Diversity
For over a century, Lake Street has been a great for new immigrants and other first-time business owners to set up shop. That remains true to this day, and is a big reason why you can find such a diverse of business owners and customers here every day.
The Mercado Central at Bloomington & Lake spurred Hispanic development in the area, and now many Mexican and other Central and South American businesses can be found in Lake Street’s Midtown area.
Lake Street is also home to a vibrant Somali population. The best example of this is Karmel Square at Lake & Pillsbury. It has a wide variety of Somali businesses and has become a gathering place for the local Somali community.
The businesses of previous generations of immigrants are still here as well. Over 100 years ago, a young German named Emil Schatzlein opened up Schatzlein Saddle Shop on Lake Street. It’s still here today. In 1921, a young Norwegian immigrant named Charles Ingebretsen opened up a Scandinavian meat market on Lake Street. Ingebretsen’s Deli is still thriving, and has expanded to add a Scandinavian gift shop. Similar stories can be told for many others!
And for all of Minneapolis’s diversity under one roof, nothing beats the Midtown Global Market. With dozens of dining and shopping options, from Hmong to East African to 1950s American, it is one of Minneapolis’s must-visit destinations.
