Jungwirth that he was delivering a package, prosecutors said.

Several surveillance cameras were mounted throughout the house in the 200 block of 94th Avenue Northwest. Video showed Demetrius Shumpert and Mingo forcing Jungwirth to open credenza drawers while demanding money.

All three victims were shot in the head, and two of the killings were on video. Two small children, both under the age of 5, were also in the home at the time of the killings but not injured.

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Court records said Estrada was suspected of drug trafficking and that law enforcement was on his trail in the days leading up to the killings. Afterward, investigators searched a Golden Valley storage unit that Estrada had rented under a false name and seized three bags of white powder, seven bags of psilocybin mushrooms, three bags of marijuana and a bag of meth, according to a search warrant affidavit.



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Minneapolis College teams up with Toys for Tots to provide holiday gifts for student parents

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Minneapolis College teams up with Toys for Tots to provide holiday gifts for student parents


For many student parents at Minneapolis College, the holiday season arrives during one of the busiest and most stressful times of the year.

Final exams, work schedules and family responsibilities often collide in December. This week, a Toys for Tots giveaway on campus offered some relief.

The college partnered with the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program to provide gifts exclusively for student parents. School officials say more than 145 student parents signed up for the event, representing nearly 270 children.

Veronica Krawiec is a nursing student at Minneapolis College and the mother of a young son, Christopher. She said balancing school, work and parenting can be overwhelming, especially around the holidays.

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Krawiec said she was able to find a Lego set her son specifically asked for this Christmas, something she was not sure she would be able to afford on her own.

She said the support she receives on campus has made a significant difference, pointing to resources like the Student Support Center and food pantry. Krawiec said those services help her focus on school without feeling ashamed for asking for help.

“As a mom most of the time I feel like I’m failing but like this this helps me a lot to not feel as bad,” she said.

Sharita Jackson, a first semester addiction counseling student and single mother of two, also attended the giveaway. She said resources like the Toys for Tots event help ease some of the pressure that comes with being a student parent.

Minneapolis College staff say the need among student parents has grown this year, in some cases doubling. The college estimates nearly 20% of its students are parents, and more than 70% of students identify as Indigenous or people of color, international, low income or first generation.

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In addition to holiday giveaways, the college offers a Student Parent Center, a food pantry, basic needs support and access to housing, financial and veterans resources. Staff say those services are designed to help students stay enrolled and succeed while raising families.

College officials say events like the Toys for Tots giveaway help reduce stress during the holidays and allow student parents to focus on finishing the semester strong.



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