Sunday, January 25, 2026

Minnesota businesses closing for Jan. 23 anti-ICE strike

 Last week, Minnesota-based faith leaders, unions, and other community groups called for a strike and economic blackout on Jan. 23 in response to the Trump administration's Operation Metro Surge. 

That operation has led to thousands of federal agents, including ICE, entering the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota, as well as the death of Renee Good, who was shot and killed by Jonathan Ross, an ICE agent, on Jan. 7. 

"We are asking every single person, every family member, every teacher, every bus driver, every childcare worker, to come together, to be a community, to stand with one another," JaNaé Bates Imari, Auxiliary Minister at Camphor Memorial United Methodist Church in St. Paul, said during a Jan. 13 press conference announcing what organizers call The Day of Truth and Freedom. "What we have seen and what we have witnessed, what we have all gone through, is not normal."

As part of the economic blackout, organizers are planning a march in downtown Minneapolis. 

A poster for the Jan. 23 protest on a light pole in Minneapolis.

A poster for the Jan. 23 protest on a light pole in Minneapolis.

Along with the faith leaders who spearheaded the announcement, the action has been endorsed by some Minnesota labor unions, including the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, St. Paul Federation of Educators, Unite Here Local 17, SEIU Local 26, Unidos MN, and ATU transit union. Additionally, the Minnesota Nurses Association backed the event in an announcement on Jan. 17.

Around the Twin Cities, a growing number of businesses have begun to announce plans to close in solidarity with the Day of Truth and Freedom.

"We love this community and this city. We love our team. We love making good things for you and taking care of you and this is something that we talked about together and decided to do," reads an Instagram post from Meteor, a bar in Minneapolis, announcing that it will close on Jan. 23. 

"We hope that other places join and the impact can be felt," the post continues. "There are many places that are already shutting down or will need to because their team members are terrified to leave their home, or they have already been taken and shipped off. For this to be effective, we need the people who aren't living it day to day to feel it."

While many businesses have chosen to close, others are voicing their opinions in other ways, offering places to gather, mutual aid, or donating proceeds. 

For small business owners around the Twin Cities, it's been a difficult couple of weeks since DHS ramped up its operations in Minnesota. Dozens of businesses have closed, and many have reported that sales have dropped. 

"Along key immigrant business corridors in Minneapolis and St. Paul, roughly 80 % of immigrant-owned businesses closed in a single week, with many reporting sales down 50–100 %," per a report from North Star Policy.

It has made Friday's protest a difficult decision for small businesses, many of which are going through the slowest part of the year and may have employees who need the day's pay.

Businesses closing on Jan. 23

Bring Me The News is maintaining a running list of Minnesota businesses that have publicly announced plans to close for the Jan. 23 action, as well as businesses that are making significant donations to local organizations. 

112 Eatery in Minneapolis
Other businesses taking action on Jan. 23
  • Berlin in Minneapolis: 100% of profits from food, beverage, and tickets will be donated to the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota.
  • Blackbird Revolt in Minneapolis: It'll be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for poster-making and other free activities.
  • Broken Clock Brewing Cooperative in Minneapolis: It will be open "for those who need community, connection, and a place to rest safely." It will donate a portion of the day's proceeds to "provide groceries for local families who are sheltering in place."
  • Brühaven Craft Co. in Minneapolis: Opens at 4 p.m. A portion of the day's proceeds will go to the Immigrant Law Center of MN. 
  • Café Aquí in Rochester: It'll donate "100% of this Friday's profits to ACHLA."
  • Dark Horse Bar & Eatery in St. Paul: The Eclective Creative Collective is donating 10% of all sales from its three businesses to the Immigrant Law Center of MN from Jan. 19 to 25.
  • Clay Squared Gallery in Minneapolis: It will offer a free community "Clay Play" on Saturday, Jan. 24, from 1-5 p.m.
  • Crack of Dawn Bakehouse + Market in Faribault: It'll donate "profits for the day to the Community Action Center, whose work lifts up our neighbors." It'll also offer free drip coffee. 
  • Crema in Minneapolis: It will be open from 6:30 a.m. to noon. A portion of proceeds from Friday's sales will be donated to the Immigrant Rapid Response Fund.
  • The Dakota in Minneapolis: It'll donate "a significant portion of the evening's proceeds" — Halloween, Alaska's Farewell Performance — to five local organizations.
  • Disco Death Records in Minneapolis: In addition to closing, it says it will distribute free sandwiches and coffee outside the cafe and record store from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Dual Citizen Brewing in St. Paul: "Instead of closing, we have decided to stay open and donate 100% of our revenue from the day to Every Meal, a Minnesota-based nonprofit working to ensure children have access to good food."
  • eM Que Viet in St. Paul: It "will be staying open as a safe space for our community." Additionally, 50% of all drink sales will be donated to CAPI. It'll also host a donation drive from Monday to Wednesday next week to "help CAPI's food shelf and direct delivery service."
  • The Hewing Hotel in Minneapolis: It "will donate 100% of revenues from our Polar Bar to VEAP."
  • Honour Coffee in Minneapolis: It will donate 100% of Friday's profits to community aid efforts. 
  • Inbound BrewCo in Minneapolis: It'll offer free coffee, hot cocoa, and hand warmers.
  • Indeed Brewing in Minneapolis: It'll open at 5 p.m. and will donate 100% of proceeds to the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee.
  • Kiddywampus in Chanhassen and Hopkins: It'll donate 20% of in-store sales to ICA Food Pantry. Additionally, its St. Louis Park location is closed.
  • Lake Superior Art Glass in Duluth: It'll donate 10% of sales to the Immigrant Law Center of MN.
  • Leaning Tower of Pizza in Minneapolis: It will offer free slices of pizza all day. Additionally, it'll donate 100% of pizza sales to local charities and food shelves. 
  • The Lowbrow in Minneapolis: Staying open on Jan. 23 and donating 100% of profits to the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota.
  • Modist Brewing in Minneapolis: While it will be closed for business, it will open the taproom from 12–6 p.m. to serve free hot dogs to anyone participating in the day's action.
  • Niche Books in Lakeville: Will donate 10% of proceeds to La Viña.
  • Nicollet ACE Hardware in Minneapolis: It will be open on Friday, but all profits will be donated to the Immigrant Law Center and Calvary Food Shelf. "As a small, local business, we believe our role right now is to be here for people who need essential items, safety supplies, or emergency support. For that reason, we will remain open this Friday," reads a message shared on Facebook.
  • Paddlefish Brewing in Saint Peter: It will be open and plans to donate "50% of the day's revenue to Saint Peter Mexicana Market, which is using these funds to help provide groceries to local families in needs."
  • Parkway Pizza in Minneapolis: It'll open at 4 p.m. and will donate 100% of profits to the International Institute of Minnesota."
  • Senti in Edina: 100% of profits will be donated to the Immigrant Law Center of MN.
  • Seward Cafe in Minneapolis: It'll be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to distribute donations and offer a place "to rest and use the restroom." Free food will be offered and drinks will be cash only
  • T-Rex Cookie Company in Eagan: Donating 20% of sales on Jan. 23 to the  Immigrant Rapid Response Fund.
  • Tapestry Coffee in Lakeville: It'll donate "100% of profit to support food access and resource relief in our community."
  • Wandering Leaf Brewing in St. Paul: will be open "as a place for our community to gather and recharge." Additionally, $2 from every beer will be donated to Neighborhood House. It'll continue to collect goods for Neighborhood House as well. 
  • Watershed Spa in Minneapolis: No bookings after 2 p.m. All revenue from Friday will be donated.
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