Small Business Spotlight Series: All Square
We are recognizing and applauding small businesses in our newest Series: Small Business Spotlights. Our goal is simple: to highlight women and minority owned and/or operated businesses that help our communities be better, more vibrant places to live.
The Restaurant’s name is All Square
…perhaps because “we believe that those who have paid their debts to society are all square” just doesn’t have quite the same catchy flair.
If you didn’t know about this grilled cheese restaurant on a mission, now you do. The restaurant serves up grilled cheese as indulgent and fun as your inner-youth expects it to be. Yet, more than that, former civil-rights-attorney and HUD-government-employee-turned-founder Emily Hunt Turner has built something truly special off 41st and Minnehaha Ave in South Minneapolis:
A restaurant and institute that is mission-driven to reduce recidivism and generate leaders.
“What’s the point of going to prison and doing your time if you get out and then you’re just punished? We find that so often, just existing and surviving post-incarceration is the standard, and we’re looking to challenge and change that.”
The All Square employee-fellow roster is exclusively comprised of individuals who have a criminal record. Yes, you read that correctly.
These members of our community experience an unemployment rate of nearly 5x the rest of the population.
To get a job is nearly impossible with a criminal record, to be offered resources through the system like those offered at this restaurant and learning focused Non-Profit? Almost unheard of.
Photo courtesy of the talented Michael Spear
Fellows of the program work Tuesday-Sunday for a living wage at the restaurant, and on Mondays they’ll be right next door learning through the Non-Profit’s Institute. This development-focused enterprise offers two tracks: Entrepreneurship or Law along with additional support resources. In the yearlong program fellows are offered classes in personal and professional development - think budget making all the way to social media marketing. The program also has mental health and wellness professionals onsite, free of charge to support the fellows.
When the program comes to an end, each fellow is equipped with a résumé, references, a network of support to lean on, and a six-month post graduation plan to help kickstart a new life with the proper support resources to be successful.
Any way you slice it, this grilled cheese shop is serving up more than craft sandwiches and soups - They’re cultivating a civil rights social enterprise beyond compare.
the fellowship
An All Square fellowship is centered on wellness and leadership development. Through this fellowship, those impacted by the justice system maintain:
Gainful employment in our craft grilled cheese restaurant (Fellows average $19-20/hour)
Professional development in law and entrepreneurship
Courses in personal development & finance
Weekly restorative circles and and in-house trauma-informed (paid) 1:1 wellness services.
Click the link below to visit All Square’s website for more information and to donate:
THE SPACE
This grilled cheese shop & dream lab has a cool, geometric design, thanks to the pro-bono work of NY-based firm, Architecture Office.
THE FOOD
From gluten-free and vegan options, to brunch specials, the restaurant portion of this business has it all squared up for success. There’s something for everyone at All Square, and yes, they’re open for patio and pickup business!
Do you know of a women and/or minority owned or operated business that deserves a shout out? We’d love to hear your suggestions, support the business, and consider it for our next Small Business Spotlight feature!
Sources: All Square MPLS • Can this grilled cheese shop help fix our broken criminal justice system? • Minneapolis restaurant All Square is giving jobs, and second chances, to the formerly incarcerated • Photos: All Square MPLS & Architecture Office & Google Reviews • Emily Hunt Turner My Founder Story • Michael Spear Photo