St. Paul Summary

Hey St. Paul — it’s Natasha. This week’s roundup spans everything from major City Hall developments to big wins for local businesses and plenty of ways to get into the holiday spirit. From neighborhood projects and civic updates to climbing gyms, panettone awards, and community giving, here’s what’s shaping life around the city right now.

• St. Paul City Council calls for investigation of officers’ use of force during ICE operation;

• The Bouldering Project opens new St. Paul location with one of the Twin Cities’ steepest indoor climbing walls;

• Cossetta Bakery takes home Best in the Americas awards for traditional and chocolate panettone at the Panettone World Cup;

• St. Paul holiday events and activities kick off, including live caroling at The Saint Paul Hotel and the Holiday Campus Party + Santa Paws;

• Minnesota State Fair launches Community Gives Together drive to support the Midway Project food pantry.

Let’s dive in! 👇️ 

What’s New & Notable

Vacant Keg & Case Market Tapped for New Fitness and Event Center

The long-vacant Keg & Case Market at the former Schmidt Brewery is on track for a major transformation. Outlaw Development has entered a purchase agreement to convert the space into an event center and a new home for a boxing gym and health and fitness facility. Early plans include a reworked main floor layout, replacing the former small-shop model with areas dedicated to fitness, events, and potentially a future restaurant partner. Developers shared their concept with the West Seventh/Fort Road Federation, noting that the goal is to activate the building again and bring in uses that the surrounding neighborhood will support. A 90-day due-diligence period is underway, and the projected opening — either mid-2026 or early 2027 — will depend on financing and whether historic tax credits are pursued.

Find more details about the proposed Keg & Case redevelopment here.

Local Businesses

St. Paul Business Highlights

Check out what’s new with local businesses across the city.

Bouldering Project Opens New St. Paul Gym With Major Climbing Expansion

The Bouldering Project is opening its newest Twin Cities location this Saturday on West Water Street, bringing one of the steepest and most expansive indoor bouldering spaces in the area. The St. Paul gym spans 36,000 square feet, including more than 11,000 square feet of climbing terrain, a yoga studio with infrared heating, fitness areas, and gender-neutral locker rooms. Many routes were designed to mimic outdoor boulders, giving climbers sweeping overhangs and curved walls that set it apart from the Minneapolis location.

The opening comes as indoor climbing continues to grow in popularity across the Twin Cities, with climbing festivals and gyms reporting rising participation. The St. Paul site is the company’s latest addition to its national portfolio and was one of its fastest builds to date.

Find more details about the St. Paul Bouldering Project here.

Here’s what else is making headlines in St. Paul:

1. 2025 St. Paul Holiday Guide — The holiday season is in full swing, and the Community Reporter’s 2025 Holiday Guide makes it easier than ever to enjoy it while supporting local businesses. The guide highlights the best places to find unique gifts, festive treats, and memorable experiences with friends and family. Featured events include the 47th Annual Holiday Bazaar, the European Christmas Market, and Christmas in Germany, offering everything from handmade crafts to seasonal performances. Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift or just want to soak up the holiday spirit, the guide has all the details you need to plan a festive outing. Find your next holiday adventure here.

2. Thrifting Tips in St. Paul — A new guide to thrifting in St. Paul offers practical advice for making the most of secondhand shopping. Key tips include visiting thrift stores frequently and early to catch the best finds, carefully inspecting items for damage, and familiarizing yourself with store schedules and sales. Planning ahead with a budget and a list can help avoid impulse purchases while still finding distinctive clothes, furniture, and household items. One insider tip: some stores offer discounts when you donate items, such as 20% off your purchase. Following these strategies can make thrifting both fun and cost-effective.
   Score your next thrift-store treasure here.

3. Cossetta Expands Panettone Production — Cossetta’s beloved holiday panettone, which has long sold out during the season, is about to become more widely available thanks to a new production facility near Chestnut and Exchange in St. Paul. The expanded kitchen features imported Italian baking equipment and a six-person team, allowing the bakery to increase output significantly and launch nationwide e-commerce sales. Despite the larger scale, the bakery will maintain its signature 56-hour, four-stage fermentation process under the guidance of head baker Jaime Martinez. Cossetta has received national recognition for its panettone, including top awards at the Coppa del Mondo del Panettone, and the new facility ensures that more families can enjoy these festive loaves without worrying about shortages.
   Read more about it here.

4. Holiday Collection Drive for the Midway Project — The Minnesota State Fair’s Community Gives Together program is organizing a holiday donation drive to support the Midway Project, a neighborhood-led food pantry operated in partnership with the Hamline Midway Coalition. The drive seeks essential items such as diapers, baby wipes, laundry detergent pods, shampoo, toothpaste, and deodorant, all of which must be new and unopened. Donations can be dropped off at the Minnesota State Fair Administration Building (1292 Cosgrove St., across from the Bandshell) on weekdays, Monday through Friday, December 8–12, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, December 13, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and Monday, December 15, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. This collection gives local residents an opportunity to give back during the holidays and support families in the community who rely on the pantry for essential items.
   Find additional details here.

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 compensates local journalists every time you click the lightbulb “useful” button on their Ambit posts! (Learn more here)

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 City Council Calls for Investigation of Officers’ Use of Force

The St. Paul City Council is calling for a full review of the city’s police actions during a federal immigration enforcement operation in the Payne-Phalen neighborhood on Tuesday. Council members, Mayor Melvin Carter, Mayor-elect Kaohly Her, and local residents have all voiced concern over the use of chemical irritants and projectiles by St. Paul officers, as well as questions about why city law enforcement was present alongside federal agents.

Read more here.

Here’s what else is making headlines in St. Paul Government:

1. Her Announces Transition Team Leadership - St. Paul Mayor-Elect Kaohly Her has announced her transition team, including experienced local and state leaders to help guide her shift into office and implement her agenda. Co-leaders bring legal and legislative expertise as Her prepares to assume the mayoralty in January following her historic election victory. (Pioneer Press)

2. Mississippi River Corridor Zoning Efforts - Saint Paul is updating zoning for the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area (MRCCA), a designated 72-mile region with standards to protect natural, cultural, and recreational values while guiding appropriate urban uses. City planning includes draft amendments to zoning and floodplain regulations, public hearings, and revisions reflecting community input through 2025 (St. Paul Gov)

3. Her’s 2026 Priorities for St. Paul - St. Paul’s new mayor will have limited time and public expectations center on strengthening the commercial tax base, expanding housing, auditing city services and finances, improving transit and infrastructure, revitalizing downtown, and addressing core services like snow removal and public safety early in her term (Pioneer Press)

4. Her’s Education & Leadership — St. Thomas hosted a fireside chat with St. Paul Mayor-Elect Kaohly Vang Her, who discussed how education shaped her leadership and path to public service. A St. Thomas doctoral student, Her reflected on her upbringing, legislative experience, and priorities as the city’s first Hmong mayor. (University of St. Thomas)

Know Your Neighborhood

Neighborhood Roundup

Check out what is currently happening in these neighborhood District Councils!

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!

Support Local. Read Local. Be Local.