In the early 2000s, the City of Minneapolis was searching for a use for the long vacant Sears building on Lake Street. Neighbors and local Latino business owners helped convince City officials that the historic building should be saved and, ultimately, reflect the ethnic diversity of the neighborhood and the entrepreneurial energy of the businesses on Lake Street.

At the time, Neighborhood Development Center (NDC), Latino Economic Development Center and other organizations were working with small businesses on Lake Street to fill empty storefronts by providing training and start-up loans. Fearing that the former Sears building would become a large “big box” store that would drive out local business, neighboring entrepreneurs looked to NDC for support in creating another space for small business to start and grow.

Midtown Global Market subsequently took shape through the extraordinary efforts of a wide range of people. Entrepreneurs, community organizations, the City of Minneapolis (under visionary leadership from Mayor Rybak), countless donors, lenders and tax credit investors all worked tirelessly to make the project a success. Midtown Global Market opened for business on May 15, 2006. The Neighborhood Development Center and the Cultural Wellness Center own the Market and continue to offer business support services to the merchants. Eighteen of the original businesses are still here.

Today, Midtown Global Market is a vibrant economic and cultural center where community gathers. Home to over 45 businesses spanning over 22 cultures, the Market provides a global experience to its visitors with an extraordinary variety of tastes, arts and crafts as well as music and dance programs throughout the week. Over 1.5 million patrons visit Midtown Global Market each year.