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5 Ways Northside Cub Transformed Grocery Shopping In Minneapolis' Food Desert

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As of December 2025, the Cub Foods store on the Northside of Minneapolis stands not just as a place to buy groceries, but as a powerful symbol of community resilience and a bold new approach to urban retail. The journey of this particular location—from a critical source of fresh food in a designated food desert to a site of heavy damage during the 2020 civil unrest, and finally to its 2021 rebirth as the 'Northside Cub'—is a case study in corporate commitment and neighborhood partnership. The store's transformation was more than a simple rebuild; it was an intentional shift toward a community-first grocery model designed to address the deep-seated issues of food access and security.

The significance of the Northside Cub cannot be overstated, especially when viewed against the backdrop of North Minneapolis’ long-standing struggle with food insecurity. For years, the area has been characterized as a food desert, making the presence of a full-service grocery store absolutely vital. The store's reopening, which occurred in April 2021, was a victory for local residents, demonstrating that major retailers could and would commit to serving underserved communities, even after facing immense challenges. The new operational model and the store's role in the wider food ecosystem of the city deserve a closer look.

The Phoenix Rebirth: From Civil Unrest to Northside Cub

The original Cub Foods store in North Minneapolis was one of the businesses that sustained significant damage during the civil unrest that followed the murder of George Floyd in May 2020. This destruction was catastrophic for the neighborhood, as it temporarily removed a vital source of fresh food from an area already struggling with limited grocery options. The loss exacerbated the existing food desert conditions, forcing many residents to travel long distances for essential items.

Recognizing the store's critical role, Cub Foods, under the leadership of CEO Mike Stigers, made a powerful commitment to the community: they would not just repair the store, but redefine it. The result was the grand reopening in April 2021, where the location was officially relaunched and renamed the Northside Cub. This rebranding signified a fresh start and a deeper, more intentional connection to the local community it serves. Neighborhood leaders widely praised Stigers and Cub Foods for adopting a "community-first approach" during the rebuilding process.

The renovation was extensive, focusing on creating a welcoming and safe environment. The store’s physical recovery was a major step, but the most impactful change was the philosophical shift in its operating model. This new approach centered on integrating the grocery store with essential community resources, effectively turning a commercial space into a hybrid community hub. The store now serves as an anchor for local food access and employment.

5 Ways Northside Cub Redefined Community-First Retail

The Northside Cub is a pioneering example of how a major grocery chain can adapt its model to meet the specific needs of an underserved urban area. This new blueprint for community-first retail goes beyond stocking shelves; it's about embedding the store into the social fabric of the neighborhood. Here are five key ways the Northside Cub has transformed the grocery experience:

  1. Integration of Community Services: The store includes a dedicated Northside Community Center @CUB space. This integration of a non-profit-like function within a retail environment provides a physical location for local organizations to connect with residents, offering services that go beyond food, such as health and wellness information, and youth programming.
  2. A New Security Model: The reopening came with an understanding that traditional, heavy-handed security measures are not always the best fit for community trust. The new model was based on the understanding that police involvement is not always the required first response to all situations, fostering a more community-driven approach to safety and conflict resolution within the store.
  3. Commitment to Local Employment: A key component of the community-first approach involves prioritizing local hiring and providing economic opportunities for North Minneapolis residents. This helps ensure that the store's economic benefits circulate directly back into the neighborhood.
  4. Targeted Product Selection: While still a full-service Cub Foods, the store’s inventory is carefully curated to reflect the specific culinary and cultural preferences of the Northside population. This ensures that the fresh produce and grocery items are relevant and desirable, maximizing the store’s utility for local shoppers.
  5. Symbol of Stability and Investment: By not only rebuilding but investing in a new model, Cub Foods sent a clear message of long-term commitment. This stability is crucial for a neighborhood that has historically seen businesses—especially large retailers—divest and leave, reinforcing the area's food insecurity challenges.

North Minneapolis’ Broader Battle Against Food Insecurity

While the Northside Cub is a crucial anchor, it is not the only player in the ongoing effort to ensure food access in North Minneapolis. The area has long been categorized as a food desert, a term used to describe urban areas where residents have limited access to affordable and nutritious food. This reality has spurred a variety of innovative, community-led initiatives that complement the Northside Cub's corporate presence, creating a multi-faceted food ecosystem.

One of the most significant entities in this space is North Market, a non-profit grocery store and wellness center. North Market is a project of Pillsbury United Communities (PUC), a major local non-profit organization. The market, located at 4414 Humboldt Ave. N., opened in 2017 and was specifically created to address the neighborhood's food insecurity issues, serving thousands of customers each week. Pillsbury United Communities successfully raised millions of dollars to fund the project, demonstrating a deep community investment in sustainable food solutions.

Furthermore, the grocery landscape in North Minneapolis continues to evolve. In a more recent development, the opening of Colonial Market in the former Aldi building helped to further alleviate the food desert status. The presence of Colonial Market, alongside North Market and the Northside Cub, signifies a growing density of food options for residents. This competition and variety are essential for long-term food security, giving residents choices and reducing reliance on a single corporate entity.

The collective effort of these entities—the corporate commitment of the Northside Cub, the non-profit innovation of North Market, and the local entrepreneurship of Colonial Market—is what truly defines the future of food access in the region. The Northside Cub, by embracing its community-first model, has set a high standard for how large retailers can operate responsibly and effectively in underserved markets, moving beyond transactional retail to become a foundational part of the community’s health and stability.

The story of the Northside Cub is a powerful testament to the resilience of a community and the potential for business to be a force for positive social change. Its success is measured not just in sales figures, but in its ability to provide consistent access to fresh food, local employment, and a safe, welcoming space for its neighbors.

5 Ways Northside Cub Transformed Grocery Shopping in Minneapolis' Food Desert
cub - minneapolis northside
cub - minneapolis northside

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