Phillips welcomes new Midtown Public Market

As part of the already successful Minneapolis Farmer’s Market, the Midtown Public Market has residents thrilled at the prospect of having an outdoor market right in their own back yard. Brigid Riley, a Standish-Ericsson resident and co-chair of the Midtown Public Market Advisory Board, said the Market is just one example of the area’s “continued revitalization and another step towards the future.”
“It’s a recognition of the diversity in our neighborhood,” Riley said of the Market’s grand opening on Sat., July 12. It was “a day for people to come and find some community with each other.”

On opening day the Market opened at 8:00 a.m. with an indigenous Mexican blessing, and Mayor R.T. Rybak and Coucilmember Gary Schiff were on hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony at 10:00. There was music and entertainment all day long, with highlights including music by neighborhood bands Steve Kaull and Friends (bluegrass/folk) and classical Spanish singer Esteban Perez. Attendees also saw a drum performance by Bancroft Taiko Kids and a special appearance by Chicks on Sticks.

The Seed for the Midtown Public Market was planted in early 2002 as neighborhood residents made plans about how to further enrich their neighborhood. Gerry Tytrell and Kevin Reuther, two Corcoran residents, along with Corcoran Neighborhood Organization Executive Director Amy Brock, formed a small subcommittee to turn this concept into a reality. Not waiting for developers or government agencies, the Longfellow, Standish-Ericsson, Bancroft, East Phillips, Powderhorn, and Seward neighborhood associations soon joined Corcoran to bring the community-driven project to full blossom. A 14-member advisory board was created and a location was secured with Minneapolis Schools. Funding to nourish the project was received from the McKnight foundation, Corcoran Neighborhood Organization, Longfellow Community Council, East Phillips Improvement Coalition, Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance, TCF Foundation, Target Corporation, and Hiawatha-Lake Business Association.

Finally, all of those who have worked so long and hard to make the Midtown Farmer’s Market a reality have seen the fruit (and vegetables) of their labor pay off.
The Midtown Public Market is located at the site of the Minneapolis Public Schools’ Connection Center (the former Edison PPL School) at 2225 East Lake St. For more information about the Midtown Public Market go online at www.midtownpublicmarket.org. The market is open Tuesdays from 4:30-8 and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon until October 28th.