Bike Shop– Angry Catfish Bicycle Shop and Coffee Bar

With a stylish Instagrammable interior and a pared-down product list that emphasizes quality and dependability, Angry Catfish is the perfect antidote to the one-size-fits-all sporting goods warehouses that once dominated the local bike shop market. Sip on a cortado from Catfish’s in-house coffee bar while perusing premium bicycles from brands like Salsa, Surly and All-City. 

Silver: The Hub Bicycle Co-Op

Bronze: Tangletown Bike Shop

 

Bookstore – Wild Rumpus

Ready to feel old? The ‘90s babies that visited the now-beloved Linden Hills bookstore when it first opened are now old enough to return to Wild Rumpus with their own children in tow. Thankfully, the store’s fantastical whimsy and revolving menagerie of furry friends has remained firmly intact. Here’s to Wild Rumpus, and the whole new generation of literary adventurers they’re busy creating.

Silver: Magers & Quinn Booksellers

Bronze: Moon Palace Books

 

Comedy Club – Acme Comedy Club

For all intents and purposes, Acme is the First Avenue of the Twin Cities comedy scene. Just like the “House that Prince Built,” Acme is a nationally acclaimed venue known for drawing top-tier headliners and also serving as an incubator for local talent on the rise. 

Silver: Brave New Workshop

Bronze: Sisyphus Brewing

 

Comic Book or Games Shop – Hot Comics & Collectibles

Boasting the largest collection of comics, toys, games, and other pop culture ephemera across three locations Twin Cities Metro, Hot Comics has been a local institution since the mid-90s and shows no sign of slowing down. The shop also hosts an annual Free Comic Day, proving that great power can come with great responsibility. 

Silver: Source Comics & Games

Bronze: Level Up Games

 

Lake – Lake Superior

Cruising to a repeat title after last year’s KOABD win, the greatest Great Lake remains breathtakingly beautiful and just a little bit scary for yet another year.

Silver: Lake Minnetonka

Bronze: Bde Maka Ska  

 

 

Local Album of the Year – “Stillwater” by Frankie Lee

Frankie Lee has always had a knack for sharing the stories of rural Americana, but on his latest “Stillwater,” the itinerant troubadour has turned the focus inward. Chronicling the rapid changes occurring in his titular hometown, Lee has crafted an honest and austere album as a tribute to the humble, simple places still left in the Midwest. 

Silver: “Double Negative” by Low

Bronze: “Taboo” by Nyasia  

 

Local Music Group or Band – Trampled by Turtles

Now a decade and a half into their careers, Duluth’s favorite sons haven’t shown any signs of slowing down. 2019 saw Trampled by Turtles drawing massive crowds at outdoor music festivals and amphitheaters, getting their own signature beer from Bent Paddle, and even sponsoring a little league baseball team. As we head into 2020, the band is gearing up to release an EP of covers. Sounds like a “Victory” to us!

Silver: Doomtree

Bronze: Hippo Campus

 

Local Solo Music Artist – Har Mar Superstar

While he spent most of the year in duet mode with his new band Heart Bones, Minnesota’s mustachioed maven of music still grabbed plenty of headlines in 2019. Between playing his first show in his hometown of Owatonna, rocking a Wendy’s on Lake Street, and belting out the National Anthem at the Twin’s home opener, Har Mar’s stock might be higher than ever. 

Silver: Charlie Parr

Bronze: Chastity Brown

 

Local Comedian – Lauren Anderson

A fixture of the improv scene since she first began performing at Brave New Workshop in 2004, Lauren Anderson has skewered every worthy pop-culture phenomenon over the past 15 years with equal parts scorn and affection. A brilliant comedic performer in her own right, Anderson is also beloved for training a generation of comedy performers with BNW’s improv classes.

Silver: Tommy Ryman

Bronze: Ellie Hino

 

 

 

Music Festival – Basilica Block Party

It’s fitting that the Basilica Block Party would take home the gold in 2019—the year of its 25th anniversary and one of its strongest lineups in recent memory. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Basilica of St. Mary in downtown Minneapolis, the annual music festival is loved by the pious and the heretical in equal measure. Praise the Loud! 

Silver: Bayfront Blues Festival

Bronze: Rock the Garden

 

Music Venue – First Avenue

One of the nation’s most iconic rock clubs and a true jewel of Minneapolis nightlife, the mighty First Avenue has played host to multiple generations of talented performers while staying locally owned and maintaining a sterling record of integrity. Long may they reign. 

Silver: The Armory

Bronze: Dakota Jazz Club

 

Outdoor Music Venue – Surly Brewing Festival Field

How do you make the state’s best destination brewery even better? Stick a great outdoor music venue behind it! Surly’s Festival Field not only books top-flight artists like Gary Clark Jr., Tame Impala, and Spoon, but it also provides an excellent concert experience. Plentiful food truck options, reasonable lines and lots of free water make Surly’s Field a go-to, even for the non-drinkers.

Silver: Bayfront Festival Park

Bronze: Lake Harriet Bandshell

 

Museum – The Science Museum of Minnesota

In the immortal words of one William Sanford Nye: “SCIENCE RULES!” And so does the Science Museum of Minnesota. An incredibly reliable adventure for children, the Science Museum has also expanded its adult-oriented Social Science programming over the past few years with live music, celebrity appearances (David Harbour from “Stranger Things”!) and a newly remodeled Omnitheater.

Silver: Minneapolis Institute of Art

Bronze: Walker Art Center  

 

Outdoors Store – REI

Minnesota has more co-ops than just about any state in the country, so it shouldn’t be too surprising that the member-owned outdoors giant REI took home top honors this year. With three Twin Cities locations (one containing a towering indoor climbing wall) and a dizzyingly large selection of adventure gear, REI proves tough to top. 

Silver: Midwest Mountaineering

Bronze: Cabela’s  

 

Record Store – Electric Fetus

The recorded music industry may be in a tailspin, but that hasn’t slowed down the Electric Fetus one bit. Boasting a superb range of music on vinyl, cassette, and CD, and welcoming but knowledgeable staff, the Fetus also programs great in-store performances and meet-and-greets on the regular. 

Silver: Hymie’s Vintage Records

Bronze: Mill City Sound

 

 

Small Town – Grand Marais

Nestled in a natural bay near the northernmost tip of Minnesota’s North Shore, Grand Marais is a gateway to our state’s unspoiled natural beauty. With cultural attractions like the North House Folk School and a great drinking spot in Voyageur Brewing, Grand Marais is a must-stop on your way up to the BWCA and Superior National Forest. 

Silver: Lanesboro

Bronze: New London

 

State Park – Gooseberry Falls State Park

Just a few miles outside of Two Harbors, Gooseberry Falls checks all the boxes for an awesome North Shore hike. Lovely waterfalls, lakeshore views, and a river gorge, plus miles of bike trails crisscrossing the park. While summer tends to be the most popular time to visit, don’t miss out on the breathtaking frozen falls of wintertime when you’re planning your next cross-country ski trip. 

Silver: Tettegouche State Park

Bronze: Itasca State Park

 

Tattoo Parlor – Leviticus Tattoo & Piercing 

One of the Twin Cities’ best-looking tattoo shops got even prettier last year when Leviticus completed their remodel. Owned by veteran artist Kurt Melancon, the Longfellow shop has a sterling reputation for professionalism and maintains a large staff of quality artists. Don’t worry, the koi pond still winds its way through the store.

Silver: Saint Sabrina’s

Bronze: Jackalope Tattoo 

 

Vintage Shop – Rewind

Founded by Sarah Hoese in 2006, Rewind has grown into a neighborhood destination in Northeast Minneapolis thanks to its well-curated mix of sensible vintage wear and campy kitsch. Fans of retro jewels and furs will be in heaven, but Rewind also makes a point to keep their goods relatively affordable. 

Silver: Lula’s

Bronze: Fly Vintage & Vinyl

 

Visual Artist – Adam Turman

Something like Minnesota’s version of Shepard Fairey, Adam Turman’s bold, comic-inspired style is as instantly iconic as it is recognizable. Best known for his bright, vibrant mural work and screen-printed posters, Turman is now a brand unto himself with credits spanning multiple Fortune 500 companies and national names. 

Silver: Eva Margaret

Bronze: Chuck U

 

More 2019 Kind-of-a-Big-Deal Winners:

■ Food

■ Wine & Spirits

■ Beer

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