You’re Invited! Annual Meeting on January 28
The North Loop Neighborhood Association (NLNA) Annual Meeting + After Party will take place January 28 at The Rabbit Hole, one of the many new businesses that opened its doors in the North Loop in 2025.
The ever-popular SWAG bags are back, with coupons, promotions and information from 25 generous North Loop businesses and organizations. And attendees will have the option to purchase raffle tickets for prizes worth several hundred dollars, with gift cards, freebies and discounts from more than 20 North Loop businesses. There will also be a food and supplies drive for those in need.
The Annual Meeting is when we look back on our accomplishments from the previous year, ask for your feedback to set priorities for the coming year, elect board members and celebrate our community. The theme of this year’s meeting is “Engagement,” as keeping our neighborhood healthy and vibrant depends on residents and businesses working together to keep it that way.
“The greatness of the North Loop in 2025 was fueled by incredible volunteers. Thank you!” said longtime NLNA Board Member Scott Woller. “Our memorable events, clean streets, and vibrant parks exist because neighbors stepped up and said ‘Yes’ to making the North Loop better. You can be part of that team in 2026!”
Service Saturday volunteers keep the riverfront clean and maintained throughout the year.
Our 2025 highlights include:
- Winning approval of the plan for our newest neighborhood park on N. 3rd Street
- Organizing Service Saturday projects each month from April through November, including riverfront maintenance, litter pick-up and an emergency food drive
- Secured a $7500 grant from Hennepin County to plant more trees in 2026
- Hosting four community events: Food Truck Fair, Candy Grab, Halloween Party and National Night Out
- Introducing a new Neighborhood Guide highlighting everything from coffee shops to fitness centers to salons to retailers and restaurants to help visitors and new residents get to know the North Loop
- Welcoming a variety of new businesses who chose the North Loop for its energy and vitality
- Partnering with Council Member Rainville, several City departments and Washington Ave. bars to secure ride-share zones on Friday and Saturday nights that reduce congestion and increase safety
- Sharing our news through our social media channels, monthly newsletter and website
All of this is accomplished by an all-volunteer board of directors, who are supported by a long list of volunteers and small businesses who generously say “yes” when called upon.
More than 40 volunteers make the Food Truck Fair possible every year.
“We are so fortunate to be a part of this amazing community! From its roots as a neglected industrial and warehouse district, to what has become today the most vibrant, fast-growing and welcoming Minneapolis neighborhood,” said NLNA President Diane Merrifield. “As we continue to grow, we’re grateful to our residents and businesses for working together to make us what we’ve become, and lead us forward.”
Board Member Election
At the Meeting, attendees will use a mobile app to vote on new board members; there are seven board seats open for election this year. Candidate profiles are available here. Board candidates will be available starting at 5pm to meet with residents, and be invited on stage for short presentations at 6pm, before the Annual Meeting is called to order at 6:30pm. All North Loop residents are eligible to vote, along with North Loop business owners or a representative of that business.
The app will also be used to gather feedback from attendees on 2026 neighborhood priorities in the areas of small business support, service projects, community engagement and more.
Mayor Jacob Frey is scheduled to speak, and Ward 3 Council Member Michael Rainville and Ward 5 Council Member Pearll Warren will also be in attendance.
Food and Supplies Donation Drive
Given the urgent need for assistance throughout Minneapolis, we’re hosting a donations drive with CES (Community Emergency Service) as a partner to coordinate a food and supplies drive. CES needs non-perishable food items like cereal, canned fruit, jelly, honey, granola bars, cooking oil, ground coffee, spices and herbs, packaged meals and pet food. Needed supplies include diapers and household goods like hand soap, paper towels and toilet paper.
Volunteers will assemble swag bags stuffed with deals and information from generous North Loop businesses.
Swag Bag Giveaway
The first 400 people in attendance will receive the ever-popular North Loop swag bag filled with great deals or promotions from North Loop businesses. As of this writing, the bags will have items from:
- Corner Coffee
- The Loop
- Puttshack
- Fowling Warehouse
- BOUND Nolo
- Lake State Mountaineering
- Hewing Hotel
- Farrell’s Extreme Bodyshaping
- Industrious
- Nothing Bundt Cakes
- Two Mixed Up
In addition to giveaways, the Annual Meeting also includes tables with information and sampling from other North Loop businesses, non-profits and community organizations.
The Rabbit Hole is located at 411 N. Washington Avenue. Here’s the meeting schedule:
- 5pm: Doors open; Meet and greet with 2026 board of directors candidates
- 6pm: Board candidate onstage presentations
- 6:30pm: NLNA Annual Meeting presentation
- 7:30 to 9pm: After Party
We look forward to seeing you on January 28!
By Mary Binkley, NLNA volunteer