The new Mill City Market Hall officially opened in Minneapolis's Mill District this week, offering "Next-Gen Minnesota Cuisine" with vendors like Nordic Fire and Hmonglish Deli. This episode also celebrates True North Provisions' international expansion into Japan and highlights the inaugural Loring Park Lumina, a free outdoor art event featuring light sculptures and projection mapping.

Key Highlights:

• The Mill City Market Hall, a new food hall near the Guthrie, opened with a focus on modern Minnesota cuisine, including Nordic Fire's open-fire cooking and Hmonglish Deli's fusion dishes.

• Minneapolis-based outdoor apparel company True North Provisions announced its first major international expansion, launching its full collection in Japan.

• The Loring Park Lumina is transforming Loring Park into a free, interactive outdoor art gallery with light-based sculptures and projection mapping from Friday through Sunday evening.

• Sponsors mplsveganhub.com and mncannabishub.com offer guides to plant-based dining options and resources for cannabis-related events and news in the Twin Cities.

Topics: Minneapolis Roundup, Mill City Market Hall, True North Provisions, Loring Park Lumina, Minneapolis food, Minnesota cuisine, outdoor apparel, international expansion, Minneapolis events, plant-based dining, cannabis resources, Twin Cities

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TRANSCRIPT

(Intro Music: Upbeat, modern, indie-pop vibe - fades in and then drops to a low bed)

HOST: Hey Minneapolis, and welcome back to the Minneapolis Roundup, your weekly guide to the best food, business, and events our amazing cities have to offer. I’m your host, Alex Chen, and it is a glorious Friday, May 1st, 2026. The patios are officially packed, the lakes are sparkling, and that feeling of pure Minnesota spring is in the air.

This week's Roundup is brought to you by our friends at mplsveganhub.com and mncannabishub.com, your go-to sources for plant-based eats and all things cannabis in the Twin Cities.

We’ve got a lot to cover today, from a game-changing new food hall in the Mill District to a local brand taking on the world. Let's dive in.

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### Food & Dining (2 minutes)

HOST: Alright, first up: food. If you’ve been anywhere near the riverfront lately, you’ve probably seen the buzz. The brand new Mill City Market Hall officially opened its doors this week, and folks, it is worth the hype.

Located in a beautifully restored warehouse just a stone's throw from the Guthrie, this isn't your average food hall. The entire concept is built around what they’re calling "Next-Gen Minnesota Cuisine." It’s a celebration of our state's culinary heritage, but with a modern, global twist.

I got a sneak peek on Wednesday, and a couple of the vendors are already standouts. There's "Nordic Fire," which is doing incredible open-fire cooking—think smoked walleye with dill and juniper, and fire-roasted root vegetables that will change your life. Right next to it is "Hmonglish Deli," a brilliant fusion concept serving things like a spicy khao soi ramen noodle soup and a life-altering banh mi on a fresh-baked potato roll.

The space itself is stunning—soaring ceilings, tons of natural light, and a massive patio that basically hangs over the Mississippi. It's the perfect spot to take out-of-town guests or for a date night where you both want different things.

It’s a fantastic spot for a mixed group of eaters. And speaking of which, if you're specifically looking for the best plant-based options around town, don't forget to check out our friends at mplsveganhub.com. They've already got a guide to the vegan vendors at the new market hall, plus hundreds of other local spots.

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### Business & Marketing (2 minutes)

HOST: Now for our business segment. We love to see local companies succeed, and this week, we’re giving a huge shout-out to Minneapolis-based outdoor apparel company, True North Provisions.

If you’re not familiar, True North makes incredibly high-quality, sustainably sourced jackets, flannel, and gear that are designed to stand up to a Minnesota winter but look good enough to wear in the North Loop.

For years, they’ve been a beloved local secret, growing their brand almost entirely through word-of-mouth and a killer Instagram presence that showcases real Minnesotans exploring the Boundary Waters and the North Shore. No big ad spends, just authentic storytelling.

Well, that hyper-local focus just paid off in a massive way. This week, True North Provisions announced a partnership to launch their full collection in Japan. It’s their first major international expansion, and it’s a huge deal. The Japanese market is famous for appreciating high-quality, heritage-style brands, so it's a perfect fit.

It's such a great example of how focusing on your roots and building a genuine community can be the most powerful marketing strategy of all. They proved you don’t need a Super Bowl commercial to go global; you just need a great product and a story people believe in. A huge win for a Minneapolis-based company. We love to see it.

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### Events (1.5 minutes)

HOST: Okay, let's talk about what you should be doing this weekend. With this gorgeous weather, you’re going to want to be outside, and I’ve got the perfect event for you: the inaugural "Loring Park Lumina."

Starting tonight and running through Sunday evening, Loring Park is being transformed into a massive, interactive outdoor art gallery. Local artists have installed over a dozen light-based sculptures and projection-mapping displays throughout the park.

Imagine walking across the bridge with shimmering, projected koi swimming in the pond below you, or seeing the trees pulse with gentle, colored light that’s synced to ambient music being played by local DJs. It’s a totally new and honestly, magical, way to experience one of our city’s most iconic parks.

It’s completely free, family-friendly, and runs from sunset until about 11 PM each night. It’s the perfect vibe for a relaxed evening out.

And if you're looking for other 420-friendly events or the latest on local dispensaries and consumption lounges, our sponsor mncannabishub.com is your go-to resource. They have a full calendar of cannabis-related events, classes, and meetups happening all spring.

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### Outro (30 seconds)

HOST: And that's our time for this week! So, to recap: grab a bite at the new Mill City Market Hall, give a virtual high-five to the team at True North Provisions, and definitely don't miss the beautiful Loring Park Lumina this weekend.

A huge thank you to our sponsors for making the show possible. For the best in plant-based dining, visit mplsveganhub.com. That’s M-P-L-S Vegan Hub dot com. And for all things Minnesota cannabis, from events to news, head to mncannabishub.com.

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

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