Newsletter: May 2025

May 29

Written By PIP CLT

PIPCLT May 2025 Newsletter

View this email in a browser

PIPCLT NEWSLETTER

Here's some news and updates from PIPCLT's activities and impact so far in 2025!

In February, we purchased 3453 and 3501 Penn Ave N from Land Bank Twin Cities (LBTC) as part of our community-driven project in North Minneapolis to create perpetually affordable commercial spaces for small business owners. These 2 buildings join 3445 and 3449 Penn in our commercial real estate portfolio at the intersection of 35th Ave N and Penn Ave N in the Cleveland neighborhood.

With the help of TUK Technical, we completed some more rehab at Miranda's Salon at 3447 Penn, including a bathroom rebuild, installing new interior doors, electrical cleanup, new mini split AC, and finishing the basement.

In April, we held a community event to showcase 35th and Penn's vacant commercial spaces, highlighted our current business owners, and connected with community partners to generate visibility and support.

From April 30th to May 2nd, PIPCLT hosted a city site visit as part of our case study award from the Small Business Anti-displacement Network (SBAN), based out of the University of Maryland. We had community development professionals from around the country visit us to learn about our Commercial Land Trust model, visit our properties, connect with business owners, learn about local anti-displacement efforts from community members and advocates, and experience the vibrant cultures and neighborhoods of the Twin Cities.

Click the link below or visit antidisplacement.org to learn more about SBAN!

SBAN

SBAN Guests at 1819 Lowry Ave N, headquarters of PIPCLT and business partner Ben Dossman's Affirmation House.

SBAN Guests at Miranda's Salon, 3447 Penn Ave N. Joined by PIPCLT Property Manager, Tescia Bratcher and TUK Technical's Jason Bebeau. Guests got to hear about Miranda's story and future plans before touring her space, with Jason providing details about the rehab projects at the site over the last year.

Ant Martin, owner of Kashh Kartel Hair Studio (3449 Penn), sharing his emotional business ownership journey with SBAN guests as they view his recently renovated space.

Tescia showing the vacant unit in the 3453 Penn building.

Princess Gardner, owner of Pretty Girl Connections at 3501 Penn, hosting the SBAN group in her boutique clothing store and candy shop.

The business owners at 35th and Penn exemplify resilience and the power of community, creating safe spaces for gathering and connecting. Their dedication to serving and supporting their neighbors is incredibly inspirational and drives us to continue our work to steward communities.

The group visiting Midtown Global Market to experience Minneapolis' diverse culture through music, food, and art from around the globe.

The SBAN tour made a stop at George Floyd Square, to hear firsthand accounts from local community members about the direct impact of George's murder and the ensuing events. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of communities standing together to hold each other up when there is no help from the outside.

Domonique moderated a panel with Bobby Boone from the University of Maryland, Kate Speed from LISC Twin Cities, and Ricardo Perez from The Alliance Twin Cities, to share and learn about local and national anti-displacement efforts, challenges and successes, and strategies. A big THANK YOU to the panelists for imparting their knowledge and experience on the SBAN group.

Learn more about the panelists and their organizations by clicking the links below!

Bobby Boone

Kate Speed

Ricardo Perez

SBAN visiting 19 E 26th St, to see the building under shell construction. Thank you to Edwardo Rikprashad and Lou Thao from Intact, and Deshay Hudson from Intentional Consulting Services for showing everyone the space and providing insights on the construction process.

The group made a final stop at 4300 W 36 1/2 St in St. Louis Park to visit the 8,300+ sq ft commercial condo we aim to purchase and redevelop into several units.

PIPCLT and the SBAN group had a final discussion to learn more about each other and recap the multi-day visit to Minneapolis. It was emotional, empowering, and incredibly fulfilling to spend time with such dedicated, hardworking, and caring individuals from all over the country. Thank you again to SBAN for giving PIPCLT the opportunity to showcase our wonderful communities, business owners, and partners!

We will have more content to share after the case study is released in June, so stay tuned!

This Fall we will be holding our annual fundraiser event! This time, it will be a round of golf at Highland 9-Hole Golf Course in Saint Paul. Save the Date for Thursday October 2nd, 2025!

See below for sponsorship opportunities and how you can make an impact to support BIPOC business owners and communities.

To register for the event or become a sponsor, click the button below. Thank you!

PIPCLT 2025 Golf Fundraiser