About Us
The West Broadway Business and Area Coalition (WBC) supports local business owners and businesses in several ways. We serve as a resource to connect technical assistance providers, offer financial resources through a partnership with the City of Minneapolis, advocate for businesses along the West Broadway Corridor, and connect business owners to develop more robust networks in North Minneapolis.
Open Streets West Broadway
Open Streets West Broadway is a free, family-friendly event that offers a variety of activities such as biking, walking, playing, eating, dancing, and singing. This event is not just a street festival, but it is a celebration of community and allows neighbors to experience city streets as public spaces where communities thrive.
Black Friday on Broadway
The event showcases a diverse array of small local businesses offering fashion, art, beauty products, and more. This presents an opportunity to discover perfect and unique gifts during the holiday season while offering a space for emerging local entrepreneurs to sell their products.
Black Business Week
Black Business Week showcases Black-owned businesses in Minneapolis. Attendees can network, learn about bidding for procurement opportunities from local officials, and discover resources. Alongside city events, WBC will host a professional networking happy hour and a weekend pop-up shop featuring local businesses, food, live music, and family-friendly fun for the community.
Our History
The West Broadway Business & Area Coalition was formed in the spring of 2007, as a result of the joining of the West Broadway Business Association and the West Broadway Area Coalition.
The West Broadway Business Association (WBBA) was established in 1942 and served as a non-profit organization drawing membership from local businesses along the West Broadway Corridor. Its primary focus was to serve as a “chamber of commerce,” to support local business growth.
The West Broadway Area Coalition (WBAC) served with the mission to add life and vitality to the West Broadway corridor. The WBAC’s primary focus was connecting with the residents of North Minneapolis in order to grow jobs, assist new and existing businesses and improve safety and the physical environment of the West Broadway Corridor. After years of working together on a wide variety of community issues, the two organizations consolidated their efforts under one organization forming the West Broadway Business & Area Coalition (WBC).