Sushi by Baaska
Sushi chef Baaska Tegshbileg is opening Sushi by Baaska in the former ZenBox Izakaya space in the Mill District. After three years of pop-ups and private dinners, he is leasing and renovating the space. No opening date has been set. A $200,000 crowdfunding campaign is underway to complete renovations, upgrade kitchen equipment, and cover early […]
Unnamed Restaurant (by Milly’s Wine Bar & Bistro owners)
Owners of Milly’s Wine Bar & Bistro (Brandon Witzel, Jill Mortensen, Kay Phillips) purchased a two-story building at 200 Lowry Ave NE for $725,000. The new restaurant will feature a large pizza oven and a bigger kitchen/menu than Milly’s. Name and other details still TBD. Target opening is ‘next fall’ (fall 2027).
Bill’s Bait Shop
Northwoods-themed bar and restaurant from Centro Restaurant Group, opening in the former Chicago’s Taste Authority space in south Minneapolis. Menu by Chef Max Thompson (formerly of Stewart’s) features fried walleye, pickle fries, cheese curds, grilled oysters, smoked trout dip, po’ boys, tinned fish, smash and smoked burgers, and a full bar program. Concept is an […]
Pizza Factory
Pizza Factory is preparing to reopen in downtown Monticello at the former Domino’s Pizza space at 112 W. Broadway. Owner Rob Monson is finishing interior work and awaiting state permits before announcing an opening date. He is expected to share more details within the next week or so. The restaurant previously operated in Monticello before […]
New Ulm Downtown Hotel
Property owner Paul Neyers is proposing to redevelop 217-227 N. Minnesota Street into a new hotel. Project involves demolition, construction, and rehabilitation of the existing building. City of New Ulm submitted a DEED redevelopment grant application for $464,508 (50% of eligible costs). Grant deadline is Aug. 1, 2026. No brand, room count, or opening timeline […]
Even Keel
Rebrand of former Aurelia’s Mexican Uptown location at 2901 Lyndale Ave. S. in south Minneapolis. Will be an upscale-casual neighborhood restaurant focused on burgers, sausages, and po’ boys for lunch; steak, fish, and small plates for dinner. No reopening date has been set.
Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A plans to open a second location in Woodbury, MN as part of a five-restaurant Minnesota expansion. Specific address has not yet been announced. Expected to open by end of 2028. Expansion expected to create 500+ jobs statewide.
Marc Heu Café
French-Hmong pastry chef Marc Heu and wife Gaosong Heu are opening a new cafe concept inside the Alliance Française building in the Harrison neighborhood. The cafe will serve croissants, viennoiserie, espresso drinks, coffee, matcha, and grab-and-go fare. Expected to open later summer 2026, with a preview during a Bastille Day event on July 14, 2026. […]
Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A plans to open 5 new Minnesota locations by end of 2028. First location opening summer 2026 in Mankato (1870 Adams St) — first standalone location in southern Minnesota. Shakopee (8100 Old Carriage Court) and Stillwater (2001 Washington Ave) to follow in late 2026. Baxter in 2027 and Woodbury in 2028. The 5 locations will […]
Tasca Madrid
Full-service Spanish restaurant opening in the former Handsome Hog space at Selby and Western avenues. Will serve ~50 tapas, meats and fish on flat-top grill, paella, sherry program, and house-made vermouth. Owner Alberto Blanco hopes to open by mid-July 2026, pending liquor license approval. A secondary business, San Román Bakery, is already operating out of […]