Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert is extending his reach beyond the paint and into the local food scene, becoming an investor in Parcelle Organics, a clean-eating cafe based in Northeast Minneapolis. The 7-foot-1 big man is not just dropping in cash. The cafe's owner says Gobert's support is expected to speed Parcelle's expansion across the Twin Cities, with new locations planned in the North Loop, downtown Minneapolis and Wayzata.
According to the Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal, the investment was announced April 16, although the size of Gobert's stake has not been disclosed. The outlet reports that Parcelle is planning multiple new openings around the metro, and the owner credits Gobert's time and capital for making that expansion realistic.
Parcelle owner Kamal Mohamed told the Star Tribune that Gobert has been a genuine regular, not just a silent partner. "I don't think we would be able to expand if it wasn't for his time and investment into it," Mohamed said. He added that Gobert's personal chef started out picking up fresh-baked sourdough and other staples from the cafe, and that the center has since brought teammates in to sample the menu, helping organically boost Parcelle's profile.
On its Parcelle's website, the cafe lists its flagship spot at 233 E. Hennepin Ave. The menu leans heavily on items made in-house, including breads, tortillas and a house almond milk, alongside vegan protein bowls and organic egg burritos. Parcelle describes itself as an L.A.-inspired, organic fast-casual brand that focuses on ingredient transparency and small-batch production.
The Star Tribune also notes that Gobert has been publicly leaning into wellness. Last week he posted about the importance of self-care and announced an investment fund called Well. Gobert declined to comment on Parcelle specifically, according to the paper, responding through an assistant.
Where Parcelle Is Heading
Per the Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal, Mohamed is eyeing the North Loop, downtown Minneapolis and a lakeside outpost in Wayzata for Parcelle's next wave of openings. He told the outlet that he turned down venture capital offers so the brand would not feel pressured to cut corners, and views Gobert's backing as a way to scale carefully while keeping quality standards high.
Local Impact
For Minneapolis neighborhoods, that partnership could translate into faster openings and more jobs in small, locally owned kitchens that prioritize organic sourcing. Mohamed says the mission is to grow without losing Parcelle's craft-driven identity, and Gobert's high profile may funnel new attention to a slice of the local food scene that lives and dies on strict ingredient standards.
The timeline for new spots remains modest, with Mohamed indicating openings are planned for this spring. Still, with Gobert in its corner, the once-quiet cafe now has a much louder megaphone as it tries to stay true to its ingredient-first approach while expanding across the metro.
