Visiting George Floyd Square and Unity Foods

I have been to Minneapolis many times, but I haven’t been back since before COVID and the death of George Floyd.  I knew that when I came back, I had to go check out George Floyd Square.  Not to pay homage to George Floyd and not to make light of the situation either, but strictly out of curiosity.  Ever since May 25, 2020 when George Floyd was murdered, the square will forever be apart of our lives, even us Canadians.  It was a police killing that shocked the world, leading to riots and global protests, even here at home in Winnipeg.  This horrific event led to questions of police brutality and racism and sparked a widespread debate on policing and systemic racism.  Despite your thoughts on the George Floyd situation, there is no question that the killing and the site as to where it happened are symbolic and were a pivotal part of history.

George Floyd Square is situated on the intersection of 38^th street and Chicago Avenue in South Minneapolis and was the site of George Floyd’s death.  The whole thing started in Cup Foods, when Floyd used a counterfeit $20 to purchase Menthol cigarettes.  The police were called, and the rest is history.  Cup Foods has faced backlash and scrutiny since the young store clerk called the police on Floyd; and has recently changed its name to Unity Foods and displays a giant George Floyd mural on one of its outer walls.  On the last day of my recent trip to Minneapolis I had to check it out.  I was a bit hesitant at first because the area is known for gang violence and the neighboring streets are no stranger to murder.  It has also been a site of protest and unrest since the killing.

I got there on an early afternoon on a Monday.  When we were getting closer to our destination on google maps, you could see the neighborhood change.  Run down housing, some boarded up windows and numerous BLM flags and signs of support for BLM and paying tribute to George Floyd and others who have been killed by the police.  Surprisingly, the streets were quiet and there was almost an eerie feeling… maybe in part because it was still early and it was Monday, but it did feel like a ghost town.  As we drove down 38^th street and approached from a few blocks away, we could see the first black fist, protruding from the an intersection.  After another few meters, I realized, this wasn’t the main monument and there was another fist protruding from the round-about a few blocks further.  I expected more and thought the memorial would be grander, and that more respect would be paid to George Floyd by the city of Minneapolis.  There were a few candles and several pictures and art pieces surrounding the monument.  But it was the street, not the monument, where you could really feel the aftermath.  At the intersection, across from Unity foods there is a boarded-up gas station, littered with old bicycles and covered in street art and graffiti showing the civil unrest and impact this has had on the people of Minneapolis.  There was also a gentleman selling shirts out of an old bus shelter… I’m not sure if they were used or brand new, but it didn’t look like a boutique shop and I didn’t stop to ask him any questions.  Asides from the salesman, there weren’t many people around.

We stopped the car beside the gas station, put the hazards on and I ran out to assess the situation.  There is the black fist in the intersection and the gas station and then there is Unity Foods.  This is where the heart of the memorial is.  The front of the store is a memorial that is blocked off with concrete medians that are covered in graffiti.  There are flowers, artwork, memorabilia, old clothing, beach towels all with street art and tributes to Floyd and other slayed victims.  I walked past the site and stared at the store where this all began… formerly Cup Foods, now Unity Foods.  The store boasts about its fresh meat, produce, cell phones, tobacco, and ethnic food.  It looked like it was a store where you had options… do your laundry, get a hot meal, a snack or even a cell phone.  And on the side of the store there is an honorary mural for George Floyd. 

I entered the store with caution but was surprised at how empty it was.  It wasn’t like the surveillance footage from the day of May 25^th where it was packed with people.  There was me, the two workers and a couple of middle eastern women.  But the store was large and had much to offer.  Despite the options offered in the store, everyone was quiet and the atmosphere was sullen and had an extremely eerie vibe… from the store, the staff and the few customers.  I could have used a cigarette to prepare me for the long ride home, but figured purchasing Menthols would be in bad taste and decide to head down the snack aisle instead.  The snacks were tremendous… and I settled for the Rap Snacks and chose Rick Ross’ flavor, which was sweet chili and lemon pepper.  I also picked up a bag of extra spicy chips too.  When I went to pay the store clerks eyed me with suspicion and asked if that was all I was purchasing.  I pulled out a 20, paid for my chips, got my change, and got out of there.

I was worried at first, being that George Floyd Square was in a neighborhood ridden with gangs and trauma, but it wasn’t so bad.  The streets were quiet, but I wouldn’t want to frequent them after dark.  I got back in the car and headed on my way for a long trip back home.  The spicy chips were damn hot and the Rick Ross flavored chips were some of the best chips I’ve ever tried.