POLES used to rule 13th Avenue in northeast Minneapolis. A Polish deli and a Polish clothing store marked one end of this commercial stretch along the old Broadway streetcar line, five minutes north of downtown. The Polish White Eagle Association, a fraternal organization, anchored the other. Empty storefronts dotted the brick buildings in between like missing teeth in an uneasy smile.

Galleries moved in to some of those spaces. But what really brightened this four-block stretch was the October opening of the Anchor Fish & Chips (302 13th Avenue NE; 612-676-1300; theanchorfishandchips.com).

“Lately, it feels like this is more of a destination than it used to be,” said Dale Flattum (who goes by the nickname Tooth), a local poster artist. “With the 331 Club,” he said, referring to a neighborhood bar and music site, “and the Anchor, it seems like people are coming here to do stuff.”

The Anchor has hardly priced out the art crowd. An eight-ounce hunk of battered cod can be had for $8.50, and comes with thick, hand-cut fries. According to Jenny Crouser, one of the owners, friends from the neighborhood spent months renovating the former art gallery, often at no charge. Local carpenters built the bar  a beam of Douglas fir from a 115-year-old barn  in exchange for 420 pints of beer.