Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Small Business Support topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Edina HRA approves $24,000 Spark reimbursement to help Mad Hatter Bakery finish kitchen ventilation
Summary
The Edina Housing and Redevelopment Authority on June 11 approved a Spark program reimbursement of up to $24,000 to Mad Hatter Bakery & Cafe to fund a required kitchen ventilation hood so the business can open its full cooked‑food service; the owner had already invested more than $100,000.
The Edina Housing and Redevelopment Authority voted June 11 to approve a Spark streamlined grant reimbursement of up to $24,000 to Mad Hatter Bakery & Cafe at 7300 Metro Boulevard to fund installation of a kitchen hood and ventilation system required by health and fire codes.
Economic Development Director Bill Nuendorf told the Authority the Spark program, established in 2021 and funded from incremental taxes in local TIF districts, is intended to be a simple reimbursement tool for small businesses. "The program will expire on December 31st. So everything needs to be buttoned up by the end of this year," Nuendorf said during the presentation.
The bakery owner, Julia Hill (who asked to be called "Jules"), told commissioners she had invested more than $100,000 to open a brick‑and‑mortar location and that the missing hood prevents the cafe from operating its full cooked breakfast and lunch service. "I exhausted all my own funds," Hill said, describing how the ventilation installation is necessary for the fire and health inspections that allow hot cooking.
Commissioners asked practical questions about Spark's reimbursement-after-completion model. Nuendorf reiterated the HRA's long-standing fraud-control and fiscal practice of issuing payment after staff inspections and completion of work rather than advancing funds.
Commissioner Pierce, who moved approval of the grant, said the program has supported several small businesses in town and noted local appreciation for Mad Hatter’s products. The motion to approve the reimbursement was seconded by Commissioner Agnu and passed by voice vote.
Next steps: the owner will hire contractors, complete the ventilation work under the city's inspection process and seek reimbursement per the standard grant agreement administered by HRA staff.
