Edina City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Spark Grant Program Overview and Awards
Housing and Redevelopment Authority Forgivable Loan Approval
Votes (2)
Spark Grant Awards for Business Expansion and Reinvestment
Two Edina businesses, Coders Clubhouse and JJ's Pokey Minnesota, were awarded Spark grants of up to $24,000 each. Coders Clubhouse will remodel space at Rudaf France shopping center for coding classes, including ADA compliant restrooms and HVAC. JJ's Pokey Minnesota will expand its York Avenue restaurant, addressing high costs for ADA restrooms, utilities, and connection fees. The program aims to attract small local businesses and grow the tax base.
Forgivable Loan for New Americana Restaurant at 50th in France
The Housing and Redevelopment Authority approved a $200,000 forgivable loan for the owners of Americana. This loan will help close a financial gap in the $3.2 million project to remodel and expand the former Bario restaurant at 5036 France Avenue, creating a new dining destination. The restaurant is expected to open in fall 2026.
Notable Quotes (1)
We are incredibly grateful to receive the Spark grant. It's allowing us to bring our business, Quarters Clubhouse, to fruition. Um, without it, it would have been difficult to be successful in our buildout. Um, and now we're able to take this empty space and create it into this fun, welcoming, coding maker space center for the families of Edina.
Ordinances & Resolutions (3)
Fund created by the Housing and Redevelopment Authority in 2021 to support small business expansion.
Previous collected funds used to create and finance the Spark program.
A $200,000 loan approved for the Americana restaurant project.