In the early 20th century, restrictive racially-based housing covenants barred Black residents from buying homes in predominantly white neighborhoods. As a result, three distinct Black communities emerged in Minneapolis, including the Bryant and Central neighborhoods that stretch from East 34th to 46th Streets between Nicollet and Chicago Avenues.

Meanwhile, during the 1960s counterculture and anti-war movement, food co-ops began to pop up in Minneapolis’ West Bank neighborhood. While these co-ops promoted alternative economies and community values, they were predominantly white spaces and often inaccessible to the city’s Black residents. In response to these inequities, community leader Moe Burton helped establish the Bryant-Central Co-op in 1975, emerging in a neighborhood grappling with economic hardship and limited educational opportunities due to systemic inequity. It quickly became a community hub centered on collective well-being and food access. Although it closed in 1978, Bryant-Central Co-op continues to influence the broader cooperative movement through the principles it championed, such as paying employees, promoting economic mobility, and building systems beyond food.

In 2013, Seward Co-op announced plans to open a second store location in the Bryant and Central neighborhoods after it became clear that the Franklin store’s sales growth was becoming increasingly difficult to manage operationally. Thus began the journey to acquiring property from Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church at the corner of 38th Street and 3rd Ave, about 3 miles from the Franklin store.

As the Seward began the work of planning the new store location, some residents feared the co-op’s arrival signaled signs of gentrification for a historically Black, working-class area and brought their concerns forward. Seward Co-op’s leadership saw an opportunity for meaningful dialogue and worked to address concerns as they emerged. The co-op began an intentional process of engaging with neighbors, organizations, and businesses in the Bryant and Central communities to guide the development of the Friendship store, led by Diversity & Community Engagement Manager, LaDonna Sanders Redmond. Through community meetings, door-to-door outreach, and local events, LaDonna was invaluable in guiding the co-op in listening deeply and responding with inclusive hiring goals, needs-based ownership options, accessible discounts, and a living wage for employees. Her leadership was key for building trust and securing support from 100% of residents within 100 yards of the site required for rezoning and made the 2015 opening of the Friendship store possible.

The opening of the Friendship store shows what’s possible when co-ops center community voices. While rooted in social movements, co-ops must go beyond good intentions by actively listening, building trust, and sharing power, embracing diversity by strategically working on racial and economic equity. The Bryant-Central story of the Friendship store reminds us that co-ops are more than stores—they’re tools for collective change. As we celebrate 10 years of Friendship, Seward Co-op also looks forward, knowing our work is far from complete.