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🌱 Patch AM: Twin Cities Restaurants And Bars That Closed Permanently In 2025

You won't want to miss Can Can Winter Wonderland on the Minneapolis Patch calendar

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Hello Minneapolis! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • See which favorite Minneapolis restaurants and bars shut their doors in 2025
  • Xcel’s proposed 2026 gas hike could raise Minneapolis bills by seven dollars
  • State records reveal what inspectors found at Minneapolis child care center

Also on today's calendar: Can Can Winter Wonderland and 9 more events.

Find out what's happening in Minneapolisfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: Playing golf is bad for your brain. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Minneapolisfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Thursday: Colder with periods of sun, with a high of 14 and low of 6 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Friday: Clouds and sun, temps: high: 14, low: 8.
  • Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 22 and low of 9 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Twin Cities Restaurants And Bars That Closed Permanently In 2025 (patch.com) — Twin Cities diners are saying goodbye to a long list of familiar spots, including several beloved Minneapolis restaurants and bars such as Young Joni, Palmer’s Bar, Annie’s Parlour, and LynLake Brewery. The roundup highlights permanent closures across Minneapolis and neighboring cities, underscoring how 2025 reshaped the local food and drink scene.
   

2. Xcel Energy Proposes Gas Rate Increase For Minnesota Customers In 2026 (patch.com) — Minneapolis residents could see higher natural gas bills in 2026 as Xcel Energy seeks an 8.7 percent rate increase for Minnesota customers, with interim hikes potentially starting immediately. The proposal, now before state regulators, would fund safety and infrastructure upgrades while giving the public a chance to comment and outlining options for customers struggling with energy costs.
   

3. 'Quality Learning Center' In Minneapolis Reviewed By State In 2025: What Licensing Records Show (patch.com) — Minneapolis parents may be hearing about Quality Learning Center after a viral video questioned its legitimacy and spending, but state licensing records show an actively licensed child care center on Nicollet Avenue. Regulators documented numerous safety and compliance violations in a 2025 review, then approved the center’s corrections, and records do not indicate any fraud charges, even as the issue fuels a broader political fight over oversight.
   

4. Looking for your next read? Here are the most popular books in Hennepin County in 2025 (kare11.com) — Minneapolis-area readers packed Hennepin County Libraries in 2025, checking out 11.8 million items and making “The Women” and “Dog Man: Big Jim Begins” the year’s top print picks. The system’s most-borrowed lists show adults gravitating to buzzy novels and thrillers, while kids and teens leaned heavily on graphic novels and popular series available in large, accessible quantities.
   

5. Ecuadorian national charged in Connecticut with federal child exploitation offenses (shorenewsnetwork.com) — Federal investigators tracked a Connecticut child-exploitation suspect to Minneapolis, where he was arrested in October and the minor victim was safely located. Minneapolis-based FBI agents and the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the multi-state case, which now proceeds in federal court in Connecticut.
   

📸 Around Minneapolis

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • I want to make a BIG shout out to my neighbor Nick and his awesome boys that took the time to clear my driveway and sidewalk!
    Not the first time he has been so kind!!! I can no longer handle this much snow, they are a true blessing!!! (Nextdoor Lyndale)
  • Found in front of my yard, anyone missing a beautiful friendly kitten?
    35th Portland. On my porch gave food and water it was very hungry (Nextdoor Central)
  • Independence Corrugated posted a job opening for Clamp Truck Operator in Minneapolis. Apply here.
  • i9 Sports Corporation posted a job opening for Sport Coordinator Flag Football in Minneapolis. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Minneapolis here.

Ok Minneapolis! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I just heard a golfer say he had four strokes on the first hole!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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