We regret to inform you that come April 20th we'll be closing our doors at our St. Paul location.
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The building we are located in (includes our space + the Viking Apartments) was recently purchased by a development company that plans to remodel the units above us (consequently displacing all of the current tenants - most of which who have lived there for over a decade & are on disability, social security, and/or struggling with addiction as well as many folks in recovery). These are our neighbors, we've grown to love & respect these people. Our hearts break for them during this time. Many of them will end up without housing or in shelters.
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The development company plans to raise our rent nearly five times the current rate & that is something we cannot do. And in good consciousness, we stand in solidarity with our neighbors. If they go, we go too. Gentrification rears its ugly head again in Downtown St. Paul. We believe in developing our neighborhoods & communities, we do not believe in the continued displacement of disadvantaged members of our community in the name of inflating riches.
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It's been an INCREDIBLE experience serving you all this past year. All of us have cried, sweat, bled, and most importantly LEARNED so much during this time. Just FIVE of us have run this operation since the beginning - from ripping up the tiling & other remnants of our predecessor Red Lantern to the very last plate we serve, we've run this place with a skeleton crew. And looking back, we wouldn't have it any other way. At times the stress was great but the sense of pride we are all walking away with is even greater. All along it's been just/us.
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We're not even sure how to properly thank EVERY SINGLE PERSON that's supported us. You are all the very best and have completely fortified our love for this city. St. Paul really is like no other place. Let's keep our town creative, humble, & kind.
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Come party with us while ya can! It's business as usual until Apr. 20th - serving amazing burgers and running our prix-fixe dinners. Stay tuned for what comes next! The just/us crew has some things in the works & we can't wait to fill you in.
