A City program is helping address the empty storefronts in Uptown after a pilot in Loring Park.

Multiple properties at the Lake Street and Hennepin Avenue intersection are available to artists and arts-adjacent organizations through a two-year lease. The City will provide up to $50,000 for selected applicants towards their rent at the properties.

The Arts & Culture Vibrant Storefronts program is in its second year of partnering with property owners, local artists and organizations to “enhance creative opportunities” in downtown, Uptown, and Loring Park “to boost vibrancy, innovation, and sustainability.” The program launched last August and is expanding to other parts of the city this year.

The available Uptown locations are the former MAC Cosmetics store at 2922 Hennepin Ave., the former Little Luxuries Nail Salon at 1426 West Lake St., the former People’s Organic in Seven Points, a portion of the former North Face store at 3008 Hennepin Ave., and the former Urban Outfitters at 3006 Hennepin Ave.

Rent for most of the Uptown locations fall below the $50,000 award from the City, the exception being the large Urban Outfitters space with rent at $105,000 a year.

“Get a bunch of people together, a collective,” Kingfield resident and muralist Jesse Quam said about utilizing the large space. Quam was touring Uptown spaces with fellow muralist Brookita Corazón on April 19.heir work can be seen around Southwest Minneapolis.  

Quam said he plans to apply for a space in Uptown but isn’t quite sure of the full plan. His current vision is a print studio and shop selling artwork-based merchandise. He’d also like to incorporate events with live music and poetry readings.

“Kind of like Intermedia Arts,” Quam said, referencing the now-closed arts center at 2822 Lyndale Ave. S. Quam’s vision is also similar to what Flavor World is doing with the former Fast Print space in Loring Park.

The artist collective and inaugural Vibrant Storefront applicant had its grand opening at 1218 Harmon Place on April 25. Flavor World’s new space includes community screenprinting, photo and video shoots, music production, and coworking. While free or significantly reduced rent is a pretty sweet deal, the space Flavor World took over in late 2024 was in rough shape.  

Properties come as-is to applicants but they also can make changes to the property. During Flavor World’s move in on Harmon Place, Kinkaid removed a drop ceiling and installed a railing.

Removal of existing materials is the responsibility of the applicants. An available property in Uptown comes with a row of pedicure baths that a tenant could utilize or dispose of, depending on their business plan. The former MAC store comes with existing floor-to-ceiling shelving. Applicants also have use of the properties’ basements.

Applications for all of the properties available through the City’s Arts & Culture Vibrant Storefronts initiative are due May 16. More information about the program can be found on the Vibrant Storefronts website.