On my walk through the Minneapolis North Loop (Warehouse District) popped into recently opened Backstory Coffee Roasters. The former warehouse is stunning, complete with a green wall and historic artifacts from the former occupant, the Duffey Paper Company.
Category: Minneapolis
Quick Scene Change
Walked on fresh snow in our neighborhood: a quick scene change from the streets of Tokyo yesterday.
In the Heights
Cycled to the highest point in Minneapolis, Deming Heights Park. At one point we dismounted and pushed.
Renewed Places
Explored Downtown with a UK friend, focusing on fine old buildings, many sensitively adapted and reused. This former Milwaukee Road ticketing hall is now a hotel event space. Later, we rode a 21 bus along Lake Street to see how well it has come back after the protests of 2020.
Sunday Morning Walk
On our Sunday morning walk: this maple delivers every year. The steeple belongs to Our Lady of Lourdes church. The church dates back to the 1850’s, the steeple is a later addition (1880’s).
A Glimpse of Things to Come
Chatted with a guy who was testing a delivery robot. He works for a local company that plans to take on the likes of DoorDash and Uber Eats. They’re evaluating different designs: the turning radius of this one is too wide. As we parted, I wished an optimal design in his future.
A Blank Canvas
On a cycle ride up one side of the Mississippi to I694, then down the other side: a new riverside park, Graco Park, was taking shape. By many metrics, Minneapolis has one of the best park systems in the nation, helped by property tax levies ($79 million in 2023). We call it our country club.
Slurping Ramen
Practiced slurping ramen at Zen Box Izakaya. Earlier today, Japan’s Prime Minister announced his country will be open to independent tourists, starting October 11. Two weeks after that I get to use a ticket to Tokyo purchased optimistically in February.
View from an Abandoned Truck Scale
On my somewhat random ride, stopped to nose around the exterior of the long-abandoned Fruen Mill. Here, I’m looking up, standing on a truck scale where cereals were loaded.
Five Watt Mouse Door
Finally noticed this mouse door near the entrance to Five Watt Coffee. It’s probably been there for years, so much for mindfulness. The local artist, Mows, has hundreds of these doors with different designs, placed around the world through collaboration and travel.