Ricardo Levins Morales is an artist and organizer with a studio located on Minnehaha Avenue. Like many small business owners, his day-to-day operations have changed since the COVID-19 pandemic, and more recently, the political uprising following the murder of George Floyd. Through these changes, he continues to raise awareness of the systemic oppression that existed long before the recent crises.

“The art I create - and that we distribute - is intended to be medicinal, supporting people's resilience in the face of oppression. In the current situation we've been making more social media images, coloring pages and both downloadable and salable posters that address the pandemic and its impacts in ways that both inform and comfort. The pandemic has made it obvious (to those who might have missed it) that inequality and injustice are disease vectors. My art supports people's struggles for adequate housing, wages, healthy food and a clean environment - the true building blocks of public health.”

Support Ricardo's work via his online retail: www.rlmartstudio.com

3867 Minnehaha Ave
Ready for Carry -out!

Meseret Asfew is the owner of Meseret's Ethiopian Restaurant at 38th and Minnehaha. Her grand opening was only a year ago and due to the Coronavirus, she feels like she is starting over from scratch. "I lost many customers because of COVID-19, including many regulars. Some of my customers who I've built friendships with I don't get to see anymore, and that's really hard. It's difficult to deal with the uncertainty. Many really nice community members have still be coming, and I am thankful for their support. The virus is not only bad for our physical health, but our mental health too. I keep reminding myself that I am thankful for the customers I have and for the opportunities to continue cooking for my community."

Meseret's is open for Take-Out! Right now, the easiest way is to call the restaurant at 612-354-4419.  Stay tuned - her new website with online ordering will be launching soon at www.meseretethiopianrestaurant.com. 

Cathy Heying, Executive Director of The Lift Garage

Cathy Heying runs the The Lift Garage, a nonprofit auto repair shop located at the Lake and Hiawatha intersection. The mission of The Lift is to move people out of poverty and homelessness by providing low-cost car repair. The demand is so great, that even before the Covid-19 pandemic, customers would often wait three months for an appointment.

Since mid-March, Cathy and her team have had to figure out a way meet their mission while also keeping staff, vendors and customers safe. They’ve streamlined online and phone payments, set up drop boxes for keys and parts, and take extra care to wipe down every set of keys, parts, and vehicle before and after working on it. 

With the waiting room closed to the public, Cathy is the only office staff on site and in addition to her normal responsibilities as Executive Director, she serves as the go-between between techs and service writers who are working from home. With two technicians on leave of absence due to high-risk health concerns, she does the occasional repair as well.

​Like many business owners these days, Cathy is overwhelmed and struggles to keep morale up, but focuses on the positive, stating, "I am so grateful for the team I have who are willing to come in and work hard every day under hard circumstances and risk. I'm so grateful we've found a way to keep people safe while also being here for our customers."

​Want to support The Lift? Community support and donations help cover overhead costs and are needed more than ever. You can join their Annual (virtual) Fundraising Breakfast on May 28th to hear more from Cathy or visit www.theliftgarage.org and make a donation today.

Amber & Jesse Walker and their kiddos

Move Meditate Make a Difference

Happy Human offers a free daily virtual workout and meditation.
All are welcome.

Click Here to Get Moving

Amber and Jesse Walker are the co-owners of Happy Human Fitness. Haven't heard of them? They're one of many home-based businesses in Longfellow that often go under the radar. Normally, Happy Human provides in-home personal training to busy families and seniors interested in lifelong health and happiness. The Coronavirus has cut revenue in half and limited their normal scope of operations, but they are still able to offer online personal training and training outside in parks or backyards. 

Like so many people, Amber, Jesse and their two boys (ages 9 and 4) are experiencing wide ranging emotions and coping day to day can be a challenge. But, their outlook provides grounding in the midst of uncertainty: "People think being a happy human means never having a bad day or being in a bad mood. We think that is an unreasonable expectation. Being honest with yourself and those around you about your moods and struggles is the quickest way back to happiness." 

​For Amber and Jesse, kind words are the fuel that keep them going.  If you find Happy Human helpful in any way (classes, Facebook posts, or personal training), let them know. The encouragement is what gives them the passion to run an amazing business - even during a pandemic.

Mother Earth Gardens

Co-Owners, Paige and Karen

Paige Pelini and Karen O'Connor are co-owners of Mother Earth Gardens. In the space of six weeks, they've had to change their way of doing business three different times: from phone orders to creating an online store to opening to the public with the latest executive order. As a result of COVID-19, they've lost a few longer term employees, have applied for assistance, and implemented protocols for sanitation and social distancing while being open to the public to keep both staff and customers safe. In Karen's words: "We are happy to have a purpose. It feels good to be able to give something and to help people experience some beauty and joy. We are doing great because of the community - a wholehearted thank you to our staff and to our customers for working together during this difficult and strange time."

See more on Instagram  @portraitsfrom6ft  |  @longfellow.biz  |  @sewardredesign 

Thanks to Redesign and the City of Minneapolis for funding this project through Great Streets Business District Program

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