A Road-Trip Worthy Restaurant Will Close in New London

Model Citizen in New London from chef Mateo Mackbee and Erin Lucas is closing on March 29. However, this is far from the end of the story, more a chapter closing in an era. The duo are plotting two new businesses, both will satisfy food fans and fulfill dreams for their makers. Mackbee is taking the lead on KREWE, a Cajun eatery paying homage to the chef’s roots. Expect po’ boys, gumbo, and muffuletta all with a jazz backing. Meanwhile, Lucas’ dream realized will be a combination bakery and flower shop called Flower and Flour. The bakery will serve pies, macarons, and more sweet baked goodies. Both will be located in St. Joseph at 24 College Street.

Model Citizen has been located inside Goat Ridge Brewery, and the decision simply came not to renew the lease.

Acting as more than a great eatery, the restaurant long worked with doing good in the world through food, farming, and education. Those pillars will continue with the partners new projects and the possibility for another Model Citizen location remains open.

• How is progress coming along on Krewe, the Creole restaurant coming soon to St. Joseph? [SCTimes]
• Krewe [FB]
• Model Citizen [WEB]

McKinney Roe/Website

Being in the Shadow of U.S. Bank Stadium Isn’t the Boom It Was Expected to Be

A second restaurant near the U.S. Bank Stadium has closed. McKinney Roe has closed after three years in the fast-developing East Town neighborhood. The massive space was sister restaurant to Jake O’Connors, Lola by the Lake, and O’Donovan’s. The restaurant struggled with the public’s perception of it being “too fancy” and “too expensive,” while ownership aimed for a friendly Irish pub.

When it opened, it was a part of a land rush near U.S. Bank Stadium, which pulled in the LII Super Bowl. There are precious few eateries within walking distance of the monolith at the edge of town, but it appears the events held there aren’t enough to sustain local eateries. Erik the Red, a pub right across the street from U.S. Bank Stadium already closed this year.

• Downtown’s McKinney Roe Closes [STRIB]
• “Too Fancy, Too Expensive” McKinney Roe Downscales to An Irish Pub [STRIB]
• Downtown Viking Bar Erik the Red Sets Sail for South Minneapolis [MBJ]