It’s still Small Business Month—and the challenge continues! Pledge to spend $50 at a small business in your community this month. It’s a simple act that can make a real difference.

Last week we also celebrated some wins: we joined Sherman Associates at the grand opening of their new Landmark Tower apartments, and we were thrilled to mark the expansion of chef Terry John Zila’s Gallery Event Space and Hepcat in the Osborn 370 building. Saint Paul is alive with momentum—and small businesses are leading the way.

St. Paul Area Chamber Check-in

May 20, 2025

brought to you by Positive Light Media

Featuring:

• Certificate of Origin
• May New Members
• Chamber Connect

Save the Date for the Annual St. Paul Area Chamber Charitable Foundation Celebration!

We are currently looking for HERBIE Award Nominations and Silent Auction items.

The HERBIE award recognizes individuals and organizations that exemplify the traits inspired by its namesake, Herb Brooks: Humanitarian, Enterprising, Resilient, Bold, Inspiration and Ethical.

​See our list of past winners and 

nominate an individual or organization.  

Landmark Tower, a former 1980s office building at 345 St. Peter St., has been transformed into 187 apartment homes in downtown St. Paul. Developed by Sherman Associates in partnership with the city, the $97 million project features luxury units, skyway access, and amenities like a spa pool, golf simulator and rooftop lounge. The LEED Silver-certified redevelopment, completed with historic tax credits and local financing, highlights adaptive reuse and sustainable urban growth. Residents also benefit from hotel-style services via The Saint Paul Hotel. Landmark Tower expands Sherman’s St. Paul portfolio to 800 units. Click to read the Full Press Release, Case Study, and to visit the Website.

The 27th Annual Twin Cities Jazz Festival, presented by AARP Minnesota, will return to Mears Park in Saint Paul on Friday and Saturday, June 20 and 21. The Twin Cities Jazz Festival is a free, two-day outdoor celebration of music, culture, and community — drawing over 35,000 attendees to the heart of St. Paul. With a rich 27-year legacy, the festival is a marquee event that brings world-class jazz performers together with Minnesota’s finest talent, inspiring audiences of all ages. Now is the time to get involved: $75,000 of sponsor support is still needed to meet this year’s funding goal. Your brand can help keep this event free and accessible for all. For more information, please contact Mary Fenske/JRI Marketing: mary@jrimarketing.com 

Royal Credit Union (Royal) was among 180 credit unions nationwide named as winners of the prestigious Diamond Award. The Diamond Awards recognize the top credit union marketing efforts from across the US and are presented at the America’s Credit Unions Marketing, PR, and Business Development conference. Royal received the Category’s Best Award in the Content Marketing Category showcasing Royal’s Money Donuts podcast and the related social media and YouTube content. Click HERE to read the full article.

Kick off summer with the 25th annual Flint Hills Family Festival, taking place May 30–31 in and around the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in downtown St. Paul. The celebration features performances by local and nationally known artists, including the Grammy Award-winning Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band on Friday night, with tickets starting at $24. On Saturday, families can enjoy indoor performances of Ada Twist, Scientist, 360 All Stars, and NOOMA: An Opera for Babies for just $8 each. Free outdoor activities in Rice Park include crafts, STEM experiments, face painting, balloon art, and entertainment on the main stage. Festival hours are 6–9 p.m. Friday and 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday. Click HERE for more information.

Goff Public has announced the addition of Jake Ricker as its new vice president of public relations and the promotion of Elizabeth Emerson to senior vice president of public affairs. Ricker brings nearly two decades of experience in strategic communications, crisis management, and media relations, most recently serving as senior public relations director at the University of Minnesota, where he led a collaborative, system-wide communications team. Emerson, a respected bipartisan strategist with over 20 years of experience, has been with Goff since 2012 and has played a key role in building a results-driven public affairs team that has achieved major legislative successes across a wide range of sectors.

St. Paul Chamber member Jeff Perry and his Sonic Dream group are performing "X Reimagined: Music of the 80s & 90s" at Crooners Supper Club and Showroom in Fridley on Sunday, June 29, 5:30 PM. Support small business, live music, and a chamber member and have a blast doing it! Click Here for more information and tickets. Enjoy the music, a full dinner/appetizer menu, wonderful cocktails, and plenty of free parking. 

The Blaze Young Adult Advisory Council will host its spring event on Wednesday, June 4, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Urban Growler in St. Paul. Open to all young professionals ages 18 to 29, the event is free and does not require Blaze membership. Attendees can expect networking, educational opportunities, free food and beverages, and a discussion on fraud prevention. The council, launched in 2024, offers young adults a chance to shape the future of Blaze, Minnesota’s fourth-largest credit union, through biannual 90-minute meetings focused on strategy and engagement. Register HERE.