One of the icons of the 50th & France neighborhood is closing after nearly 3 decades: Edina Grill owner Stephanie Shimp announced that Blue Plate Restaurant Co. is not renewing its lease.
“The desire of R.F. Moeller to expand at 50th and France, and the conclusion of the Edina Grill lease have aligned. That means we have decided to close Edina Grill in September to allow for early construction for the R.F. Moeller space” said Shimp in a statement.
According to Shimp, the team already knew the Grill was going to close in 2025, but R.F. Moeller’s desire to expand led to a specific date: Sept. 18, 2025. Shimp said they’ll work to ensure employees have opportunities at other Blue Plate restaurants.
This doesn’t necessarily mean an end to Edina Grill—Shimp has been looking at other locations in the community. Many restaurant groups have been moving away from renting space in suburban locations and trying to control their own real estate. Parking, real estate values, and an ability to control one cost when almost every other part of restaurant ownership costs have been rising is a motivation.
Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reported earlier this week that Salut in that same neighborhood is also near the end of its lease, and the landlord has listed that property for rent. “Phil Roberts, CEO of Edina-based Parasole Restaurant Holdings, which owns Salut, said the restaurant’s lease is up at the end of the year, and the team is examining all of its options,” the paper reported.
Blue Plate has faced unimaginable tragedy this year, Shimp’s business partner David Burley died in a motorcycle crash in April, law enforcement blamed a drunk driver. This will be the first Minnesota State Fair where Burley is not outside the company’s “The Blue Barn.” The company owns Highland Grill, Longfellow Grill, Groveland Tap, The Lowry, Freehouse, and Three Squares in Maple Grove, all of which remain operational.
Shimp said there will be a party to celebrate the end of this chapter: “Stay tuned for a celebratory event for the Edina Grill’s run as a neighborhood institution,” Shimp said.
