East Bde Maka Ska
Named after Bde Maka Ska—a Dakota name meaning White Earth Lake or White Bank Lake—the East Bde Maka Ska neighborhood was once home to the Dakota agricultural village known as Ḣeyate Otuŋwe, founded by Dakota leader Mahpiya Wicasta (Cloud Man). The neighborhood continues to carry forward a practice of return and renewal, honoring the land and water to which it owes its name. From almost any corner in East Bde Maka Ska, the glimmer of the lake can be seen in the distance, a reminder that no community is static: like the lake itself, the neighborhood is constantly changing, growing, holding, and spilling forth. The neighborhood is anchored by longtime institutions like Magers & Quinn, the largest independent bookstore in the state, and Perennial Cycle, where generations of families have returned to purchase their first bicycles. As the neighborhood has faced cycles of departure and disinvestment along the corridors of Hennepin Avenue and Lake Street, neighbors have worked to build a more regenerative economy, supporting community-led small businesses as they bloom. At Queermunity, local organizations host events and neighbors gather to co-work and collaborate; across the neighborhood, new businesses like Moona Moono and Mosaic Coffee build opportunities for connection; and at the corner of Hennepin and 32nd Street, impulse juice co. and Black Walnut Bakery fill with neighborhood regulars on weekend mornings. The lakeshore serves as a gathering place for the many communities that call East Bde Maka Ska home, from bikers to paddleboarders, new arrivals to lifelong residents, renters to homeowners. Even in the darkest days of winter, folks can be found gathering along the edge of the lake to watch the sun as it sets along the western shoreline, waiting until the last light melts across the water before returning home—goodbyes turning to see-you-laters as strangers become neighbors. It is moments like these that capture the heart of East Mde Maka Ska: always a new day to come, always an old day to honor; a neighborhood built through collective imagination.
East Bde Maka Ska is your go-to for:
Nightlife: You’ll have dozens of bars and restaurants to choose from in Uptown and Lyn-Lake.
Arts: Lyn-Lake has a thriving arts scene, with small galleries and independent theaters always showcasing new work.
Nature: Bde Maka Ska has amazing trails and clear water. Rent a boat or a bike and enjoy the outdoors!
Shopping: A mix of nationally-recognized chains and small local boutiques offer unique fashion.
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