Minneapolis is celebrating its third annual Latino Business Week through October 11, featuring events for both business owners and community members eager to support local Latino-owned businesses.
At the kickoff, city leaders and business owners highlighted the event’s importance, especially after recent federal immigration enforcement impacted business operations. Rodrigo Cardoso, who runs a shipping and professional services business at Mercado Central, noted ongoing recovery for many businesses, though some have sadly closed.
Challenges for these businesses began even before the recent enforcement surge, as community fears over immigration policies led to reduced customer traffic.
Despite these difficulties, the Mercado Central’s food court drew a lively crowd, featured vibrant murals, and offered a variety of delicious Latin American dishes. José Payan of Tortillería La Perla expressed joy at seeing more patrons, emphasizing the marketplace’s role as a community hub.
Mayor Jacob Frey stressed the need for year-round support for Latino businesses while kickstarting the week’s events, which are funded in part by relief money to help businesses affected by past enforcement actions.
This weekend promises exciting events, including a Latino business pop-up market on Historic Main Street and a community celebration at Mercado Central with shopping and engaging activities. Additional events throughout the week will focus on networking and skill-building for business owners.
