Once upon a time in the bustling realm of Minneapolis, there was Manny González, hero of the torta and connoisseur of chaos. He ran Manny’s Tortas alongside his 68-year-old sister for over 25 years, operating from the renowned Midtown Global Market. But since early December, this Mexican sandwich shop has turned into a veritable ghost town. Four out of his ten employees have vanished faster than you can say “U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.” Far from David Copperfield, this is just Manny trying to keep his business alive while ICE agents roam the streets. Who wouldn’t be terrified of a knock on the door from someone who sounds more like an aggressive ice cream truck than a government agency?
At the tender age of 65, Manny has embraced his new accessory: a passport, carried everywhere. Who needs a wallet when you have international identification to flaunt? Meanwhile, he informs us that his average revenue has dropped by about 50%. This means he and his sister, who usually manages the books (one can only imagine how many zeros she’s had to erase), are working grueling 12-to-15-hour shifts serving tortas. Clearly, the only thing running thicker than the cheese on his sandwiches is the stress of being short-staffed!
But wait—there’s more! Small business owners in Minneapolis are clutching their pearls over personal safety, community well-being, and, you guessed it, the epic struggle of keeping their businesses afloat. Thanks to the U.S. federal government’s dramatic “Operation Metro Surge,” thousands of ICE agents have landed in Minneapolis since December. Tensions peaked after a couple of unfortunate fatalities involving ICE and U.S. Border Patrol agents; really, it’s been a great opening act for grim reality TV.
Residents are now living in what could only be termed a dystopian episode of “Survivor.” Small businesses along Lake Street—a veritable treasure trove of eateries, markets, and shops—have seen revenue drop by 40% to 100% compared to last winter. Marie Campos, marketing magician over at Lake Street Alliance, reports that about half of the immigrant-owned businesses may have to check their doors for “closed” signs that are permanent instead of temporary.
Before all this thrilling narrative of “how to lose your business in 60 seconds,” these establishments were already battling issues. Richard Trent, executive director of the Main Street Alliance (a fancy name for “help, we need cash”), pointed out that many businesses had just emerged from the pandemic and protests. Yet, they still had to pivot due to tariffs and Medicaid cuts, basically adding more hurdles to their already spectacular obstacle course.
As both clients and employees play a risky game of “stay-home-or-venture-out,” struggling businesses are gasping for cash to pay their bills. One-third of Minnesota’s small businesses are reportedly “on the brink of collapse.” No pressure! This is what it’s like to run the biggest city in the state, where one sick business can spread economic contagion like the common cold. How charming!
Temporary and Perpetual Business Closures: A New Adventure
Typically, weekends at the Midtown Global Market resemble a cheerful circus—joyful music, laughter, and vibrant stalls. Now, however, it’s quieter than a library on examination day, with shuttered storefronts being the new aesthetic. As if that weren’t charming enough, González has heard whimsical whistles indicating ICE’s arrival. What a delightful way to disrupt the weekend!
Approximately half of the immigrant-owned businesses have closed for good (or at least for the foreseeable future) since December, according to Campos. Some ingenious establishments are transforming into community centers, dishing out warmth and free coffee—because who doesn’t need a latte while looking out for government agencies?
It is the environment here where you don’t turn your back on the community that has supported you.
Marie Campos
Communications and marketing manager, Lake Street Alliance
The Pilllar Forum café in northeast Minneapolis claims to be an oasis of support amidst the madness; it’s actually doing better this year. Corey Bracken, the lucky owner, finds solace in the community’s support—at least until ICE pops by for a friendly chat. One barista reported a delightful encounter with ICE outside, during which their offer of “picking up” was not at all what one might expect. Who could ever forget the lovely experience of pepper spray in the winter?
ICE wasn’t available for any fun comments when asked for feedback. But Homeland Security assured us they can’t work in tandem with state and local law enforcement due to sanctuary policies—just another charming twist in this elaborately staged play. As President Trump chirped about “de-escalating” in an interview, the reality is that the Border Patrol agents in the middle of this spectacle are currently enjoying administrative leave. A real vacation, eh?
‘No Playbook for This’: A New Level of Drama
Meanwhile, the stress saga extends even to joyful Northfield, just 35 miles south of this chaotic carnival. Businesses there are also closing, feeling the effects of this freeze of labor. Jessica Peterson White, owner of Content Bookstore, shares the delightful experience of training employees about their constitutional rights in case of surprise ICE visits—she must be the life of the party!
Peterson admits that running her business feels more like navigating a minefield these days. Just when you think you’ve overcome the hurdles of a pandemic, welcome yet another challenge: “What feels safe today?” Who knew being a business owner could double as a game of existential crisis?
One enchanting night, Bracken stumbled upon a somber vigil for Pretti. With bagpipes playing outside the pub, he found himself reflecting on how his typical stress levels have now soared to new heights. Welcome to the new reality—where there’s no playbook, and the plot twists keep coming!
