St. Paul Summary

Hey St. Paul! It’s Natasha — election week is here, and our city’s buzzing. Cast your vote, explore a few exciting new businesses, and catch up on what local reporters are talking about this week 👋

• Mayoral Challengers vying to unseat Mayor Melvin Carter as the race for St. Paul’s Mayor heats up;

• Vandals destroy newly planted trees along Shepard Road for the second time this year;

• 800+ St. Paul residents displaced after fire and power outage at Skyline Tower;

• Minnesota’s “red flag” law gains attention amid rising gun violence concerns;

• Grande Sunrise Mexican restaurant opens on Robert Street, bringing new flavor to West St. Paul;

• Rondo Library set for yearlong renovation focused on safety improvements

Let’s dive in! 👇️ 

What’s New & Notable

St. Thomas Makes History with On-Campus Arena

The University of St. Thomas reached a historic milestone on October 24 as the new Lee and Penny Anderson Arena opened its doors for the first home hockey game in school history. Funded by a $75 million donation from Lee and Penny Anderson and an additional $131 million raised through a campus campaign, the arena seats 4,000 for hockey and 5,300 for basketball — marking a new era for Tommie athletics.

Beyond college sports, the facility includes a second ice surface for community use, open to youth teams, high school programs, and public skating. “We’re able to provide the St. Paul Capitals and other youth organizations the opportunity to play in their community,” said Athletics Director Phil Esten. “It’s an asset both for college hockey and for our community.”

Read more about the Anderson Arena’s debut and community impact here.

Extreme Risk Protection Law Gains Traction

Following a string of tragic shootings across the Twin Cities — including the deadly incident at Annunciation Catholic School — Minnesota’s Extreme Risk Protection Order Act, or “red flag” law, is drawing renewed attention. The law, which took effect in January 2024, allows authorities to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed a threat to themselves or others.

Local advocates like Gretchen Damon of Moms Demand Action call it a “life-saving tool,” and Ramsey County Attorney John Choi says it empowers families to act when warning signs appear.

Read more about how this law is being used in St. Paul from the Midway Monitor.

Local Businesses

St. Paul Business Highlights

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

St. Paul Farmers Market Opens Year-Round Indoor Space

The St. Paul Farmers’ Market is expanding into a new indoor location at 308 Prince St. in Lowertown, opening November 1. The climate-controlled space will allow vendors to sell year-round, host meetings, and even support pop-up food events, helping revitalize a neighborhood that has struggled with foot traffic and restaurant closures. Organizers hope the market will provide a comfortable shopping experience, boost vendor opportunities, and draw more visitors downtown.

Find more details about the indoor market here.

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

1. Best Burgers 2025: Neighborhood Favorites
   Local foodies have named 14 must-try burger spots across St. Paul. Highland Park’s Altera elevates the classic with its “Le Cheeseburger,” featuring St. André cheese and cognac-grilled onions, while Everywhen Burger Bar serves a perfectly seasoned Nicollet Burger, simple yet satisfying for lunch. Find the full list of neighborhood burger spots here.

2. Developer Seeks $3.5 Million for Grand & Victoria Project
   Developer Ari Parritz has requested city assistance for a six-story, mixed-use building at Grand Avenue and Victoria Street. The project would include 90 apartments, 12,800 sq. ft. of commercial space, underground parking, and improvements funded through a redevelopment TIF district. Learn more about the proposal here.

3. Driver Crashes Through Abbott Paint & Carpet
   A vehicle smashed through the wall of Abbott Paint & Carpet on Grand Avenue Tuesday morning, but no one was hurt and the store remained open. Floor manager Maddy Connor described a “huge boom” as the car hit, with the driver shaken but unharmed. Read the full story here.

4. Chamber Connect Crawl Set for November 13
   The St. Paul Area Chamber invites guests to a networking evening across downtown retail stops, including Heimie’s Haberdashery, Landmark Jewelers, DG Pilot, and The Saint Paul Hotel. Light bites, a cash bar, and prize drawings will accompany a brief program featuring host introductions. RSVP and event 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 Election on Tuesday: Key Decisions Ahead

St. Paul voters face three major decisions in the 2025 election: a five-way mayoral race led by incumbent Melvin Carter, a $37 million annual school funding referendum, and a proposed charter amendment allowing administrative citations. Together, the measures will shape the city’s leadership, classrooms, and local enforcement tools for the next decade.

Read the Community Reporter’s election preview here.

1. Kaohly Her Campaigns on Hands-On Leadership — State Rep. Kaohly Her is challenging Mayor Melvin Carter, highlighting practical city improvements and consistent neighborhood engagement. Her personal story as a Hmong refugee and experience in city and state government shape her vision for St. Paul (Star Tribune)

2. Mayor Carter Seeks Third Term Amid Challenges — Mayor Melvin Carter is running for re-election, emphasizing downtown revitalization, crime reduction, and post-pandemic recovery. Supporters praise his experience, while critics say some neighborhoods feel overlooked. Read more (Star Tribune)

3. Hearing Officer Recommends Demolition of Vacant Midway CVS - The St. Paul City Council will hold a Nov. 5 hearing on demolishing the long-vacant CVS at Snelling and University. The site, plagued by loitering and blight, must show a full abatement plan—including lighting, cameras, and repairs—or face removal within 15 days if demolition is approved. (Pioneer Press)

4. Vandals Destroy Dozens of Trees Along Shepard Road — For the second time in less than a year, vandals cut down young trees planted along Shepard Road in downtown St. Paul, leaving canopies behind. The trees were part of a city and Tree Trust project to restore the riverside canopy after damage from the emerald ash borer (Pioneer Press)

5. Hundreds Evacuated After Fire at St. Paul High-Rise — A fire and subsequent electrical outage at Skyline Tower forced nearly 800 residents to leave their apartments and seek temporary shelter. The fire was quickly extinguished and no injuries were reported, but power failures activated sprinklers across multiple floors (MPR)

📆 GET OUT AND VOTE: 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!

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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