Life Time closing Uptown yoga gym

Posted on March 5, 2014 by

MSPBJ reports that Life Time Fitness Inc. is closing its LifePower yoga gym in Uptown about four years after it opened.

Following a review of LifePower’s operations, Chanhassen-based Life Time decided to transfer the club’s programming to its Life Time Athletic Minneapolis and Life Time Athletic Target Center locations in downtown Minneapolis, said Jason Thunstrom, a spokesman for the company. It will transfer members and instructors to those facilities.

The boutique-style LifePower gym occupied 13,000 square feet in the former Walker Library building at 2901 S. Hennepin Ave. in Minneapolis. It was a mere fraction of the size of Life Time’s full-scale health clubs, some of which span more than 200,000 square feet.

The Uptown gym was one of just two LifePower locations in the country. No changes are planned at the one in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Meanwhile, Life Time will use the Uptown facility for “other corporate purposes,” Thunstrom said, noting that the details are still being determined. The company leases the building.

Posted in Uptown

Louie’s Wine Dive Coming to Uptown in Early May

Posted on March 5, 2014 by

Featuring “big pours” and dishes like lobster poutine, a Minneapolis location of Louie’s Wine Bar is coming to 800 Lake St. (at the corner of Aldrich Ave.) in early May, reports Southwest Journal.

The not-quite-a-chain already has locations in Des Moines, Kansas City, and Omaha, but each location is locally owned. The Minneapolis menu isn’t available yet on the restaurant’s website, but the Kansas City menu includes dishes like that lobster poutine, four pork gnocchi with La Querica prosciutto, and more.

The upcoming Minneapolis location will be located on the ground floor of the Blue Apartments, with approximately 100 seats, plus a 24-seat patio on Aldrich. The “wine dive” will be located just one block from Spill the Wine, which moved to Uptown from its downtown location last year.

Posted in Uptown

Grethen House to Open a New Location in North Loop

Posted on March 5, 2014 by

Allison Kaplan of Mpls + St. Paul Magazine reports that you know the North Loop is hot when even 50th & France mainstay Grethen House wants to be there. The designer boutique will open a North Loop outpost next door to Moose & Sadie’s.

“It’s a whole new clientele to reach out to,” says Grethen House co-operator Maggie Brindley. “Young professionals that are not necessarily leaving downtown to shop.”

North Loop Grethen House will be smaller and spare, featuring portions of collections sold in Edina, and other modern brands with a “downtown feel.” The store is scheduled to open in April.

Posted in Minneapolis

Bonefish Grill plans West End restaurant

Posted on March 5, 2014 by

MSPBJ reports that national seafood chain Bonefish Grill plans to open a restaurant at The Shops at West End in St. Louis Park. It’s not clear which space Bonefish will fill or when it will open, but the city of St. Louis Park confirmed that the restaurant has applied for a building permit.

Bonefish Grill is a casual-dining chain that serves market-fresh, wood-grilled seafood. It also “offers a big-city bar atmosphere serving regional craft beers and seasonal cocktails,” according to its website.

Bloomin’ Brands plans to open 55 to 60 new restaurants globally in 2014 across its various concepts. Last year, the company added a net total of 37 new restaurants, including 20 Bonefish Grills.

Bonefish will join an already strong lineup of restaurants at West End that includes Cooper, Crave, Figlio, Little Szechuan, Raku Sushi & Lounge, Rojo Mexican Grill and Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill. A California chain called Yard House is scheduled to open there this month.

Posted in St. Louis Park

Outback Steakhouse closes in Woodbury

Posted on March 3, 2014 by

Woodbury Bulletin reports that while the Woodbury Outback Steakhouse closed for good, Sunsets will temporarily shut its doors for a remodel this April.

Outback Steakhouse’s last day of business was Sunday, February 23rd. The company decided to shutter the restaurant due to “business circumstances,” spokeswoman Elizabeth Watts said.

The Woodbury location employed 73. Some will have the opportunity to transfer to open positions at nearby locations, while others will receive a severance package, she said.

On the other side of town, Sunsets, which has been operating in Woodbury since 1997, will close to undergo a major renovation this April.

General manager Steve Olson said the restaurant has been purchased by a private party who has plans to remodel the restaurant into “a brand new, beautiful, upscale, shiny, new place.”

Sunsets will tentatively reopen by June 1.

Posted in Woodbury

Now Open: Eat My Words Bookstore

Posted on March 3, 2014 by

The Journal reports that Eat My Words became Northeast’s newest used bookstore when it opened Feb. 1 across the street from Dangerous Man Brewing at 1228 2nd St. NE.

Owner Scott VanKoughnett spent several years preparing to open his store by curating his large collection of books, which has a little bit of everything: science fiction, mysteries, rare antique books, children’s books, political commentary, and books on nature, science and art. He said he looked for quality books of value and substance.

Eat My Words is set up with a some comfy chairs for people to hang out, lounge and dive into their latest purchase. That includes a meeting room in back, which has a piano for open mic night every Tuesday at 8 p.m.

VanKoughnett said he only carries used books, but makes exceptions for local authors. He plans on hosting regular readings for local authors and will also begin displaying local art next month.

Posted in Minneapolis

McCormick’s Pub plans to double in size in Wayzata

Posted on March 3, 2014 by

MSPBJ reports that McCormick’s Pub & Restaurant plans to double the size of its space by Lake Minnetonka in Wayzata.

The Irish pub, located at 331 S. Broadway Avenue, will take over 1,900 square feet from neighbor Blanc de Blanc, which will reopen in a new space down the block in April. Hot Mama will expand into the remaining 1,000 square feet.

McCormick’s has operated in just 1,600 square feet since it first opened in August 2011, but owner Tim McCormick said business has been strong enough to justify a larger space.

Posted in Wayzata