ST PAUL, Minn. — Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, downtown St. Paul has been struggling to regain its foot traffic. Local businesses have faced uncertainty, with many downtown workers shifting to remote work and leaving restaurants and shops with inconsistent customer flow. But this week, city officials and business owners are hoping for a turning point.
On Friday night, the city hosted its first-ever Kickoff to Summer Block Party, designed to draw residents and visitors back to the heart of St. Paul.
“It’s one of my favorite things we’ve done in quite a while downtown,” said Mayor Melvin Carter…