Robbinsdale’s Golden Age Design Collects Supplies for Neighborhoods Impacted by Riots

Small businesses make up the heart of downtown Robbinsdale, and since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, stores like Golden Age Design have been forced to close.

“Obviously being a small business owner, you have this fear of losing it all, right? When you have to close, it’s a pretty scary and helpless feeling,” said Bill Kurth, who owns Golden Age Design with his wife, Kara.

Golden Age Design is a furniture and home goods store, and the business has a loyal following of people who have helped them survive the past three months through online sales.

“They helped us get through that stretch, right? And so all we want to do is find ways to give back and be humble,” Bill said.

“Justice for George Floyd” signs hang in the windows of Golden Age Design. Artwork credit: Kelsie Gerstl of Forage.

When the riots broke out over the death of George Floyd, Bill and Kara realized how they could go about giving back.

“We first kind of gathered information from the drives that were happening as to what was needed,” Kara said.

On Saturday, (along with the assistance of team members Bethany Ashun and Matt Pauly), they put a call out to friends, neighbors and Robbinsdale residents for food and other supplies.

Word spread fast.

“It was like, open the floodgates,” Bill said. “It was pretty amazing.”

Some of the food and supplies collected by Golden Age Design over the weekend.

Over the course of two days, they collected enough supplies to fill two trailers, four minivans, three trucks, and two cars with supplies. All told, they estimate that people donated more than 5,000 pounds of food and other items.

They spread those donations out to PRISM and various supply drives in hard-hit areas of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

“We love them so much and they’re our neighbors, they’re our community,” Kara said. “And this small, small thing that we did was the least we could do.”

Generosity is one thing, but for Bill and Kara, they hope the events of the past week will not only bring justice, but spur systemic change.

“We’re so sorry, George, for what happened to you,” Kara said.

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