MINNEAPOLIMEDIA COMMUNITY NEWS | Brooklyn Park Launches Summer at the Plaza Series with Arts and Business Expo

BROOKLYN PARK, MN (June 13, 2026) Residents looking for a family-friendly way to spend a summer Saturday will find a blend of local entrepreneurship, community engagement, food, and art this weekend as the City of Brooklyn Park launches its new Summer at the Plaza series with an Arts and Business Expo at the Brooklyn Park Small Business Center.

The free community event will take place Saturday, June 13, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Northwind Plaza parking lot, located at 7944 Brooklyn Boulevard. City officials describe the event as the first of three Summer at the Plaza gatherings scheduled throughout the summer, each designed to showcase local businesses, artists, entrepreneurs, and community organizations while drawing residents into one of the city's emerging small-business hubs.

The event comes as Brooklyn Park continues to expand efforts aimed at supporting entrepreneurship, strengthening neighborhood connections, and increasing awareness of resources available to small business owners throughout the city.

Located within Northwind Plaza, the Brooklyn Park Small Business Center was established as a collaborative resource for entrepreneurs, startups, and emerging businesses, providing access to technical assistance, networking opportunities, business development resources, and community partnerships. The center has become a focal point in the city's broader economic development strategy, particularly as Brooklyn Park seeks to grow locally owned businesses and increase economic opportunity in historically underserved communities.

Saturday's event offers residents an opportunity to explore those resources while meeting business owners and artists working throughout the community.

Local Businesses and Community Organizations Featured

City officials expect between eight and fifteen vendor booths representing local businesses, artists, nonprofit organizations, and entrepreneurs.

Among the participating vendors are:

• United Way

• Tibetan Fresh MOMO

• Lillians Cottage Creations

• DreamHatcher

• Lazo Homes Real Estate

• MeeMa' Sandwiches

• Chevy Artistry

• Ice Cream Kingz

The vendor lineup reflects the diversity that has become a hallmark of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota's sixth-largest city and one of the state's most culturally diverse communities.

Visitors will have opportunities to meet business owners, learn about local services, explore artistic creations, and discover organizations working throughout the northwest metro area.

Family Activities Planned Throughout the Day

In addition to vendor exhibits, the event will feature a variety of family-oriented attractions designed to encourage residents to linger, explore, and connect with neighbors.

Children will have access to a bounce house and hands-on arts and crafts activities, while food vendors and food trucks will provide refreshments throughout the afternoon.

The city has emphasized that the event is intended to be accessible and welcoming for residents of all ages, combining elements of a community festival, small business showcase, and neighborhood gathering.

Inside the Small Business Center

One of the day's featured activities will be guided tours of the Brooklyn Park Small Business Center.

Tours are scheduled for:

• 12:00 p.m.

• 12:30 p.m.

• 1:00 p.m.

• 1:30 p.m.

• 2:00 p.m.

The tours will provide residents, entrepreneurs, and prospective business owners an opportunity to learn more about the services available through the center and the role it plays in supporting local economic development.

City officials say many residents remain unaware of the resources available through the facility, making the event an opportunity to introduce community members to programs that can assist with business planning, growth strategies, networking, and entrepreneurial support.

Supporting Local Entrepreneurship

The Summer at the Plaza initiative arrives during a period when cities throughout Minnesota are increasingly investing in small business development as a strategy for neighborhood revitalization and economic resilience.

Small businesses account for a substantial share of employment growth across Minnesota, and local governments have increasingly sought ways to support entrepreneurs through technical assistance, incubator programs, shared workspaces, and community-focused economic development initiatives.

Brooklyn Park's Small Business Center is part of that broader movement.

By bringing together artists, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and residents in a public setting, city leaders hope events like Summer at the Plaza can strengthen community relationships while creating visibility for businesses that may otherwise struggle to reach new customers.

Event Information

Summer at the Plaza: Arts and Business Expo

Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026

Time: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Location: Northwind Plaza Parking Lot

7944 Brooklyn Boulevard

Brooklyn Park, Minnesota

Admission: Free

Features:

• Local artist and business vendors

• Community resource organizations

• Bounce house

• Hands-on arts and crafts activities

• Food trucks and food vendors

• Small Business Center tours

For city officials, the event represents more than a summer gathering. It is also an invitation for residents to discover the businesses, organizations, and entrepreneurs helping shape Brooklyn Park's future.

And for many attendees, that future may be just a few booths away.

Sources: City of Brooklyn Park Economic Development Division; Brooklyn Park Small Business Center; Summer at the Plaza Event Announcement; City of Brooklyn Park Community Engagement Materials.

MinneapoliMedia | Community. Culture. Civic Life.