After four years of sitting vacant, the space that once housed the Auriga restaurant in Minneapolis's Lowry Hill neighborhood will
soon reopen with a unique deli concept.
The deli will be similar
to those in Eastern Europe, but with a twist, according to Tobie
Nidetz, a consultant on the project. Nidetz has helped open numerous
restaurants in many locations.
Citing a shortage of delis in
the Twin Cities and beyond, Nidetz, who is known as "the food guy," says
there's a "pent-up demand" for such a place.
He and real estate
attorney David Weinstein, who lives near the space at 1930 Hennepin
Avenue South, hope to fill that void, he says.
Although
specific details of the plan are still coming together, including the
project's cost, physical renovations will happen mainly inside the
space, while the old exterior will probably stay intact, the Southwest
Journal reports.
Right now, Weinstein and Nidetz are still
meeting with various designers, general contractors, and others to flesh
out certain aspects of the project, including the deli's name, according
to Nidetz.
However, they've already committed to a "fast
casual" type of restaurant that will offer as many local, organic and
sustainable products as possible, he says.
Most of the food will
be made in-house. The deli will also offer desserts, coffee
drinks, beer and cocktails, and more, he says.
But the signature menu item will be a variation on pastrami that's popular in Montreal.
Although the timeline is preliminary, Nidetz says he and Weinstein hope to open the deli this fall.
Source: Tobie Nidetz
Writer: Anna Pratt