Three North Loop Favorites Turn 10 in April
If you enjoy coffee or beer or both, you’ve got three places to celebrate 10th anniversaries this month. Inbound BrewCo, In the Loop Coffee Company and Modist Brewing all turn ten in April, and all have events planned to celebrate their success, their customers and being part of North Loop through all its changes over the last ten years.
In the Loop Coffee Company: April 3 Celebration
In the Loop Coffee’s owner, Marisa Thom, clearly remembers driving down N. 1st St. with her husband and knowing “her little corner” was the perfect spot to make her dream of opening her own coffee shop come true. “There were people walking their dogs. There were new parents walking with a bassinet. There was someone running. It was October, and the leaves were falling and we’re like, ‘This feels like Europe!'” recalls Thom. “And this little corner has a vibe; it’s just this quiet little corner. And we just love that.”
Regular customers enjoy the coffee drink and food, but also being greeted by name by staff who somehow have orders memorized. Dog owners are pulled into the shop by their dogs, who know it’s a place to order puppucinos and help yourself to free homemade treats in the jar on the counter.
Besides coffee and treats, In the Loop is also known for the portraits of dogs that cover its walls. “When we were first coming in here during construction, we noticed lots of dogs walking in and out of the [Itasca] building,” explains Thom. “And my husband says we should get the dogs in the building and take their pictures and hang them on the wall and we’ll call it Mount Ruffmore.” Their first photo session was 14 dogs; the next year, 34 dogs showed up. Today, there are 175 pictures, with very little wall space left.
In the Loop is celebrating its anniversary on Friday, April 3 starting at 7am with free puppucinos, BOGO drink specials, a DJ from 11am to 2pm and a spin-the-wheel for prizes.
Part of the famous dog-portrait walls at In the Loop Coffee Company (they don’t all fit in one picture!).
Modist Brewing: Celebrating April 17-18
Modist Brewing Co-founder John Donnelly says celebrating ten years “feels surreal. Some days it feels like 100 years and some days it feels like one.” The name “Modist” comes from the word “modify,” which Donnelly and his longtime friends and co-founders often do as talented DIY-ers. “We’ve always been very, very hands-on. When we signed the lease in 2015, we started demo-ing, building the tap room, we built the tables and chairs, we built the dividing wall. So we’ve really put our heart and soul into this in the last ten years.”
Modist’s building was originally built in the 1940s and used as a salt warehouse for Morton Salt.
“We’re immensely proud of what we’ve done, especially with everything that’s gone on in the city and the world, it’s tough to keep up with,” said Donnelly as he reflected on the last ten years. “Meanwhile, still building out the business and breweries and making new fun beers and trying to keep the vibe up.” Modist currently has about 30 beers on tap, in addition to THC drinks and brewed spirits.
Modist is celebrating April 17 and 18, with the main celebration taking place on Saturday, April 18 with live bands, food trucks and “doing a couple beer releases,” Donnelly said with a smile.
Inbound BrewCo: April 23-25 Celebration
Inbound BrewCo’s founder and president, Eric Biermann says, “It’s been a great time in ten years. In an ever-changing environment, breweries are reliant on always being able to do something new, whether we want to or not.”
“When we moved here and re-branded, we wanted to have a tap room, and be more community-focused and enjoying Minneapolis and all it brings. It’s a great city,” said Biermann. “So we’re going to continue doing our thing and being a safe place for everyone to come.”
Inbound BrewCo as it looks today. Founder Eric Biermann says to watch their Instagram account for photos of the building’s transformation as their 10th anniversary approaches.
Before being transformed into the gathering spot visitors enjoy today, the building was a recycling facility. “It was probably the dirtiest, filthiest building in the North Loop,” joked Biermann. “But we liked it. At one point, the North Loop was very industrial. And our architect did a good job of bringing it together.”
Today, Inbound BrewCo sells about 30 craft beers, seltzers, seasonal slushies and THC sparkling waters. Their main 10th anniversary celebration is April 25, with live music, a Maker’s Market, food trucks and “crazy beer specials,” said Biermann, “but we’ll start celebrating Thursday of that week with live music both Thursday and Friday.”
— By Mary Binkley, NLNA President