Minneapolis Restaurant Post Modern Times to Close
The South Minneapolis eatery will cease all operations at the end of 2026 after sixteen years in business.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Dining Out
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Owner Dylan Alverson announced the permanent closure of Post Modern Times, a staple in South Minneapolis. The restaurant will shut its doors for good on December 31, 2026.
Why it matters
The closure follows a six-month experiment where the restaurant operated without menu prices to support protests against police actions. The owner cited the exhaustion of all options to maintain operations while upholding the business model.
Operating for 16 years, the restaurant served 30,000 meals, with 85 percent of guests being individuals experiencing homelessness or addiction. Each meal carries a $25 cost for supporters looking to fund future service.
The players
Dylan Alverson
He is the owner of the South Minneapolis restaurant Post Modern Times.
The details
The establishment transitioned to a donation-based model in April 2026, removing all fixed menu prices to better serve its local community. Despite efforts to sustain the venture, the restaurant now intends to fundraise through the remainder of the year.
Timeline
Post Modern Times opened in 2010.
The restaurant removed menu prices in April 2026.
Owner Dylan Alverson announced the closure on October 17, 2026.
Operations will cease on December 31, 2026.
Culture Shift
The closure of Post Modern Times highlights the practical limitations of the pay-what-you-wish business model within the broader hospitality industry. Such efforts often reflect a shift toward community-focused dining, though they frequently struggle against standard commercial financial pressures.
Patrons and community members have until the end of the year to visit the establishment before it shuts down permanently. Supporters looking to assist in the final months of service may participate in the restaurant's ongoing fundraising efforts.
The takeaway
This closure demonstrates the significant challenges of operating a donation-based dining model over the long term. Readers interested in supporting community-driven food initiatives are encouraged to engage with the fundraising resources provided by the restaurant.
What happens next
The restaurant plans to continue fundraising efforts through December 31, 2026, to support its final operations.
Further reading
For more on the local food scene, browse the Dining Out section.
More information
To contribute to the restaurant's final efforts, visit the donation and fundraising portal.
Live Poll
Do you believe businesses can successfully maintain a pay-what-you-wish model over the long term?
