Construction is beginning at the The Lynn on Bryant, the new restaurant in the Patina building at 5003 Bryant Ave. S. At the same time, a woman who grew up near the restaurant is making hand-woven baskets for the takeout service.

“We will have picnic fare in warmer months,” said Manager Jay Peterson. “You can take the baskets to work, home, or to the lake.”

Customers will pay a deposit to use the baskets, with the option of keeping them or bringing them back for the restaurant’s reuse. 

“The baskets will also be on display,” Peterson said. “They will carry the brand.”

The target opening date is early October. The menu is still under development, but it will offer takeout lunches for commuters on the way to work, as well as family dinners to-go. The dine-in area will split into formal and casual spaces, with seating for 58.

This is the first restaurant venture for Peterson and chef/owner Peter Ireland. Both grew up on farms — Peterson on a farm in southwestern North Dakota, Ireland on a farm in Vermont. And both have backgrounds in community-oriented work. They met while serving on the board of the Rock Star Supply Co. nonprofit, where they recruited people to work as teacher’s aides in high schools. Peterson previously worked in the bookstore business, where he organized community events around literature.

So naturally, the owners are already talking about hosting nonprofit fundraisers and lunches with authors.

“We’re still involved,” Peterson said.  (Source: Southwest Journal)