Downtown Minneapolis Restaurant News

[Tyler]

The interior overhaul is welcome news. I went once way back in the Steven Brown days. The food was good but I hated the space and never returned.

[HiawathaGuy]

Minneapolis' Taste of Thailand calls it quits after eight years
http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/n ... loses.html

Time for Cushman & Wakefield/NorthMarq and landlord Michael Lazaretti to get creative with this newly vacated space, along with the long-vacant Chevy's space and lure something amazing. How about Famous Dave's or Buffalo Wild Wings?! OR Cheesecake Factory. The possibilities truly are endless... not sure why this corner seems to be so damn difficult to fill.

[TommyT]

I walk by this every day and honestly thought it was already closed. I've never seen it open and it just looks dirty inside.

[nickmgray]

With the transformation of Block E across the street, it may be the right time for a chain restaurant to move in. As much as I hate to downtown's that are filled with dozens of chain restaurants, we've lost nearly all of our in the past 10 years. We used to have a TGI Fridays, Applebee'ss and Chevy's and Olive Garden within 200 feet of each other.

[Silophant]

I'd patronize the crap out of a Pizza Ranch or BWW.

[trkaiser]

I'm in the franchise industry, and was recently told that Minneapolis is the #1 restaurant growth market in the entire country. With recent articles touting this tidbit, I would expect an uptick in chain-type restaurant activity in the city - including downtown. This recent economic growth has led to a lot of franchised restaurants of all types undertaking significant expansions. It will be interesting to see what new stuff comes our way.

[twincitizen]

I walk by this every day and honestly thought it was already closed. I've never seen it open and it just looks dirty inside.

I used to (2011-2012) go past this corner almost every day and thought the same. Sure, it was usually morning when the restaurant wasn't open, but just looking though the windows gave the impression that it was not currently in business.

What exactly is the deal with this landlord that they couldn't attract anyone to fill the vacant Chevy's space for what, 10 years now? You really have to hope either this corner or Mayo Clinic Square attracts something good soon. I agree with y'all, a chain would be perfectly fine in either space at 7th & Hennepin. Just open something, anything, for the love of god, before the black hole swallows Seven too.

[5th Ave Guy]

I walk by this every day and honestly thought it was already closed. I've never seen it open and it just looks dirty inside.

I used to (2011-2012) go past this corner almost every day and thought the same. Sure, it was usually morning when the restaurant wasn't open, but just looking though the windows gave the impression that it was not currently in business.

What exactly is the deal with this landlord that they couldn't attract anyone to fill the vacant Chevy's space for what, 10 years now? You really have to hope either this corner or Mayo Clinic Square attracts something good soon. I agree with y'all, a chain would be perfectly fine in either space at 7th & Hennepin. Just open something, anything, for the love of god, before the black hole swallows Seven too.

I'm not sure if they'd put another one this close to the West End, but I'd love to see a Yard House in that old Chevy's location or in Mayo Square.

[Tyler]

Cheescake Factory's still pack in the yokels.

[sushisimo]

I don't know where my mind is pulling this from, but I'd like to see Fitger's from Duluth move to this location. They had pretty zealous plans to move into the North Loop and then totally pulled back. They'd be akin to Rock Bottom, which does well, but better.

[Record Machine]

Minneapolis' Taste of Thailand calls it quits after eight years
http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/n ... loses.html

That's a bummer but not surprising. Hands down my favorite pad thai, but I've never experienced such consistently poor service.

[grant1simons2]

Freshii is now open in Gaviidae common. It looks really nice. Smells good too. Like. Fresh

[mamundsen]

Not sure if this is the best place for it...

1st Ave really has seen some hard times these past few years. As I drove in this morning I noticed that Uncle Buck's bar (1st and 5th) looked closed. The sign was covered in black and there were sheer drapes covering all the windows. I thought the drapes were a strange touch. Normally it would be empty windows or covered in paper.

I bet there are 5-6+ empty bar/nightclub spots along a 3 block stretch. Uncle Bucks, Imperial Room, Bootleggers, Johnny Tequilas, Smalley's Alley, others???

Could it be because the "bar scene" is expanding and changing to North Loop, towards Target Field (Cowboy Jacks and Shout House), and all the tap rooms around town?

To me it's an interesting change. Thoughts?

[Viktor Vaughn]

The Sunday night shenanigans with riot police, tear gas, and unruly crowds has worn on this area. I think it's gotten a bad reputation even though it's mostly just weekend bar close when the problems occur.

[sushisimo]

and all the tap rooms around town?

To me it's an interesting change. Thoughts?

I think it's this. It seems the new wave of downtown patrons aren't as interested in that scene anymore.

[seanrichardryan]

Yet Brother's lives on....
*shudder

[mamundsen]

Ok so next question... What is the best way to revitalize 1st Ave?

[twincitizen]

*Sorry, my post is coming in late. I began to type, but it looks like others have mostly said the same thing before I got the post in.*

It seemed most of those bars mentioned above were frequented mostly by suburbanites and 21 year olds. A few of the true "dance club" type places (Karma, etc.) have closed in that area as well.

I suppose entertainment districts tend to wax and wane with time. Also, there being more bars/taprooms/restaurants all over the city, as well as in the suburbs, has to play a factor in people's willingness to come to the Warehouse District to party. The weird thing is that the neighborhoods surrounding the "clubby" part of the Warehouse District have never been safer and more populated with 24/7 residents than they are today. Perhaps it's only natural that some of the most unruly type of bars are pushed out of this area as it too transitions to residential, office, retail, etc.

[mulad]

Regardless of who goes there and what they get up to, this is an area that has been in desperate need of wider sidewalks.

[TommyT]

It's about time Vellee opens! I walk by this every day and it seemed like they'd never take the temporary door down.
http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/m ... onday.html