Mini Curiosity: Local Faves

Current Curiosities

[Reading] Pedagogy of the Oppressed ​by Paulo Freire (reread)

[Listening] "Nobody Knows How To Be A Fan Anymore" from Vibe Check

[Watching] The Sheep Detectives 


WHERE I LIKE TO GO AROUND TOWN As an engaged community member, I try to support local businesses that in turn support queer and trans communities and are owned by women, Black and Indigenous people, or LGBTQ+ folks. Below are a few of my go-to local shops and restaurants in Moorhead (and a few in Fargo). 
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• ​BAKERY Black Cat Bakery, Downtown Moorhead - I love Black Cat Bakery not just because it's in my neighborhood, but also because BCB offers both gluten and gluten-free goodies. Sitting at the corner of 8th and Main, BCB's location offers excellent people watching and sits across the street from Moorhead's historic Dairy Queen (home of the Dilly Bar). I'm a huge fan of the monster cookies!

• BAR Harold's on Main, Downtown Moorhead - While I don't drink, I love meeting friends at this retro bar with its mix of indoor and outdoor spaces, white and black checkered floor, rotation of food trucks, and perhaps the best bathrooms in any local bar. The staff is stellar, and it's a great place for queer and trans folks. If you do drink, be sure to try the Paloma! 

 

• BOOKSTORE More Than Words, Downtown Moorhead - More Than Words is an excellent local alternative to Amazon or Barnes & Nobel with a brick and mortar storefront in revitalized Downtown Moorhead, but also a Bookshop.org web presence. This cozy store offers gifts and often highlights books on resistance, inclusion, and belonging. And MTW is owned by a fellow Cobber!

 

• COFFEESHOP Moonrise Cafe, Downtown Fargo - Moonrise is the only local coffeeshop I patronize, though I do get the occasional cup from BCB. Its queer and trans-friendly atmosphere makes it the perfect place to meet friends, read or write, and knit. And how can I not mention their homemade pop tarts, which often sell out quickly! See also their molasses cookies. 

 

• DISPENSARY (Medical) Green Goods, South Moorhead - While Green Goods caters to both medical and recreational clients, it was the first (medical) dispensary in Moorhead and the team is knowledgeable, hella friendly, and queer and trans-affirming. I love that Green Goods carries Dogwalkers pre-rolls, which are perfect for, well, dog walks.

 

• DISPENSARY (Recreational) Waabigwan Mashkiki, East Moorhead - Waabigwan Mashkiki (Flower Medicine) is a cannabis dispensary run by the White Earth Band of Ojibwe (Anishinaabe). The quality (and size!) of their pre-rolls are top-tier. Waabigwan Mashkiki offers a 15% discount for medical patients (with your MN Medical Cannabis card). The team is incredibly helpful and welcoming. And shopping at Waabigwan Mashkiki is an excellent way to support Indigenous sovereignty and decolonize your spending.

 

• MUSEUM The Rourke Art Gallery, Downton Moorhead - Housed in the former Moorhead Federal Post Office, the Rourke focuses on regional artists and global artistic heritages. Of particular interest to me as a Greek is the connection between my parent's art collection and that of the Rourke. An artist, whose name I've forgotten, created three life-size plaster pieces on the myth of Icarus. My parents own two: Icarus's mother nursing him after his birth and Icarus dreaming of flying on a swing hanging from their living room ceiling. The Rourke owns the third piece - Icarus with his wings before his tragic flight.

 

• NURSERY Baker Garden & Gift, South Fargo - When the temperature drops below zero, I often head to Baker to browse its extensive gift shop (the best in Fargo-Moorhead since Zandbroz closed) and absorb the tropical climate of their greenhouse, an antidote to the winter blues. Baker is my go-to for houseplants, cute cards, and artificial sunshine. And bonus, Baker supports the queer and trans community. 

 

• RESTAURANT Little Brother, Downtown Fargo - Okay. I don't say this lightly. Little Brother has the best fried chicken in Fargo-Moorhead. Full stop. It's the only place I order wings. And when many of the restaurants in Downtown Fargo are variations on a similar theme, Little Brother stands out. This spot is special and I hope it sticks around for a long time. 

 

• ​SPORTING GOODS Beyond Running, Downtown Fargo - Beyond Running is not only my go-to for running shoes and outdoor apparel, but also it hooks me up with new packs of Field Notes or Rite in the Rain pencils, among other analog odds and ends. The staff is friendly and welcoming and the double-store front on Broadway gives a retro, small town shopping experience. For me, Beyond Running adds a little bit of storybook Northfield, MN, or quirky Lawrence, KS, to an increasingly beige Downtown Fargo.

Thank you very much for your time. If you have recommendations or curiosities, please fill out this nifty contact form.

Sending y’all supportive, well-caffeinated vibes,

Creighton 

Today’s Pen(cil): Sharpie Neon [Permanent Marker]