The typical restaurant experience goes as follows: order, eat and then pay. But at Post Modern Times, a cafe in Minneapolis, that last step is optional.
In response to the ICE presence that has upended the Twin Cities, owner Dylan Alverson wanted to offer help to neighbors in a time of crisis.
The best way he knew how was through feeding his community. And after Alex Pretti was killed by ICE agents, Alverson decided to transition the menu at Post Modern Times to a pay-what-you-can model. The hope was that people who needed a safe place to go could find a cozy room, a table to sit at, and warm plate of food, without feeling anxiety from their wallet.
And while customers can eat for free, it hasn’t meant a lack of business. According to Alverson, business has been busier than ever.
"I can't remember a single February where we hadn't had a loss for the month," said Alverson. "This was our first February where we didn't lose money."
“Marketplace” host Kimberly Adams spoke with Alverson about why the cafe moved to a pay-what-you-can scale, and what it’s like to run a small business amid increased ICE presence in Minneapolis.
Click the audio player above to hear the full conversation.
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