My friends often find it funny that, despite living just 30 minutes away from the University of Minnesota campus, I never took an official tour before I applied. 

Why would I, when I had my own personal tour guide, in the form of my mother?

The day after I committed to the University in the spring of my senior year of high school, my mom drove me to campus to give me the campus tour her way — complete with eight years of stories from undergrad through law school. Walking around campus with her and watching her eyes light up, as she remembered all her favorite study spots, local restaurants and small businesses, was the first time I felt truly excited to be a student at the University. 

I remember her telling me about how Coffman Union would be full of people taking naps during the winter, since no one was willing to brave the cold back to their apartments. Now every time I see someone napping in Coffman Union in below-zero weather, I smile and think of how some things never change.

However, for everything that is still the same after 20 years, just as much is radically different.

Dinkytown has long served as a hub of student living and culture. For decades, students have taken the short walk from campus to grab lunch, visit friends or sing their hearts out at Blarney Pub and Grill karaoke. 

With the University being located in the heart of Minneapolis, places like Dinkytown provide a sense of community for students typical of a college town. 

University second-year Jaylynn Hautamaki-Shaw said Dinkytown serves as a great place to find food and hang out with friends during her free time.

“Over my first year, it was really nice to be able to come into Dinkytown and know that I was going to leave well fed just because of how many different food places there are,” Hautamaki-Shaw said. “Dinkytown overall is just a really convenient spot for students

with different food places, study areas and stores.”

University third-year Isaac Baker said he frequents Dinkytown with friends after nights out, especially the Dinkytown McDonald’s.

“It was like our stop,” Baker said. “We would go to Sal’s or go out drinking with friends, we would always pop in at the Dinkytown McDonald’s afterwards.”

University alumnus Keith Jensen said he looks back fondly on the time he spent in Dinkytown during college, highlighting his favorite spots, including the iconic Al’s Breakfast, an old bar called The Library, and, of course, the McDonald’s. 

However, Jensen said the area has changed greatly since he graduated in 2002, becoming more commercial over time.

“All my experiences in the Dinkytown area were fun, and it definitely seemed like it had more of a small college feel to it rather than now, where it’s all built up and just apartments on apartments living on top of each other,” Jensen said.

I have heard my mother echo these sentiments. Whenever she visits me at my Dinkytown apartment, she laments the empty buildings and the loss of her favorite restaurants and bars.

The Kitty Cat Klub, a bar known for its unique aesthetic and live music performances,  closed in 2020 after 18 years of operation, following the death of its former owner, John Rimarcik. 

Even more devastating was the official closure of Rimarcik’s other iconic Dinkytown property, Annie’s Parlour, in July after 50 years of operation.  

Hautamaki-Shaw said Annie’s played a big role in her first year at the University.

“I was a frequent customer of Annie’s,” Hautamaki-Shaw said. “Even my parents were like, ‘Yeah, we went to Annie’s when we went to the U.’ The environment inside the restaurant itself was very welcoming to students and studying and all sorts of other possibilities.”

Annie’s was the first Dinkytown restaurant I tried, and I immediately fell in love. 

Whenever I had friends visiting from out of town, it was the first place I recommended because of its inviting atmosphere and vintage feel. I was looking forward to frequenting the parlour this year to study with friends while living in Dinkytown.

And now it’s gone. 

In November, Mesa Pizza announced the closing of its Dinkytown location after nearly 20 years, citing rising rent along with increasing competition with popular chain restaurants as a major factor.

Hautamaki-Shaw said she was surprised to see Mesa Pizza close, given its popularity among students.

“Mesa’s was super recognizable for students, especially late nights after going out and just refilling your body,” Hautamaki-Shaw said. “I would see people there all the time, so when it closed down, it was really a shock.”

Baker also said Mesa Pizza’s closing was a loss for the area.

“I used to get Mesa’s a bunch just because it’s better than Domino’s,” Baker said. “But yeah, that’s not really an option anymore.”

As rent increases and other economic challenges like rising food costs jeopardize local businesses, the only places that can afford to operate are chain restaurants.

Don’t get me wrong, I love a Potbelly milkshake as much as the next girl, but nothing compares to the charm of small restaurants. What’s so special about streets filled with the same fast-food spots that can be found in any strip mall or highway exit in the United States?

However, I believe there is still hope for Dinkytown. 

Every Thursday night, my friends and I go out to eat at Wally’s and spend hours chatting, laughing and ignoring our homework. I often frequent Bordertown Coffee for a quick hot chocolate between classes. Just last week, my roommate and I went to the Blue Door Pub on Como Avenue for the first time and found ourselves a new weeknight hangout spot. 

Dinkytown and the surrounding neighborhoods still have plenty to offer.

“It’s nice to be able to create my own experience,” Hautamaki-Shaw said. “I do think that it will be harder for me to find a good study spot without Annie’s and a good place to get shakes, but I’m glad I got to experience them while they were here.”

I never went to Mesa Pizza, but I wish I had. As a certified broke college student with crippling spending anxiety, I sometimes struggle to allow myself to go out to eat. 

But eating out with friends is about more than just not having to cook dinner. It’s about cultivating a unique college experience, one that I’ll still remember in 20 years when my daughter is applying for college and I get to take her on a tour of campus.