👋 Welcome to Ambit’s periodic update where I share about Ambit’s mission, new feature developments, and highlights in the Ambit community.

In today’s newsletter:

1. Support Local: Rallying around Yellowbird Coffee.

2. New Beta Feature: Ambit Markets… I’m super excited about this one!

3. Lowertown & Around: A new newsletter specifically for Lowertown, St. Paul!

Let’s dive in!

🐣 Supporting Local

Few things get me as worked up as when I hear about a small business owner opening their shop in the morning, only to find it’s been broken into overnight. That’s exactly what happened to John Peterson at Yellowbird Coffee Bar this week, and he shared a video of what he walked into.

Yellowbird isn’t alone. In recent years, SoYen Donuts, Lost Fox, and Jenny In The City have all gone through the same heartbreak. Burglary is an age-old crime— and we can’t always stop it, but we can decide how we respond.

Let’s respond by showing up.

That is, when one of the local businesses in our community is hit, then we rally to show our support. We help them quickly get back on their feet, show our support, and turn a crappy situation into a net-positive outcome.

1. Buy a cup of coffee.

2. Go to an upcoming Yellowbird Presents music show.

3. Or schedule your next coffee meeting at one of Yellowbirds two locations - Saint Paul or NE Minneapolis.

This is what it means to “Support local” - and to be a part of a community.

This won’t be the last small business to face a break-in, but my hope for Ambit—and this community—is that when one small business needs a lift, we rally the troops.  

I’ve been out of town visiting family and haven’t had a chance to visit yet, but I’ll be at Yellowbird first thing Monday morning for a cup of coffee and to show my appreciate for John and those at Yellowbird. I hope you’ll join me.

I love you, Minnesota!

CHUCK

🚀 New Beta Features!

Introducing Ambit Markets – Your New Way to Host or Join a Pop-Up 

One of the most common questions I hear from vendors is: “Chuck, do you know where I can pop up next?”

Now there’s an easy answer. With Ambit Markets, small businesses can connect directly with local vendors or event hosts to plan pop-ups that bring energy, foot traffic, and sales.

Whether you’re a coffee shop looking to host one or two vendors for the weekend, or an event planner organizing a full-scale market—Ambit Markets makes it simple.

Here’s how it works:

1. Create a Market – Hosts post pop-up opportunities. One of the 150+ vendors on Ambit apply to participate. Hosts pick their perfect match.

2. Spread the Word – Your market is added to Ambit’s Pop-Up Map, and vendors help promote it to their audiences, too.

3. Make Sales – Ambit brings shoppers to you, helping everyone grow together.

Build community. Drive sales. Grow your businesses—together.

⬇️ Apply to one of the 4 Markets currently listed! ⬇️

10 Reasons to Host a Pop Up in Your Store

Here are 10 reasons for why small businesses should consider hosting a pop up:

1. Increase Foot Traffic – Pop-ups attract new audiences who may not have otherwise visited, boosting walk-ins and overall visibility.

2. Generate Additional Revenue – Hosts can charge vendor fees, earn a percentage of sales, or benefit from increased sales of their own products.

3. Create Buzz & Excitement – Pop-ups bring fresh energy and can make a space feel dynamic and engaging, encouraging repeat visits.

4. Reach New Audiences – Vendors often bring their own following, expanding the host’s exposure to new potential customers.

5. Foster Community Connections – Collaborating with other small businesses builds goodwill, strengthens local networks, and supports a thriving small business ecosystem.

6. Test New Offerings – Hosting a vendor provides a low-risk way to test product categories (e.g. baked goods, handmade goods) without investing in inventory.

7. Fill Slow Times – Pop-ups can help activate slow days or seasons by drawing attention and increasing activity.

8. Enhance Brand Image – Being known as a community-minded business that supports others can strengthen brand loyalty and public perception.

9. Cross-Promotional Marketing – Vendors and hosts can both promote the event, multiplying reach through newsletters, social media, and word of mouth.

10. Low Commitment, High Impact – Unlike a permanent vendor partnership, pop-ups are short-term and flexible but can still deliver strong returns and exposure.

299 more reasons to host pop ups at your small business…

The first time I ever went to Bench Pressed - the Print Shop in Seward, Minneapolis - was to meet Mogi Bagel and try their bagels.

Bench Pressed hosts pop up vendors regularly, like Mogi Bagel, Red Wolf Chai, and plenty of others.

While my initial reason for going to Bench Pressed was to grab bagels from Mogi, I also saw things that I liked from Bench Pressed, so I made a few purchases.

In the year+ since I went to visit Mogi, I’ve spent exactly $299.94 with Bench Pressed alone. 

And not only do I spend money with Bench Pressed when I go to see other vendors, but I now I go to Bench Pressed purely to shop their items - even when there isn’t a pop up there.

By opening up their store to pop up vendors, Bench Pressed has tapped into new revenue and gained at least one new customer…

Come test out Ambit’s new Markets feature to host a pop up, collaborate with other local businesses, and grow your own business.

🏙️ Lowertown & Around

Subscribe to Lowertown’s newest newsletter!

Downtown St. Paul is going through a transformative time, reinventing itself from a worker-focused community, to a hub for residents and small businesses, in addition to office workers.

Ambit wants to do our part to revitalize the city center and help the community support the local businesses in the downtown area.

We just launched a new newsletter - Lowertown & Around - featuring events, entertainment, and small business news in Lowertown and nearby St. Paul 

Read the first issue and subscribe to get future issues delivered right to your inbox.

Do you know a friend or colleague in Lowertown? Help us out by inviting them to subscribe!

🤩 Community Highlights

Celebrating recent accomplishments in the Ambit community!

1. Ambit member, Mia, won Top Crow Bakery’s competition to create a new bakery flavor! (Order yours now!)

2. TMC Publications wins 11 awards at the 158th annual Minnesota Newspaper Association Convention!

3. Marlo Graham is accepted into the Stone Arch Festival!

Share what you’ve been working on for the Ambit community to celebrate you!

🚀 Ambit is growing!

Apply for your verified account today!

Are you a small business, local organization, newspaper, or other leader in the community? Apply for a verified account on Ambit Media Company to connect with locals in Minnesota.