Minneapolis Cafe Goes Free Until ICE Agents Leave State

When chaos hits your community, sometimes the most powerful response is radical generosity. Dylan Alverson, owner of Modern Times Cafe in South Minneapolis, just made his restaurant completely free to anyone who walks through the door.

The cafe sits in a neighborhood that's seen profound tragedy over the past few years, just blocks from where George Floyd was killed in 2020. Now, as federal immigration enforcement intensifies across Minnesota, Alverson decided he couldn't keep doing business as usual.

Starting January 26, the breakfast and brunch spot transformed into what Alverson calls "Post Modern Times." Customers can eat for free or donate what they're able. The entire staff agreed to volunteer their time, working for shared tips and community donations.

"I am sick of generating money for the soldiers in our streets and for a government that won't protect us," Alverson said in a video announcement. The restaurant will maintain its normal 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. hours, though with a smaller menu to make the volunteer operation sustainable.

Alverson has owned the cafe for 15 years, and like many restaurants, it's struggled since the pandemic. Rather than close or keep pushing through, he saw an opportunity to serve his community in a new way.

The Ripple Effect

The response has been overwhelming. Dakota Temte, Alverson's daughter who servers at the restaurant, said about 90% of customers are still donating for their meals, often giving more than they would have paid before.

"They know that we are trying to do something good and trying to create change," she told local media. "And it was really beautiful."

Donations have poured in from across the country through the cafe's Venmo account. People who may never visit Minneapolis are supporting this small act of resistance with their dollars.

The cafe isn't completely open to everyone though. True to Alverson's stance, ICE agents aren't welcome. It's a clear boundary in what he sees as a fight for his community's future.

This bold move follows a statewide "ICE Out" general strike and comes as business owners nationwide consider how to respond to federal enforcement they view as harmful. Alverson's approach shows how small business owners can adapt their operations to match their values, even in uncertain times.

The experiment will continue until ICE agents leave Minnesota, however long that takes.