Minneapolis, MN
Milestone for Kobi Co. as it celebrates 2 years at brick-and-mortar location
MINNEAPOLIS — A young business owner is about to celebrate a milestone at her downtown Minneapolis store. Kobi Gregory will soon mark two years in her brick-and-mortar location downtown, after starting “Kobi Co” during the pandemic.
From the outside of her storefront on S. 9th Street in downtown Minneapolis, you can smell the goodness awaiting you inside.
A space helping people create moments of self-care.
“If you are looking for a little bit of warmth a little bit of love and a lot of vibes we got it here,” said Gregory.
Gregory was a 17-year-old high school student when COVID 19 hit. Forced to live life online, Gregory struggled like many young people did.
“While I was dealing with a lot of anxiety and depression and just new feelings coming about,” said Gregory.
Gregory and her mother, Tasha Harris, had just finished taking a candle making class together.
It inspired them to start a business.
“Working on these candles and Kobi Co really helped me come out of whatever I was in,” said Gregory.
Gregory and Harris began selling their product at local markets and street fairs. Mom quit the corporate job she had for 20 years and began securing partnerships. After three years of working off tabletops, they made this downtown Minneapolis retail spot a reality.
“I would not be able to do it without my mom or without the fact that this whole thing is about loving yourself and taking care of yourself.”
Each candle comes with its own soothing sounds to set the vibe.
“The music was a huge component of my self-care practice which is why we were so excited about adding them to the candles,” said Gregory. “Spotify QR codes and so that’s how we connect our playlist to each and every one of the candles they are all different curated towards each and every theme and scent.”
It’s not just candles. Kobi Co. sells bath bombs, salts and room sprays in their signature scents.
“Champagne scents, floral scents, we love lemon, jasmine all these different scents that we have.”
Mom and daughter, both from born and raised in Minneapolis, have care for community integrated into the foundation of this business.
“Giving back is super important to me,” said Gregory.
Kobi Co offers scholarships to young BIPOC women, and a portion of sales created from the Black Lives Matter collection, goes to families affected by gun violence.
“Just the amount of love and recognition that we’ve received in a short amount of time and that we’ve been in business really blows me and my mom away.”
That hard worked helped land national attention for this local business. Both Essence and Cosmopolitan magazines recognized Kobi Co.
Kobi Co also offers workshops where people can make scents unique to them. Gregory and Harris celebrate two years in the downtown location this spring.
A Minneapolis man who pleaded guilty to murdering a high school student in 2022 was sentenced to nearly 30 years in prison on Monday.
It was the second time Cody Fohrenkam was sentenced for fatally shooting 15-year-old Deshaun Hill. He was convicted and sentenced to more than 38 years in prison in February 2023, but the Minnesota Court of Appeals later reversed the conviction and granted him a retrial based on illegally obtained incriminating statements.
Fohrenkam, 33, agreed to a plea deal as his second trial was set to start, pleading guilty to one count of second-degree intentional murder in exchange for Monday’s 340-month sentence. The judge presiding over the hearing gave him credit for 1,476 days already served.
Fohrenkam shot and killed Hill while Hill was walking to a bus stop just blocks from Minneapolis North High School, where Hill was a star quarterback and honor roll student.
One of Hill’s aunts said in a statement shortly before the judge sentenced Fohrenkam that her nephew was “full of life.”
“When he spoke, you listened. He had a soft spirit and a good heart,” she said. “Deshaun was an artist who, as you all know, he took his education seriously. He had dreams and goals. He worked hard to make his family proud.”
This story will be updated.
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.
> Sign up for the MN CRIME newsletter
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.
> See more of our latest coverage
> Follow on X or YouTube for more
Big Orange Caravan to hit Kingsport April 30th
Texas GOP Sen. Cornyn tries to hold his seat for a 5th term while Democrats Crockett, Talarico face off
Why U. President Taylor Randall, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox plan to meet with Donald Trump this week
Vermont Air National Guard joins Iran campaign – The Boston Globe
Why a 6-year-old with diabetes is pushing for change in Virginia – WTOP News
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
Fraud-plagued Minnesota sues Trump admin for withholding $243M in Medicaid payments
Is Iran expanding attacks to target energy and civilian sites in the Gulf?
Trump claims US stockpiles mean wars can be fought ‘forever’; Kristi Noem testifies before Congress – US politics live
War in the Middle East: Iran’s broad retaliation in the Gulf • FRANCE 24 English
Trump sends official notification to Congress on strikes against Iran
-
World6 days agoExclusive: DeepSeek withholds latest AI model from US chipmakers including Nvidia, sources say
-
Massachusetts6 days agoMother and daughter injured in Taunton house explosion
-
Denver, CO6 days ago10 acres charred, 5 injured in Thornton grass fire, evacuation orders lifted
-
Louisiana1 week agoWildfire near Gum Swamp Road in Livingston Parish now under control; more than 200 acres burned
-
Oregon4 days ago2026 OSAA Oregon Wrestling State Championship Results And Brackets – FloWrestling
-
Florida2 days agoFlorida man rescued after being stuck in shoulder-deep mud for days
-
Technology1 week agoArturia’s FX Collection 6 adds two new effects and a $99 intro version
-
News1 week agoVideo: How Lunar New Year Traditions Take Root Across America