Fire Forces Temporary Closure of Ann Kim’s Wildly Popular Northeast Eatery

Minneapolis fire crews were called to the building that houses Young Joni on 13th Avenue Northeast at 6:30 pm Sunday February 24 where a fire appeared to be coming from uppermost level of the building. There were reports of smoke inside the restaurant. Everyone was safely evacuated safely. Fire crews extinguished fire inside the roofline and outside on the roof, according to Minneapolis Fire Department’s Deputy Chief Kathleen Mullen. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time and under investigation. The restaurant will be closed for the foreseeable future.

Young Joni is the third restaurant from chef Ann Kim and her Vestalia Hospitality group. Opened in the winter of 2016, the restaurant which utilizes fire to cook many of its menu items in addition to its award-winning pizzas, quickly rose to national prominence. Eater’s Bill Addison named it a Best New Restaurant of 2017 and earned Kim a James Beard nomination.

Katie Cannon/Eater Twin Cities

Vestalia Hospitality also owns and operates Pizzeria Lola, Hello Pizza, and a forthcoming, unnamed Mexican restaurant that is expected to open in the former Lucia’s location in Uptown.

Update: Area restaurants have come forward to help Young Joni’s employees, who are at least temporarily out of work. Justin Sutherland has reached out on behalf of Madison restaurant group and Cry Baby Craig’s Hot Sauce also offered to help find short-term employment.

• Crews Respond to Fire Call at Young Joni Restaurant in Minneapolis [WCCO]
• Next Level Fire and Flame Inside Northeast’s Young Joni [ETC]
• All Young Joni Coverage [ETC]