Award-winning Minneapolis restaurant Young Joni to close in September
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After nearly a decade of serving northeast Minneapolis, award-winning pizzeria Young Joni announced that it will be closing its doors on Sept. 14.
The closure comes after a monthslong dispute with their landlord, Lander Group. Lander Group is reportedly suing Young Joni for around $143,000 in alleged back rent.
The Business Journal reported that the restaurant’s lease expired almost a year ago and that the parties were unsuccessful in reaching a lease renewal agreement.
Kim’s, another restaurant operated by James Beard award winner Ann Kim, closed in August of 2024 because of what Chef Kim describes as “ongoing financial losses.” That closure came two months after workers unionized.
In a statement posted to Young Joni’s Instagram account, Kim says that while she’s sad about the closure of Young Joni, she knows that other opportunities are on the horizon.
“Every ending is also a beginning, and every challenge an opportunity. All things in life come to an end and this is our moment to make room for the next chapter.”
Vestalia Hospitality, Chef Kim’s restaurant group, has not responded to a request for comment.
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