Photo via Angry Catfish Instagram
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
Photo via Wild Rumpus Facebook
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
Photo via Acme Comedy Club Facebook
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
Photo via Hot Comics & Collectibles Facebook
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
Photo by Aaron Davidson
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
Photo via Frankie Lee Instagram
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
Photo via Trampled by Turtles Instagram
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
Har Mar Superstar // Photo by Kevin Kramer
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
Photo via Lauren Anderson Facebook
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
Photo via Basilica Block Party Facebook
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
Photo via First Avenue Facebook
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
Photo via Surly Facebook
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
Photo via Science Museum Facebook
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
Photo via Electric Fetus Facebook
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
Photo by Ellen Burkhardt
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
Photo via MN DNR
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
Photo via Leviticus Tattoo Facebook
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
Photo via Rewind Facebook
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
Photo via Art of Adam Turman Facebook
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
