Weekly Cash Mobs Help Lake Street Businesses Recover from ICE Raids

Over 200 people descend on a different immigrant-owned restaurant each Wednesday to support the local community.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

After the start of Operation Metro Surge, immigrant-owned businesses along Minneapolis' Lake Street lost an estimated $46 million in December and January as workers and customers stayed home fearing federal immigration agents. In response, the Lake Street Council launched a series of weekly "cash mobs" where over 200 people visit a different restaurant each Wednesday to show their support and boost sales.

Why it matters

The cash mobs provide a tangible way for the local community to support immigrant-owned businesses that have been devastated by the federal immigration crackdown. By bringing large crowds to the restaurants, the cash mobs are helping the businesses claw back some of the profits they lost and ensuring they can stay open in the long run.

The details

The Lake Street Council worked with local restaurants to ensure they could handle the influx of customers, and the first cash mob was held at Pineda Tacos Plus on January 21. Since then, events have been held at Lake & Bryant Cafe, Lito's Burritos, Hamdi Restaurant, Sanag Restaurant, and this week's event will be at Galapagos Bar and Grill. The cash mobs have consistently brought out over 200 people, with some businesses having to work extra hours to accommodate the crowds.

  • The first cash mob was held on January 21, 2026.
  • Cash mobs have been held each Wednesday since then.
  • This week's cash mob will be held on February 25, 2026.
  • The cash mob series will take a brief break for Ramadan in early March, then resume on a biweekly or monthly basis.

The players

Muaz Osman

Digital content specialist for the Lake Street Council and Visit Lake Street.

Alex Tsatsoulis

Director of development for the Lake Street Council.

Lake Street Council

A nonprofit organization that supports the businesses and community along Minneapolis' Lake Street corridor.

Visit Lake Street

A program of the Lake Street Council that promotes the businesses and attractions along Lake Street.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“People want to help. Community members are reaching out, constantly, over email and phone calls, [looking for] ways that they can support other than donating—maybe lending a hand or standing with a business as pedestrian security.”

— Muaz Osman, Digital content specialist, Lake Street Council and Visit Lake Street (racketmn.com)

“It's one thing to say, 'Go shop local,' because I think people are doing that. But I think people also really want to know where they can have the biggest impact.”

— Alex Tsatsoulis, Director of development, Lake Street Council (racketmn.com)

What’s next

The cash mob series will resume in early March on a biweekly or monthly basis after a brief break for Ramadan.

The takeaway

The weekly cash mobs demonstrate the power of community solidarity in supporting immigrant-owned businesses that have been devastated by federal immigration enforcement actions. By bringing large crowds to these restaurants, the cash mobs are helping to ensure the long-term survival of the diverse businesses that are the heart of the Lake Street corridor.