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Modern Times Café in Minneapolis to close after protest-driven business model
Modern Times Café, a Minneapolis eatery that has operated for nearly 16 years, has announced it will permanently close by the end of 2026. The decision follows a period of significant operational changes intended to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities in the city.
In early 2026, owner Dylan Alverson rebranded the establishment as Post Modern Times, transitioning to a donation-based model without traditional pricing. Alverson stated the move was a protest against federal immigration enforcement, declaring that the business would no longer generate money for those he characterized as occupying the city. During a six-month period, the restaurant served approximately 30,000 meals and received over 2,000 donations.
Following a brief closure in July, the café attempted to stabilize by returning to a traditional menu with prices in August, while also implementing a model that eliminated tipping and provided 25 free meals daily. Despite these efforts to operate with a zero profit margin, the business faced ongoing financial difficulties. Alverson noted on social media that he had exhausted all options to keep the establishment running without compromising its core principles.
Entities
Dylan Alverson · Immigration and Customs Enforcement · Minneapolis · Modern Times Café · The New York Times
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The restaurant reopened in August with prices restored but continued offering 25 free meals daily. discernmoney.com · americanwirenews.com · amgreatness.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Modern Times Café will close permanently by the end of the year. discernmoney.com · americanwirenews.com · amgreatness.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The restaurant had been in business for nearly 16 years. discernmoney.com · americanwirenews.com · amgreatness.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The restaurant rebranded as Post Modern Times in January. discernmoney.com · americanwirenews.com · amgreatness.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The business accumulated nearly $70,000 in debt by October. discernmoney.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The café served more than 30,000 meals during its six-month donation-based experiment. discernmoney.com · amgreatness.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The restaurant previously generated approximately $1.3 million in annual sales but still lost $18,500. amgreatness.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The café's model excluded ICE agents from being welcome. discernmoney.com · americanwirenews.com · amgreatness.com