When Jackson Schwartz and Joe Limpert decided to expand their blown-glass lighting business in 2016, they didn’t just snag a new production space. The Hennepin Made co-founders bought a warehouse in a quiet corner of Minneapolis’ North Loop and split its radiant industrial rooms into a state-of-the-art studio, a pop-up “retail lab,” and a highly ‘grammable venue for weddings and corporate gatherings.
Our favorite part of Hennepin Made’s headquarters, however, is its peaceful cafe. Opened in March 2018, Parallel ticks all the contemporary coffee boxes but stands out in a crowded market thanks to its spacious design and thoughtful menu. The happy hour is especially generous ($4 drafts and discounted canned wine from 4 to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday), and Parallel uses rarely seen out-of-state roasters such as 1000 Faces, Edison, and KLLR Coffee in its espresso and filter drinks.
On the food front, breakfast and lunch options are served daily from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. For folks who’ve grown tired of avocado toast, try one of the rotating vegetable or ricotta specials. The former currently stars carrot hummus, cucumber, pickled peppers, arugula, pepitas, and an olive crumble; the latter piles on pickled plums, micro greens, and preserved kumquats from farmer’s market fave Topos Ferments.
Speaking of farmers, Parallel is just around the corner from the Minneapolis Farmers Market’s massive East Lyndale Avenue location, should you wish to pair your pour over with a produce run. Hennepin Made also hosts occasional hour-long tours of its glass-blowing facilities. Reservations are required, so keep an eye on their Facebook page for a heads-up on future demos.
Parallel
145 Holden St. N., Minneapolis, MN; no phone.
