Managed by ESABA, the Arcade, Maryland, and 7th Street East Corridor covers 7th St E (Payne to Forest), Arcade St (Maryland to 7th St E), and Maryland Ave (Wiede to Forest).
Last Edited: September 21, 2026
East Side Area Business Association (ESABA) used their 2025 Commercial Corridor Program funds to provide relief to local businesses during street reconstruction of Arcade and East 7th Street along with marketing in the corridor. For 2026 ESABA plans on continuing direct business support by extending their construction mitigation fund and also launched a Keep it Open on 7th marketing campaign.
Marketing funds back ESABA's promotional campaign for Arcade Street businesses.
Business Support funds help local businesses weather construction impacts.
The East Side Orbiter is an annual coupon booklet created by the East Side Area Business Association. Commercial Corridor funding was used for Orbiter prizes—gift cards purchased from Arcade Street businesses. 14 Arcade Street businesses were added to the 30+ coupons.
Shop 5 Get $50 was a campaign by the East Side Area Business Association with 25 participating businesses that distributed punch cards, giving away a total of $200 in gift cards to participants. Commercial Corridor funds helped procure the cards.
The East Side Area Business Association used Commercial Corridor funds to update their Member Directory with information for businesses impacted by construction.
Promotional Graphics were produced by consultants hired by the East Side Area Business Association for social media, along with corridor branding for use at events. These activities included three corridor guides—collectively the Construction Crawl Guide—hosted on their website and distributed at ESABA events.
The East Side Area Business Association used Commercial Corridor funds for event support and marketing for business-led special events and deals. This included funding specific silent auction items—gift cards from impacted businesses—during the Annual Gala, along with a raffle during the holiday season.
The Construction Mitigation Fund was used to cover grant administration services and distribution of grants to eligible businesses located on East 7th Street (Payne Avenue to Forest Street) impacted by road reconstruction. With additional funding in 2026 for impacted businesses. A few awardees include: Cafeto Shop, Manana Restaurant, Taqueria Los Paisanos, Nail Spot.
Contact the Economic Development team:
CommercialCorridors@stpaul.gov
Contact the East Side Area Business Association: