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"Mastermind" of Minnesota child meal fraud gets nearly 42 years in Feeding Our Future case

"Mastermind" of largest COVID fraud  scheme gets 41 years

Prosecutors say Aimee Bock was at the center of a scheme to steal over $240 million from a federal program.

Politics & Policy

A judge has ordered the Minnesota &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mastermind" data-vars-click-url="https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/pr/federal-jury-finds-feeding-our-future-mastermind-and-co-defendant-guilty-250-million" data-vars-content-id="12cfb3bf-ee7e-4db1-b635-cfde9213cf92" data-vars-headline="&quot;Mastermind&quot; of Minnesota child meal fraud gets nearly 42 years in Feeding Our Future case" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/pr/federal-jury-finds-feeding-our-future-mastermind-and-co-defendant-guilty-250-million" target="_blank">mastermind</a>&quot; in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nation&#x27;s largest pandemic fraud case" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2022/09/21/feeding-our-future-indictment-minnesota" data-vars-content-id="12cfb3bf-ee7e-4db1-b635-cfde9213cf92" data-vars-headline="&quot;Mastermind&quot; of Minnesota child meal fraud gets nearly 42 years in Feeding Our Future case" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2022/09/21/feeding-our-future-indictment-minnesota" target="_self">nation&#x27;s largest pandemic fraud case</a> to serve 41.5 years in prison — the harshest sentence to date in connection with the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme.Why it matters: Prosecutors say former Feeding Our Future executive director <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Aimee Bock" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/05/21/aimee-bock-sentencing-feeding-our-future-pandemic-child-meals-fraud-minnesota" data-vars-content-id="12cfb3bf-ee7e-4db1-b635-cfde9213cf92" data-vars-headline="&quot;Mastermind&quot; of Minnesota child meal fraud gets nearly 42 years in Feeding Our Future case" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/05/21/aimee-bock-sentencing-feeding-our-future-pandemic-child-meals-fraud-minnesota" target="_self">Aimee Bock</a> was at the center of a scheme to steal more than $240 million from a federally funded child meals program during the pandemic. <ul><li>The case sparked intense scrutiny of the Walz administration&#x27;s oversight of state-run programs and fueled broader <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="concerns about fraud under his watch." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/06/minnesota-fraud-cases-timeline" data-vars-content-id="12cfb3bf-ee7e-4db1-b635-cfde9213cf92" data-vars-headline="&quot;Mastermind&quot; of Minnesota child meal fraud gets nearly 42 years in Feeding Our Future case" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/06/minnesota-fraud-cases-timeline" target="_self">concerns about fraud under his watch.</a></li></ul>

In Minnesota's express toll lanes, scofflaws nearly outnumber E-ZPasses

The growing violation rate denies the system toll revenues it needs to pay for itself.

Transit

MnDOT&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="E-ZPass system" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/03/25/mn-ez-pass-scam-text-warning" data-vars-content-id="28673455-3aef-46a8-a71e-a77c54027b48" data-vars-headline="In Minnesota&#x27;s express toll lanes, scofflaws nearly outnumber E-ZPasses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/03/25/mn-ez-pass-scam-text-warning" target="_self">E-ZPass system</a> has a scofflaw problem. Nearly half of the vehicles use the express tolling lanes without permission, according to the latest quarterly report.Why it matters: Aside from being unfair, the rising violation rate threatens to undermine the main goal of E-ZPass — managing congestion — while denying the system the toll revenues it needs to pay for itself.Stunning stats: MnDOT estimated that 29% of vehicles using the lanes had neither a passenger nor an E-ZPass tag in FY2024, according to the annual report for that year.<ul><li>But <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more recent field observations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/28096401-minnesota-department-of-transportation-mndot-2025-q4-e-zpass-report/" data-vars-content-id="28673455-3aef-46a8-a71e-a77c54027b48" data-vars-headline="In Minnesota&#x27;s express toll lanes, scofflaws nearly outnumber E-ZPasses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/28096401-minnesota-department-of-transportation-mndot-2025-q4-e-zpass-report/" target="_blank">more recent field observations</a> suggest that vehicle &quot;violation rates&quot; have crept up across the system. On I-35W in the south metro, they&#x27;re now pushing past 50%.</li></ul><div><figure><div id="av-hermesv2/2026-05-06-2301-share-of-vehicles-LO9HZ" style="max-width:100%" data-vars-category="embed" data-vars-sub-category="axios-visual" data-vars-asset-id="av-hermesv2/2026-05-06-2301-share-of-vehicles-LO9HZ" data-vars-iframe-src="https://graphics.axios.com/hermesv2/2026-05-06-2301-share-of-vehicles/index.html" class="gtmView"><img alt="A bar chart that shows quarterly E-ZPass lane violation rates by corridor for October to December 2025. Rates range from 32.3% on I-394 from Minneapolis to Wayzata to 52.6% on I-35W from Minneapolis to Burnsville. I-35E posts 45.7%, and I-35W from Roseville to Blaine reaches 44.1%." class="axios-visual-newsletter-fallback-image" src="https://graphics.axios.com/hermesv2/2026-05-06-2301-share-of-vehicles/fallbacks/2026-05-06-2301-share-of-vehicles-fallback.png" width="1200" height="788"/><img alt="A bar chart that shows quarterly E-ZPass lane violation rates by corridor for October to December 2025. Rates range from 32.3% on I-394 from Minneapolis to Wayzata to 52.6% on I-35W from Minneapolis to Burnsville. I-35E posts 45.7%, and I-35W from Roseville to Blaine reaches 44.1%." class="axios-visual-apple-fallback-image" src="https://graphics.axios.com/hermesv2/2026-05-06-2301-share-of-vehicles/fallbacks/2026-05-06-2301-share-of-vehicles-apple.png" width="750" height="740"/></div><figcaption>Data: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="MnDOT" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dot.state.mn.us/freeway-operations/reports.html" data-vars-content-id="28673455-3aef-46a8-a71e-a77c54027b48" data-vars-headline="In Minnesota&#x27;s express toll lanes, scofflaws nearly outnumber E-ZPasses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dot.state.mn.us/freeway-operations/reports.html" target="_blank">MnDOT</a>; Note: Totals from all observation points along each corridor during tolled morning and afternoon commute periods; Chart: Kyle Stokes/Axios</figcaption></figure></div>Between the lines: The toll lanes&#x27; primary goal isn&#x27;t to make money; it&#x27;s to improve traffic flow during peak times — just like a ramp meter, according to MnDOT spokesperson Anne Meyer.<ul><li>Even with high violation rates, E-ZPass lanes maintain higher traffic speeds than general lanes and reduce trip times by as much as 10 minutes during peak times, according to the latest annual report.</li></ul>What we&#x27;re watching: A February <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://mdl.mndot.gov/items/2026cav02" data-vars-content-id="28673455-3aef-46a8-a71e-a77c54027b48" data-vars-headline="In Minnesota&#x27;s express toll lanes, scofflaws nearly outnumber E-ZPasses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://mdl.mndot.gov/items/2026cav02" target="_blank">report</a> from consulting firm AECOM detailed how MnDOT could use more automated tools — such as license plate readers and passenger-detecting cameras — to reduce E-ZPass violation rates.<ul><li>The report noted that the rollout would be costly — and could face legal hurdles and objections on privacy and civil liberties grounds.</li></ul><h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">Axios readers come clean on E-ZPass</h2>Axios reader Steven learned his lesson in 2016.<ul><li>While commuting into downtown Minneapolis, he occasionally merged into the E-ZPass lane to cut through the congestion.</li></ul>Finally, a state trooper pulled Steven over and asked why he had no pass. <ul><li>&quot;I matter of factly replied, &#x27;I didn&#x27;t think I would get caught,&#x27;&quot; he told us in an email. &quot;The officer stifled a big laugh.&quot;</li></ul>The big picture: The Minnesota State Patrol dedicates teams of troopers to E-ZPass enforcement.<ul><li>In 2024, those patrols pulled over nearly 6,000 vehicles, and cited or warned about half of those drivers for tolling violations, Meyer said.</li></ul>&quot;E-ZPass lane enforcement is no joke along 394,&quot; wrote reader Kyle F., who says it&#x27;s typical to see two or three people each week pulled over in the E-ZPass lane.Reality check: Most scofflaws aren&#x27;t caught. In 2024, an estimated 11,000 violators used the lanes every day,<ul><li>&quot;There doesn&#x27;t seem to be any penalties for not being a paid user,&quot; wrote Marg P., who uses an E-ZPass to shorten her drive time to Lino Lakes.</li></ul>Follow the money: Violators are dodging tolls that can jump as high as $8 per trip. (The average is about $1.14.)<ul><li>&quot;It can be expensive on high congestion days,&quot; Teri I. said, &quot;so it sucks getting charged for that convenience and others are jumping in hoping to not get caught.&quot;</li></ul>Yes, but: Law-abiding E-ZPass users still praise their passes.<ul><li>&quot;Just eases the travel issues significantly!&quot; Rick said, adding that the modest cost is worth it &quot;to gain the ease of driving in that lane when traffic sucks!&quot;</li></ul>

"Zoë Bakes" star lists Minneapolis home with TV-ready kitchen

François' chef's kitchen served as the backdrop for her HBO Max show "Zoë Bakes."

Real Estate

Want to be the star of your own cooking show? This historic Minneapolis home has the kitchen for you.Driving the news: Twin Cities baker, cookbook author and television host <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Zoë François" data-vars-click-url="https://mspmag.com/shop-and-style/zoe-francois-rise/" data-vars-content-id="b53c4956-f651-4ac1-9a0f-6ad5b20afb81" data-vars-headline="&quot;Zoë Bakes&quot; star lists Minneapolis home with TV-ready kitchen" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://mspmag.com/shop-and-style/zoe-francois-rise/" target="_blank">Zoë François</a> just put her home on the market — and you may recognize that chef&#x27;s kitchen as the backdrop of her HBO Max show &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Zoë Bakes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.hbomax.com/shows/zoe-bakes/85d7df13-47b2-4d07-a5b4-35674ffd86ef" data-vars-content-id="b53c4956-f651-4ac1-9a0f-6ad5b20afb81" data-vars-headline="&quot;Zoë Bakes&quot; star lists Minneapolis home with TV-ready kitchen" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.hbomax.com/shows/zoe-bakes/85d7df13-47b2-4d07-a5b4-35674ffd86ef" target="_blank">Zoë Bakes</a>.&quot;

Behind the scenes: Target creates testing lab in Brooklyn Park

One focus of the company's new "Epic Lab" is improving its network of 2,000 stores that double as shipping hubs.

Business

In the big retail <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="race" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/12/amazon-delivery-speed-war-walmart-target" data-vars-content-id="4ddb0f50-daf9-43c4-ae9d-6de74fe51e9e" data-vars-headline="Behind the scenes: Target creates testing lab in Brooklyn Park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/12/amazon-delivery-speed-war-walmart-target" target="_self">race</a> to be fast and efficient, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Target" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/02/22/target-shopping-delivery-sortation-centers" data-vars-content-id="4ddb0f50-daf9-43c4-ae9d-6de74fe51e9e" data-vars-headline="Behind the scenes: Target creates testing lab in Brooklyn Park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/02/22/target-shopping-delivery-sortation-centers" target="_self">Target</a> this month finished building out an innovation lab in Brooklyn Park, where it can test out new ideas. Why it matters: One focus of the company&#x27;s new &quot;Epic Lab&quot; is improving its network of 2,000 stores that double as shipping hubs.

Twin Cities weekend guide: Oddities expo, mini State Fair, Memorial Day

Taxidermy, funeral collectibles, sideshow performers and "all things weird" are coming to Minneapolis.

Things to Do

Taxidermy, funeral collectibles, sideshow performers and &quot;all things weird&quot; are coming to Minneapolis this weekend for the return of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Oddities and Curiosities Expo" data-vars-click-url="https://www.showpass.com/minneapolis-oddities-curiosities-expo-2026/" data-vars-content-id="d41177de-db35-4c03-a3bb-e040ff3e116d" data-vars-headline="Twin Cities weekend guide: Oddities expo, mini State Fair, Memorial Day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.showpass.com/minneapolis-oddities-curiosities-expo-2026/" target="_blank">Oddities and Curiosities Expo</a>.What&#x27;s happening: The traveling event features hundreds of vendors selling everything from vintage medical devices to actual skulls. All items are legal to own and &quot;sustainably sourced,&quot; according to organizers.

Twin Cities weekend: Art-A-Whirl, garage sales, peony festival

Cat-themed auto shop Turbo Tim's is bringing back its live car-crushing event.

Happy Art-A-Whirl! The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="largest open artist studio tour" data-vars-click-url="https://nemaa.org/art-a-whirl/" data-vars-content-id="7c6029b5-8b0b-4a48-a39d-0a6c10fceac8" data-vars-headline="Twin Cities weekend: Art-A-Whirl, garage sales, peony festival" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://nemaa.org/art-a-whirl/" target="_blank">largest open artist studio tour</a> in the country kicks off Friday with a packed three days celebrating local creatives — and almost every event is free to the public.<ul><li>Not sure where to start? Here are three spots we recommend. </li></ul>

Minneapolis considers building downtown playground

The mayor has said he envisions something similar to Edina's Edinborough Park.

News

Minneapolis is looking to up its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="game with kids" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/10/17/minneapolis-skyway-things-to-do" data-vars-content-id="9142ab2e-17ff-47bf-8766-6ce7ce180045" data-vars-headline="Minneapolis considers building downtown playground" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/10/17/minneapolis-skyway-things-to-do" target="_self">game with kids</a>, exploring the idea of building an indoor playground somewhere downtown.Why it matters: For many Minneapolis parents, finding something to do with their kids in winter often means driving to the suburbs. Meanwhile, the middle of downtown is often dead on weekends, with office workers absent.

Twin Cities weekend guide: Doors Open, Sculpture Garden art fair, plant sales

Private clubs, churches, city buildings, restaurants, theaters and more will offer free behind-the-scenes tours.

Ever wanted to snoop inside an off-limits building? This weekend is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Doors Open Minneapolis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.doorsopenminneapolis.org/" data-vars-content-id="5982d5a0-60f2-4d96-a406-6999a6011461" data-vars-headline="Twin Cities weekend guide: Doors Open, Sculpture Garden art fair, plant sales" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.doorsopenminneapolis.org/" target="_blank">Doors Open Minneapolis</a>, a rare chance to explore over 70 venues that are often closed to the public.<ul><li>Private clubs, churches, city buildings, restaurants, theaters, historic buildings and more will offer free behind-the-scenes tours to curious visitors.</li></ul>

Twin Cities weekend: Minnehaha Duck Race, MayDay parade, bike swap

An annual high-stakes competition with racing animals is this Saturday —  no Derby attire required.

An annual high-stakes competition with racing animals is this Saturday — but there&#x27;s no need for hats or other Kentucky Derby attire. What&#x27;s happening: Thousands of rubber ducks will face off at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Minnehaha Creek Duck Race" data-vars-click-url="https://www.frnng.org/duck-race" data-vars-content-id="bf6c0f0a-fa9a-4025-9b3e-bdc24f101a64" data-vars-headline="Twin Cities weekend: Minnehaha Duck Race, MayDay parade, bike swap" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.frnng.org/duck-race" target="_blank">Minnehaha Creek Duck Race</a>, the goofy neighborhood event and family festival along Minnehaha Parkway.

Hot tub boats could soon float into Minneapolis' Boom Island Park

The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board is weighing a proposal for Boom Island Park.

Hot tub boats might set sail on the Mississippi River this spring.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="As our colleagues in Chicago found," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/01/05/chicago-river-hot-tub-boat-review-experience" data-vars-content-id="8fa50a8d-487f-49ac-b1d4-c107b16177e6" data-vars-headline="Hot tub boats could soon float into Minneapolis&#x27; Boom Island Park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/01/05/chicago-river-hot-tub-boat-review-experience" target="_self">As our colleagues in Chicago found,</a> taking in a scenic cruise while chilling in a warm whirlpool is &quot;so much fun.&quot;

Hall Monitor: Witch's Hat repairs move forward

Plus: A top public safety official's job remains in limbo after a busy day the Minneapolis City Council.

A few notes from a busy day at Minneapolis City Hall on Thursday:🧙‍♀️ The Prospect Park water tower&#x27;s observation deck — aka &quot;the Witch&#x27;s Hat&quot; — could finally reopen to the public this fall.<ul><li>City council members voted to hire a contractor to complete necessary repairs to reopen the tower, which has been closed since 2019.</li><li>Minneapolis originally budgeted $350,000 for the work in 2024, but needed to reopen the bidding process three times before a suitable contractor came forward, a city spokesperson told Axios.</li></ul>❓ Minneapolis&#x27; top public safety official&#x27;s job remains in limbo. The council failed to override Mayor Jacob Frey&#x27;s veto of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="their rejection" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/04/09/minneapolis-council-votes-to-oust-top-public-safety-official" data-vars-content-id="a1fc9477-b617-491e-a518-556f0a5b3e90" data-vars-headline="Hall Monitor: Witch&#x27;s Hat repairs move forward" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/04/09/minneapolis-council-votes-to-oust-top-public-safety-official" target="_self">their rejection</a> of community safety commissioner Todd Barnette&#x27;s reappointment.<ul><li>Barnette, who oversees all emergency response in the city, including police, cannot serve past August without an affirmative council vote.</li></ul>💾 Next month, the city council could, in effect, enact a one-year moratorium on data centers — just by opening debate on the proposal.<ul><li>Under city zoning codes, any &quot;interim ordinance&quot; becomes effective as soon as the council takes what&#x27;s usually a pro-forma vote to &quot;introduce&quot; the legislation, city attorney Kristyn Anderson explained.</li><li>Some downtown boosters see data centers as a means of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rescuing falling property values in office towers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/03/19/how-data-centers-could-help-revive-downtowns" data-vars-content-id="a1fc9477-b617-491e-a518-556f0a5b3e90" data-vars-headline="Hall Monitor: Witch&#x27;s Hat repairs move forward" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/03/19/how-data-centers-could-help-revive-downtowns" target="_self">rescuing falling property values in office towers</a>, but some council members want the city to study the environmental and development risks.</li></ul>What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;I do see the upside of increasing revenue for the city, but I want to know what the cost of it is, and I don&#x27;t feel like that&#x27;s clear,&quot; ordinance co-author Council Member Aurin Chowdhury told Axios.<ul><li>She moved to delay the ordinance&#x27;s introduction to May 21.</li></ul>

Twin Cities weekend guide: Free Park Day, indie bookstore tour

You won't need a vehicle permit to stay overnight.

In search of your next spring read? <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Independent Bookstore Day" data-vars-click-url="https://raintaxi.com/twin-cities-independent-bookstore-passport-2026/" data-vars-content-id="6ac63b70-03f7-4771-9486-800f7ccfbc59" data-vars-headline="Twin Cities weekend guide: Free Park Day, indie bookstore tour" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://raintaxi.com/twin-cities-independent-bookstore-passport-2026/" target="_blank">Independent Bookstore Day</a> is this Saturday, and Twin Cities shops are offering exclusive discounts to celebrate.How it works: Pick up a free Independent Bookstore Passport at 38 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="participating stores" data-vars-click-url="https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1nMAMmxSbRhmiWPbeT22ko1wcFjK6EOM&amp;femb=1&amp;ll=44.923962975650824%2C-93.20665299999999&amp;z=10" data-vars-content-id="6ac63b70-03f7-4771-9486-800f7ccfbc59" data-vars-headline="Twin Cities weekend guide: Free Park Day, indie bookstore tour" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1nMAMmxSbRhmiWPbeT22ko1wcFjK6EOM&amp;femb=1&amp;ll=44.923962975650824%2C-93.20665299999999&amp;z=10" target="_blank">participating stores</a> across the metro and get a stamp at each location you visit through Sunday — no purchase necessary.<ul><li>Each stamp activates a future discount at that store. Collect at least 10 stamps to activate all 38 coupons.</li></ul>

Afro-Caribbean bistro to replace Owamni on Minneapolis riverfront

Arch and River is expected to open this summer.

A French &quot;bistronomie&quot; serving Afro-Caribbean fare is moving into <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Owamni&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2021/08/16/owamni-minneapolis-sioux-chef-indigenous-restaurant" data-vars-content-id="534ca575-694c-4e11-b19f-aa69ec2e515e" data-vars-headline="Afro-Caribbean bistro to replace Owamni on Minneapolis riverfront" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2021/08/16/owamni-minneapolis-sioux-chef-indigenous-restaurant" target="_self">Owamni&#x27;s</a> spot along the Mississippi River. Why it matters: Owamni&#x27;s upcoming departure from the Water Works Pavilion, operated by the Minneapolis Park &amp; Recreation Board, opens up <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="prime restaurant real estate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/07/10/highest-grossing-minneapolis-park-restaurants" data-vars-content-id="534ca575-694c-4e11-b19f-aa69ec2e515e" data-vars-headline="Afro-Caribbean bistro to replace Owamni on Minneapolis riverfront" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/07/10/highest-grossing-minneapolis-park-restaurants" target="_self">prime restaurant real estate</a> overlooking the Stone Arch Bridge.

Twin Cities' last nonalcoholic bottle shop is in danger of closing

Almost every Twin Cities nonalcoholic bottle shop has closed this year, and the only one left is barely hanging on.

Almost every nonalcoholic bottle shop in the Twin Cities has closed this year — and the only one remaining is on the brink of shutting down, its owner tells Axios.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nonalcoholic drink sales" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/02/26/twin-cities-sales-of-na-beer-have-doubled-signaling-a-change-in-how-were-drinking" data-vars-content-id="9716727e-89b5-4235-9e3e-f94922bf92b0" data-vars-headline="Twin Cities&#x27; last nonalcoholic bottle shop is in danger of closing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/02/26/twin-cities-sales-of-na-beer-have-doubled-signaling-a-change-in-how-were-drinking" target="_self">Nonalcoholic drink sales</a> are booming nationwide as Americans <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cut back on alcohol" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/13/alcohol-drinking-rate-low-health" data-vars-content-id="9716727e-89b5-4235-9e3e-f94922bf92b0" data-vars-headline="Twin Cities&#x27; last nonalcoholic bottle shop is in danger of closing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/13/alcohol-drinking-rate-low-health" target="_self">cut back on alcohol</a>.

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