Minneapolis, MN
Hark, downtown Minneapolis’ only vegan, gluten-free cafe, closing April 28
The owners of Hark Cafe, the vegan, gluten-free cafe in the Warehouse District, have announced they will close April 28 and transition to a commercial kitchen/catering operation.
It’s been a tenacious three-year run for owners Lisa Neumann and Katherine Pardue. The self-described best friends met in college and eventually launched the homey cafe with plans to serve early morning coffee and baked treats, late-night cocktails and everything in between. But the road hasn’t been easy.
The duo signed a lease for the space just before March 2020, when a statewide mandate shut down restaurants for indoor dining. Hark Cafe opened in January 2021, during a time marked by uncertainty for the hospitality industry, and made headlines as one of the first businesses in the metro area to require customers to provide proof of vaccination.
Even with the challenges of trying to get into a regular service rhythm, the cafe gained a reputation in gluten- and cruelty-free dining circles for incredible ice creams, veggie-packed sandwiches and delightful sweet treats.
According to a social media post, the bakery will transition into “catering and wholesale, and by custom order, as well as monthly/holiday treat presales.”
The cafe (430 1st Av. N., Mpls., harkcafe.com) is still open for breakfast through lunch until its last day.
West End’s new Punch Pizza opens April 30
It’s an even dozen restaurants for the Twin Cities’ favorite Neapolitan pizza chain. Punch pizza’s newest location opens April 30 near Costco in St. Louis Park (5799 W. 16th St., punchpizza.com). The first restaurant opened in St. Paul in 1996 with distinctive Italian-style pizzas that are cooked in just 90 seconds. The thin, gently charred crust, served with a variety of traditional toppings, has become popular across the Twin Cities with its slow and steady growth. The new outpost boasts a menu stacked with the favorites fans have come to know and love.
Speaking of Punch locations, St. Paul fans who still stare lovingly at the dark Highland Park location will want to know that there still are no publicly known plans for reopening. It’s no longer listed as a location on the website, but the FAQs assure us it will reopen. Someday.
Chimborazo’s second location opens in St. Paul
Northeast Minneapolis’ beloved neighborhood eatery Chimborazo has officially crossed the river. Its second location is now open in St. Paul’s Highland Park neighborhood, off Lexington Parkway, in the retail complex adjacent to Trader Joe’s. The Ecuadorian restaurant has been a mainstay in northeast Minneapolis for 15 years. The new outpost will serve a similar menu of Ecuadorian cuisine, including slow-roasted meats, sandwiches, soups and more. Stop by at 508 S. Lexington Pkwy., chimborazorestaurant.com.
Minne’s on Glenwood reopens with a mission
Minne’s on Glenwood in Minneapolis’ Harrison neighborhood is hosting a reopening celebration on May 4. The restaurant started as a food truck and expanded into the permanent location earlier this year, serving floats, Chicago dogs, burgers, fries, onion rings and more.
The eatery also aims to uplift its community with a Pay It Forward Board, where guests can buy a meal that’s served to a hungry neighbor. Said owner Cordell Richardson: “We bring a beacon of light to this neighborhood feeding every guest with our secret ingredient of kindness.”
The grand reopening celebration (1825 Glenwood Av., Mpls.) is from noon to 5 p.m., with live music, raffles, games and more.
Lowertown favorite expands hours for Farmers Market season
Saint Dinette in Lowertown just announced expanded hours that include opening at 9 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays this summer. The sit-down restaurant is just around the corner from the St. Paul Farmers Market and hopes to lure shoppers with its bites and a grocery valet service. Folks can pop in after buying their market goods and drop bags at the host stand, where the items will be cared for while diners choose between French toast with honey butter or a breakfast double cheeseburger. (Don’t worry, there’s a salad, too.) Saint Dinette is at 261 E. 5th St., St. Paul, saintdinette.com.
Ann Kim’s new hit restaurant is now taking reservations
Kim’s, the new Korean-American restaurant in Uptown from James Beard Award-winning chef Ann Kim, has announced that reservations are now available. The formerly walk-in-only restaurant, called “bold, flavorful and personal” in a February review by the Star Tribune, opened late last year with lines out the door and nary a reserved table in sight. Now, planners can book a table, and there were even a bunch open as we published — and before word got out (1432 W. 31st St., Mpls., kimsmpls.com).
Dashfire in the THC beverage business
For those who like to celebrate like it’s 4/20 every day, Dashfire has two new canned THC beverages hitting the market. The ready-to-drink beverage, bitters and liqueur company introduces two new beverages, the dark cherry-juniper Bramble and the spicy passion fruit margarita, each with 5 mg of THC. They’re available at select Twin Cities liquor stores as well as at Dashfire’s Elusive botanical bar (1620 Central Av. NE., Mpls., dashfire.us).
Spoon and Stable snags prestigious award nomination
Tales of the Cocktail announced its Regional Top 10 Honorees for the 18th annual Spirited Awards last week, and Gavin Kaysen’s Minneapolis restaurant Spoon and Stable (212 N. 1st St., Mpls., spoonandstable.com) was the only Minnesota restaurant to be recognized in the Best U.S. Restaurant Bar–U.S. Central category. Winners will be announced during the annual Tales of the Cocktail event in New Orleans July 21-26.
Minneapolis, MN
Man on Conditional Release Now Charged in Minneapolis Murder — MNCRIME.com
A man is now charged with murder after prosecutors say a robbery inside a Minneapolis apartment building ended in a fatal shooting.
Prosecutors say the man was on conditional release after being charged with first-degree armed carjacking for an incident in Minneapolis last September.
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The killing happened Feb. 24 inside the Abbott Apartments lounge area on the 100 block of East 18th Street, where police found an adult man dead from gunshot wounds after reports of a shooting.
Court documents state the victim and a friend went to the building to meet 20-year-old Abdirahman Khayre Khayre. A witness stated Khayre left the room several times and appeared to be stalling before three armed men entered and demanded property. The men were described as carrying two Glock-style handguns with extended magazines and an AR-style rifle. During the robbery, the suspects demanded a Louis Vuitton bag belonging to the victim. When the victim resisted, a struggle broke out. The witness stated that two guns were taken from him during the robbery.
The witness told investigators Khayre was handed one of the stolen guns and then pointed it at him, causing him to flee into the lobby. Moments later, multiple gunshots were heard. The witness returned and found the victim shot. Surveillance footage from other areas of the building reportedly corroborated key parts of the account, and the witness later identified Khayre in a photo lineup, according to the complaint.
PREVIOUSLY: Man Shot and Killed Inside Minneapolis Apartment Building
Authorities say Khayre was on conditional release at the time of the killing in a separate Hennepin County case involving a September 2025 armed carjacking.
READ MORE > Minneapolis coverage
In that earlier case, prosecutors alleged Khayre and others confronted a woman in a garage near 19th Street and Nicollet Avenue, pointed handguns at her and forced her to give up the keys to a Dodge Challenger before fleeing in the stolen vehicle. Officers later located the vehicle and arrested multiple suspects, including Khayre, who was identified as the driver.
Court records show Khayre posted a $75,000 non-cash bond and was released under conditions requiring him to remain law-abiding, have no possession of firearms or ammunition, avoid alcohol and controlled substances and complete treatment.
Khayre is now charged with second-degree murder without intent while committing a felony and first-degree aggravated robbery. He made an initial court appearance Friday, where a judge set bail at $1 million. If convicted of second-degree felony murder, he faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.
The homicide investigation remains ongoing. Authorities have not yet released the identity of the victim. Anyone with information is asked to contact Minneapolis police by emailing policetips@minneapolismn.gov or calling 612-673-5845. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or online. Information leading to an arrest and conviction may be eligible for a financial reward.
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Minneapolis, MN
Man killed over Louie Vuitton bag, suspect was on bond for suspected carjacking, charges say
Minneapolis police are investigating a homicide on Feb. 24, 2026. (FOX 9)
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – A man is dead after a witness said he refused to give up a Louis Vuitton bag while being robbed by multiple men at gunpoint.
Abdirahman Khayre Khayre, 20, is charged with second-degree murder and first-degree robbery for the incident that happened on the evening of Feb. 24 in Minneapolis.
READ MORE: Man fatally shot in south Minneapolis apartment building
Fatal Minneapolis shooting after robbery
The set-up:
Minneapolis police responded around 10:42 p.m. on Feb. 24 at the Abbott Apartments, located on the 100 block of East 18th Street in the Stevens Square neighborhood of Minneapolis.
Officers then found a dead man in the lobby who had been shot multiple times.
A witness to the shooting said he and the victim arrived at the apartments to “hang out” with Khayre, according to the criminal complaint.
The witness said he became suspicious when Khayre he left the room multiple times and “appeared to be stalling.”
The robbery:
The complaint states the witness reported three men then came into the room and yelled “Give me everything.” The men were armed with Glock handguns that had extended magazines as well as an AR-style rifle.
They then stole two guns from the witness, and one of them was handed to Khayre.
When the men demanded a Louis Vuitton bag from the victim, he refused, leading to a fight between them all.
The shooting:
The witness said when he walked toward them, Khayre pointed the witness’ stolen gun at him and racked it.
The witness then got out of the room, ran toward the lobby and heard multiple gunshots. He then saw two of the men flee out the back of the building, but didn’t see what direction they went in.
The victim was then found dead.
The aftermath:
Khayre was then identified by the witness in a photo lineup, according to the criminal complaint.
Police say video footage corroborated much of what the witness reported.
Khayre was on conditional release for a suspected carjacking at the time of the shooting, according to the complaint.
The Source: This story uses information gathered from a criminal complaint filed in Hennepin County and previous FOX 9 reporting.
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota’s Iranian community: Mixed emotions on US-Israel strike
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The local Iranian community in Minnesota is expressing mixed emotions following the recent joint U.S.-Israel strike on Iran.
Local reactions to the strike
What we know:
The strike resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, according to President Donald Trump and Iranian state media. Many Iranians in Minnesota feel this could lead to freedom for their country.
Nazanin Naferipoor shared that her sister in Iran was initially happy about the strike, believing it might bring about freedom. However, communication has been cut off since the strike began, leaving many worried about their loved ones.
The other side:
Hamid Kashani from the Minnesota Committee in Support of a Democratic Iran expressed mixed feelings about the strike. While he hopes for change, he is concerned about the potential loss of innocent lives.
Fazy Kowsari emphasized that the attack targeted the government, not the religion, and criticized the political motivations behind the strike.
Upcoming rally at Nicollet Mall
Why you should care:
A rally is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon at Nicollet Mall and 11th Street. Organizers view the U.S. strike as a rescue operation for Iranians held hostage by the regime, rather than an act of war.
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