Lulu EthioVegan Cuisine: Expanding & Thriving

Lulu EthioVegan Cuisine was created to serve bold, healthy, plant-based Ethiopian meals to the Twin Cities community. Founded by Tigist—a former healthcare worker and mother of 4 who took a leap of faith to open her first business—Lulu has already earned local acclaim and a loyal customer base. But with growing demand and limited space, Tigist often has to turn away customers. This funding campaign will help Lulu EthioVegan upgrade kitchen equipment, expand serving capacity, and begin making improvements to the space—ensuring that this beloved, affordable, and nourishing food remains accessible to more people across the community.

We're at a Crossroads

To expand our impact, we need an immediate boost to sustain and help us serve more of our community, better.

🪑 Increase Seating Space, Weatherproofing, and Structural Safety (~$8,500)

Lulu EthioVegan often has to turn away customers due to limited seating—but the demand is strong. With your help, we’ll weatherproof and light the outdoor patio, expand usable seating, and make critical safety improvements to the space.

It’s not just weatherproofing for the cold—Minnesota’s growing heat waves have made indoor conditions unsafe for kitchen staff and uncomfortable for guests. A working A/C unit and initial roof repairs will create a safer, more welcoming experience year-round.

🔥 Larger Commercial Stove & Fridge to Serve More Customers (~$8,500)

When Tigist opened Lulu in 2023, she made do with small, secondhand kitchen equipment. Now, with rising demand and national attention, that setup is no longer enough. The fridge is failing, and the stove is jeopardizing operations.

A new fridge and stove will allow Lulu EthioVegan to:

• Cook more dishes simultaneously, with shorter wait times
• Expand menu offerings rooted in Tigist’s unique plant-based Ethiopian innovation
• Store fresh ingredients safely and reduce food waste

📈 Business Sustainability & Operational Support (~$3,000)

Beyond urgent repairs, Tigist is committed to building a sustainable business that lasts. With additional support, she will strengthen operations and long-term planning—including hiring a sound marketing consultant and refining business systems—to help Lulu EthioVegan navigate the challenges of today’s economy and the hardships so many small restaurants are facing. This investment ensures Lulu can grow responsibly while continuing to serve the community with excellence.

Where the Money Goes 

Seating, Safety, and Weatherproofing ($8,500)

• $900 to run new electrical service to the patio for lighting and heating
• $400 for outdoor lighting fixtures
• $2,200 to partially enclose the open-air patio for year-round seating
• $3,000 to install a functioning A/C unit to ensure safe and comfortable conditions for staff and guests
• $2,000 for initial roof repair to address leaks and prevent further structural damage

Stove & Fridge ($8,500)

• $7,000 covers the cost of a six-burner commercial stove and large-capacity fridge, including installation
• $1,500 for safe removal of broken equipment and kitchen reconfiguration to fit new appliances

Business Support & Planning ($3,000)

• $3,000 to support business planning, operational systems, and hiring a marketing consultant to strengthen sustainability during ongoing economic challenges

Who We Are

When Tigist opened Lulu EthioVegan Cuisine in 2023, she was answering a call to provide food at the in

tersection of health and culture. After more than 20 years working in healthcare while she raised her 4 children, she followed her passion for plant-based cooking to create a space that nourishes both body and community. Inspired by her roots, her faith, and her daughter’s vegan lifestyle, Tigist reimagines traditional Ethiopian dishes with vibrant, health-conscious flair.

Lulu EthioVegan is one of the first restaurants in the Twin Cities to offer fully plant-based Ethiopian cuisine—crafted with cultural integrity and culinary creativity. It’s already earned a place in the hearts of customers and the broader food scene.

The results speak for themselves:

🏆 Winner of the Vegan Chili Cook-Off (our Ethiopian-spiced chili is legendary!)

🥈 Second Place in the Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge

🌱 Featured in Mpls.St.Paul Magazine as part of a new wave of visionary Ethiopian chefs

💬 A loyal and growing customer base that often fills the restaurant to capacity

🎉 Two years of successfully building (and feeding) community

With the right support, Lulu EthioVegan could become the next beloved staple of the Twin Cities—proving that mothers can thrive as entrepreneurs and that food rooted in culture can nourish both people and community.

Every Dollar Counts

Whether you've been a regular since day one or you're just discovering us. With a show of community support, we can keep bringing you the flavors that have made Lulu EthioVegan Cuisine a Minneapolis treasure.

Ready to be part of our story?

Lulu EthioVegan Cuisine – Where tradition meets innovation, and every meal builds community.

When you donate, bring in your confirmation email for 10% off your meal.