Grocery accessory store

You need a license to sell only specialty food items or a small amount of food in non-food businesses.

About

An accessory use grocery store sells either:

  • Only specialized types of foods
  • Only some food items at their business

In this section

store with shelves filled with food

What to know

Examples of retailers

Examples of retailers include:

  • Department stores
  • Gas stations
  • Gift shops
  • Imported food stores
  • Hardware stores
  • Tobacco shops

Application and fee

Application

Grocery accessory stores in Minneapolis must be licensed.

Apply for a grocery accessory store license

Submit your application

Submit your application to Business Licenses

If you have questions, contact Business Licenses

Requirements

Before you begin

Food plan review

You must submit plans to: 

  • Open a new food or alcohol business, including:
    • Food carts
    • Food kiosks
    • Food trucks 
  • Remodel or expand an existing food or alcohol business 
  • Replace food equipment that needs any of these permits for installation:
    • Gas
    • Mechanical
    • Plumbing  
  • Add ventless cooking equipment or ventless hoods  

The City must approve your plans before you start any work.

See food plan review

Green To Go

Two people holding compostable beverage cups

Minneapolis has rules about containers for prepared food

Food and beverages prepared to be:

  • Eaten immediately off-site or
  • Taken to-go

Must be in containers that are:  

  • Reusable 
  • Recyclable or
  • Compostable

Read more about required containers

Read City code rules

Food safety

You are responsible for food safety. This includes control of food from preparation to serving customers.

See City and State food safety resources:

Record some employee illnesses:

Follow City and State regulations:

 

More information

Inspection

Your food handling methods determine how often the City will inspect your business.

Disclaimer 

The information on this page should serve as a guideline only.

Request accessible format

If you need help with this information, please email 3 1 1, or call 311 or 612-673-3000.

Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Contact us

Environmental Health

Minneapolis Health Department

Phone

612-673-2301

Address

Public Service Building
505 Fourth Ave. S., Room 520
Minneapolis, MN 55415

Business Licenses & Consumer Services

Address

Public Service Building
505 Fourth Ave. S., Room 220
Minneapolis, MN 55415

Office hours
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Monday – Thursday

9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Friday

Food Plan Review Team

Mohamed Yusuf

Jim Donovan

Janna Beard

Phone

Mohamed Yusuf
612-673-2612

Jim Donovan
612-673-2795

Janna Beard
612-673-3529

 

Address

Public Service Building
505 Fourth Ave. S. 
Minneapolis, MN 55415