Just about all the stores were empty when Mayor Jacob Frey went to Midtown Global Market on east Lake Street early Monday morning to declare the start of Latino Business Week in Minneapolis.
With much of the diverse marketplace set to open later in the day, there was one man had his breakfast grill fired up for the mayor.
For three years, Willen Castro has owned and operated Andy’s Garage in what was the old Sears building on Lake Street.
Castro came to the US from Guatemala, calling it a big change in his life.
“It was work, work, work hard,” he said. “Work for your dream, find your dream, and never, never give up.”
This is the second straight year that Minneapolis has marked Latino Business Week, encouraging everyone to patronize those restaurants and stores which now number nearly 12,000 in the Twin Cities metro.
The activities also include panel discussions, vendor shopping, music, and various resources for aspiring and existing business owners.
“We’re asking you to come over to east Lake, or head over to west Broadway,” said the mayor. “This is an opportunity to patronize these businesses that are these exceptional places that can better your lives and better the entire city at the same time.”
This comes as some businesses claim federal immigration policy is driving customers away.
“We are in a place where there is so much hatred coming out of our federal government, this is a moment that we can band together,” he said.
Organizers scheduled Latino Business Week to coincide with and honor National Hispanic Heritage Month.
“This is something that needs to continue,” said Minneapolis councilman Jason Chavez of the ninth ward.
“The point is to uplift and showcase the importance of all our communities.”