Fri May 23 10:40:00 UTC 2025: **George Floyd Square Impasse Crippling Minneapolis Businesses**
**MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) -** The ongoing debate surrounding the future of George Floyd Square in Minneapolis is taking a severe toll on local businesses, leaving owners struggling to survive. What will George Floyd Square look like eventually? We don’t know. Five years after the tragic death of George Floyd at 38th and Chicago, the area remains a contested memorial site, with city officials and the community at odds over its permanent design.
Business owners near the square report a significant decline in traffic and revenue since May 2020. Many visitors come to pay their respects but fail to patronize the local shops and restaurants, predominantly Black-owned. The square has at least 12 black-owned businesses and at least if you include culinary arts, at least eight arts organizations all on one block. Some businesses have already been forced to close, and others fear they may soon face the same fate.
“It is different now,” said Victoria Lauing, owner of Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center.
The situation was compounded by the closure of the street for over a year after Floyd’s death, leading to increased crime and a sense of abandonment by city services. While police presence has increased in the past year, trust remains strained.
Local business owners are pushing for a resolution that balances the need to honor Floyd’s memory with the revitalization of their struggling businesses. They express concerns about a proposed pedestrian mall, fearing it will further restrict access and hinder economic recovery.
“They don’t spend no money on this block, but they’ll be standing up there doing an interview in front of a camera and then they get in their car and they leave,” said Reginald Ferguson, AGAPE member.
Despite the challenges, these business owners remain committed to their community and hopeful for a brighter future, advocating for solutions that support both remembrance and economic prosperity.
First Piper 