We had a blast celebrating 10 years of the Friendship Store at the Sabathani Block Party! Our day was filled with gratitude, community, and collaboration as we honored the past, present, and future of the 38th Street corridor. Events like this aren’t possible without Seward Co-op staff and support from community partners and co-hosts like the Sabathani Community Center, who showed up to bring this celebration to life. Most of all, we’re grateful to everyone who came out and made the day a success.

Seward Co-op hosted a fun, interactive booth with games featuring co-op and Community Foods prizes, fresh fruit, and new Seward Co-op bumper stickers (grab yours at our Friendship Store Anniversary Party and Ice Cream Social on Sept. 25). Staff had great conversations about the Friendship store’s role in the neighborhood and chatted with shoppers both new and old. As the first booth on-site, we had a perfect view of the crowd and the line forming before the event even started. Despite a soaking rain, hundreds of folks cheerfully attended the party—a testament to the spirit and resilience of the South Minneapolis community.

The event featured 34 vendor booths showcasing a wide range of local organizations and community resources. The day was also full of live entertainment that kept spirits high, including DJ-curated sets and live performances by Lewiee Blaze & DJ Mickey Breeze, Frank Sentwali, Orikal Uno, T-LaShawn, Muja, and iLLism. From freestyle grooves to line dancing led by Harris Parks Line Dancing, people of all ages were moved by the music, like one of our favorite steppers of the day: a joyful, 92-year-old woman fitted in maroon who lit up the party with her love of dancing.

Kids enjoyed games and family-friendly fun, while the first 50 attendees grabbed free meals from local food trucks like Tacos El Kevin, Run Tell That BBQ, and Bam Bam’s Backyard BBQ. Community Foods vendors Crazy Fresh and Jonny Pops also offered tasty samples of popsicles, fresh watermelon, and guacamole. We’re so appreciative to everyone who helped feed and fuel the party!

However, this celebration wasn’t just about fun. It was a heartfelt reflection and tribute to the community members and neighborhood organizations that make the 38th Street corridor a vibrant place. Spoken word performances and storytelling throughout the day lifted up community voices and celebrated shared history. The Heart of Sabathani Awards honored local individuals making a difference, including our own General Manager Ray Williams who accepted an award on behalf of Seward Co-op and the role we’ve played in the neighborhood.

Thank you to everyone who braved the rain, shared stories, danced, and helped make the start to our 10-year anniversary celebrations so special. Here’s to a decade (and many more) of community, collaboration, and connection. We’re deeply grateful for a day that reflected all three.