For Erin Lucas and Mateo Mackbee, the journey to opening Krewe and Flour & Flower wasn’t a straight line, but a winding path that saw many highs and lows. What started as a shared vision between two chefs who clicked with one another, evolved into a culinary success story that showcases the power of persistence and community.
Their journey began with a dream to create something different – a space rooted in values, culture and community. After early efforts in the Twin Cities culinary scene, Erin and Mateo connected through a shared vision of what they wanted to bring to their community.
Then came an unexpected invitation – from a pastor they had met in a bar. That meeting led them out of the cities, to rural Minnesota, where after years of back and forth, a family-owned brewery in New London offered them the opportunity to run a kitchen within their space. In 2018, Model Citizen was born, bringing New Orleans inspired dishes to a region that hadn’t seen anything like it prior.
The success of Model Citizen opened another door – this time in St. Joseph. The owner of a New Orleans style apartment building approached them with an offer they couldn’t ignore: opening a restaurant in the space.
By early 2020, Krewe and Flour & Flower were almost ready to launch. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
While many businesses struggled, Mateo and Erin adapted. The bakery opened first, operating entirely to-go. Krewe followed, pivoting quickly to accommodate updated restrictions. Though the timing was tough, the support from the community was immediate – and meaningful.
“People weren’t just coming for the food,” Erin says. “They were looking for us to something more. We had created a safe space for the community.”
That connection with the community has remained at the heart of everything they do. Whether it’s through their intentional service philosophy, partnerships with local businesses, or the emotional role their space plays for customers, their impact reaches far beyond the food.
More than just a restaurant
Over the past five years, Krewe and Flour & Flower have grown steadily – without chasing expansion for expansion’s sake. Instead, their focus has remained on intentional, creative growth: including adding new equipment to make the bakery run more efficiently, deepening university partnerships, and helping elevate the food scene across the St. Cloud and St Joseph area.
Their impact is pronounced. Beyond serving great food, Erin and Mateo have inspired others, raising the bar for what’s possible in a small-town food scene. And while the couple has achieved their share of national recognition, with Erin’s hard work at Flour & Flower being recognized by the New York Times as a Top 22 Bakery in the US, and Mateo receiving a James Beard Award semifinalist nod, it’s the relationships with their customers that matter the most.
“People walk in and just want a hug or a safe place to feel something,” Erin says, “and we’re here for that.”
The role of SBA lending – financing the dream
Launching a business – especially one without outside investors – requires more than just passion and a great idea. It takes access to capital to get off the ground. For Erin and Mateo, an SBA loan with Minnwest Bank was the most viable path forward.
“It just made sense for us,” Mateo says, “we needed the most affordable options – to make these dreams a reality, the SBA route was the best fit.”
With guidance from the St. Cloud Development Corporation and support from their Minnwest Bank lender, the SBA loan process was smoother than expected. It gave them not only the funds to open Krewe and Flour & Flower but also access to a broader network.
“It wasn’t just about the financing,” Mateo notes, “we got to meet people from the SBA program, host events, and now we’re even showcased as an example of what’s possible with SBA loans.”
Their advice to others considering SBA lending? Do you research, ask questions, and understand the resources available to you.
Looking ahead
What’s next for the couple? With their wedding coming soon, they also look to keep growing – as people, as partners, and as community leaders.
“The goal is to keep producing hope in the world the best way we can,” Erin says.
“We want to continue our message of service, to our customers, to our community, to our fellow humans,” Mateo says, “and provide spaces that feel like a reprieve from the outside world.”
For Mateo and Erin, the sky is the limit – but they remain focused on staying grounded, staying grateful, and maintaining a connection with the people who helped them get here.