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"21 Hop & Shop" taps into Lake Street renaissance

Bus Route 21 will be a “moving mall” for shopping along Lake Street

Lake Street’s renaissance has definitely created a buzz in the Twin Cities.

One hot spot is the new Midtown Exchange, the site of the former Sears catalog distribution center at Chicago and Lake. After a two-year transformation, the building is now headquarters to Allina Hospitals and Clinics and home of the Midtown Global Market, a multicultural public market that offers produce, dining, and ethnic crafts and other merchandise.

Lake Street is also home to a variety of well-established businesses such as Bryant-Lake Bowl, Mercado Central, and Ingebretsen’s, a mainstay for more than 80 years. Road reconstruction is bringing a polished new look to the six-mile urban corridor.

Starting in October, Metro Transit is tapping into the excitement around Lake Street’s revitalization. The agency has partnered with the Lake Street Council to convert Bus Route 21 into a “moving mall” with “21 Hop + Shop,” a year-long program that promotes taking the bus to 80 businesses between Uptown and the Mississippi River.

Riders who take Route 21 can receive discounts on dining, services, shopping and entertainment from participating businesses.

“We hope that transit riders will experience 21 Hop + Shop and spend time with us on Lake Street,” said Joyce Wisdom, Lake Street Council executive director. “This is a really good opportunity to visit the destination locations, such as the Midtown Market, and the many unique businesses here.”

Lake Street is a transit-rich environment with cross connections to several majors routes, and is served by the Uptown Transit Center, Chicago Lake Transit Center and the Lake Street/Midtown Station, a light-rail stop.

How it works

The Lake Street Council has recruited businesses of all types to participate in the program. Offers include discounts on food, haircuts, gifts, clothing and shows, to name a few. The program links long-established businesses with ones formed by entrepreneurs new to Lake Street.

“Route 21 customers can use their imagination and come up with any combinations of dining, shopping or entertainment and make a night of it,” said Brian Lamb, Metro Transit General Manager. “One of the fun benefits of having this project along Lake Street is that there’s no other place like it in the Twin Cities.”

Route 21 provides complete access to Lake Street with frequent service every day. Since 21 Hop + Shop is a moving mall, riders won’t have to worry about parking. When riders are ready to move on, they can hop on the next Route 21 bus.

Participating businesses will display decals to identify themselves. To receive a discount, transit customers show a valid transfer, transit pass or rail ticket at the time of a purchase.