COMO + MID-CITY.
The commercial district surrounding Como Avenue SE and East Hennepin Avenue developed during the early twentieth century alongside the rapid growth of Southeast Minneapolis and the nearby University of Minnesota.
The Como + Mid-City business district reflects two distinct but closely connected commercial areas that developed alongside the growth of Southeast Minneapolis during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Along Como Avenue SE, small-scale neighborhood-serving businesses emerged as residential development expanded around the University of Minnesota and Minneapolis' streetcar system. At the same time, the nearby East Hennepin Avenue corridor developed as part of the city's industrial and employment landscape, with warehouses, manufacturing facilities, distributors, and service-oriented businesses taking advantage of rail access, transportation connections, and proximity to downtown Minneapolis. Together, these corridors evolved to serve a diverse mix of residents, workers, students, and visitors.
The Como Avenue corridor developed in the tradition of Minneapolis' historic streetcar commercial nodes: walkable clusters of storefronts integrated into the surrounding residential neighborhood. Small groceries, restaurants, taverns, and neighborhood services became gathering places for nearby residents and, later, for generations of University of Minnesota students. Just to the north, East Hennepin Avenue followed a different but complementary path. The Mid-City Industrial area became home to a wide range of industrial, wholesale, creative, and commercial enterprises that contributed to the area's economic vitality while providing jobs and services that supported the broader community. Though differing in character and scale, both corridors have long been shaped by entrepreneurship, local investment, and their strategic location within Southeast Minneapolis.
Today, the Como + Mid-City business district remains one of the most diverse commercial areas on Minneapolis' East Bank. Historic storefronts, industrial buildings, makerspaces, offices, restaurants, breweries, service businesses, and neighborhood-oriented retail establishments collectively create a unique economic ecosystem. The district continues to serve the daily needs of residents, students, workers, and visitors while preserving the entrepreneurial spirit that has defined the area for generations. Together, the Como Avenue and East Hennepin corridors tell the story of a community where neighborhood commerce, industry, innovation, and local business have long existed side by side.
