50th & france downtown edina

What 50th & france downtown edina does

The 50th & France Business and Professional Association is a private nonprofit business improvement association founded in the 1970s to manage and promote the 50th & France commercial district, located at the intersection of West 50th Street and France Avenue South, spanning Edina and Minneapolis, Minnesota. The association provides district-wide strategic marketing, management, promotional, and event planning services on behalf of 175+ member retailers, restaurants, salons, jewelers, fitness studios, and professional services occupying the district. Its core "products" are the curated district itself and a calendar of signature events - including the 59-year-old Edina Art Fair (250,000-300,000 visitors annually), Restaurant Week, the Edina Car Show, Summer Concert Series, Dancing in the Plaza, Crazy Days, Bastille Day, Family Storytelling, and Holiday Happenings - anchored by the Nolan Mains Plaza as the primary outdoor venue.

The association generates revenue through two primary streams: recurring membership dues from the 175+ district businesses, and event sponsorships from Gold-level partners including US Bank, Pella, Morrie's Auto Group, Lunds & Byerly's, and Explore Edina. The go-to-market is event-driven: the association uses district-wide events as the core mechanism to drive foot traffic, sponsorship revenue, and member visibility. Marketing channels center on the 50thandfrance.com website, Eventbrite ticketing, Facebook and Instagram, an email newsletter, and a member directory that routes traffic to individual businesses. The organization operates with a small staff (Director, Coordinator, Edina Art Fair Manager) under a board composed of property and business owners, and is governed in close coordination with the City of Edina's Economic Development office. No proprietary technology platform, AI/ML capability, or external funding is associated with the association; it is a traditional place-management organization whose product is a physical commercial district and its surrounding cultural programming.

Name

50th & france downtown edina

Legal name

50th & France Business and Professional Association

Website

https://50thandfrance.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The 50th & France Business and Professional Association is a nonprofit that manages and promotes the 50th & France commercial district in Edina and Minneapolis, Minnesota, serving 175+ member retailers and restaurants through district-wide marketing, events (notably the 59-year-old Edina Art Fair), and sponsorship programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial District Management

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Professional & Association Conferences (MPAGAGAB)

Keywords

• Business association services
• Commercial district management
• District event management
• Retail district promotion
• Membership association

Headquarters

HQ city

Edina

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: The association generates revenue through membership dues from the 175 retailers and professional services operating in the 50th & France district. Property and business owners in the district comprise the association's board and support its operations through membership fees.
2. Event Sponsorships: The Edina Art Fair and other district events generate sponsorship revenue from local and regional businesses. Gold sponsors include US Bank, Pella, Morries Auto Group, and others. Sponsors receive visibility, brand exposure, and activation opportunities at high-traffic community events.
3. Event Operations: The association organizes and operates major events including the Edina Art Fair, Restaurant Week, and seasonal programming. Revenue supports event production, vendor coordination, and district promotion.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The 50th & France Business and Professional Association is a nonprofit organization that provides strategic marketing, management, promotional, and event planning services for the 50th & France commercial district in Edina and Minneapolis, Minnesota. It represents 175+ member retailers and professional services, coordinates district-wide events including the Edina Art Fair (59 years running, 250,000-300,000 visitors), Restaurant Week, Summer Concert Series, Dancing on the Plaza, and seasonal holiday programming, and advocates for member businesses through collective marketing and government relations.

Product overview

The 50th & France Business and Professional Association operates a commercial district platform centered on the 50th & France neighborhood in Edina and Minneapolis, MN. The offering is not a unified technology product but rather a collection of programs and services: the core district itself (175+ retailers and professional services), major signature events (Edina Art Fair, Restaurant Week, Car Show, Holiday Happenings, Summer Concert Series, Dancing in the Plaza, Family Storytelling, Bastille Day, Crazy Days Sales), a business membership program, and the Nolan Mains Plaza as the primary event venue. The association provides district-wide marketing, promotional, and event planning services to support the commercial ecosystem.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 50th & France Business District A commercial district located at West 50th Street and France Avenue South in Edina and Minneapolis, Minnesota, featuring over 175 retail shops and professional services including apparel stores, restaurants, cafes, spas, salons, jewelers, specialty boutiques, and the Edina Theatre.
• Edina Art Fair The longest-running and largest art fair in Minnesota (59 years), held annually in June at the 50th & France district. The three-day festival draws 250,000-300,000 visitors and features juried artists, live music, food vendors, beer gardens, emerging artist programs, kids activities, and a Minnesota Made Marketplace.
• Restaurant Week A six-day dining event held in June featuring special offers, prix fixe menus, and deals at participating restaurants throughout the 50th & France district, presented in partnership with Morrie's Auto Group and Land Rover Richfield.
• Edina Car Show An annual family-friendly car show held in September featuring classic, collector, exotic, and luxury vehicles, live music, food vendors, and awards for Best in Show. Presented by the Rotary Club of Edina.
• Holiday Happenings Seasonal winter holiday programming in December featuring Fireside Carolers, holiday photo ops with characters, gingerbread contests, fashion shows, free family movies, Hanukkah lighting celebrations, and a Gift of Giving charity event.
• Summer Concert Series (Music on the Plaza) A free weekly Friday night live music series held June through September in the Plaza at Nolan Mains, featuring local Twin Cities musical acts. Sponsored by City of Edina Arts & Culture Commission, Morrie's Auto Group, and Explore Edina.
• Dancing in the Plaza Free outdoor dance lessons and live music events held on Saturday evenings in the Plaza at Nolan Mains. Features instruction in various dance styles (bachata, merengue, hustle, swing, foxtrot, tango) by Arthur Murray Dance Studio with live band performances.
• Family Storytelling & Songs on the Plaza Free weekly family programming on summer Saturdays featuring stories and songs by Morningside Theatre Co. and In the Heart of the Beast Puppet & Mask Theater, plus free craft activities by Common Kind.
• Bastille Day A three-day French-themed celebration in July featuring French-inspired events, Paris Flea Market along France Avenue, French-Inspired Fashion Brunch at Thérèse restaurant, and a screening of Amelie at the Edina Theatre.
• Crazy Days Sales An annual blowout summer sidewalk sale event held in July featuring deep discounts across 175+ participating retailers in the 50th & France district.
• Business Association Membership Membership in the 50th & France Business and Professional Association providing district-wide strategic marketing, management, promotional and event planning services to support member retailers and professional services.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Morrie's Auto GroupcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2026Morrie's Auto Group partnered with 50th & France to present the Summer Restaurant Week event. They also co-sponsor the Summer Concert Series and provide support for district events. Morrie's Auto Group is a major regional automotive retailer.
• Land Rover RichfieldminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2026Land Rover Richfield partnered with 50th & France to provide complimentary valet service powered by Land Rover Richfield across the district during Restaurant Week. Two centralized valet locations were established on both sides of 50th & France.
• Explore EdinacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Explore Edina is a Gold Sponsor of the Edina Art Fair and co-sponsors the Summer Concert Series. As a local tourism/promotion organization, they partner to promote the district and its events to visitors.
• US BankcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026US Bank is a Gold Sponsor of the Edina Art Fair and sponsors the Emerging Artists program. As a major financial institution, they provide sponsorship support for community events.
• City of Edina Arts & Culture CommissioncoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026The City of Edina Arts & Culture Commission co-sponsors the Summer Concert Series, providing funding to support free live music programming in the district's Nolan Mains Plaza.
• Metro TransitminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Metro Transit provides free transit rides to the Edina Art Fair and the district is accessible via the E Line and 46 bus lines. They sponsor free transit passes for art fair attendees.
• PellaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Pella is a Gold Sponsor of the Edina Art Fair. Pella is a manufacturer of windows and doors providing sponsorship support for the annual art fair.
• Knutson ConstructionminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Knutson Construction sponsors the Kids Zone at the Edina Art Fair. As a local construction company, they support family-friendly activities at the event.
• International School of MinnesotaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026The International School of Minnesota sponsors the Kids Zone at the Edina Art Fair, supporting educational and entertainment activities for children at the event.
• Lunds & Byerly'scoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Lunds & Byerly's is both a member of the district (with a board representative Kevin Lee) and a sponsor of the Edina Art Fair Live Music Stage in their parking lot. Local grocery retailer with deep community ties.
• Mr. Paul's Supper ClubcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Mr. Paul's Supper Club is both a district member (with board representative Carrie Erickson) and a sponsor of the Edina Art Fair Beer Garden and Live Music Stage. Local restaurant group supporting community events.
• Mothership Pizza ParadisecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Mothership Pizza Paradise co-sponsors the Lisa & Jerry O'Brien Concert Stage in the Mr. Paul's/Mothership Beer Garden at the Edina Art Fair. Local pizza restaurant supporting live music programming.
• Nolan MainscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Nolan Mains (restaurant at 3945 Market Street) sponsors the Nolan Mains Stage for live music at the Edina Art Fair and hosts events in their plaza. They also provide valet parking location during Restaurant Week.
• PajaritominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Pajarito (Mexican restaurant) sponsors the Nolan Mains Stage at the Edina Art Fair and participates as a food vendor and Restaurant Week partner.
• Red CowminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Red Cow (restaurant) sponsors the Edina Art Fair and participates as a food vendor. Board member Michael Giacomini represents Red Cow.
• Edina City HallminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Edina City Hall provides free shuttle service to the Edina Art Fair on Saturday and Sunday. The shuttle runs from one hour before until one hour after the fair.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• International Downtown Association: Industry association for urban place management organizations (BIDs, downtown councils, district associations). Represents the broader category and best practices that 50th & France operates within.
• Mall of America: Largest retail and entertainment complex in the U.S., located in Bloomington, MN. Operates event programming, sponsorship structures, and district-wide marketing at scale comparable to the Edina Art Fair's event-driven model.
• Main Street America: National umbrella organization supporting local commercial district revitalization programs. Operates the same 'district association + events + collective marketing' model at scale across thousands of U.S. towns, providing the broader framework for organizations like 50th & France.

Direct peers

• Lake Street Council: Trade and business association supporting the Lake Street corridor in Minneapolis. Functions as a business improvement district with collective marketing, events, and policy advocacy for member businesses.
• Downtown Council of Minneapolis: Manages and advocates for the downtown Minneapolis commercial district through member dues, events, and district marketing. Highly comparable business improvement district model applied to a different Minneapolis-area commercial core.
• Uptown Association: Business association that organizes events, marketing, and district improvements for the Uptown Minneapolis commercial corridor. Shares the same business-district management + event-driven GTM model as 50th & France.
• Visit Edina (Explore Edina): Destination marketing organization for Edina that partners with 50th & France as a Gold Sponsor of the Edina Art Fair and co-sponsor of the Summer Concert Series. Operates a similar event-promotion and placemaking model.
• Edina Chamber of Commerce: Local business association serving Edina-based businesses. Operates as a parallel membership and advocacy organization for the same Edina business community and partners with 50th & France on district promotion.

Regional players

• Southdale Center: Major enclosed shopping mall located in Edina, MN. Operates as a competing retail destination for the same Twin Cities consumer base, with its own event programming and tenant mix similar in customer profile to 50th & France.
• Galleria Edina: Upscale shopping center located in Edina that competes with 50th & France for the same affluent Twin Cities shoppers. Comparable in tenant mix (apparel, dining, specialty retail) and operates its own events and marketing to attract the same demographic.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/edinaartfair
• Facebookfacebook.com/50thFrance
• Instagraminstagram.com/50thandfrance

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about 50th & france downtown edina