This week on the Minneapolis Roundup, host Alex dives into the grand opening of The Mill City Exchange, a massive new food hall with twelve vendors and a no-tipping, living wage model, in the North Loop. Plus, local craft soda company Sota-Pop announces a major partnership with Sun Country Airlines, becoming the official craft soda on all MSP flights starting May 1st. Don't miss the inaugural Minneapolis Illuminated festival, a free outdoor light and art event taking over the Stone Arch Bridge and Father Hennepin Bluff Park this weekend.

Key Highlights:

• The Mill City Exchange, a massive new food hall in the North Loop, has opened with twelve vendors and a progressive no-tipping, living wage structure.

• Local craft soda company Sota-Pop announced a major partnership, becoming the official craft soda served on all Sun Country Airlines flights departing from MSP.

• The inaugural Minneapolis Illuminated festival will light up the Stone Arch Bridge and Father Hennepin Bluff Park this weekend with free, large-scale light and digital art installations.

• Host Alex recommends specific vendors at The Mill City Exchange, including Maíz Moderno and Hearth & Hjem, and highlights local sponsors mplsveganhub.com and mncannabishub.com.

Topics: Minneapolis Roundup, Minneapolis, North Loop, The Mill City Exchange, Sota-Pop, Sun Country Airlines, Marketing partnership, Minneapolis Illuminated, Stone Arch Bridge, Light installations, Vegan dining, Cannabis culture

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TRANSCRIPT

(Intro Music - Upbeat, modern, indie-pop vibe, fades in and then fades to a low bed under the host's voice)

Alex: Hey Minneapolis! And welcome to the Minneapolis Roundup, your weekly dose of what's happening in the food, business, and culture of the Twin Cities. I'm your host, Alex, and it is a glorious Thursday, April 23rd, 2026.

You can feel it in the air, right? That specific kind of sunshine that means the winter is officially in the rearview mirror. Patios are being power-washed, the Twins are playing at Target Field, and the city is buzzing with that post-hibernation energy.

We’ve got a great show for you today, covering a massive new food hall in the North Loop, a local beverage company that just scored a huge marketing win, and a can't-miss art festival lighting up the riverfront.

This podcast is made possible by our friends at mplsveganhub.com and mncannabishub.com, your guides to the best plant-based eats and cannabis culture in Minnesota. More on them later.

Alright, let's get into it.

(Slight musical transition)

### Food & Dining (2 minutes)

Alex: First up, let's talk food. The North Loop just keeps booming, and the latest addition is a game-changer. I’m talking about The Mill City Exchange, the massive new food hall that just had its grand opening last weekend in the renovated North Star Ironworks building just off Washington Avenue.

And folks, the hype is real. This isn't just another collection of food stalls; it's a brilliantly curated snapshot of the modern Minneapolis food scene. We’re talking about twelve vendors, a central craft cocktail bar, and a huge, sun-drenched patio that’s already become the hottest seat in town.

I spent way too much time there on Tuesday and a few early standouts are already emerging. There's Maíz Moderno, a concept from Ann Kim's protégé, serving up these incredible heirloom corn tortillas with fillings like duck carnitas and grilled halloumi. Right across from them is Hearth & Hjem—that’s H-J-E-M—doing elevated Midwestern comfort food. Think bison hotdish with a Gruyère crust and a wild rice sourdough that will change your life.

But what really sets The Mill City Exchange apart is its operating model. Every vendor has committed to a no-tipping, living wage structure for all employees, with benefits. It’s a bold move that’s generating as much conversation as the food itself. It feels like a step into the future of hospitality.

It’s a must-visit, whether you’re looking for a quick lunch or a full evening out. And for our plant-based listeners, you are not an afterthought here. There are fantastic vegan options at nearly every stall. For a complete guide to the best vegan dining all over the city, you have to check out our sponsor, mplsveganhub.com. They’ve got the inside scoop.

(Slight musical transition)

### Business & Marketing (2 minutes)

Alex: Alright, let’s shift from taste buds to business. We love a good local-makes-good story, and this one is a marketing masterclass in hometown pride.

Let’s talk about Sota-Pop, the craft soda company based out of Northeast Minneapolis. You've probably seen their distinct, colorful cans at co-ops and local markets—they make those incredible flavors like Boundary Waters Berry and Iron Range Root Beer.

Well, Sota-Pop just announced a massive partnership that’s about to take their brand to new heights—literally. As of May 1st, Sota-Pop will be the official craft soda served on all Sun Country Airlines flights departing from MSP.

This is such a brilliant move. Think about it. Sun Country, our hometown airline, is doubling down on its local identity. And for Sota-Pop, it’s not just about sales volume. It’s about brand placement. Every time a visitor or a resident flies out of Minneapolis, one of their first tastes of "local" will be a Sota-Pop. It becomes an ambassador for Minnesota’s craft culture at 30,000 feet.

It’s a perfect example of symbiotic marketing. Sun Country gets to offer a unique, premium, local product that differentiates them from the big national carriers. Sota-Pop gets incredible exposure and an association with the excitement of travel. It’s a win-win that proves you don’t need a multi-million dollar Super Bowl ad to make a huge impact. Sometimes, the smartest marketing is right in your own backyard. So, next time you fly Sun Country, order one and toast to a local success story.

(Slight musical transition)

### Events (1.5 minutes)

Alex: Finally, let's talk about what you should be doing this weekend. If you’re looking for a reason to get outside and experience something truly magical, look no further than the inaugural Minneapolis Illuminated festival.

This is the first big, free, outdoor event of the season, and it’s taking over the Stone Arch Bridge and Father Hennepin Bluff Park this Friday and Saturday night, from sundown until about 11 PM.

The organizers have brought in local and national artists to create over a dozen large-scale light installations and interactive digital art pieces. Imagine the entire Stone Arch Bridge pulsing with light, synchronized to a soundscape of local music. Picture massive, glowing sculptures scattered throughout the park, and projection art that turns the old mill ruins into a living canvas.

There will be food trucks, live ambient sets from local DJs, and that incredible, collective feeling of a city coming back to life. It’s the perfect event to kick off the festival season. Grab a jacket, grab a friend, and go see our city in a whole new light. It’s going to be spectacular.

And speaking of finding the best happenings around town, if you’re interested in cannabis-friendly events, brand pop-ups, or new product showcases, our sponsor mncannabishub.com is the definitive resource. They keep their calendar updated daily.

(Outro Music - Fades in, starts low and builds)

### Outro (30 seconds)

Alex: And that's our show for this week! To recap: go check out the incredible new food at The Mill City Exchange, keep an eye out for Sota-Pop on your next flight, and don't miss the Minneapolis Illuminated festival this weekend.

The Minneapolis Roundup is brought to you with support from our fantastic sponsors. For all your plant-based food adventures, visit mplsveganhub.com. And for everything you need to know about Minnesota’s cannabis scene, check out mncannabishub.com.

I'm Alex, and this has been the Minneapolis Roundup. Get out there and enjoy this beautiful city. We'll catch you next week.

(Music swells to finish)