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Get smarter, faster about what’s happening in your backyard with local reporters Nick Halter, Audrey Kennedy and Torey Van Oot.

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Should you obey homemade no parking signs?

You've probably seen them on boulevards, asking drivers not to block the walkway from the sidewalk to the street.

Neighborhoods

If you park on residential city streets, you may have noticed homemade no parking signs placed in the boulevard, asking drivers not to block the paved walkway between the sidewalk and the street.Why it matters: These are not new, but I&#x27;ve noticed them more often and can&#x27;t resist the urge to write about a Nextdoor-type <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="issue" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/08/18/house-shoe-etiquette-minnesota-debate-parties" data-vars-content-id="989ef33f-2af6-497f-83c2-7ecacb3b0a0e" data-vars-headline="Should you obey homemade no parking signs?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/08/18/house-shoe-etiquette-minnesota-debate-parties" target="_self">issue</a> that makes neighbors <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="squabble" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-twin-cities-79ecdf0a-5bb8-4c66-ae25-be1adfd1201e.html?chunk=2&amp;utm_term=emshare" data-vars-content-id="989ef33f-2af6-497f-83c2-7ecacb3b0a0e" data-vars-headline="Should you obey homemade no parking signs?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-twin-cities-79ecdf0a-5bb8-4c66-ae25-be1adfd1201e.html?chunk=2&amp;utm_term=emshare" target="_self">squabble</a>.

Why iPods are having a moment in the Twin Cities and beyond

Offline hobbies and "friction-maxxing" are in.

Wellness Brief

Untangle your corded headphones: People are snapping up Apple&#x27;s retired MP3 players for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nostalgia" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/06/frozen-yogurt-stores-nostalgia-comeback" data-vars-content-id="f435280e-8292-46f0-a333-0dd9cf7a9668" data-vars-headline="Why iPods are having a moment in the Twin Cities and beyond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/06/frozen-yogurt-stores-nostalgia-comeback" target="_self">nostalgia</a> and a break from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="smartphones" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/26/phone-use-morning-finding-focus" data-vars-content-id="f435280e-8292-46f0-a333-0dd9cf7a9668" data-vars-headline="Why iPods are having a moment in the Twin Cities and beyond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/26/phone-use-morning-finding-focus" target="_self">smartphones</a>.The big picture: For younger generations especially, the comeback is part of a broader return to offline <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="devices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/01/smart-home-analog-design" data-vars-content-id="f435280e-8292-46f0-a333-0dd9cf7a9668" data-vars-headline="Why iPods are having a moment in the Twin Cities and beyond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/01/smart-home-analog-design" target="_self">devices</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hobbies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/23/analog-bag-screen-free-wellness" data-vars-content-id="f435280e-8292-46f0-a333-0dd9cf7a9668" data-vars-headline="Why iPods are having a moment in the Twin Cities and beyond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/23/analog-bag-screen-free-wellness" target="_self">hobbies</a>, driven by digital burnout.

Paperback Exchange to reopen 2 years after devastating flood

The 50-year-old bookstore was destroyed in 2025 after a city water main break.

News

A long-running south Minneapolis bookstore destroyed by a city <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="water main break" data-vars-click-url="https://www.southwestvoices.news/stories/paperback-exchange-bookstore-a-loss-for-now,141103" data-vars-content-id="a08f6c77-6664-4e99-b0cd-1ec806f9ed20" data-vars-headline="Paperback Exchange to reopen 2 years after devastating flood" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.southwestvoices.news/stories/paperback-exchange-bookstore-a-loss-for-now,141103" target="_blank">water main break</a> last year has finally found a new home — literally.Driving the news: Paperback Exchange will reopen in a converted single-family house near its original location next spring.<ul><li>The shop, which opened at 50th and Penn in 1975, boasted more than 150,000 titles before a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="burst pipe flooded" data-vars-click-url="https://www.startribune.com/after-dark-chapter-flooded-minneapolis-bookstore-works-to-turn-page/601227409?utm_source=gift" data-vars-content-id="a08f6c77-6664-4e99-b0cd-1ec806f9ed20" data-vars-headline="Paperback Exchange to reopen 2 years after devastating flood" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.startribune.com/after-dark-chapter-flooded-minneapolis-bookstore-works-to-turn-page/601227409?utm_source=gift" target="_blank">burst pipe flooded</a> its building in February 2025.</li></ul>

A "toddler rave" is coming to St. Paul

Picture this: A concert venue filled with glow sticks, dance beats — and tiny hands in the air.<ul><li>That&#x27;s a &quot;Toddler Rave,&quot; Australian DJ Lenny Pearce&#x27;s show that&#x27;s making a stop in St. Paul this month.</li></ul>The big picture: Pearce has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="built a following" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tiktok.com/@lenjpearce?lang=en" data-vars-content-id="d5ebd50a-298f-4a13-9495-37099e75e58a" data-vars-headline="A &quot;toddler rave&quot; is coming to St. Paul" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lenjpearce?lang=en" target="_blank">built a following</a> by turning songs like &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Wheels on the Bus" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Na_2m_FQV9c&amp;list=RDNa_2m_FQV9c&amp;start_radio=1" data-vars-content-id="d5ebd50a-298f-4a13-9495-37099e75e58a" data-vars-headline="A &quot;toddler rave&quot; is coming to St. Paul" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Na_2m_FQV9c&amp;list=RDNa_2m_FQV9c&amp;start_radio=1" target="_blank">The Wheels on the Bus</a>&quot; into EDM bangers, and those tracks into an interactive show that caters both to little ones and to their raver parents.

Move over, pumpkin spice: Caramel apple lattes are fall's newest vibe

Twin Cities cafés are making space on their fall menus for a new flavor.

Food and Drink

Kyle here. We may be in the heart of pumpkin spice season, but many Twin Cities cafés are making space on their fall menus for a new flavor: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="caramel apple" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/31/pumpkin-spice-apple-caramel-starbucks" data-vars-content-id="cb6feed9-7910-4507-8642-47fdeb833c1a" data-vars-headline="Move over, pumpkin spice: Caramel apple lattes are fall&#x27;s newest vibe" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/31/pumpkin-spice-apple-caramel-starbucks" target="_self">caramel apple</a>.The big picture: Caramel, apple and cinnamon are the three most-ordered fall flavors on DoorDash nationwide, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios&#x27; Carly Mallenbaum reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/31/pumpkin-spice-apple-caramel-starbucks" data-vars-content-id="cb6feed9-7910-4507-8642-47fdeb833c1a" data-vars-headline="Move over, pumpkin spice: Caramel apple lattes are fall&#x27;s newest vibe" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/31/pumpkin-spice-apple-caramel-starbucks" target="_self">Axios&#x27; Carly Mallenbaum reports</a>.<ul><li>And searches for &quot;caramel apple iced coffee&quot; are at an all-time high, according to Google Trends.</li></ul>

Midway Diner opens in St. Paul's United Village

The café is the first new establishment to open its doors from the current wave of construction in the long awaited United Village development.

Kyle here. Midway Diner opened its doors a week ago next door to St. Paul&#x27;s Allianz Field — so I had to stop by ASAP to sample the food.Why it matters: The café is the first establishment to open its doors from a new wave of construction in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the long awaited United Village development" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/02/28/allianz-field-united-village-construction" data-vars-content-id="357e92a8-15f0-4e5c-89be-f846a19de908" data-vars-headline="Midway Diner opens in St. Paul&#x27;s United Village" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/02/28/allianz-field-united-village-construction" target="_self">the long awaited United Village development</a>.

Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Minneapolis

Meet fellow locals over dinner at a restaurant we hand-picked.

Things to Do

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios Social Club" data-vars-click-url="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" data-vars-content-id="d45ef50f-e8a5-4afd-879c-253dd52745ae" data-vars-headline="Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Minneapolis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" target="_blank">Axios Social Club</a> is bringing readers together for dinner in Minneapolis&#x27; North Loop neighborhood on Tuesday, Oct. 6.Why it matters: Your city is full of interesting people you haven&#x27;t met yet. We&#x27;re making it easier to change that.

Cava restaurant chain finally enters Twin Cities  

Several more of fast casual Mediterranean restaurants are planned in the suburbs

Cava, the fast casual Mediterranean chain, opened its first Minnesota restaurant yesterday in Stadium Village near the U. Why it matters: Never heard of them? This is the company&#x27;s 500th restaurant, and the publicly traded chain did nearly $1.2 billion in sales last year. One could be coming to a strip mall near you.

Restaurant Roundup: Sea Salt's last service 

Bewick Cafe — pronounced like "Buick" — is now open in the former Groundswell space in St. Paul.

Bewick Cafe — pronounced like &quot;Buick&quot; — is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="now open" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bewickcafe.com/" data-vars-content-id="16a1b3e6-a6d1-4ea9-b71c-0c065f427073" data-vars-headline="Restaurant Roundup: Sea Salt&#x27;s last service " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bewickcafe.com/" target="_blank">now open</a> in the former Groundswell space in St. Paul. Expect both classic and unique brunch dishes, like a &quot;breakfast spaghetti&quot; and spicy sunbutter sandwich.<ul><li>Kyle&#x27;s thought bubble: I tried it! Run — don&#x27;t walk — to try their cardamom bun.</li></ul>

New Vikings stadium foods stick to the classics 

Vikings fans headed to Sunday's home game may want to bring an antacid along with their appetite.

Vikings fans headed to Sunday&#x27;s game may want to bring an antacid along with their appetite.Driving the news: U.S. Bank Stadium just introduced around 20 new concession items for the upcoming Vikings season, and this year&#x27;s theme appears to be classic artery-clogging stadium fare.

How to enter a Minnesota State Fair food contest

Entering the fair's food competitions is free, friendly and surprisingly easy.

Objectively, my parents&#x27; homemade pickles are the best in the world.<ul><li>This year, I set out to prove it by helping them enter the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Minnesota State Fair&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/08/28/minnesota-state-fair-food-guide-2026-best-worst-pickle-pie-hmong-corn-dog" data-vars-content-id="b580aee1-ac18-4b9a-80d2-1cf0ba25bfc2" data-vars-headline="How to enter a Minnesota State Fair food contest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/08/28/minnesota-state-fair-food-guide-2026-best-worst-pickle-pie-hmong-corn-dog" target="_self">Minnesota State Fair&#x27;s</a> pickle contest.</li></ul>The big pickle: Turns out <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="submitting your homemade vittles" data-vars-click-url="https://www.mnstatefair.org/competitions/creative-activities" data-vars-content-id="b580aee1-ac18-4b9a-80d2-1cf0ba25bfc2" data-vars-headline="How to enter a Minnesota State Fair food contest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.mnstatefair.org/competitions/creative-activities" target="_blank">submitting your homemade vittles</a> at the Great Minnesota Get-Together is free and fun, with categories for all tastes of culinary creatives.

Yemeni cafes are growing across the Twin Cities

At least five Yemeni shops have sprung up in the Twin Cities since 2025.

Move over, pumpkin spice latte — one of the hottest new coffee trends comes from Yemen.The buzz: In recent years, Yemeni-American cafe chains — including <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Qahwah House" data-vars-click-url="https://qahwahhouse.com/" data-vars-content-id="3fd638ef-c8d0-4da4-9e01-b98bdedc4d51" data-vars-headline="Yemeni cafes are growing across the Twin Cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://qahwahhouse.com/" target="_blank">Qahwah House</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Qamaria" data-vars-click-url="https://www.qamariacoffee.com/" data-vars-content-id="3fd638ef-c8d0-4da4-9e01-b98bdedc4d51" data-vars-headline="Yemeni cafes are growing across the Twin Cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.qamariacoffee.com/" target="_blank">Qamaria</a>, and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Haraz Coffee House" data-vars-click-url="https://harazcoffeehouse.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorAPHjJ676lGpVjllchwZX3uUiyQQ1lzdtBZEwzF4rjdkF__SEF" data-vars-content-id="3fd638ef-c8d0-4da4-9e01-b98bdedc4d51" data-vars-headline="Yemeni cafes are growing across the Twin Cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://harazcoffeehouse.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorAPHjJ676lGpVjllchwZX3uUiyQQ1lzdtBZEwzF4rjdkF__SEF" target="_blank">Haraz Coffee House</a> — have percolated out from suburban Detroit to the Midwest and the rest of the country.

Restaurant Roundup: Barrel Theory's move, Maison Margaux's casual additions

Plus: What's next for the former Swede Hollow Cafe.

The former Lake Monster Brewing space at Vandalia Tower in St. Paul won&#x27;t stay closed for long.Driving the news: Barrel Theory Beer Company has announced it plans to move in, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Pioneer Press reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.twincities.com/2026/08/31/lake-monster-brewing-closes-barrel-theory-beer-company-to-take-its-place/" data-vars-content-id="6f0efc51-fc54-42be-8f48-92108bf1dbf7" data-vars-headline="Restaurant Roundup: Barrel Theory&#x27;s move, Maison Margaux&#x27;s casual additions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.twincities.com/2026/08/31/lake-monster-brewing-closes-barrel-theory-beer-company-to-take-its-place/" target="_blank">the Pioneer Press reports</a>.

How local restaurant owners redirect surplus food across Minnesota

Minnesota Chick-fil-A restaurants have helped turn surplus food into nearly 500,000 meals.

Partners

<div data-sponsor-disclosure="&quot;{&quot;logoUrl&quot;:&quot;https://images.axios.com/VMddfzj_Dfr0qdWc-lp-_dDf4Zo=/2026/08/28/1787939682869.jpg&quot;,&quot;headline&quot;:&quot;A message from: Chick-fil-A&quot;}&quot;"></div><div style="display:none"></div>Minnesota food shelves were on track to hit a record 9 million visits in 2024 as high food prices drove more people to seek support.That demand has increased pressure on the community organizations working year-round to help Minnesotans access food.The story: Hunger is a year-round challenge that requires ongoing support — but local businesses can play a practical role in strengthening that network.

Food and Drink 🍽

Move over, pumpkin spice: Caramel apple lattes are fall's newest vibe

Midway Diner opens in St. Paul's United Village

Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Minneapolis

Cava restaurant chain finally enters Twin Cities

Restaurant Roundup: Sea Salt's last service