Midtown marketing initiative

in business

Faces of Lake Street's small business community

Kathee Foran

In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theater
1500 E. Lake Street

"The reason we stayed in the same area is the dedication of our group of artists to this community. Over the years we built our name recognition but it's actually the social commitment, the fun and the creative edge we offer to the people that made us come so far. We only have 8 people on staff, but we work with 8200 independent artists and draw a wide volunteer base for all sorts of activities."

In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theater radiates the cultural richness of our community. Its signature costumes, welcoming staff and atmosphere of an authentic theater of other times are all well-known in the community. Ever since its foundation in 1973 HOBT has remained loyal to South Minneapolis. The theater mainly stages work of own creation and tries to transmit a message of social justice with each piece it presents.

Kathee Foran, director of HOBT since 1996, saw Lake Street hit the bottom of its decline in 1995. "Everyone thought it was a bad idea to buy our building on Lake St. and 15th Ave. in 1990," said Foran, "but we have proved them wrong. With the investments of the recent immigrants, the growing interest from the City, the opening of YWCA, the light rail and Midtown Exchange, urban redevelopment is re-invigorating Lake Street and bringing people back to the city. The small, family, community oriented nature of Lake Street will answer the need for a more convenient and personalized commerical area. We may lose some businesses on the way, but the reconstruction will bring tremendous benefits to those who manage to survive.”

—Reported by Elma Johnson of the Lake Street Council