Latest news with #SparrowCafé
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Effort to help coffee shop closed since destructive water main break
The latest campaign to help a business impacted by a destructive water main break in southwest Minneapolis has been launched. The Sparrow Café at West 50th Street and Penn Avenue South has been closed since suffering damage in the Feb. 13 flood, which also damaged bookstore the Paperback Exchange, Italian restaurant Terzo, Theisen Renovation, Lake Harriet Florist, Scuba Center and Lake Harriet Pizza. A GoFundMe launched to help the coffee shop's employees as they figure out what's next for the restaurant posted on Instagram Monday that the City of Minneapolis had declared an intent to condemn the building, which has been left uninhabitable in the wak of the flood. "Sparrow has been a welcoming and wonderful place for us, for almost 12 years. The 12 years have been challenging due to COVID, and extensive roadwork and construction in the area spanning years. Yet Sparrow has remained an incredible part of our neighborhood," the GoFundMe post reads. As of Monday, the fundraiser has raised over $3,300 of its $40,000 goal. The business was started in 2013 by Sheila and Jasper Rajendren, with the latter naming the cafe "Sparrow" because they're "urban birds with a sense of community." The shop offers coffee, tea, muffins, scones and more.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Minneapolis restaurant reveals flood wreckage left by burst water main
Terzo in southwest Minneapolis provided an update on the aftermath of a burst water main that has left the Italian restaurant closed ever since. The destructive main break sent torrents of water through the building overnight on Feb. 13, flooding its basement and causing water damage to its building and neighbors. Terzo said in an update last week the city has declared an intent to condemn the building, as it's currently uninhabitable after the event. The flooding was so extreme that the owners said the basement had water "up to the ceiling." The flooding led to the closure of next-door Paperback Exchange, and affected business operations at the Sparrow Café and Theisen Renovation, according to the Broder family. Residents of apartments located on the second level have also been forced to leave their homes. The owners said the fate of Terzo is undetermined at this point. "At this point, we can't say what this means for Terzo except to say that we're looking at every option for clean-up and recovery and assessing if, when and how we might be able to re-open," the post reads. "We will be working closely with our landlord, our insurer, contractors and the city to understand the full extent of the damage and what is needed to move forward. Some of that work might take a while to complete but the answers will guide our decisions." View the 8 images of this gallery on the original article The Broder family, which also owns Broder's Cucina Italiana and Broder's Pasta Bar at the same Penn and 50th intersection as Terzo, said Terzo staff "has been amazing" since the flood, with many of them coming to the restaurant within hours of the water break looking for ways to help. The owners say they're making sure wages for for staff are covered, with belief that its insurer will provide longer-term compensation for at least some who have lost income. "We're also looking at ways to offer them positions at the other restaurants, but all of this still may not be enough to cover everyone's immediate needs," the owners said. The Broders also own Broders' Cucina Italiana and Broders' Pasta Bar. The business has launched a to help support 20 Terzo staff members as they navigate what's next. As of Monday morning, the fundraiser has raised over $11,100 of its $30,000 goal. "For almost 12 years, Terzo has been a part of this community; it has been a joy to serve you and to get to know our neighbors. We are grateful for every guest who has walked through our doors, for every employee who has become part of our extended family and for the overwhelming support we have received over the years," the business said. "We will share news as we learn it and do our best to make our critical decisions as quickly as possible. Knowing that this will inevitably take longer than any of us would like, we thank you in advance for your patience and understanding."
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Water main break spoils Valentine's Day for flower shop, restaurant
The Brief A water main break in south Minneapolis caused businesses to temporarily close. A florist shop and restaurant won't be able to serve customers on Valentine's Day. It happened at 50th and Penn Avenue; the cause of the water main break is unknown. MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - A flower shop won't be selling flowers on Valentine's Day, because they are flooded. This comes after a water main break in south Minneapolis sent floods of water into a building and onto the street. Timeline Around 3:30 a.m. on Thursday is when it all started. It took hours to get the water to shut off. Many business owners arrived at their shops at 5 a.m. and there was nothing but constant flooding. During the 9 o'clock hour, city officials said the water main had been repaired. Local perspective A florist is worried about getting flowers to her customers for Valentine's Day, while a café owner has to figure out what to do about his happy space. Water poured out into the street at 50th and Penn Avenue. The entire cafe shop was covered in water. Right outside of it, a big hole from the water main break. "There's a basement underneath here full of books, they're all underwater. Tons of mud and happiness in our space," said Jasper Rajendren, owner of Sparrow Café. Rajendren owns Sparrow Café with his wife. Currently, there are condemned signs outside his shop along with other businesses in the same building. He has no idea when he can reopen. "Looks like the floor is pretty much gone," said Rajendren. Three people were displaced, and a few buildings down flowers may not be delivered in time for Valentine's Day. What they're saying "Everything was floating downstairs. When I arrived," said Naomi Strom, owner of Lake Harriet Florist. Strom tells FOX 9 that they keep many of their products and orders in the basement. She tells us the flood was three to four feet high. Some orders were saved, while others weren't. "The other arrangements that we're not able to fulfill, we're going to be sending to other florists to fulfill," said Strom. As for last-minute Valentine's Day shoppers, you're out of luck. "We probably will not be able to fulfill any orders for walk-ins because we have limited, I mean, we were underwater, so there's very, very limited ability we have to divine," said Strom. Storm adds they put out 150 to 200 arrangements a day right before Valentine's Day. And as you can imagine, Valentine's Day is the mini Super Bowl for them. Also, Terzo's in that area, won't be open on Friday because of the flooding.
