A look back on 2024

Chad Kulas

As 2024 winds down, December is a time to look back and reflect on the past year. Like all years, there were certainly challenges both locally and nationally as we all try to consider what the future holds. It can be easy to dwell on the negative, and it can be common to forget the good. Here are some things that happened in our neighborhood this past year as we look toward 2025.
Over the past few months, many businesses have opened, expanded, or changed ownership. Udo’s African Restaurant and Grocery opened at the former hardware store at 755 Snelling Avenue N. Previously, Udo’s operated as a grocery store on University, and this move means not only an expansion of the grocery but also the addition of a restaurant featuring many West African cuisines. The site had been without any business for some time, and the news was very welcome to the Midway. At the grand opening, it was apparent owner Mike Udo has the support of many friends and family members.
Udo’s isn’t the only African grocery store opening on Snelling Avenue. African Economic Development Solutions has renovated a 1926 building originally used as a car dealership. Little Africa Plaza will house AEDS, a museum, and an African grocery store.
Dilla’s Sports Bar opened in late November next to Ax-Man Surplus in the former Midway Uniform store. The site is opened by the same ownership group which owns Dilla’s Ethiopian Restaurant on Riverside Avenue in Minneapolis. The site was chosen for its proximity to Allianz Field and will show several soccer matches, as well as other sports. The menu will also feature Ethiopian food, similar to the original Dilla’s.
HOTWORX is a national chain with over 700 locations, but the first Saint Paul location is opening at 431 Snelling Ave. N. The site offers infrared sauna workouts, making for a faster workout that also detoxifies.
While not a new business, Black Garnet Books has changed ownership. The bookstore, which Dionne Sims originally opened as an online store and found its Hamline and University intersection in 2022, has been bought by Terresa Moses. The bookstore will continue its tradition of anti-racism and maintaining “care” as its core value.
New stores aren’t the only thing to celebrate. In 2024, we can also recognize anniversaries such as the tenth anniversary of two breweries: Burning Brothers and Urban Growler. The brewery industry has come a long way, but with the challenges they have faced it is a big accomplishment to make it 10 years. Both breweries have survived and thrived by offering fun events and continuously changing their menus to offer new and exciting items.
The first phase of United Village also opened this year. After much anticipation, the first two pieces are for the public and free. PK’s Place is a 16,000-square-foot playground that can be used by children of all physical abilities. “The Calling” is the talk of the town: a giant loon sculpture with an 88-foot wingspan. Both have brought thousands of visitors to the Midway, and construction will begin soon on a hotel and office space.
In a sign of symbolism, The Calling features a loon taking flight while also facing toward the vacant former CVS. After months of observing large groups of people hanging out in the CVS parking lot, the site is now fenced off. This came after the Saint Paul Police Department conducted a sweep along University Avenue in September. Several arrests were made, and many in the neighborhood noticed a difference. While efforts like that cannot be sustained, it was a welcome cause that helped. It was also one of the ongoing signs of support that have been made by some of our public partners, including SPPD, Ramsey County and Met Transit. For those of us living and working around University Avenue, we are well aware of the challenges and appreciative of these efforts. We hope to see more in the new year.
CVS isn’t the only site open for redevelopment. At Home also moved out of the former Walmart space near Hamline and University. It can be frustrating to see our businesses leave, but there are opportunities in both sites and the chance for long-term investment. For those with ideas on what could be successful and assets to the community, I encourage you to reach out to the city of Saint Paul, the property owners or to me.
I wish everyone a happy holiday season spent with loved ones. As we air our grievances, don’t forget to also count your blessings. One of those blessings are those who are choosing to invest in our community by opening businesses and creating public spaces for us to use. The holidays will be more enjoyable if you support those who support our neighborhood.