WINONA, Minn. – The Winona Chamber of Commerce, which has 400 members, mostly retailers, has been silent about its counsel to members on dealing with the pending ICE Out of MN boycott. Spot checks around the state show that Big Box chain-owned stores planned to stay open but so not much locally owned businesses. The St. Pal Pioneer Press reported dozens of community sensitiveve co-ops closing. Among them: Mississippi Market Co-op, which has three stores in St. Paul; two Wedge Community Co-ops in Minneapolis, Eastside Food Co-op in Minneapolis, the Seward Community Co-op, which has locations in Minneapolis; and River Market Co-op in Stillwater; 620 Club. Among Twin Cities ;ocal proprietorships closing: the Black Hart of St. Paul, Caydence Records and Coffee; Claddagh Coffee; Emerald Lounge; Estelle’;Hyacinth; J.Selby’s; Lost Fox; Marc Heu Patisserie; Mucci’s Italian; Quixotic Coffee; and the Wet Paint and the Yarnery craft shops.
Winona Chamber profile
Christie Ransom, president. Executive committee: Crystal Hiatt of Hiatt Metal Forming, chair; Jon Olson, Winona State University Foundation, past chair; Chris Callahan, chair-elect; Rod Baker.[, Winona Health, at-large member. Other bord members: Shawn Beier, REA broker; Tina Lehnertz, Lehnertz Family Farm; Ross Lexvold, Ecel Energy; Mike Puetz, Sugar Loaf Ford Lincoln; Julie Kosidowki, Engrav’s Decorating; Meg Krinke; VCS Technology; Jennifer Shabel, Wagner Oehler; Neil Wieser, Wieser Brothers Construction.
Verbatim
Mississippi Market: “As a cooperative, we believe our shared labor, time, and economic participation are powerful tools. This coordinated statewide pause reflects our commitment to democratic action, mutual responsibility, and concern for our communities. Acting together is one way we live our cooperative values. We stand with those calling for justice and demand ICE leave Minnesota now.”