Today we're talking about what happens when you take an old building with a lot of history, a little bit of vision, and a willingness to take a chance. Jack Lester and Eric Kramlinger are two of the owners of The Shoe Beverage Bar in Rochester, Minnesota. They took a former shoe repair shop that had been part of the community for decades, and transformed it into what they describe as a classy dive bar: a place for drinks, conversation, live music, and bringing people together. Jack and Eric share their backgrounds, why they decided to get into the bar business, what drew them to this particular building, the importance of preserving some of its history, and what a place like The Shoe Beverage Bar can contribute to Rochester's growing destination.

When you think about iconic attractions, a giant nutcracker probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind. But in Luverne, Minnesota, nutcrackers have become much more than a holiday decoration: they've become part of the community's identity and a growing tourism story that's attracting visitors and national attention.

This episode offers a look at how one unique idea evolved into a destination brand and what other communities can learn from Luverne's experience.

Joining the conversation are Betty Mann, whose remarkable nutcracker collection helped inspire it all; Katie Walgrave, who helped bring the world's tallest nutcracker to life; and Tony Schomacker, who has helped lead Luverne's destination branding efforts.

When we talk about destinations, we often focus on attracting visitors, but the strongest destinations are also great places to live: communities where people want to build careers, raise families, start businesses and connect with others.

Join Alison Zelms, City Administrator for Rochester, MN, Mike Mornson, City Manager for Hopkins, MN and Sharon Hanson, City Administrator for Marshall, MN as they discuss building places people want to visit and live.

This episode was recorded in Rochester, Minnesota during the 2026 League of Minnesota Cities Annual Conference, where local leaders from communities across the state gathered to share ideas, discuss challenges, and learn from one another.

Matt Fink, known to millions around the world as Dr. Fink of Prince and the Revolution, was the keyboardist for one of the most iconic bands in music history. He helped create music that continues to inspire audiences across generations and around the world. Matt talks about his journey into music, how he met Prince, what it was like to be part of the Revolution during the Purple Rain era, the friendships and experiences that shaped those remarkable years, the lasting legacy of Prince, and why music and culture continue to play such an important role in building strong communities.

This special 100th episode of the Growing Destinations Podcast was recorded in front of a live audience at Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, Minnesota.

Charlie Rybak has worked across just about every corner of modern media, from traditional journalism to digital strategy to launching hyperlocal news platforms. Today he leads editorial innovation at Twin Cities Business and hosts a YouTube series featuring conversations with business leaders across the region. Charlie shares his career journey, what's actually working in business media right now and how he's thinking about telling the story of a state that's growing well beyond just the Twin Cities.

At Little Thistle Brewing in Rochester, Minnesota, community creativity and a real smart approach to experience-building are all on tap. This isn't just a neighborhood brewery. It's a gathering place, and increasingly, it's becoming something more: a hub for shared experiences that bring people together in ways that go well beyond what's in the glass.

Steve Finnie, Co-Owner of Little Thistle, shares how his Scottish roots and passion for soccer are helping to shape a creative activation leading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This conversation goes deeper than that. We'll talk about Steve's journey, the realities of running a brewery in today's environment and how thinking differently about programming, partnerships and place can turn a local business into a destination in its own right.

On Growing Destinations, we’re joined by Chancellor Lori Carrell of the University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR). Chancellor Carrell received the Rochester Mayor’s Medal of Honor in 2025 for her leadership in higher education and her impact on the city. Under her leadership, UMR has experienced significant enrollment growth and continues to expand its role as a downtown campus preparing the next generation of healthcare and research professionals. We discuss UMR’s unique place within the University of Minnesota system, its innovative approach to learning, and how the university’s growth is shaping the future of Rochester.

Caitlin Alexander is an Emmy award-winning anchor and Executive Producer at KTTC-TV in Rochester, Minnesota, and a published children’s author. While many viewers know her from the nightly newscast, Caitlin is also the writer behind the middle-grade paranormal novels She's Still Here and The Forever Bride, as well as the family-centered children's book Baby Celebrates Both: Christmas & Hanukkah.

In this conversation, we discuss building a creative life in Rochester, balancing newsroom leadership with novel writing, and why telling brave, age-appropriate spooky stories for kids matters.