Major Changes Ahead for Two Businesses With Lowertown Roots

After fifteen years of serving St. Paul her Thai cuisine, Supatra Johnson has made the decision to sell her business. She first opened in Lowertown before moving to the current West 7th location in 2004. Johnson informed fans of the restaurant of the decision to sell in an email sent out on Monday. Her final dinner at the restaurant will be served on December 28. In 2020 she will continue her classes and private chef work.

The Salty Tart Becomes True Stone Cafe

The Salty Tart has been evolving since it first opened its lowertown cafe. First founder and chef Michelle Gayer made the decision to step away and now the cafe’s operations are being turned over to True Stone Coffee Roasters. The coffee company has been a part of the cafe since the beginning, training the baristas and providing coffee to the cafe and next door’s Octo Fishbar. Joining True Stone inside the bake case will be pies from Viking & Goddesses Pie, from pastry chef Rachel Anderson. Anderson previously worked for renowned pastry chef Diane Moua, and has already been working inside the cafe, behind the scene. Other baked goods will be provided by Lowertown Bakehouse.

The cafe will temporarily close after December 31 for the changeover.

Mary Ellen’s Bistro Will Open in Old Maeve’s Cafe

The people who brought the world the wonderful mini doughnut flights at Sleepy V’s in Northeast will take over the cafe location next year. Mary Ellen’s Bistro is named for a North Dakota grandma and the food will be the sort she’d be familiar with: sandwiches, sausage, knoephla, and kuchen.