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Minnesota's Latino businesses kick off Hispanic Heritage Month with pop-up shop

"We have wanted to do this for a long time in the Latino business community," said Shannon Fitzgerald, program lead with Chameleon Shoppes.

MINNEAPOLIS — "We have wanted to do this for a long time in the Latino business community," said Shannon Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald works with Chameleon Shoppes, an initiative with the Downtown Minneapolis Council.

"We give BIPOC entrepreneurs, women and people who don't have access to space to the downtown area through pop-up shops," said Fitzgerald. 

Fitzgerald is the project lead for a new initiative highlighting Latino-owned businesses throughout the Twin Cities.

And now, she's taking on a new lead. "We have 10 different vendors from the Latino community," said Fitzgerald.

Through partnerships with the city, Target and Latino-support organizations throughout the metro, this one-week pop-up shop is giving these businesses a chance to showcase their products in a downtown Minneapolis space.

Speaking through a translator, Sandra Ortega, who owns a graphic design and fashion shop, says it's a rewarding feeling to be able to showcase her art.

"This is a great opportunity for us, especially being from the Latino community," said Ortega.

Minnesota has one of the fastest growing Latino populations in the country and as Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off tomorrow, Fitzgerald is looking toward the future.

"We are already talking about next year," said Fitzgerald.

And when it comes to returning here next year to show off her artwork and designs, Ortega says it's a no brainer.

The pop-up shop will be open until Friday at the Gaviidae Common Skyway.






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