“Students are Supported”: An Artisian Market for a cause

For the third year in a row Bruno Press, Korppi Coffee and Flour & Flower will be combining their artistry skill and inclusive environments to re-cement their commitment toward reproductive rights on Sept. 20th from 4 to 7 p.m.

These three women-owned businesses will be joined by more than a dozen other women-owned businesses and supporters local to the St. Joseph and greater St. Cloud area.

“Make and Bake: An Artisian Market for a Cause” is the formal name for their yearly collaboration, which includes a letterpress souvenir that attendees can print themselves, a silent auction and live music by Twin-city based artists Doug Otto and Hilary Thavis, alongside the many other attractions.

At the end of the Make and Bake, 20% of all sales will be donated to the local Planned Parenthood clinic. In past years, they have seen donations amount up to $2,500.

The Make and Bake taking place in St. Joseph at Bruno Press creates an atmosphere of discussion and inclusivity which encapsulates not only the small businesses and St. Joe citizens, but also St. Ben’s and St. John’s students, faculty and staff. Laura Wolfram, co-owner of Korppi Coffee, said, “[It shows] students are supported in the community at large… we’re out here.”Though situated in a rural area and outside the Twin Cities, the Make and Bake has previously had unofficial visits from Minesota politicians, and this year they are expecting an unofficial visit from Carol Bruess, acting scholar and wife of CSB+SJU president.

The three businesses came together in a chain of text messages after the overturn of Roe v. Wade in the summer of 2022.

Though the women had some models of potential bake sales in mind, when Roe v. Wade was overturned they began to seriously plan a rural bake sale with a focus on community.

They knew about similar bake sales in Minneapolis, but it seemed that one was missing in rural Minnesota.

With St. Joseph being a small town, this was how the women got to know one another.

Bruno often works with others and had no problem setting up the new event in her yard.

Given the nature of the past and current political climate, the businesses faced the issue of putting this event on in general. In the end, they decided they wanted to go ahead with the Make and Bake and support their communities.

Mary Bruno, owner of Bruno Press, says, “It shouldn’t be a bipartisan issue.” In real life, at an event like this, it’s easier to see that people are people. Online, however, is different, where sending something off to another person is instantaneous but brings with it a sense of anonymity and anonymity can be emboldening.

In small communities, too, there is this sense of othering. Bruno explains this phenomenon, saying, “’You vote this way, so I [sic] hate you, you vote this way, so I [sic] hate you,’ but [they’ll] show up to shovel your driveway.”

It’s easier to dehumanize people on the internet versus face to face.

They welcome all to stop by but know some don’t agree with their values, and that’s life.

“[It’s] real humans doing real cool positive stuff, if it’s not your thing drive right by.”