government
Colonial Market owner closes south Minneapolis location due to sharp drop in business following Metro Surge
By Viktorie Spurná at Sahan Journal
· June 26, 2026
· 5 min read
During the peak of last year’s immigration crackdown, Colonial Market owner Daniel Hernandez was a fixture: appearing beside the mayor after a high-profile federal sting on Lake Street; batting down ICE rumors on social media; and delivering free meals when customers were afraid to leave their ho...
Key takeaway The store was unable to recover from the loss of business after this winter’s immigration crackdown, said Hernandez, the CEO and founder of the Colonial Market chain.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
The closure of Colonial Market's south Minneapolis location has significant implications for the local Latino community, which has been a driving force behind the area's economic growth. The loss of this cultural hub, which offered a variety of Latin American foods and staples, will be deeply felt by residents who relied on it for both essentials and a sense of community. The fact that the market's primary customer base was too afraid to leave their homes to buy groceries during the Metro Surge highlights the lasting impact of the immigration crackdown on the community's daily life. As the city moves forward, it will be crucial to support local businesses that cater to diverse communities and to address the underlying issues that led to the decline of Colonial Market's Lake Street location, including the trauma and fear caused by aggressive immigration enforcement.
About this story
Original reporting by Sahan Journal . The Minneapolis surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Sahan Journal . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: Sahan Journal ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? During the peak of last year’s immigration crackdown, Colonial Market owner Daniel Hernandez was a fixture: appearing beside the mayor after a high-profile federal sting on Lake Street; batting down ICE rumors on social media; and delivering free meals when customers were afraid to leave their ho...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by Sahan Journal and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Viktorie Spurná at Sahan Journal. To learn more about how The Minneapolis selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The Minneapolis, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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