Rich in arts and recreation, Mankato was ranked 7th on the list of top ten
"Dream Towns" nationwide by bizjournals.com. Mankato has a contiguous
population area of 46,173. There is a trade area population of more than
300,000. The Greater Mankato area supports green initiatives through city,
county, and independent business initiatives that strive to reduce the carbon
footprint and move the area to greater sustainability. In 2007-2008, over
15,000 trees were purchased and planted through the Million Tree Project. Known
for extensive woods and cycling trails, the communities’ parks are actively
being enhanced. Mankato also supports a thriving Farmer’s Market and Community
Garden.
Businesses
Habitat ReStore
Mankato, MN, 507-388-6682
habitatrestoremankato.org/
The Habitat ReStore supports Habitat
for Humanity of South Central Minnesota by reselling new and gently used
building materials. Since it opened in June 2007, over 200 tons of building
materials have been saved from landfills.
Naturally Bamboo
April Femrite, Owner/Designer
800-987-3309
naturallybambooclothing.com
Naturally BambooTM
is a manufacturer of eco-friendly clothing and accessories made from bamboo
fiber. Their ethical fashion is made by local Minnesota sewing organizations
and sold both online and at retail locations.
Thrift Stores
The Salvation Army 507-345-7074
The Neighborhood 507-625-7228
MRCI 507-388-3867
Again 507-345-2409
Family Thrift 507-385-1455
Community Organizations
Envision 2020
507-345-4519, envision-2020.com
Envisioning a desired future for the Greater Mankato region, 400 citizens
provided inputs for community betterment goals. Their visionary plan has been
organized into six key performance areas and identified a total of 34 goals,
many of which center around green initiatives.
Food
Amboy Cottage Café
Amboy, MN, 507-674-3123
amboycottagecafe.com
Half an hour south of Mankato on 169,
the Cottage cooks from scratch using local meats, dairy and produce. The
locally grown and milled pancakes are a must-try!
Coffee Hag
Mankato, MN, 507-387-5533
Established in 1992, the Coffee Hag
is the oldest coffee shop in Mankato. All coffees and most teas are organic and
fair trade. Their all-vegetarian menu features mostly organic and locally grown
produce.
Contessa Fine Dining
Mankato, MN, 507-625-5713
contessafinedine.com
An upscale dining
experience with full bar service and coffee shop, Contessa offers an
ever-changing banquet of contemporary organic global cuisine flavored by a
healthy, distinctly Northern Mediterranean influence.
Farmers Market, 507-420-8711
mankatofarmersmarket.com
Celebrating its 33rd year in 2009,
all of the products sold at the Mankato Farmers’ Market are grown or created
within a 40-mile radius of Mankato. The farmer’s market is open seasonally with
Saturday, Tuesday, and Thursday hours.
Good Counsel Community Garden
Mankato, MN
507-389-4200, ssndmankato.org
School Sisters of Notre Dame have
been part of Mankato since 1865. The sisters’ community garden enables those
without access to agricultural land to grow fresh produce. Utilized by many
immigrant communities, the garden offers education on organic gardening, food
preservation, and composting. Children’s programs such as Little Sprouts,
Gardening for Preschoolers, and a Kids’ Peace Garden are also featured.
Morgan Creek Vineyards
New Ulm, MN, 507-947-3547
morgancreekvineyards.com
Morgan Creek Vineyards enjoyed its
first vintage season, and the opening of Minnesota’s only underground winery in
the fall of 1998. Consider selecting one of their many wines created from
cold-hardy MN grapes developed at the U of M.
River Rock Coffee
St. Peter, MN, 507-931-1540
Locally owned and operated, the River
Rock’s menu focuses on locally grown, often organic, fresh foods. Organic
coffees, teas, and milk are all served in compostable to-go cups.
St. Peter Food Co Op
St. Peter, MN
507-934-4880, stpeterfood.coop
For more than 25 years, the co-op has
been committed to offering natural, organic, fair trade, and locally-produced
food.
Twin Rivers Center for the Arts & Emy Frentz Arts
Guild
523 South Second St., Mankato
507-387-1008, twinriversarts.org
Twin Rivers Center for the Arts
(TRCA) is an information hub for arts and culture in the Greater Mankato area.
A nonprofit organization that advocates for the arts, it connects people to
arts and culture and creates partnerships between the business, cultural, and
academic communities.
Recreation
The Greater Mankato Convention and Visitors Bureau
Mankato, MN, 507-385-6660
greatermankato.com/visitors-outdoorrec.php
The Chamber of Commerce website
details six extensive trail systems, and 13 city and county parks in the
Mankato area.
Snow tubing in Greater Mankato can be an exciting winter
activity for you and the whole family.
