Machine Shop
Photo Credit: Russel Heeter Photography
Machine Shop is a leading Twin Cities event venue located in the St. Anthony neighborhood of Minneapolis. Formerly the machine shop for the Pillsbury A-Mill, this building was carefully restored, keeping the original 1916 architectural details intact, while introducing modern luxury in this industrial space for all types of events.
Interested in opportunities to incorporate more sustainable practices into their operations, the Machine Shop connected with MNimize via Luum Collective, an event design agency focused on sustainability and social good.
Before MNimize
As an event venue, The Machine Shop provides space to clients who bring in their own vendors including caterers, florists, and others while also offering bar services. Previously, their bar service relied on plastic water bottles and disposable plastic cups—using an estimated 75 water bottles per event.
Plastic Reduction Actions Implemented
The Machine Shop took advantage of the MNimize Rebate to purchase reusable glassware, storage racks, and beverage dispensers to create refillable water stations throughout the venue. This change not only will reduce the amount of plastic water bottles disposed onsite, but will also generate long term cost savings and create a new revenue opportunity by offering water stations as a bar service package.
In making this change, The Machine Shop has achieved MNimize Bronze!
Outcomes
- 7,500 – 11,250 single-use plastic water bottles avoided annually
- $10,000 in annual cost savings