Have any plans for Friday, March 21? You’re invited to dress up and get out for a good cause.
“I highly recommend you come and party with us,” said Kristel Porter, executive director of the West Broadway Business and Area Coalition (WBC).
The annual event is the West Broadway Business and Area Coalition’s Gala which raises money and awareness for needs in the Northside of Minneapolis. At its core, WBC exists to sustain the health and wealth of the West Broadway corridor.
“We believe a strong West Broadway is the foundation for a prosperous Northside, where businesses grow, families thrive and future generations have access to greater opportunities,” Porter explained.
It’s a tall order, especially for an area that hasn’t always been portrayed in the best light.
“It does not reflect what people have been saying about us in the media,” Porter explained. “Our crime is lower than it has been in the last decade. It is clean and it is well kept.”
Porter has the numbers to prove it. Last year WBC invested more than 600 hours cleaning up West Broadway and hauling 9,000 pounds of trash away. The group also invested $50,000 in hanging planters. “We deserve what 50th and France has,” Porter added.
While some changes you can see, much of the work WBC does is behind the scenes, specifically when it comes to business owners.
WBC advocates for those who can’t attend a public hearing or write a letter to their legislature.
“We’ve even created a multi-employer 401K plan because many of these businesses have served our community for decades and the owners get to a point where they can’t run their business anymore but never put anything up for retirement for themselves or their staff.” Porter said she’s seen business owners retire only to live off their social security in low-income assisted living housing. “These people served us all of their goods and services when other businesses wouldn’t even think of coming into our community.”
Another issue on the list is insurance. Porter says many of the businesses on West Broadway cannot get insured. “We have a very short list of maybe three agents in the entire state that will work with a business on the avenue to insure them. It does not reflect our situation.” Porter explained people consider the area low-income, but that’s not accurate. “If you look at the census, we’re more of a middle-class community and the amenities here need to catch up to this reality.”
That’s why Porter and WBC are asking folks to dress up and step out on Friday, March 21 for the organization’s annual gala event. The guest list includes Minnesota Senate President, Bobby Joe Champion and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, among others. Held at the historic Capri Theater, the evening starts with a cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m. followed by a Northside-inspired culinary experience. Think steak and salmon bites among other offerings catered by The Bougie Waffle and desserts by Quiet Cat Bakery, two creative standout local businesses. Guests will enjoy a silent and live auction with jazz from The Capri 5 adding a soulful soundtrack to the night.
As Porter says, it’s a good time for a good cause. “We are just a beautiful avenue with beautiful people; it’s like a family.”
Funds raised will directly support WBC’s efforts to uplift local businesses, provide resources for emerging entrepreneurs and sustain a thriving West Broadway Avenue in North Minneapolis.
Dress up, bring family, friends and your pocketbook for the West Broadway Business and Area
Coalition’s Annual Gala on Friday, March 21. Learn more and buy tickets at: www.westbroadway.org
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