urbanMSP

Lee's had parking?

Right? Are they talking about the asphalt... thing?... right across the street?

There was no asphalt left in that parking lot.

Right? Are they talking about the asphalt... thing?... right across the street?

Yes, from the Strib article, except it says it's unpaved... but Google Earth shows it has asphalt.

"It's hard to build when they keep nailing you in the ankles," said James Rhines, Lee's general manager for the past four years.

Rhines said the 84-space unpaved parking lot is essential to the business. The lot is owned by the city, but Lee's had use of it through a handshake deal with its previous longtime owner, Louie Sirian. It will be used to house construction equipment.

One of their big draws is they let you park in their lot for free on Twins games if you buy a beer.

So we've established a 2-3 block walk isn't a dealbreaker for their clientele, it's only when they're saving on event parking that they're willing to do it.

I wish the StarTrib would have added a little analysis or reporting to the story on the loss of parking excuse. For Lee’s to close and blame a loss of parking before that loss even happened is lame. At least wait until the change is reality and then assess if it’s affecting the business.

Right? Makes you wonder what's really going on.

But 62 years is a long run for any hospitality business. Things change. Oh well.

Dalton & Wade in the T3 building is closing

http://m.startribune.com/north-loop-cou ... 503571202/

Blarney's owner will put new pub in North Loop
*UNLOCKED*

There's signage up for 801 Chophouse in the McGladrey building (or whatever it's called) on 8th and Nicollet.

Old Spaghetti Factory is closing August 24th.
http://www.fox9.com/news/old-spaghetti- ... inneapolis

Old Spaghetti Factory is closing August 24th.
http://www.fox9.com/news/old-spaghetti- ... inneapolis

Whatever will I do the next time I feel like eating salty, soggy, flavorless pasta in a worn-out environment full of screaming kids and angry suburban parents?

And replaced by Pinstripes: http://www.startribune.com/after-25-yea ... 521274591/

Asked and answered, LOL.

I was talking with someone involved with the new Pinstripes on Washington and it sounds like they're trying to get a rooftop dining area as well as a traditional restaurant space and gaming areas.

I would love more rooftop dining/places to drink downtown, so this would be great! I just think about whenever I visit a major city it's always fun to find a rooftop bar and grab a drink with a cool view to get the lay of the land/great photo opportunities.

Right now have a really long construction schedule. We'll have to see if they shorten it to get some use of the rooftop next summer.

Rojo on Nicollet Mall closed on October 31st.

More empty space. Did that place in the old Barnes and Noble ever open?

They're opening this month - my understanding is that they slow rolled their buildout to open after the 8th St construction was complete.

What's going in there?