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Liyu Ethiopian Market appears on Minnesota food license list

Liyu Ethiopian Market appears on Minnesota food license list

Rule Changes Saint Paul, MN local

Food handler retail license on record at 566 Snelling Ave N in St. Paul's Midway neighborhood

Today: Liyu Ethiopian Market license record appears

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

A new Ethiopian market entity, Liyu Ethiopian Market, has a food handler retail license on record at 566 Snelling Ave N in St. Paul. The record first appeared on the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's license list on October 6, 2026.

The license is one approval, not proof the store is open. It adds to a growing cluster of Ethiopian-owned businesses on Snelling Avenue. Mamas Market & Deli opened there in July 2025 at 678 Snelling.

Why it matters

If Liyu opens, it would join a growing Ethiopian business corridor on Snelling Avenue serving the Twin Cities' large Ethiopian community.

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Key Indicators

1
Food handler retail license on record
Liyu Ethiopian Market's license at 566 Snelling Ave N first appeared October 6, 2026.
2
Ethiopian market entities on Snelling Avenue
Liyu at 566 and Mamas Market & Deli at 678.

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People Involved

Organizations Involved

Timeline

2025 October 2026

3 events Latest: Today
  1. Liyu Ethiopian Market license record appears

    Today Licensing

    Food handler retail license for Aromize LLC dba Liyu Ethiopian Market first appears on the Minnesota Department of Agriculture list.

  2. Mamas Market & Deli opens

    Opening

    Nine Ethiopian mothers open a cooperative market and deli at 678 Snelling Ave N.

  3. AEDS building opens on Snelling Avenue

    Development

    African Economic Development Solutions opens a 15,000-square-foot commercial building at 678 Snelling Ave N.

Scenarios

1

Liyu Ethiopian Market opens at 566 Snelling Ave N

Possible Resolves by Apr 6, 2027

Discussed by: No public analysis yet; the license record is new

The food handler license is one approval among several a retail food business needs. If the owners complete the remaining steps and open, Liyu would become the second Ethiopian market on Snelling Avenue, joining Mamas Market & Deli.

2

License record does not lead to an operating store

Possible Resolves by Apr 6, 2027

Discussed by: No public analysis yet

Many license records never result in an open business. The owners could face financing, permitting, or other hurdles, and the license could lapse without a store ever serving customers.

3

Snelling Avenue Ethiopian business corridor expands

Uncertain Resolves by Oct 6, 2027

Discussed by: No public analysis yet

If Liyu opens alongside Mamas Market & Deli and the AEDS Little Africa Plaza, Snelling Avenue could become a more established hub for Ethiopian and African-owned businesses in the Twin Cities.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

July 2025

Mamas Market & Deli opens (July 2025)

Nine Ethiopian immigrant mothers pooled $5,000 each to open a cooperative market and deli at 678 Snelling Ave N in St. Paul's Midway neighborhood. The store serves sandwiches, smoothies, Ethiopian coffee, and grocery staples.

Then

The market opened in July 2025 and drew customers, though the owners lacked a full kitchen for hot Ethiopian dishes.

Now

The co-op became a model for Ethiopian immigrant entrepreneurship on Snelling Avenue.

Why this matters now

Mamas Market & Deli is the existing Ethiopian market on the same street as Liyu, showing the cluster Liyu would join.

2025

Little Africa Plaza building (2025)

African Economic Development Solutions built a 15,000-square-foot, two-story commercial building at 678 Snelling Ave N, replacing a fire-damaged store. The nonprofit moved its headquarters upstairs and rents ground-level space to African immigrant vendors.

Then

The building houses Mamas Market & Deli, a cultural attire booth, and a museum and gallery.

Now

It created dedicated commercial space for African-owned businesses in the Midway.

Why this matters now

The AEDS building shows the infrastructure supporting African immigrant businesses on Snelling Avenue, the same corridor where Liyu is licensed.

Sources

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