After months of uncertainty following a devastating 2025 fire, Hamline-Midway fixture Groundswell is making its closure official. The cafe and bakery at 1340 Thomas Ave. W., which first opened in 2009, has announced it will not reopen. Instead, the owners are inviting neighbors to swing by one last time for free vegan banana bread outside the shop on Friday morning, a low-key farewell to a 16-year corner hangout.
Owners Say Numbers No Longer Work
In a message shared on the cafe’s social channels, Groundswell’s owners said rebuilding after the fire just does not pencil out financially and thanked customers for years of support, as reported by Bring Me The News. The post stated that “financially, we just cannot make it work” and invited the community to stop by for a final giveaway. The owners also hinted that they are “anticipating some exciting news” for the corner later this spring.
Neighborhood Hub Since 2009
Groundswell opened in 2009 and built a loyal following around its house-baked goods, rotating local art and cozy neighborhood vibe, according to the cafe’s own website. The business has long been listed at 1340 Thomas Ave. W., though local directories now flag the spot as closed, as reflected on MapQuest. For regulars, the updated listings make the post-fire reality of the block feel a lot more permanent.
Fire Damage Ended Service
The cafe has been closed since a May 21, 2025 blaze that damaged the restaurant and the apartments above it, forced neighboring businesses to shut temporarily because of smoke damage and sparked a community fundraiser, according to earlier reporting from Bring Me The News. Fire crews were able to knock down the flames and rescue a pet from the building, that coverage noted. Staff and supporters also turned to a GoFundMe campaign to help employees while the cafe was offline.
For now, the corner sits quiet, but the owners say they are eager to cheer on the next locally owned small business that moves into the space. Longtime patrons have already taken to social media to swap memories of coffee dates and pastry runs, and Friday’s banana bread handoff offers one last chance for St. Paul neighbors to say goodbye in person.
