Welcome to Greater St. Cloud | St. Cloud Shines

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Welcome to Greater St. Cloud

Just up the road from the Twin Cities is a cluster of communities known for a little bit of everything: small-town comforts, big-city conveniences, outdoor recreation, cultural diversity, inspiring art and entertainment. We like living here. We know you will too.

More About Our Communities

A Guide to Housing in Greater St. Cloud

Greater St. Cloud Region Map

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Cultural Diversity

Health & Wellness

Volunteering & Faith

Arts & Entertainment

Recreation & Outdoors

Local Nightlife

Resume Resources

#StCloudShines Stories

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Nov 2

Meet Abbey Graves, the Podcast Lady! #StCloudShines

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Oct 30

Launching and maintaining a podcast takes more than just hitting record. There’s planning, scripting, editing, designing, promoting, and publishing – and that’s just the start. Most people love the idea of hosting a show, but quickly realize how much behind-the-scenes work is involved. And that’s where Abbey Graves comes in. With over 10 years of experience in audio production and a background in radio broadcasting, she knows what it takes to make content that sounds as good as it feels to listen to. “I’ve built this business around the belief that everyone has a story worth sharing, and I’m proud to help creators and companies alike bring those stories to life.”

Abbey Graves Productions offers full-service podcast production designed to take the pressure off and bring your vision to life. Whether you’re a business looking to strengthen internal communication with a private podcast or an individual wanting to share your voice with the world, Abbey makes it easy, professional, and impactful. “From concept development and recording (both in-person and online) to audio/video editing, content repurposing, and social media scheduling, I handle every step so you can focus on the fun part: showing up and speaking your message.”

“I have lived and worked in this area for a decade now, and I didn't feel like I was actually part of this community until I started joining networking groups and going to different business organization events. The way the business community in Greater St. Cloud opens its arms to people like me, just starting out, has expanded my world in a way I never thought possible. Everyone running a business wants to see this community flourish, and this is evident through the support and camaraderie at various events across the area.”

Check out the full #StCloudShines story by clicking the link in our bio!

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Oct 23

Find your next favorite treasure at O'Brien's Dry Goods! #StCloudShines

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Oct 20

Happy Thyme Asain Market has something for everyone! #StCloudShines

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Oct 17

Huitao Hong moved to Central Minnesota because he saw a growing, diverse community and a real need for authentic Asian groceries and food. “I opened Happy Thyme Asian Market because I wanted to bring a taste of home to Asian families in our communities, and also invite everyone in the area to experience authentic flavors.”

Happy Thyme Asian Market opened in the spring of 2025 and is so much more than just a market. “Over time, our vision grew – not only to sell groceries, but also to provide fresh, cooked meals from our restaurant. We're especially excited to start serving dim sum, something that's hard to find locally. We also host Vivi Bubble Tea inside the market, so people can enjoy authentic boba drinks while they shop or dine. We carry unique Asian snacks, drinks, and desserts, and more,” explained Huitao.

“We’re not simply an Asian grocery store. We're a one-stop destination for Asian food and culture. In addition to groceries, we have a Chinese restaurant inside. In the future, we hope to open a food court next door with a variety of Asian restaurants, creating a space where the community can come together and experience authentic Asian cuisine in many forms.”

“Starting my business in St. Cloud has been a blessing. The Central MN community has welcomed us warmly, and we've loved seeing how open and curious people are about trying new foods and drinks. It feels like we're part of something bigger – sharing culture, food, and connection. We’d love to collaborate with anyone who also works to connect food and culture in the area.”

Check out the complete #StCloudShines story via the link in our bio!

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Oct 12

Swany White Flour Mills has been a staple in Central MN for more than 100 years! #StCloudShines

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Oct 9

Nestled on the edge of the Central Minnesota area in Freeport, MN, is Swany White Flour Mills, owned by Gary & Sharon Thelen. Swany White Flour Mills is a local flour wholesaler and manufacturer, dedicated to providing high-quality flour products. “We offer quality flour products with our primary focus on keeping our customers satisfied with reliable service and competitive pricing,” explained Sharon.

Gary was born and raised in Freeport. “I first started helping my dad at the mill when I was a teenager, and later started as a full-time employee in 1976. I purchased the mill from my father in 1998 and am currently a third-generation owner.” Three generations can span a long time – and in the case of Swany White Flour Mill, the business has been in the family for more than 120 years, since 1903.

Swany White Flour Mill was originally built in the late 1800s by Anton Hoeschen. There were a few different owners in their first century of business, but in 1903, Hubert and Peter Thelen purchased the mill. After the brothers passed away, Hubert and Peter’s sons, Jack and Walter, took over. About ten years later, the cousins undertook an extensive remodel, adding a basement and a third story to their space. Recognizing an opportunity for expansion, they added a variety of products, doubled down on competitive pricing, and expanded into organic and specialty markets. In 1980, Swany White Flour Mill was entered into the National Register of Historic Sites; the Federal Government recognized the building and business as worthy of significance and preservation in American history, architecture, engineering, and culture. In 1998, Gary and his wife, Sharon, purchased the mill from his father, Walter.

“A great thing about the Central MN community is our loyal customers; some of them have been shopping with us for generations. We’re always glad to have new visitors to our store in Freeport, but we also welcome you to check out (and shop) our website and follow us on Facebook."

Read the full #StCloudShines story by clicking the link in our bio!

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Sep 28

The Boot Shack has been a community staple for years! #StCloudShines

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Great jobs, right now.

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