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- Mama's Deli, Missing Statue, & Cyber Scares: What’s Happening in St. Paul This Week
Mama's Deli, Missing Statue, & Cyber Scares: What’s Happening in St. Paul This Week
Welcome to Our New St. Paul Newsletter Dedicated to Sharing What’s New, Nearby, and Worth Showing Up For!
Tasahra
August 04, 2025
In partnership with
Hello St. Paul!
We’re back with a third edition of Ambit’s St. Paul newsletter! I missed all the buzz last week due to a stubborn summer cold, but I am back this week! A big thank you to Chuck for filling in!
As Chuck mentioned last week, the goal with these newsletters—and Ambit as a whole—is to help community-minded people stay informed without having to rely on polarizing algorithmically-driven newsfeeds.
If you haven’t already, check out and follow your neighborhood newspaper, district council, and favorite local businesses on Ambit to stay updated and connected—algorithm free.
And if you have any thoughts on how to make these newsletters or the Ambit platform more useful, just hit reply. We’d truly love to hear from you!
Thanks for being here,
Tasahra
St. Paul Summary
This weeks newsletter includes information on Mama’s Market & Deli celebrating its grand opening in Little Africa Plaza, (never-ending) road construction, and upcoming community events. Exciting new murals celebrating St. Paul’s diverse cultural heritage are nearing completion downtown, adding vibrant public art to the cityscape. Early voting is now open for the Ward 4 City Council special election, and the community is asking for help to find a stolen statue of Olympic gymnast and St. Paul native Suni Lee. Stay informed on city government news including the recent cyberattack, local elections, and ways to get out and enjoy your neighborhood. Thanks for staying connected and supporting St. Paul!
✨ Let’s dive in!
Trending
What’s New & Notable
St. Paul is gearing up for a community-filled evening this Tuesday as neighbors across St. Paul will gather for National Night Out. Meanwhile, excitement builds for 2026 when the beloved Festival of Nations will return under a new name!
National Night Out Saint Paul will host its 41st National Night Out on Tuesday, August 5, 2025. This annual, nationwide event encourages residents to step outside, connect with neighbors and local public safety teams through block parties and neighborhood gatherings. The event encourages community-building activities such as potlucks, music, contests, and more! It’s a great way to meet your neighbors and invest in the place you call home. Learn more here. |  Festival of Nations Festival of Nations Returning to St. Paul and Rebranding in 2026 The Festival of Nations—Minnesota’s oldest multicultural celebration since 1932—was officially discontinued in 2023 after pandemic disruptions and rising costs made it unsustainable. Now, it’s making a comeback! the newly rebranded International Festival of Minnesota will launch in April 2026 at the St. Paul RiverCentre. Organized by a new nonprofit, the festival promises to honor the legacy of the original event, celebrating global cultures through food, dance, music, and storytelling. Read the full article here. |
Local Businesses
St. Paul Business Highlights
Check out what’s new with local businesses across the city.
Midway-Como-Frogtown Monitor
Mama's Market & Deli Opens!
The Midway-Como-Frogtown Monitor reported on the grand opening of Mama’s Market & Deli on July 29 on Snelling Ave in Little Africa Plaza! What makes this spot truly special is that it’s run by nine mothers all teaming up to bring their dream business to life. Their deli serves up a flavorful menu of signature sandwiches—from a Masala Chicken Panini to a Zesty Tuna & Dill—plus fresh smoothies you won’t want to miss. They’re open daily from 9 AM to 8 PM, so stop by and show them some love during their first weeks in business!!
Lowertown Sounds - Get ready for an electrifying summer night on Thursday, August 7, as soulful rock band Kiss the Tiger and indie folk band Keep for Cheap perform live at Mears Park for Lowertown Sounds in St. Paul from 6-10 PM. (View here)
Grand Ave Construction Updates:
• Aug 4: Macalester St & Grand Ave intersection closed• Aug 5–7: Cambridge St & Grand Ave intersection closed
• Aug 11-15: Road closures on Cretin Ave (Macalester Groveland Community Council)
Speaking of Road Construction - The Grand Avenue business association (GABA) invites you to the Construction Crawl—shop local, score deals, and explore Grand Ave all fall! #CrawlTillYaFall! Learn more here.
Blood Drive - Join the American Red Cross blood drive on August 8 from 9 AM-3 PM at Edgcumbe Rec Center, sponsored by Brian Wagner Real Estate and Coldwell Banker Realty—check it out and register here!
The Lexington - The Lexington has appointed Lawrence Kirkland as its new executive chef, bringing his 15+ years of experience in seafood and steakhouse cuisine to refresh the restaurant's classic menu with bold, seasonal flavors! (Mpls/St. Paul Business Journal)
Cossetta Louis Ristorante and Bar - Cossetta Louis Ristorante and Bar in downtown St. Paul made Minneapolis magazine’s list of the best rooftop dining experiences in the Twin Cities! (Mpls/St.Paul Magazine)
The Lexington - The Lexington was also featured in Minneapolis magazine's roundup of the Twin Cities’ top rooftop dining spots with their rooftop bar and seating! (Mpls/St.Paul Magazine)
Local News
Reporting from Your Backyard
Catch up on the latest posts from St. Paul journalists and newspapers covering the people, issues, and moments shaping our city.
💡 Remember, Ambit pays local journalists every time you click the lightbulb “useful” button on their Ambit posts! (Learn more here)
Newspaper | Posts |
|---|---|
St. Paul Voice (Follow) | ++ Three new murals showcasing downtown St. Paul’s seven distinct cultural destination areas are now nearing completion, wrapping up the city’s public art series that celebrates local heritage and diversity with visually striking installations across the city center. (View more) ++ Report show that less than half of Minnesota students met the state’s Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) standards in 2024— highlighting ongoing academic challenges statewide. (Read more) |
Community Reporter (Follow) | ++ Businesses in the West 7th neighborhood can apply for sustainability grants of up to $10,000 through the end of the month to support funding for LED lighting, energy-efficient HVAC, and eco-friendly upgrades. (View more) |
Midway Como Frogtown Monitor (Follow) | ++ Snelling Connection empowers 4th and 5th grade student journalists from Hamline Elementary to explore topics they care about and publish in a collective newsletter—this month featuring pieces called “Secrets of Kids” by Sylvie Wolfson and “OK Go… Listen to This Band” by L.M. del Toro. (View here) ++ Midway Chamber Executive Director Chad Kulas reflects on his 10 years of leadership, highlighting major changes in the neighborhood—from the arrival of Allianz Field to recovery efforts after COVID-19—while looking ahead to continued growth and redevelopment in the next decade. (View more) |
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Local Government
Updates from City Hall
Here’s what’s happening in city government — from policy changes to upcoming elections, stay informed on the decisions shaping life in St. Paul.
St. Paul shut down major IT systems following a suspected coordinated cyberattack, disrupting services across City Hall, libraries, and rec centers. In response, Governor Tim Walz activated the Minnesota National Guard’s cyber protection unit, and the FBI is assisting in the investigation. While public data appears largely unaffected, city employee records may have been compromised. (View more)
Fundraiser for State Senator John Hoffman - Locals are hosting a fundraiser to support Senator John Hoffman and his family following the June shootings that left both him and his wife Yvette critically injured, with proceeds helping cover medical and recovery costs. The gofundme has raised over $250,000 thus far (View more info)
Early Voting Begins for Ward 4 Special Election- A special election is underway to fill St. Paul’s Ward 4 City Council seat—vacated by Mitra Jalali in February—featuring candidates Chauntyll Allen, Molly Coleman, Cole Hanson, and Carolyn Will. Early voting is open now, with the election set for August 12. (Axios)
Suni Lee Statue Stolen - A bronze statue of Olympic gymnast Suni Lee was stolen from Phalen Regional Park in St. Paul— police are asking for the public’s help in locating the missing art piece. (MPR News)
St. Paul Embraces Hybrid Work - Employers are dialing back remote work in favor of hybrid setups to boost collaboration. Office returns are rising, but flexibility sticks around—especially in tech. (Pioneer Press)
Cleveland Avenue Apartments to Become Expanded Domestic Violence Shelter - Women’s Advocates is expanding its capacity by converting two historic Cleveland Avenue apartment buildings into domestic violence shelters, creating space for 24 more adults plus children and pets. (My Villager)
Skater 4 Lyfe! Merriam Park Scores $500K Grant - The 22-year-old skate park in Merriam Park will get a major renovation thanks to a $500K state grant—part of Minnesota’s $4M skate park fund—construction likely to start in 2027. (My Villager)
❗️ Correction: Last week we misspelled one of the Ward 4 Candidates names. The correct spelling is "Chauntyll” Allen.
📆 Mark your calendars: The next city-wide election in St. Paul is on November 4th, 2025.
Know Your Neighborhood
Neighborhood Roundup
Check out what is currently happening in these neighborhood District Councils!
Neighborhood | News & Events |
|---|---|
Mac-Groveland Community Council (Follow) | ++ The Mac-Groveland Community Council is seeking sponsors, vendors, nonprofits, and artists for the 2025 Mac-Grove Fest, happening September 6th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This year’s theme is “A Picture of Mac-Grove.” Interested participants can apply through Ambit’s markets page. Check out the post on Ambit here! Vendor deadline is 8/15 ++ Join the free Roller Skating Party at Phalen Rec Center (1000 Wheelock Pkwy) on August 8 from 5–8 PM! Enjoy snacks, good vibes, and open skating—attendees are encouraged to bring their own skates. ++ Eureka Recycling is offering free tours—get a behind-the-scenes look at how your recycling is sorted and learn tips for zero-waste living. Join in person on July 22 or August 12, or online on August 19. ++ A new organics drop off site at Highland is now open, offering more space for composting and waste reduction. To keep it running smoothly, volunteers are needed—email [email protected] if you'd like to help! ++ Support Macalester-Groveland by dropping your Kowalski’s receipts in the box near the registers. Every receipt helps fund our community programs! ++ Thanks to everyone who took part in the 2025 Alley Garden Awards, especially the amazing volunteer judges! Check out the 2025 Winner Map soon at macgrove.org/what-we-do/alley-garden-awards. |
West 7th Ford Road Federation (Follow) | ++ A West 7th Neighborhood cleanup was held on Saturday, July 26th at the Palace Community Center. Volunteers enjoyed free coffee and treats during breaks. Stay tuned—another neighborhood cleanup is coming in September, along with a community Happy Hour on September 23! |
Como Park Community Council (Follow) | ++ D10 Como Park is partnering with the American Red Cross and the Como Zoo & Conservatory to coordinate a community blood drive at the Zoo on August 5th, 9am-3pm. Reservations are required! |
Get Involved
Get involved, Say Connected!
Use Ambit to support local businesses, follow neighborhood updates, and be part of what’s happening in your community.
⭐️ Recommend a local business: Recommend businesses on Ambit and help neighbors discover something great.
📰 Share a Story Idea: Submit story ideas to local journalists—share business news or kindness.
🧑🤝🧑 Tell a neighbor: Share posts and events with your neighbors, then make plans to get out in the community!
That’s a wrap for this week!
Thanks for staying connected to what’s happening around St. Paul. Keep showing up for your neighborhood, one post, pop-up, or recommendation at a time.
💜 See you out in the neighborhood!
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