St. Paul Summary

Hey St. Paul! It’s Natasha - your guide for summarizing this week’s St. Paul’s news! 👋 

• Moonflower Pizza makes a flavorful revival on Selby Avenue;

• St. Paul voters weigh in on a new ballot measure;

• Mayor Carter wants to reinvent downtown;

• Volunteer opportunities in the West 7th or Como neighborhoods!

Let’s dive in! 👇️ 

What’s New & Notable

Historic Commodore Bar & Restaurant Revives 1920s Elegance

Excellent news for St. Paul’s dining scene: the Commodore is back! After years of limited use, the Cathedral Hill landmark reopened its Art Deco doors on September 18 with cocktails and a snack menu, available Thursday through Sunday nights.

The glittering Jazz Age space, first opened in 1920, will expand to a full dinner service in November. Modeled after 1930s ocean liner bars, the Commodore promises a mix of historic charm and modern hospitality, making it a destination for both history buffs and cocktail lovers.

See the full story here

St. Paul Voters to Decide on Fines for Ordinance Violations

St. Paul voters will weigh in this November on a charter amendment that would let the City Council issue fines for ordinance violations. Right now, the charter only allows criminal penalties — an unusual setup compared to cities like Minneapolis.

Supporters, including Mayor Melvin Carter and Council President Rebecca Noecker, say fines would give the city a fairer tool for enforcing laws around issues like wage theft and tenant protections. If approved, the council could begin setting fines for specific ordinances within 90 days.

See the full story here

Local Businesses

St. Paul Business Highlights

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

Moonflower Pizza Revival at The French Hen Café

Selby Avenue’s pizza scene is back in action! Moonflower Pizza has returned to The French Hen Café in Saint Paul, reviving evening pizza service for the neighborhood. From Thursdays through Saturdays, 5 to 9 p.m., diners can enjoy neo-Neapolitan pizzas made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Menu favorites include sausage & mushroom and classic margherita, with take-out also available.

Moonflower started as a pandemic-era pop-up and has now returned permanently, serving up artisan slices in the cozy evening vibe at French Hen.

See the full story here

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

1. HepCat Coffee Expands in Downtown St. Paul – Renovations are underway at HepCat Coffee in the Osborn Building, but you can still stop by for breakfast, lunch, or coffee at its temporary location during construction. When complete, the expanded space will be five times larger and designed to welcome both building tenants and the wider community.

2. Nothing Bundt Cakes Celebrates 8 Sweet Years – Last weekend, Nothing Bundt Cakes on Grand Avenue marked its 8th birthday with in-store deals and promotions. Congratulations to the bakery on nearly a decade of delicious treats!

3. Play a Tune on Grand – Five painted pianos are set up along Grand Avenue until October, waiting for your music. Stop by Catzen Coffee, Red Balloon Bookshop, Mischief Toy Store, Treats, or Toppers Pizza before siting down and sharing a song—your neighbors will thank you!

4. St. Paul Business Awards: Nominations Now Open – Nominations and applications for the 2025 St. Paul Business Awards are officially open. Submit nominations here by October 17 to celebrate the city’s standout businesses.

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.

Reimagining Downtown St. Paul

Mayor Melvin Carter is calling for a reinvention of downtown following the collapse of major landlord Madison Equities, whose properties fell into vacancy and disrepair after founder Jim Crockarell’s death. High-profile crises included unsafe conditions at the Lowry Apartments, condemned parking ramps, and tenants suddenly displaced from the Alliance Bank Center.

Carter says the city must seize this moment to rethink downtown’s future, pledging to cut red tape for development, expand housing options, and invest in infrastructure, safety, and public spaces. While the collapse poses challenges, it also opens the door for new opportunities to reimagine the heart of St. Paul. Read more here.

1. Saint Paul Mayoral Race – Voters will head to the polls November 4 to choose the city’s next Mayor. Melvin Carter is seeking a third term, focusing on safe & strong communities, affordable housing, and downtown revitalization. Other candidates include Kaohly Her, emphasizing safe neighborhoods and economic growth; Yan Chen, running on fiscal responsibility and crime reduction; Adam Dullinger, prioritizing housing, transportation, and food affordability; and Mike Hilborn, highlighting taxes, crime, and homelessness. Read more here.

2. Public Art Survey on Grand Avenue – Residents are invited to share their thoughts on new public art along Grand Avenue between Snelling and Fairview avenues. Feedback from the short survey will help guide the artist creating the installation. The survey is open through October 6. The survey can be taken here

3. Linwood Park Improvements Funded – Planned $2 million upgrades to Linwood Park at 860 Saint Clair Ave. received a boost from the City of St. Paul’s parkland dedication fund, with the City Council granting $105,242 to support the project. Read more about the upgrade here.

4. City Systems Slowly Coming Back Online – After a coordinated ransomware attack in late July, the City of St. Paul is gradually restoring remaining systems. Critical services were prioritized first, and city leaders say the likelihood of residents’ personal data being compromised is low. The Minnesota National Guard Cyber Protection Unit assisted with recovery, and new security measures have been added across 90% of city systems.

📆 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!

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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