Harmony to shut down
On January 14, Harmony, a café and wine bar located at 501 1st Ave. NE, announced its closure. “Our final day of operation will be Sunday, January 25,” management wrote on social media.
“Like so many other small businesses, in 2025 our margins began to shrink from healthy to minimal due to a number of unexpected costs,” the post said. Citing city and state tax increases, a rising minimum wage and the addition of the Minnesota paid-leave program for employees, “those margins have moved from minimal to negative.”
The café and bar may be closing, but Owner Erik Hamline is retaining the lease on the space and is “actively exploring new avenues so we can continue serving our community in a different form.”
Gas supplier relocates
On December 12, Central McGowan, formerly at 3021 Central Ave. NE, relocated to 3842 Washington Ave N., where Minneapolis Oxygen was already established. The business, which distributes welding supplies, dry ice, beverage carbonation supplies and gases, moved “to accommodate growing business demands.”
The move happened on the same day as the formation of CM2 Supply, following the March 2025 merger of Central McGowan and Minneapolis Oxygen.
Farina Rossa on Central Ave. (Kate Litscher)
Pizza restaurant reopens
Farina Rossa, 2506 Central Ave NE, has reopened. The pizza restaurant, named after the red flour they use in their dough, temporarily closed its doors following the closure of Fair State Taproom on December 7. Per JM Lynch, chef at Farina Rossa, the pizzeria “opened quietly” the weekend of January 10, but, as of January 15, they’re open in a “more official” capacity.
Theater to celebrate 100 years
The Ritz Theater, 345 13th Ave NE, is turning 100 says Maxwell C. Bolton, director of marketing for Theater Latté Da, which has owned the Ritz since 2016. Latté Da is aiming to host a celebration on May 10, but concrete details are yet to be established.
Craft business to relocate
Simply Creative, 1631 Washington St. NE, recently announced a pending move. On March 1, they will open at 1313 Chestnut Ave., Minneapolis.
The new location will not be a retail store (the Northeast store is closing Jan. 31), but will focus on offering classes and experiences in jewelry making and other crafts.