Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis worker-owned bike shop to close after 22 years
A pillar of Minneapolis’s cycling community is shutting down after 22 years in business. The Hub Bike Co-op announced Friday that it’s closing both of its locations, on Minnehaha Avenue and in Dinkytown, on Sept. 30.
Brian Dowdy, a worker-owner, said that industry conditions have been unfavorable to small bike retailers.
A supply glut followed strong sales during the pandemic shutdown, and he said that the e-bike boom has been of little benefit to the Hub because many manufacturers sell directly to consumers.
Dowdy said the stores drew a diverse clientele and offered space for DIYers to learn how to repair their own bikes.
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“I think we’re of course sad about the closure and really proud of the work we’ve done as a democratically-run workplace and all the people we’ve welcomed into that shop,” he said.
People who’ve dropped bikes off to be fixed will have their repairs completed on the date promised.
Dowdy said staff and the ownership group are busy winding down the business and preparing to liquidate the inventory. He said that they’ve built valuable skill sets, and many may continue in the bike industry.
“Working at the Hub has been life-changing for a lot of us, both because we love bikes, we love what cycling does for our community, and because of the unique community of people that run that shop,” Dowdy said.
Minneapolis leaders are divided over whether to keep paying for ShotSpotter as the city weighs a new contract for the gunfire detection system.
A public hearing at City Hall focused on the technology as Minneapolis negotiates a new contract with SoundThinking, the company that provides ShotSpotter. Deputy Chief of Investigations Travis Riddle told the council the system supports gun violence strategies and can alert police no later than 60 seconds after shots are fired.
Critics at the hearing said the technology is not proven enough and argued the money could be spent in other ways. The proposed deal would cost $3.7 million through 2029 and would expand ShotSpotter into new areas of Minneapolis.
“We have actually had a contract with SoundThinking for their ShotSpotter services since 2014, and even with this technology for over 12 years now, MPD’s solve rates for homicides and non-fatal shootings were some of the worst in the country,” Council member Robin Wonsley said.
Council members pushed back on the long-term proposal and said they want a one-year deal instead. Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw disagreed with concerns raised by her colleague during the debate.
“In my opinion, and in folks I’ve heard from the North Side who have shown up here time and time again to say that we want this technology, we believe that ShotSpotter is a tool that the police use to save lives,” LaTrisha Vetaw said
City Council is set to take up the issue again on June 17. Minneapolis police are expected to return with a one-year contract instead of the three-year contract brought forward at the hearing.
Premiere vocal ensemble, Cantus is bringing the songs of Dolly Parton to the stage with fresh interpretations. The show will cover her classics like “Jolene,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You.” Cantus Presents, COVERS: Dolly & Friends runs through June 7th at the Luminary Arts Center at 700 N 1st St. in Minneapolis.
Minneapolis police are investigating a hit-and-run that left a man seriously injured Tuesday afternoon.
The crash happened near Oliver Avenue North and Lowry Avenue North just before 2 p.m., according to the Minneapolis Police Department.
Investigators say an SUV struck another vehicle, which then collided with a motorcyclist. The driver of the SUV then fled the scene.
The motorcyclist was taken to the hospital with potentially life-threatening injuries. Police say the driver of the other vehicle was not injured.
No arrests have been made as of Tuesday night.
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