Square Roots Opened in Minneapolis Coliseum Building

The nonprofit restaurant began serving mid-September 2026 to provide culinary training and subsidized meals.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Square Roots Opened in Minneapolis Coliseum Building

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Do you believe nonprofit restaurant models are an effective way to improve local food access?

Jared Brewington opened Square Roots in the Historic Coliseum Building in mid-September 2026. The nonprofit restaurant operates as a dual-purpose model offering job training for young adults alongside accessible dining prices.

Why it matters

The founder created this model to address systemic barriers in the restaurant industry by combining workforce development with affordable food access. By separating budgets, the organization ensures operational sustainability while using philanthropy to support social goals.

Square Roots hosts two 13-person residency cohorts annually, with each participant completing 22 weeks of instruction. Philanthropic grants are projected to account for less than 40% of total operational costs.

The players

Jared Brewington

Jared Brewington is the founder of Square Roots who established the nonprofit to integrate job training with community food access.

Historic Coliseum Building

The Historic Coliseum Building is a prominent location in Minneapolis that serves as the physical site for the new restaurant operation.

The details

The restaurant manages distinct budgets for its culinary training program and menu subsidies. This financial structure allows the facility to fund trainee wages and keep meal costs lower for the local community.

Square Roots opened its doors in mid-September 2026.
Residency cohorts engage in 22 weeks of classroom and kitchen training.

Market Landscape

Square Roots follows the established social enterprise trend where mission-driven organizations utilize commercial restaurant sales to underwrite local workforce development. This approach positions the establishment as a community-focused alternative to traditional commercial dining models.

Local residents gain access to a dining option designed to keep menu prices lower through subsidized pricing models. The initiative also creates a pathway for young adults in Minneapolis to gain professional experience in the hospitality sector.

The takeaway

The nonprofit model demonstrates how food service businesses can align financial sustainability with social impact goals. Residents looking for affordable dining options can support this model by patronizing the restaurant directly.