Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 31st of January.
Good morning, Rochester.
💼 Business
The Shoe Beverage Bar opens Saturday in the former shoe repair shop at 908 Broadway Avenue.
The bar serves local brews, cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks while hosting live events and featuring shoe nails with former owners' names (a nod to its 61-year history).
🎭 Culture
Imagination Fest offers a fun, family-friendly book event on Saturday, Mar.
21 at United Way of Southeast Minnesota. The festival features interactive stations—local author presentations and a free book giveaway that supports United Way’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
📰 Economy
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development released Q3 2025 export numbers showing exports dropped 14% to $5.7 billion.
Sales for key partners including Canada, Mexico, China and Japan declined — while exports to Europe, the Middle East and Africa increased.
The Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce will host the 2026 Economic Summit at the Mayo Civic Center on Feb.
3 from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. Bernard Baumohl, chief global economist at The Economic Outlook Group, will deliver the keynote address on future economic trends.
🎓 Education
Chatfield Elementary students are taking part in the Read, Deed, Move program that requires a reading activity + a community deed to support local needs.
They made tie-blankets for Hugs for Hunter Foundation last week and will visit a care center in February to read poems.
🌲 Environment
The Old Farmer's Almanac predicts a warm but wet spring across most of Minnesota for April and May, although the state's northeastern tip may see cooler, drier days.
Local residents can prepare by cleaning gutters, keeping umbrellas handy, and planning for early planting (as mosquitoes could arrive sooner).
🏛️ Government
Rochester Public Transit will change service this spring by consolidating Routes 409 and 418 and Routes 101 and 206 while modifying Route 203’s frequency and weekend hours — public input sessions run from Feb.
9 through Feb. 11 on Microsoft Teams, 125 Live, and Sunset Terrace Elementary School.
📰 Lifestyle
Rochester’s restaurant scene is evolving as Yuma Fritas, Ollin Cocina and Tequila, and EggFlip are now open in former local eateries.
Twin Cities favorites Green and The Grain, McAlister’s Deli, and Berries and Bubbles will open soon plus residents shared a wishlist of seven restaurants they want in town.
🏈 Sports
The Monster X Tour will take place at the Mayo Civic Center this Saturday, Jan.
31, with two family-friendly shows featuring monster truck races, motocross tricks and a pit party. One show starts at 12:00 p.m. and the other begins at 7:30 p.m.
🎉 Rochester Events
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Social Ice Festival 2026
4-10 p.m. — Peace Plaza — Free entry — Experience a vibrant winter oasis with themed bars, ice sculptures, and live DJ entertainment.
The Sound Of Fate
7:30 p.m. — Mayo Civic Center — Ticketed event — Experience Tchaikovsky's epic showdown with fate through his Symphony No. 5 and Rossini's spirited Overture to Semiramide.
A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder
7:00 p.m. (Thu, Fri, Sat), 2:00 p.m. (Sun) — Rochester Civic Theatre — Ticket prices varied — A low-born man's chase for love and an earldom takes a comedic and murderous twist.
Junior Gold Qualifier at Colonial Lanes
Multiple time slots available — Colonial Lanes — Participation fee required — Compete in a thrilling Junior Gold qualifier with exciting scholarship opportunities.
Spanish Conversation Meetup
6:30-7:30 p.m. — Rochester Public Library — Free entry — Practice your Spanish speaking skills in a friendly group setting.
Next Stop Comedy Show
7:00-8:30 p.m. — LC's Venue — Check website for ticket info — Enjoy a fresh lineup of stand-up comedians at this local favorite.
Kubernetes Administration Training
Feb 23–25 — Huntington Learning Center Rochester — $2490 — Learn Kubernetes to manage containerized applications and prepare for the CKA exam.
Rend Collective Concert
7-10 p.m. — Mayo Civic Center — Tickets required — Experience a joyous evening of folk-infused worship music with Rend Collective from Northern Ireland.
French Conversation Coffee Hour
2-3:30 p.m. — Café Aquí — Free entry — Enjoy a cozy coffee hour to practice your French and meet fellow enthusiasts.
🏠 Rochester Real Estate
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💼 Rochester Job Board
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📣 Rochester Announcements
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