On Saturday, July 12, 2014, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Seward Community Co-operative will celebrate the groundbreaking of its new South Minneapolis store, to be located at the corner of 38th Street and 3rd Avenue. The special event will include notable guest speakers, live music, and, of course, delicious food for attendees.
“We’re excited to celebrate this milestone. It’s a strong testimony to community that we’re able to start this project.” Seward General Manager Sean Doyle said. “It’s been a lot of hard work. We’d like to break ground and break bread with everyone who helped us along the way.”
The new store will be called the “Seward Co-op Friendship Store.”
The event will begin with a brief ceremony commemorating the history of the Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church building and neighborhood, followed by guest speakers, music by local bands, and a ceremonial groundbreaking for the new store. This will be followed by more music and refreshments, including brats, lemonade, and other lunch items. All Seward owners, investors, staff, and residents of the Bryant-Central neighborhood are welcome to attend.
Schedule:
10:30–11:15 a.m. – Ceremony
10:30–10:40 a.m – Opening blessings
Jim Rock, First Nations Blessing
Pastor Billy Russell, Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church
Iyanifa Ifayonka Songobisi Asafo, United Temple of Ifa/Orisha/Vodun
10:40–11 a.m. – Order of speakers
Minneapolis Councilmember Elizabeth Glidden (Ward 8)
Minneapolis Councilmember Alondra Cano (Ward 9)
State Representative Karen Clark
State Representative Jeff Hayden
State Representative Susan Allen
Inez Walton, longtime neighborhood resident
Madeline Kastler, Vice President, Seward Co-op Board of Directors
Sean Doyle, General Manager, Seward Co-op
11–11:15 a.m. – Groundbreaking
Distribution of Hard Hats & Shovels
Groundbreaking photos
11:15 a.m.–1:30 p.m. – Food, music, fun
The Friendship building will be smaller than the original Franklin Avenue store but will have a full selection of products. The store will be open to 38th Street and Clinton Ave. with many windows allowing natural light, a seating area, and a classroom. The building’s colorful exterior will add to an already vibrant neighborhood.
The Seward Co-op Friendship Store will be a full service grocery. It’s slated to open in late summer 2015.