Successful Minneapolis Restaurateur Hopes to Open a Heritage Grain Brewpub

Kim Bartmann, the restaurant owner behind such neighborhood classics as Barbette, Pat’s Tap, Tiny Diner, The Bird, and more needs investors to open a heritage grain brewpub in Minneapolis’ aptly named Mill District. Mpls./St. Paul Magazine reports that the investors need to materialize in the next 30 days to make this restaurant idea a reality. The brewpub would invite local brewers in to use heritage grains to brew beer, there would be pizzas made with locally farmed toppings, and a bakery that would also use the non GMO grains, milled into flour for baking.

Bartmann isn’t up for the old Kickstarter way of pulling in crowdsourced funds, but instead is asking for a minimum $5,000 investment, via this form.

A New Life for Old Bakeries, and a Controversial Coffee Shop

A beloved chain of bakeries and a controversial coffee shops have a new owner. An investor named Eric Shogren, who purchased A Baker’s Wife back in 2016, has taken over all Wuollet locations and Urban Bean. The latter was the focus of online uproar last month that closed the shop.

Yet Another Closure at an Uptown Spot That Can’t Seem to Hold a Restaurant

Piggy Bank probably lasted longer than could have been predicted, back with the Kaskaid Hospitality-owned eatery opened last year with a list of questionably named menu items. As it turns out, the space that will forever be known as the old Old Chicago is empty once more. Piggy Bank closed after almost a year on Hennepin Avenue. The address has hosted BoneYard, Game, Lotus, and Salsa a la Salsa. The company still operates various locations of Crave, Union Rooftop, Brit’s Pub, and more.

Selby Avenue Gets a Sushi Restaurant

Yumi Sushi is bucking the trend of moving out to the western suburbs, and heading in to St. Paul’s Cathedral Hill neighborhood. The sushi restaurant will takeover the old Fabulous Fern’s location.

People Really Love House of Wong in Roseville

Nancy Ngo of the Pioneer Press went to check out a reader-beloved Chinese-American restaurant that had closed for major remodeling in Roseville, The good news is that the cashew-chicken remains true to its original recipe at the House of Wong. All that’s changed is a refresh on the room. The family-owned restaurant has been serving the suburb since 1958 and Ngo reports that the beloved eatery is ready to carry on its traditions for years to come.

Former Lucia’s General Manager Is Opening Her Own South Minneapolis Restaurant

Heather Asbury is opening Heather’s at the old Mario’s Pizza location at 5201 Chicago Avenue South. Serving a seasonal menu, the 46-seat spot will also have a small deli space for takeaway. Look for an opening in early 2020.