Brewery founder, musician dies at 46
Tom Berg, co-founder of Falling Knife Brewing Company, 783 Harding St. NE, passed away unexpectedly the weekend of April 5-6. He was 46 years old; heart failure was given as the suspected cause of death, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune. Berg founded Falling Knife in 2019 with Dan Herman and Andy Rutledge. Herman said Berg had a unique understanding of recipe development and flavor; Tomm’s Lager and Verbal Tip New England IPA were award winners. Berg was also a bassist and co-vocalist in the indie-rock power trio Self-Evident and a member of the instrumental prog-metal band Zebulon Pike.
The Curve Nordeast. (Provided)
Grocery store, daycare coming to Johnson St. island
That funny little island of land at 1501 Johnson St. NE, across from Northeast Athletic Park, is set to become a grocery store and a child daycare facility, according to The Development Tracker. The Curve Nordeast will house a 19,000-sq.-ft. Aldi store and a Tierra Encantada daycare and Spanish immersion preschool. There will be parking on both sides of the building. The building on the site now will be demolished, and a new one constructed in its place. Project completion is expected in late 2026.
Sonder Shaker will be Celio
Sonder Shaker, 130 E. Hennepin Ave., closed Saturday, April 19. When it reopens on May 1, it will be Celio — Italian for “heaven.” Don’t expect a lot of red sauce, spaghetti and meatballs; the pasta-centric menu will include squid-ink linguine and “crostini of the moment.”
Hey Y’all, Tipsy Taco Bar to open May 3
It hasn’t opened yet, but Big Star Tipsy Taco Bar has already rebranded to Hey Y’all, Tipsy Taco Bar. The former Betty Danger’s restaurant at 2501 Marshall St. NE will hold a grand opening celebration Saturday, May 3, from 6-8 p.m. Owner Joe Radaich said the rebrand was made in response to trademark concerns, and the name better represents the Austin-inspired atmosphere, Tex-Mex+BBQ menu and Texas hospitality. And yes, the Ferris wheel will be in operation.
Animales leaving
Animales Barbecue Co. will shut down its barbecue truck at Bauhaus Brew Labs, 1315 Taylor St. NE in June. In an Instagram post, they announced, “As we enter our 8th summer operating from trailers we’re finally getting ready for the next chapter. We’ll be open for approximately 10 more weeks (late June) before we take a short break and start breaking in our brick and mortar location. We’ll miss being in NE.” According to an Aug. 26, 2024 article in Minnesota Monthly, the company will relocate to the North Loop.
Canoe maker opens store in The Broadway
Hornbeck, a New York-based maker of ultra-light canoes, opened a store at 945 Broadway St. NE, next to Padraigs Brewing and Spyhouse Coffee, on Saturday, April 19. The store also sells Enlightened Equipment sleeping bags and outdoor clothing, paddles by various makers and Grey Duck canoes, designed by Stillwater native Eli Nord, who is also general manager of the store. The store is Hornbeck’s first venture outside of the Adirondack Mountains. The location was chosen because of all the lakes and rivers in Minnesota, and Minneapolis’ proximity to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.
Shaw’s celebrates 25 years
Shaw’s Bar & Grill, 1528 University Ave. NE, celebrated its 25th anniversary on Tuesday, April 15.
AZZ gets a new look
AZZ Galvanizing, 446 St. Anthony Pkwy., is getting a new look. On Friday, April 11, a worker was seen removing rusted corrugated metal panels from the building. AZZ replaced its galvanizing kettle with a more energy-efficient one that can hot-dip metal pieces 30 feet long.