Latest news with #Groundswell
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Neighbors launch fundraiser after St. Paul coffee shop damaged in fire
The Brief Groundswell in St. Paul remains closed after a fire on May 22, with owners now assessing damage and working with insurance. Community members launched a fundraiser that has raised over $11,000 to support the coffee shop during the shutdown. Groundswell, a neighborhood favorite since 2009, plans to use all donations to support employees while awaiting insurance payments. ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - Neighbors are raising money to support local coffee shop Groundswell in St. Paul after a fire last week. What we know Groundswell has been closed since a fire on Thursday. In an update on Facebook, the shop's owner said they had started the "slow process of assessing damage, taking inventory, and talking with insurance." The post reads: "We are beyond grateful for the love and support from all of you. Truly, it has blown us away. There are many reasons we love this community and neighborhood, and you all are certainly reminding us of them these days." Local perspective To support the shop amid the shutdown, neighbors have launched an online fundraiser that has collected more than $11,000 as of Monday. The fundraiser explains: "Sadly, our neighborhood Cafe, Groundswell caught fire around 10pm on 5/22 leaving our community devastated. During this time of hardship we're putting together a fund to the staff and family we all know and love. As the Hamline-Midway community one of our greatest strengths is that we rally for the people we care for. This fund will go towards securing a financial safety net for the staff to aid them during this troubling time and we appreciate any donation made. We're sending love to everyone affected by this loss, we're all rooting for the safety and security for our little neighborhood cafe." Groundswell's owners say the donations will all go towards staff while they wait for insurance payments. The backstory Groundswell is located along Thomas Avenue near Hamline Avenue, just blocks south of Hamline University and has been a community favorite since 2009. The café has been featured in a number of publications, being recognized for its great coffee, pastries and brunches.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fire damage closes Groundswell cafe in St. Paul
The Groundswell cafe in St. Paul's Midway neighborhood had a "surreal and pretty awful night" this week when the business caught fire on May 21. The cafe, sitting on the first floor of a building at Thomas and Hamilne avenues, caught fire late on Wednesday night, causing damage to the restaurant and the apartments above. "Everyone is safe, and that is what matters most," the cafe wrote on Facebook after the fire. The St. Paul Fire Department, which was dispatched to the scene just after 10 p.m. on Wednesday, was able to extinguish the fire and save a cat from one of the apartments, per the Pioneer Press. Smoke damage has also forced the closure of neighboring shops We Are the Starborn and Liminal Lounge. "The smoke damage forced us to close our doors until further notice, and as small, independent businesses, the amount [of] property damage and inability to be open to the public is both overwhelming and devastating to our livelihoods," We Are the Starborn wrote on Instagram. Due to the fire, Groundswell, which opened in 2009, has temporarily closed its doors with no reopening date lined up. In response, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support the cafe and its employees. "This fund will go towards securing a financial safety net for the staff to aid them during this troubling time," the fundraiser says. The campaign aims to raise $25,000 and had collected more than $7,600 in donations from the community by Sunday. Additionally, We Are the Starborn is having an online sale to support its recovery. It says in a social media post that 10% of all sales and donations will be given to Groundswell.
CBS News
22-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
St. Paul coffee shop closes doors after fire breaks out on Wednesday night
A staple of the Hamlin-Midway neighborhood in St. Paul is closed until further notice after a fire broke out late Wednesday night. COFFEE SHOP FIRE - Firefighters were called to Groundswell Midway, a mainstay of the Hamline-Midway neighborhood in St.... Posted by WCCO & CBS News Minnesota on Thursday, May 22, 2025 Groundswell Coffee sustained major damage in the fire which also displaced five residents in neighboring units. "The whole intersection was swarmed with rescue workers," Co-Owner Megan Schoonover said. "We watched them hack into the building, they had to cut a hole in the floor. They were taking our siding down." The coffee shop, which has served the community for the last 15 years, has provided more than food and drinks. "We're trying to really have a community here." Schoonover said, "We've been really grateful to be the space people come to for their celebrations, their grieving, connection times. It's been special for us to be a part of people's lives like that." It's a feeling that is shared with most all of their customers as well. Dozens of patrons arrived at Groundswell this morning only to discover what had happened the night prior. "They really created a sense of community. So, I'm really heartbroken with findings this out today," said Edina resident Mark Milbauer. "The best avocado sandwich I have ever had in my life. And I will never forget it." Others are hopeful it reopens so they can continue their support. "Oh Gosh, I'll be back," customer William Reid said with a smile. " Bring some buddies, try to celebrate, help, buy a little extra food, you know, to help cover the costs their having to pay right now." While the damage is extensive, the building will be inhabitable again within 60-90 days. Schoonover says she hopes they are able to reopen to continue their mission. "We're going to try. We're going to try to make it work," said Schoonover.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Groundswell cafe in St. Paul temporarily closes after fire
The people who run a St. Paul cafe say they had 'a surreal and pretty awful night watching our beloved business on fire.' Groundswell is on the first floor of a two-story building at Thomas and Hamline avenues in the Midway area with apartments above. The St. Paul fire department was dispatched about 10:15 p.m. Wednesday for a report of an apartment fire. A 911 caller said the building was full of smoke and all the occupants had escaped, according to Deputy Fire Chief Jamie Smith. Firefighters discovered a basement fire and extinguished it. They safely removed a cat from an apartment. Five adults were displaced by the fire, and are staying with family and friends, Smith said. 'Everyone is safe, and that is what matters most,' said an early Thursday post on Groundswell's Facebook page. The fire department is investigating the fire's cause. 'Really sad to say we won't be able to serve you your latte and scone tomorrow,' Groundswell's post said. 'We will keep you posted as we learn more.' Groundswell has had its share of successes and calamities over the years, and the business credits neighbors and friends for their support. Groundswell got its start in December 2009, with 'the resurrection project of the coffeeshop at 1342 Thomas Ave.,' the business' website says. '… We scraped together as much money as we could, asked a bunch of our friends to volunteer their time at the espresso machine, and opened Groundswell Coffee.' The coffeeshop had to close for nearly three months in 2011 when a ceiling collapsed. George Floyd: Minneapolis, St. Paul events mark his death, community response Burnsville to break ground on nearly $100M Police City Hall renovation project Truck driver tells trooper he was distracted by map before Washington County fatal crash Woodbury officials seek info on rug connected to house fire Firefighters make progress on Northern Minnesota blazes In December 2012, they found out the neighboring business was closing and decided to expand — offering in-house bakery and cafe food, along with beer and wine. A friend opened a shop inside featuring arts and crafts made by local artists. By 2015, Groundswell's baker and general manager Megan Greulich competed on the Food Network's 'Christmas Cookie Challenge.' 'The national exposure helped expand our bakery, and Megan's ugly Christmas sweater cookies became a fixture of our holiday season,' Groundswell says on its website. In 2017, a car crashed through the front of the business. No one was hurt. 'And, true to the spirit of the neighborhood, our neighbors showed up in waves, checking in on us and offering to help us clean up,' the website said.
CBS News
22-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Crews fight fire at St. Paul's Groundswell Midway coffee shop
A coffee shop in St. Paul, Minnesota, will be closed Thursday after an overnight fire. WCCO was at the scene as firefighters gathered at Groundswell Midway off Thomas Avenue West and Hamline Avenue North. In a Facebook post, the owners said it was a "surreal and pretty awful night" seeing their "beloved business on fire." WCCO They thanked the St. Paul Fire Department and said everyone was safe. "Really sad to say we won't be able to serve you your latte and scone tomorrow," the owners wrote. It's unclear when they plan to reopen the shop.
