As Minneapolis’ confronts the idea that its city-driven “improvements” have been either squibs (Gaviidae Common, Town Square) or catastrophic failures (Block E), it’s good – and, for some Minneapolis city councilpeople, counterintuitive – to note that free enterprise is still alive.

Holy Land, a long-time destination for people who like great mediterranean food and groceries, is booming along a tatty stretch of Central Avenue in Northeast Minneapolis:

Holy Land Brand Inc. CEO Majdi Wadi furthered the commercial renaissance of Minneapolis’ Central Avenue corridor and the Minnesota manufacturing economy last week when he opened the state’s first hummus factory, a sparkling-new facility that produces 60,000 eight-ounce containers a month in what had been a crummy bar on 25th Avenue NE.

“We paid $1.25 million for the old Sully’s Bar [in 2007], which was appraised at $950,000 by the bank,” said Wadi. “We were shocked by the drugs and prostitution. But now, Holy Land has another business that is good for our neighborhood and city.

Sorry to hear that Sully’s – which used to make a grrrreat burger – fell on hard times.  But then, the whole neighborhood had been sliding, even when I lived there.  Good to hear that opportunity still knocks. 

Of course, when someone starts a business in Minneapolis, there’s a good chance a fiscal conservative gets his wings:

“Hennepin County rewards me by raising the property taxes. That’s OK. Wells Fargo loaned me some money, and we’re going to make a good business.”

Anyway – someone tell Michael Moore that capitalism seems to be doing pretty well by the Wadis:

A few blocks away, Holy Land, which now employs 140 people in its store, deli, restaurant and other businesses, expanded its bakery in refurbished quarters that was another derelict building at 1617 Central Av. NE.

“The revitalization of Central Avenue is immigrant-based,” said Paul Ostrow, the longtime City Council member from northeast Minneapolis. “Majdi has blazed the trail since he started making these investments more than a decade ago. He’s global with his imports and exports. He’s a success. And he also cares about Northeast.”

In an interview in his cramped, nondescript office last month, Wadi, 44, a Palestinian immigrant, repeatedly expressed thanks to neighbors and America.

Maybe we should thank him.

Yes!  Thank you, Mr. Wadi!

Note to the city of Minneapolis: don’t thank Mr. Wadi the way Saint Paul and the Met Council is “thanking” all the asian immigrants who’ve done similar work along University Avenue – by building a rail line that runs ’em all out of business.