Rebecca Illingworth, owner of Bin Wine Bar in downtown St. Paul, is aiming to open a new Latin-themed restaurant in Minneapolis in the fall. (Pioneer Press file: Jean Pieri)

Bin Wine Bar in Lowertown is no more.

After construction in the building forced closure of her restaurant for a few weeks while gas lines were moved, owner Rebecca Illingworth decided to call it quits.

"My lease was up soon, and we were planning to move anyway," Illingworth said. "It didn't make sense to close, reopen and then move."

Illingworth is planning a new restaurant, to be called Latin Hills Kitchen, in an old auto-repair shop near 44th Street and Beard Avenue in Minneapolis' Linden Hills neighborhood.

"I'm from Mexico City, and we have ironically turned into having a Latin focus at Bin," Illingworth said. "So with the new place, we're going to concentrate on what we know best. It will be a Latin menu and Latin wine varietals by the glass.

Bin Wine Bar in December 2010. (Pioneer Press: Ben Garvin).

Illingworth said her staff will make the move with her to the new restaurant after taking a few weeks off.

"It's a wonderful historic building," she said. "Raw brick, 30-foot ceilings with exposed beams. The front of the building will have garage doors that will pop open. One side will have casual counter service, and the other side will be a full-service restaurant."

Illingworth is shooting for a fall opening.

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Bin Wine Bar closes; owner planning new Latin restaurant

Just hours before Davenport aldermen approved an agreement to redevelop the old Dock restaurant site, the city's Levee Improvement Commission passed a measure expressing reservations about the deal.

At their meeting Wednesday, commissioners worried the deal could curtail public access to the redeveloped property, that the new building might be too large and that too much leeway was being given to the developer in the eventual construction of an elevated walkway that would provide flood protection.

AtWednesday night's city council meeting, the agreement was approved without discussion.

Developer Todd Raufeisen has outlined an approximately 40,000-square-foot mixed-use development that would include a restaurant, office space and a banquet facility at 125 S. Perry St.

Commissioners worried that the proposed development agreement didn't specify a restaurant would be built and that the project could end up being entirely private office space.

"We know the public wants a restaurant," said Bill Ashton, a commissioner. Other commissioners expressing concerns were Anne Corbi, Pat Walton, Mary Dubert and Audrey Linville.

Alderman Gene Meeker, at large, said the private sector is best positioned to decide on specific uses, although City Administrator Craig Malin noted the council's "expectation" is there will be a restaurant.

Commissioners also questioned whether the city should commit to an elevated walkway from the skybridge to Perry Street before the public fully understands the implications. The agreement says the city will build the walkway, called a belvedere, but also opens the door for Raufeisen to do so if the city doesn't by Oct. 31, 2016.

Malin said the RiverVision planning process that included a belvedere had significant public input and the city would maintain sufficient control over construction of the walkway. He noted a design would have to go through the city.

A flood control structure, even one of limited size, on the riverfront would likely be controversial. Past plans for structural flood protection on the city-owned riverfront, albeit ones that were far more intrusive, have met with significant opposition.

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Davenport council approves agreement for old Dock site

Former owner of The Shanty, Don Saylor, announces his plans for a new downtown restaurant across the street from the PPL Center in Allentown.

One of Allentown's best-known restaurateur families is getting in on the redevelopment downtown.

Don and Diane Saylor, longtime owners of The Shanty restaurant, announced plans Wednesday to open a restaurant at the former House of Chen at 732 Hamilton St., one of many properties owned by downtown developer City Center Investment Corp.

The yet-to-be-named restaurant is expected to open in September. It will seat about 100 people for lunch and dinner and will serve contemporary American cuisine and cocktails in a 1920s-type setting.

Evoking images of the former Colonial Theater, Don Saylor said he and his wife remember the vibrant business community in Allentown that once attracted people from across the Lehigh Valley.

All that excitement is coming back with construction of the PPL Center arena, scheduled to open in September, a Marriott Renaissance Hotel attached to it, and several other buildings with thousands of square feet of office and retail space, Saylor said.

"Just to come down here as someone who is walking the street, you can't help but feel how vibrant, the excitement," Saylor said. "This place is happening. It's going to be happening more next week and next year, so we are excited about being a part of that."

City Center President J.B. Reilly touted the Saylors as some of the "premier restaurant operators" in the Valley and thanked the pair for having confidence in the downtown.

"We can't wait to experience what you have in store for us," Reilly said.

For decades, the Saylors had a strong following with The Shanty restaurant on 19th Street. The comfortable eatery, best known for its salad bar, was frequented by people attending shows at the nearby Civic Theatre or celebrating special occasions.

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Former Shanty owners to open new restaurant in center city Allentown

Just hours before Davenport aldermen approved an agreement to redevelop the old Dock restaurant site, the city's Levee Improvement Commission passed a measure expressing reservations about the deal.

At their meeting Wednesday, commissioners worried the deal could curtail public access to the redeveloped property, that the new building might be too large and that too much leeway was being given to the developer in the eventual construction of an elevated walkway that would provide flood protection.

AtWednesday night's city council meeting, the agreement was approved without discussion.

Developer Todd Raufeisen has outlined an approximately 40,000-square-foot mixed-use development that would include a restaurant, office space and a banquet facility at 125 S. Perry St.

Commissioners worried that the proposed development agreement didn't specify a restaurant would be built and that the project could end up being entirely private office space.

"We know the public wants a restaurant," said Bill Ashton, a commissioner. Other commissioners expressing concerns were Anne Corbi, Pat Walton, Mary Dubert and Audrey Linville.

Alderman Gene Meeker, at large, said the private sector is best positioned to decide on specific uses, although City Administrator Craig Malin noted the council's "expectation" is there will be a restaurant.

Commissioners also questioned whether the city should commit to an elevated walkway from the skybridge to Perry Street before the public fully understands the implications. The agreement says the city will build the walkway, called a belvedere, but also opens the door for Raufeisen to do so if the city doesn't by Oct. 31, 2016.

Malin said the RiverVision planning process that included a belvedere had significant public input and the city would maintain sufficient control over construction of the walkway. He noted a design would have to go through the city.

A flood control structure, even one of limited size, on the riverfront would likely be controversial. Past plans for structural flood protection on the city-owned riverfront, albeit ones that were far more intrusive, have met with significant opposition.

Originally posted here:
Aldermen OK Dock agreement

Occupation: Nick Rancone, 31, and Thomas Boemer, 34, are co-owners of Corner Table (4537 Nicollet Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-823-0011; cornertablerestaurant.com).

Editor's note: Corner Table recently moved to a new location, a few blocks from its old spot. The new place is at 45th and Nicollet, the old was at 42nd and Nicollet. The two men will turn the vacated spot into a more casual restaurant, showcasing traditional Southern fried chicken and sides.

What is Corner Table all about?

Rancone: It was founded by Scott Pampuch as a neighborhood, elevated-cuisine restaurant. When my wife and I bought it, I was 29. I wanted this understated but elegant dining program. That vision wasn't fully formed, but we have gotten to work with Thomas, and it has gotten a little more refined and elegant. You can walk in here in whatever you want to wear, and we'll treat you the same way. We want to completely surprise and overdeliver for what people expect. We want to give people a really good experience, but we want to be approachable.

Boemer: It definitely has been an evolution. I met Nick and Chenny (Rancone, Nick's wife), and we fell in love with this small restaurant in a community. Corner Table is really balanced -- between front of the house and back of the house, the service and the food, between neighborhood and destination. The restaurant became a combination of a lot of things that both of us wanted to see.

Rancone: I don't view us as a neighborhood restaurant, per se. We do have the neighborhood community, but I don't view it as a "Cheers" kind of place.

What does the new location add?

Rancone: There was an obvious economic element. Being able to obtain the new space gave us a really solid foundation to push what we hadn't been able to push or focus on in the past.

We gained only 10 seats inside, but also a patio with 30 seats.

There are also many more efficiencies, as far as operating expenses go.

Excerpt from:
Up next for Corner Table owners: new restaurant in old space

GRAND BLANC (WJRT) - (07/09/14) - Walls are coming down, floors are coming up and windows are coming out.

The time was finally right for construction work at Little Joe's in Grand Blanc.

"It's very exciting. It's something we've been working on for about 2 and a half years," said Joe Abott, general manager of Little Joe's.

The doors closed to patrons last Sunday. For the next two weeks, they won't be open again to anyone but construction crews.

"We just finally decided that we needed to go forward with it and we're gutting everything," Abott said.

A complete overhaul will take place in the main dining room, bathrooms and front patio and larger windows will help bring the outdoors in. There will also be a new bar and larger tap system and some expanding in the kitchen, plus a few new menu items.

"A lot of really cool unique things, and we're kind of keeping some things on the down low. We want to let people be surprised when they walk in for the first time when we reopen," Abott said.

If all goes as planned, that day will be next Monday, July 21. The big reveal is highly anticipated by regulars at Little Joe's, but the big announcement last week did cause a few ripples.

"I think a lot of people were worried about change," Abott said.

Some dedicated patrons weren't so keen on wiping away all that history. For decades, the community has come together here to celebrate many of life's milestones.

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Grand Blanc restaurant closed for renovations

BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) -

When an employee at Gino's Restaurant in Baton Rouge cut into an eggplant Monday, he found "GOD."

Chef Jermarcus Brady couldn't believe what he was seeing. "I saw a miraculous image formed by the seeds," said Jermarcus Brady. "It spelled out the word God!" Chef Brady has many responsibilities, one being cutting, salting and sauteing eggplants.

"When you sliced into it, the pattern showed from the seeds that were forming in the inside the letters G-O-D as God," said Brady. "I couldn't think of anything. I just had to tell somebody to come look at it."

Brady showed the eggplant to the owner of the restaurant and fellow coworkers and took photos, but he believed it was meant to be shared with everyone.

Brady says he is no stranger to life's struggle, and his faith has gotten him through. He raised four kids on a limited income before becoming a chef. He says the significance of the rare eggplant seeds aren't lost on him.

"Through the road, he's showing me that 'hey, I'm real' and that's the only thing I can depend on," said Brady.

The restaurant's co-owner, Gino Marino, has been in business for nearly 50 years and says with a find this rare, it is something he will never forget.

"You could cut one million eggplants and you'd probably never see that again, it's that rare," said Marino."God is within us and he has different ways of showing it in our lives, and this is just one way of showing it."

Whether it is divine intervention or not, it does not matter to Brady. "I don't know what it means. All I know is it tells me 'hey, he's real' and there's nothing that can change my mind about that."

Read more:
Baton Rouge restaurant employee finds 'GOD' in sliced eggplant

Business owners have gotten a birds-eye view of demolition and construction on Hypolita Street, and for some it hasnt been a welcome sight.

Colleen Messner, owner of The Spice & Tea Exchange at 59 Hypolita St., said traffic to her business has decreased since work began.

And there have been some surprises.

I had a dump truck butt up against my door, she said. It really hurt us.

Several business owners and employees in the area said while they are looking forward to the benefits of the Downtown Improvement District project, the construction has come with a price in the form of slowdowns in sales and fewer visitors.

Construction began in April to improve Hypolita, Spanish and Treasury streets. The project includes brick pavers, new light fixtures and upgraded utilities.

The project cost is more than $3.3 million, which includes site furniture, construction inspection services and the cost of buying bricks, according to Reuben Franklin Jr., project engineer.

The funding comes from the citys storm water, utilities and general funds, and $750,000 is being paid by adjacent property owners and can be paid over 15 years.

The cost of construction alone is $2.7 million, according to Franklin.

Work on Hypolita Street is projected to be finished mid-October. The entire project is expected to be finished in April.

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St. Augustine business owners experience fewer sales, visitors due to construction

NASHUA New Hampshires first Noodles & Company restaurant will open its doors next week in the Gate City.

The restaurant, which serves noodle and pasta dishes from around the world, will celebrate its grand opening on July 16 at the Daniel Webster Shops, 219 Daniel Webster Highway.

This is a brand new development with great visibility. It is just a great location, said Eve Metheny, director of brand marketing for Hamra Enterprises, a Noodles & Company franchisee.

The casual restaurant serves fresh, globally inspired dishes that are cooked to order with quality ingredients, according to Metheny, who said the company stresses fresh food that is made fast.

The Nashua site will be Noodles & Companys third restaurant in New England, and the first in the Granite State. The restaurant will seat about 75 patrons inside, and also offer outdoor seating for about 16 customers.

Daniel Webster Shops has been under construction for several months. Linear Retail Properties LLC, a Massachusetts developer, previously acquired the parcel at 219 Daniel Webster Highway, which was formerly owned by Cumberland Farms, Inc., for $1.45 million.

The old structure was razed and a new, 12,000-square-feet retail property was constructed. In addition to Noodles & Company, it will also house b.good restaurant, which has several facilities in Massachusetts and features burgers, sandwiches, salads and shakes.

Noodles & Company will have its grand opening from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on July 16. A soft, private opening will take place on July 15 during a benefit event for the Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter.

Noodles & Company will donate 100 percent of proceeds from the day to the organization, who will in turn use these funds to provide food, shelter and services to the individuals and families they serve, said a release.

Noodles & Company, based out of Colorado, has about 380 restaurants across the country, with nearly 30 new locations in the works.

Read more:
Noodles Company planning Nashua grand opening July 16

Article updated: 7/7/2014 6:02 AM

Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington has ongoing modernization that will take approximately 18 months to complete forcing the main entrance to close.

Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer

Work has begun on a new main entrance at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, adding more traffic cones, construction cranes and workers in hard hats to the campus near Lake Barrington, but also signaling further progress in the facility's $247 million modernization project expected to finish in 2017. Officials say the new entrance will provide a much-needed facelift to the 35-year-old hospital. Full story.

Investigators are working to determine what sparked an early morning fire yesterday that left a downtown Naperville restaurant uninhabitable and caused an estimated $200,000 in damage to its building. No one was injured in the fire, which was reported at 6:13 a.m. by a passer-by that noticed a large amount of smoke coming from Rizzo's restaurant and bar at 6 W. Jefferson Ave., according to the Naperville Fire Department. Full story.

Daily Herald Law Affairs Writer Harry Hitzeman reports in his column this week about a phone scam that targeted two St. Charles residents. "Everyone hates paying taxes and the letters "IRS" are enough to strike fear in the hearts of the bravest people," Hitzeman writes. "So when two St. Charles residents got calls on June 26 and June 27 from people claiming to be IRS agents, saying arrests were imminent if past due taxes were not paid immediately, it's easy to see why they complied. Except it was all a scam, St. Charles police say." Full column.

The dogs had their day during the Frontier Days pet parade yesterday at Arlington Heights' Recreation Park. More than 50 pets, mostly dogs but also a cat and a guinea pig, participated in the event sponsored by Animal Feeds and Needs. Pets competed in five categories: best costume, best trick, cutest pet, most unusual and looks most like its owner. "I love it. It's amazing how everyone brings out their little pets," said parade organizer Carmella Lowth. "Everyone wants to win a prize." Full Frontier Days story. Other weekend festival stories: Naperville Ribfest and the Mundelein Community Days parade.

"It's a sport, not a ride," reads one sign posted on the observation deck of the new iFly indoor sky-diving center in Naperville. The sport is an adrenaline rush that simulates the free fall of outdoor sky diving, and it became available Friday to thrill-seekers who want to stop one step short of jumping out of an airplane. Full story.

Smooth sailing on area roads this morning. Drivers in Lake County should be aware of road work on Route 43 at Route 120, and in Cook County, there are road projects on Route 14 at Hicks and Smith roads. Full story

Partial sunshine is forecast for Monday with 25 percent chance of thunderstorms during the day. That chance increases to 40 percent this evening as a thunderstorm could pop up through Tuesday afternoon. Breezy conditions with winds up to 14 miles per hour are expected with a humid high of 82 degrees. Full story

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Dawn Patrol: Construction at Good Shepherd, Fire at Naperville restaurant