Speakeasy MPLS

Welcome to our page, friends! We are Speakeasy MPLS, a pioneering mutual aid initiative in Uptown Minneapolis. 

Our vision and mission is to educate our fellow white community members about reparations, white privilege, and alternative economic systems while providing a high-end shopping experience accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic status. Our goal is to create an equitable and supportive environment where individuals can access beautiful, quality items, contribute to our mission, and support local communities of color.

We are committed to addressing systemic inequalities by facilitating discussions around reparations and promoting equitable access to goods and services. We believe that fostering empathy and offering tangible support are crucial steps toward dismantling unjust systems and building a more just and inclusive society.

When new visitors come to our shop, we tell them that everything in the shop is free for anyone who wants or needs it, and that the way we pay rent and keep the lights on is by asking our fellow white folks (sometimes we use the word “colonizers”) to pay what they can as an act of voluntary reparations and an acknowledgement of privilege. We always want our wares to be accessible, so we say that if their budget is “dollar store,” they should treat us like a dollar store; conversely, if their budget is “Anthropologie,” they are welcome to treat us like Anthropologie. Everything in-between is just fine, and we always leave it up to our customers to decide what amount is right for them.

The most rewarding aspect of this experience is the connections that we’ve made with our visitors. Many guests have been vulnerable with us and shared their stories and experiences, which in-turn continues to inspire us to continue our mission.

We don’t currently advertise through any traditional channels, so awareness is spread via word-of-mouth, as well as posts on our Instagram and Facebook pages. We are currently fiscally-sponsored by Social Good Fund.

Please join us.