Top 5 Vintage Shops, Grocery Rave, and Video Stores Are So Back

Top 5 Vintage Shops, Grocery Rave, and Video Stores Are So Back

You don’t have to rewind time to rent physical copies of movies. Contributor and Racket co-owner Em Cassel tells us about Saturn Video, which hopes to combine video rentals with a cafe for the ultimate third space. We also pick our top five vintage stores to fit any aesthetic you’re looking for. Plus, the Trader Joe’s vs Aldi rave at First Ave is an April Fools’ joke turned real. We play a game with the (also real) DJ Hampster Dance. Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode: ⁠Become a City Cast Twin Cities Neighbor⁠ [https://account.citycast.fm/become-a-neighbor/twincities?utm_source=show_notes&utm_medium=pod&utm_campaign=pod_promo] ⁠Saturn Video Instagram⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/saturnvideo.cafe/] ⁠Does Minneapolis have a 'Video Rental Guild'? If So, Saturn Video Is Its Newest Member.⁠ [https://racketmn.com/does-minneapolis-have-a-video-rental-guild-if-so-saturn-video-is-its-newest-member] (Racket) ⁠The Video Store MPLS: Bringing Brick-and-Mortar Movie Rentals Back to the Twin Cities⁠ [https://racketmn.com/the-video-store-mpls-bringing-brick-and-mortar-movie-rentals-back-to-the-twin-cities] (Racket) ⁠Trader Joe’s vs. Aldi Rave ★ First Avenue⁠ [https://first-avenue.com/event/2026-07-trader-joes-vs-aldi-rave/] ⁠Love Token⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/lovetokenmpls/?hl=en] ⁠B. resale⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/bresalempls/?hl=en] ⁠Moth Oddities⁠ [https://www.mothoddities.com/] ⁠The Mall of St. Paul⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/mallofstpaul/] ⁠Time Bomb Vintage⁠ [https://www.timebombvintage.com/] If you enjoyed this interview with Sam Holt, the Senior Partner Development Manager for TaskRabbit, learn more here [https://www.taskrabbit.com/]. Learn more about the sponsors of this July 10th episode: ⁠The Cedar Cultural Center⁠ [https://www.thecedar.org/] Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastTwinCities on ⁠Instagram⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/citycasttwincities/], or email us at ⁠twincities@citycast.fm⁠ [twincities@citycast.fm]. You can also call or text us at 612-217-0637. For more Twin Cities news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, City Cast Twin Cities. Looking to advertise on City Cast Twin Cities? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at ⁠citycast.fm/advertise⁠ [https://citycast.fm/advertise/].

'The Cruelty of Nice Folks' in Minneapolis, Minnehaha Art Fair Tips, and Remembering Harry Singh

Harry Singh brought previously unheard of levels of spice to Minnesota when he opened his Caribbean restaurant in Minneapolis over 40 years ago, and he was a pillar in the community until passing away peacefully in his home last Friday. On today's episode, Sean and contributor Tane Danger reflect on their experiences with Harry and his food. They also interview Justin Ellis, author of "The Cruelty of Nice Folks", about Minneapolis' complicated history and how we tend to fall short of effecting real progressive change in the long run. Later, events manager Nichole Showalter joins the conversation to talk about the upcoming Minnehaha Falls Art Fair, which runs from July 17 through 19. Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode: Twin Cities Caribbean food 'trailblazer' Harry Singh dies at 81 [https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/07/07/harry-singh-restauranteur-dies-at-81] (MPR News) The Cruelty of Nice Folks: Why Minneapolis Is the Story of America [https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-cruelty-of-nice-folks-justin-ellis?variant=44065276493858] (Harper Collins Publishers) Minnehaha Falls Art Fair [https://www.homespunevents.com/minnehahafallsartfair] (Homespun Events)  Become a City Cast Twin Cities Neighbor [https://account.citycast.fm/become-a-neighbor/twincities?utm_source=show_notes&utm_medium=pod&utm_campaign=pod_promo] Learn more about the sponsors of this July 9th episode: ⁠⁠The Cedar Cultural Center⁠⁠ [https://www.thecedar.org/] Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastTwinCities on ⁠Instagram⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/citycasttwincities/], or email us at ⁠twincities@citycast.fm⁠ [https://twincities@citycast.fm]. You can also call or text us at 612-217-0637. For more Twin Cities news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, City Cast Twin Cities. Looking to advertise on City Cast Twin Cities? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at ⁠citycast.fm/advertise⁠ [https://citycast.fm/advertise/].

Secret Companies Want More Data Centers. Plus, Yacht Club’s Sibling and Close Races

Minnesota may be a blue state, but our House and Senate races are looking purple-y. MinnPost reporter Matt Blake tells us how these nailbiter races might affect everything from gun reform to data centers. Speaking of, Eagan is getting sued by a data center owner over their moratorium. The case could set a precedent for other cities looking to regulate these sprawling developments, sometimes shrouded in secrecy. Finally, country music is on the rise; the Minnesota Country Club Festival, sibling to the popular Yacht Club, comes to Harriet Island this week. But the headliners show the definition of “country” is getting blurry. Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode: ⁠⁠Become a City Cast Twin Cities Neighbor⁠⁠ [https://membership.citycast.fm/twincities] ⁠⁠Minnesota legislative battlegrounds⁠⁠ [https://www.minnpost.com/elections/2026/07/minnesota-legislative-races-2026-battlegrounds/] (MinnPost) ⁠⁠Data center company sues Eagan over development pause⁠⁠ [https://www.twincities.com/2026/07/06/data-center-company-sues-eagan-over-development-pause/] (Pioneer Press) ⁠⁠Making sense of Minnesota Yacht Club’s new ‘country’ offshoot festival⁠⁠ [https://www.startribune.com/making-sense-minnesota-country-club-offshoot-yacht-harriet-island-st-paul-red-clay-strays-treaty-oak/601862969] (Star Tribune) ⁠⁠Minnesota Country Club Festival⁠⁠ [https://www.minnesotacountryclubfest.com/] Learn more about the sponsors of this July 8th episode: ⁠⁠The Cedar Cultural Center⁠⁠ [https://www.thecedar.org/] Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastTwinCities on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/citycasttwincities/], or email us at ⁠⁠twincities@citycast.fm⁠⁠ [twincities@citycast.fm]. You can also call or text us at 612-217-0637. For more Twin Cities news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, City Cast Twin Cities. Looking to advertise on City Cast Twin Cities? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at ⁠⁠citycast.fm/advertise⁠⁠ [https://citycast.fm/advertise/].

Don't Sleep On Duluth's Art Scene. Plus, Gaelynn Lea On Her New Memoir

What makes Duluth punch so far above its weight in music and arts? Today we head north with Kristi Olson, publisher of the biweekly print zine On the Record, who maps out the Duluth arts scene and shares what's worth catching this summer. Then, Duluth fiddle artist and NPR Tiny Desk Contest winner Gaelynn Lea joins to talk about her debut memoir “It Wasn't Meant to Be Perfect” [https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/gaelynn-lea/it-wasnt-meant-to-be-perfect/9781643756431/], a candid look at music, disability, and life as a touring artist. Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode: It Wasn't Meant to Be Perfect [https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/gaelynn-lea/it-wasnt-meant-to-be-perfect/9781643756431/] (Gaelynn Lea) On the Record Zine [https://www.ontherecordzine.com/] (Kristi Olson) Duluth Homegrown Music Festival [https://duluthhomegrown.org/] Magic Smelt Parade [https://visitduluth.com/event/run-smelt-run/] (Visit Duluth) Become a City Cast Twin Cities Neighbor [https://membership.citycast.fm/twincities] Learn more about the sponsors of this July 7th episode: The Cedar Cultural Center [https://www.thecedar.org/] Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastTwinCities on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/citycasttwincities/], or email us at twincities@citycast.fm [twincities@citycast.fm]. You can also call or text us at 612-217-0637. For more Twin Cities news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, City Cast Twin Cities. Looking to advertise on City Cast Twin Cities? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise [https://citycast.fm/advertise/].

St. Paul's Right to Repair Fight, Minneapolis Eyes Drones, and a $2 Burger You Need to Know About

A St. Paul ballot initiative wants to give renters the power to fix what their landlords won't, so we talked to Cole Hanson, political coordinator for the Safe Homes Saint Paul campaign, to break down how the right-to-repair measure would actually work, who's signing the petitions, and whether a $500 cap is enough to make a real difference. Then, Clint Combs of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder joins to unpack why Minneapolis is considering a drone first-responder pilot program, why activists are raising alarms about the company behind it, the lack of cost transparency, and the fact that it's being tested exclusively on the Northside. Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode: Cole Hanson: St. Paul, give renters the tools to fix what’s broken [https://www.twincities.com/2026/05/10/cole-hanson-st-paul-give-renters-the-tools-to-fix-whats-broken/] (Pioneer Press) Minneapolis Considers Drone Pilot Program for North Minneapolis, Activists Push Back [https://spokesman-recorder.com/2026/06/30/minneapolis-drone-pilot-program-north-minneapolis/] (Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder) Become a City Cast Twin Cities Neighbor [https://membership.citycast.fm/twincities] Learn more about the sponsors of this July 6th episode: BidFTA Online Auctions [https://www.bidfta.com/] Paddle & Portage [https://paddleandportage.com/] The Cedar Cultural Center [https://www.thecedar.org/] Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastTwinCities on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/citycasttwincities/], or email us at twincities@citycast.fm [twincities@citycast.fm]. You can also call or text us at 612-217-0637. For more Twin Cities news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, City Cast Twin Cities. Looking to advertise on City Cast Twin Cities? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise [https://citycast.fm/advertise/].