I hope reading today’s column (gift link) is convenient and appetizing, just like visiting a food truck. The Revive Virginia Food Truck Festival is this Saturday, Sept. 19 in downtown Virginia, Minn. I’m highlighting some of the entrepreneurial success stories among past vendors.
In fact, Minnesota has several examples of food trucks turning into successful businesses, even while the restaurant industry struggles with high costs and changing dining habits.
Starting small and building up is a concept that comes hard to communities that experienced explosive growth in their origin stories. But in a world of demographic stagnation and technological change, it’s the only fool-proof way to a sustainable small town economy.
Read “Reviving communities with burritos ‘you need two hands to hold‘” in the Monday, Sept. 14, 2026 edition of the Minnesota Star Tribune.
Aaron J. Brown is a columnist and member of the editorial board for the Minnesota Star Tribune. His new book about Hibbing Mayor Victor Power and his momentous fight against the world’s largest corporation will be out soon.
