Two of Twin Cities Dining Guide’s favorite restaurants have opened their second shops there. Golden Thyme Coffee Café, owned and operated by Mychael Wright, an entrepreneur at the forefront of the revitalization of the Selby Avenue Business Corridor, and Andy’s Garage, owned and operated by DJ Traudt, himself a seven year veteran of the redevelopment on University Avenue. These two conscientious entrepreneurs have joined forces with the Neighborhood Development Center, Midtown Community Works Partnership, and other local business people to contribute their unique restaurant talents to the new Midtown Exchange.

DJ told me that the atmosphere in the Market is totally different from any other business enterprise. Unlike “food courts” where there is little or no cooperation and cutthroat competition is the rule, the owners of these new restaurants sat down together to figure out how to make the experience of customers as pleasant as possible. He said the level of cooperation was amazing.

In addition to restaurants you’ll find Latino and Asian grocery stores, a children’s play area with padded floors, backgammon and chess tables, and shelves of boxed games so customers can relax for a few games over coffee, tea, breakfast, lunch or dinner. Allina Healthcare’s new headquarters, a Sheraton hotel, offices, and more than 350 rental units and condos also share the space. In fact, DJ is selling his house in St. Paul and buying a condo in the Midtown Exchange as a total commitment to making this new market work.

The Midtown Global Market is located at the corner of Lake Street and Chicago Avenue South in Minneapolis. Parking is available in the Metro Exchange ramp between 10th and 11th Avenues, or the metered lot to the west of the building for $0.25 per 20 minutes. The Market is open daily from 7am – 8pm. Andy’s is open 10am to 8pm daily with a selection of burgers, sandwiches and malts. Golden Thyme is open from 6am – 8pm featuring coffee, breakfast croissants, sandwiches and smoothies.

Story by Bob McClain. Freelance Writer and Web Expert.
Check out www.wordsmithbob.com or contact him at info@wordsmithbob.com.
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