Vegan eatery coming to north Minneapolis

After difficulty finding healthy dining options, a budding entrepreneur in North Minneapolis, is hoping her vegan restaurant will offer healthy meals, at a low price, for people in her community.
Greek restaurant turning into Black and woman-owned vegan cafe
Formerly, "Mykonos" to become "HEAL" a plant-based cafe Photo credit Wambui Kamau

When you want to dine out and maintain your health kick, where would you go? For most people, North Minneapolis is not what comes to mind.

Sierra Carter is renovating what used to be a Greek restaurant, on the corner of 42nd and Lyndale Avenue North, into HEAL, a plant-based herbal cafe.

"Living over North, there's no healthy food options," she said. "It's all like--- fried foods, Chinese food, fried chicken. That's it."

The restaurant name, HEAL, is actually an acronym which stands for "Herbs Eat All Love." She says her cafe will be a place for customers to heal, from the inside out.

Sierra Carter smiles inside her soon-to-be vegan cafe called HEAL
Sierra Carter said she stepped out on her faith to make the diner of her dreams come true Photo credit Wambui Kamau

"The goal for us is to teach the community--- whether you're from North Minneapolis or beyond--- how to take care of yourself. And it starts with the stuff that you put in your body," she said. "It starts with the teas that you drink in the morning, or the quinoa bowl to get a nice hefty portion of protein or something."

VEGAN? YES. ALCOHOL? NO.

The meat-free eatery will also be alcohol-free. Carter says this is an intentional decision.

"Living on the Northside, everybody's in survival mode. We're going to weed or alcohol to numb us, to quiet our minds, or make us forget about the trauma we went through," Carter said.

Instead, Carter wants to serve herbal elixirs, which she says will be infused with healing properties.

"So (we'll be) working with these different herbs like kava... making different elixirs out of these different herbs," Carter said. "I think it's going to set us up for success, so we can transition out of survival mode, into thriving mode."

Carter says she will get rid of the grills, formerly used to prepare meat products
Carter says she will get rid of the grills, formerly used to prep meats products Photo credit Wambui Kamau
Carter smiles at the thought of ridding meat-filled grills from previous owner
Carter says the kitchen will be filled with "build your own bowls" instead of meaty residue Photo credit Wambui Kamau

Citing her personal challenges, Carter is confident she can deliver on the affordability aspect of her vegan dishes.

"Since, I adhere to a plant-based lifestyle, I had to leave my neighborhood to get some food. Then if I am leaving my neighborhood, the access... just because I can afford, it doesn't mean my neighbors can," Carter said.

She says she is currently working with farmers to offer a seasonal and sustainable menu.

"I think anybody's going to want to come here. It's going to be like an oasis for the hood, but also for people to come here and experience what heal is."

HEAL is expected to open in June.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Wambui Kamau