Download: Kim's Unionizes, New Fashion Store, StP Pick

Katy Dimick (New France Wine Co), Sandy Meulners-Comstock (Mend Collaborative), Robb Jones (Meteor Bar), Erik Eastman (Minnesota Ice), Charlie Broder, Alyssa and me

ICONS: We went to two parties this past week celebrating milestones. Hola Arepa celebrated its 10th anniversary on 35th & Nicollet and Broders' Pasta Bar turned 30 at 50th & Penn. The vibes were different at each gathering (pool party in the parking lot with Sophia Eris DJ’ing, Christina Ngyuen handing out jello shots — families everywhere with a full Italian band in another parking lot), but the moment was the same: transformational business-owners who have deep mutual love with their teams. Cheers to many more decades to each! - Jason

BREAKING NEWS: Kim’s workers voted to unionize Thursday. 65% said yes, according to UNITE HERE Local 17, Minnesota’s hospitality and craft beverage workers union. UNION: “Workers are eager to get to the bargaining table to work toward solutions that can improve working conditions and ensure the restaurant’s ongoing success for all.” ANN KIM: “It was important to me that everyone’s voice was heard. I respect the election results and look forward to working with the team as we move into the future.”

MY DOWNLOAD: This was quick: One month from declaring intent to organize to the vote. The hard work starts now - coming to a contract that works for both labor and employee. Hopefully the hard feelings can be overcome, and Kim’s workers and owners can use this opportunity to create a template for teamwork and a contract that will be held as a model for others. It’s a great restaurant! Go support!

TOO BUSY TO DOWNLOAD:

• 2 Year Anniversary in Radio

• What I’m Excited About This Weekend (25% off at MNMO Fine Spirits TONIGHT)

• Podcasts: The tarantula-tosser, Unionizing restaurants, branding

• Pick of the Week: in St. Paul

• Bacio Opening Something New in Minnetonka

• Sneak Peek inside a New Menswear Store

DOWNLOAD DIALOGUE: Thursday marked the 2 year point since I transitioned from TV to radio. At age 47 I left the career I’d worked professionally in since I was 19-years-old and working overnights at WISN-TV in Milwaukee, and took a chance on myself that I could build something new. I’m so glad I did.

Once a week someone asks me if I miss TV - and I do miss certain aspects of it. I miss the team - I saw my job at WCCO-TV to really motivate and lift up my coworkers. I miss that creative give-and-take. Radio has forced me to focus on myself - how do I get better? What do I want to be about? How do I provoke conversation without being a rage-baiter? How do I engage with social media without wasting time on people who will never, ever spend time listening to my show? How do I grow my audience? How do I work with partners and clients to help them achieve their goals? It’s been invigorating! LinkedIn: https://fluence-media.co/3znqyW

I mean look at me on my first day! Getting a chance to create a second act in my late 40s on my terms (no TV didn’t push me out!) has been a real gift. I’m so grateful for all of you who are new to me or who have been following me from the TV days. Will I ever go back? Probably not back to waking up at 2:30 a.m., but I’m always open for the next adventure!

Have you switched careers midlife? I’d love to hear your story! Jason@JasonDeRusha.com

THE BEAR IS BACK: Have you binged it yet? FX/Hulu/Disney+ series “The Bear” season 3 dropped Wednesday night all at once. Taking place in a Chicago restaurant, it’s a favorite of mine. As a former TV reporter, I’m very used to my career being inaccurately represented in TV and film - restaurant people: chill. It’s just a show.

A REPLACEMENT FOR WINESIDE NEAR RIDGEDALE: The owners of Bacio in Minnetonka are opening a fast-casual restaurant called Fork’d right around the corner. Top 10 Liquors’ Wineside concept featured a massive renovation of the original Champps Restaurant, but never caught on, so Fork’d will benefit from the infrastructure work. MSPBJ reports to expect: “starters, smash burgers, sandwiches, salads, pan pizzas and entrees… all under $30, most of it under $20.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45BSAcJ

DERUSHA QUOTE ALERT: I’m quoted in this fun RacketMN story about TC Media Now founder Tom Oszman. He’s the guy who collects VHS recordings of Twin Cities news broadcasts from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and today! READ: https://fluence-media.co/3VH8SMT

NORTH LOOP NIGHTCLUB: A nightclub for grown-ups? We’ll see! I’m excited to check out AVA in the North Loop - it opened Wednesday. Upstairs is a casual hang with food by StepCHLD chef/owner Kamal Mohamed, downstairs is the table-service (by reservation) disco party.  

TAP IN NORTH MPLS: Grand opening last weekend of TAP IN, which is a fast-casual restaurant as well as a shared workspac and a gathering space for events. TAP IN is close to North Memorial just in Minneapolis at Upton and Lowry in North. ONLINE: https://fluence-media.co/4br7WlO

YOUNG JONI NAMED TO NYT BEST PIZZA LIST: High praise for Ann Kim’s not-just-pizza joint, and also a link drop to other cool places. NYT: links to Boludo, Sanjusan, Bombay Pizza Kitchen and Good Times. “Nowhere is the freewheeling creative spirit permeating American pizza culture more pronounced than in the Twin Cities. Argentine pizza? Japanese-Italian pizza? Indian pizza? Spiffed-up Midwestern tavern pizza.” NYT: https://fluence-media.co/3VADyzr

NEW FASHION/MENSWEAR SHOP: Opening July 1, Erick DeLeon gave me a sneak peek inside Of The Lion. Erick has deep menswear experience - 8 years at MartinPatrick3 as buyer and brand manager, then off to New York for a couple years as the sales and brand director of luxury activewear line BOGNER. He’s curating small brands not in the Twin Cities (Norda running shoes, Harris Wharf London, Post Running High from Hermanos Koumori in Mexico City), with a special focus on athletic wear. Lots of menswear, some women, kids coming soon. Has there ever been a better time to shop for men’s fashion? Visit Of The Lion in South Uptown at 36th & Bryant. ONLINE: https://fluence-media.co/3RHZuY8

BEST BURGERS + THEIR ORIGIN STORIES: What restaurant owner said he didn’t expect his burger to be “our Anthony Edwards?” Which one described the creation of their burger as a way to shut-up a bar manager complaining about drunk guests? I love this cover story I did for Minnesota Monthly: https://fluence-media.co/4aNRvj8

DULUTH TOP 10 CITIES TO VISIT: CNN Named Duluth #10 on its first-ever list of America’s Best Towns to visit “thanks to its lakeside setting, outdoor activities and creative spirit.” Story has shoutouts to Dave Hoops, Hoops Brewing,  Northern Waters Smokehaus, Lincoln Park’s Love Creamery, Frost River shop and Bent Paddle brewing. CNN: https://fluence-media.co/45F4xOK

PICK OF THE WEEK - Gus Gus in St. Paul: When Alyssa & I travel we always look for the cool, hidden, fun spots in the cities we visit. We search for local newspaper food critics, we search Eater, we search Reddit. And on almost every trip we end up in an Uber, heading to a random neighborhood with a spot that looks like it’s in someone’s basement. In the Twin Cities - that spot is Gus Gus. Owners Anna Morgan and Kevin Manley have created something special.

Since it opened (I reviewed it 2 years ago in MNMO: https://fluence-media.co/4eJGvqe), Gus Gus has matured in service, in food, and in wine & cocktails. It can be challenging to visit there - because it borders the Univ. of St. Thomas campus parking is 1 hour only almost everywhere. TIPS ON PARKING: https://fluence-media.co/3VZmeW7. It’s small, the ceilings are low, it is loud and it is fun. There’s a warmth and a kindness and a passion in the space too. Here’s the bad part for you: they’re closed for the first 10 days of July for a company break. But go make a reservation for Saturday or late July and thank me later! RESY: https://fluence-media.co/4cjlot8

NASHVILLE TRAVEL GUIDE: I summarized some of my faves in the newsletter last week - see my pictures and more ideas for Nashville from my visit a couple weekends ago on my website: JASONDERUSHA.COM: https://fluence-media.co/3VvlOGM

DRIVETIME ON DEMAND

WHAT YOUR CAR SAYS ABOUT YOU: A great chat with Latitude’s Executive Director of strategy David Denham and my thoughts on the unionization move at restaurants: https://fluence-media.co/45G3WMX

THE TARANTULA-IZATION OF MN POLITICS: My thoughts on the craziest political scandal… of the week. Marisa Simonetti (later we learned she works as a paid escort). https://fluence-media.co/3W0Jymj

DOWNTOWN NEEDS A PRINCE MUSEUM: What do we have to draw people to the city? I propose a Prince museum. https://fluence-media.co/45J6mdC

I AM A HOTEL THIEF: I love those little bottles of fancy shampoo. Enjoy a good laugh: https://fluence-media.co/45HPZxS

FIND DRIVETIME WHEREVER YOU GET PODCASTS!

We upload every segment so you can listen on your own time!

READER E-MAIL:

Nicole Kendall with a great idea: “I belong to a cooking club - we call ourselves The Culinary Cougars (over a certain age) and once a month we go to a new restaurant and exchange recipes.  Then we go home and make the recipes for our families and meet again the next month to try a new restaurant and discuss what we thought of the recipes.” - She lives in White Bear Lake - any ideas for her to visit?? I have friends in WBL, I’ve been dying to get up to Acqua there.

Jason@JasonDeRusha.com or just reply to this message

WHAT I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS WEEKEND:

• Friday: Minnesota Monthly Fine Spirits Classic, in Eagan, save 25% on tickets with discount code JASON https://fluence-media.co/3L14FyE

• Saturday: my sister comes to town from Chicago. We’re selling her our old car - is this a good idea? Doing business with family - always nerve-wracking!

• Sunday: Twin Cities Pride Parade, 11a-2p https://fluence-media.co/4cHulwb

E-MAIL ME!! HAVE COMMENTS? A GOOD QUESTION? WANT TO PARTNER? The partners make it possible for me to do this — so do you! Thank you for reading!! I love seeing your feedback - so please share thoughts and news tips to Jason@JasonDeRusha.com.

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