Part of Central Avenue in Northeast is closed between 14th and 18th Avenues for railroad-bridge repair. Forbidding orange signs point to detours, and the blockades have meant a slowdown for local businesses like Diamonds Coffee and the Ideal Diner.
Four blocks doesn’t sound like a lot, but the blocks are projected to remain closed through fall of this year, with additional restrictions in spring of 2015 if the updates to the 90-year old bridge haven’t been completed.
The good news is that most of the “closed” blocks are still accessible to local car traffic, and definitely to those on foot or bicycle. The only positively absolute closure is at the railroad bridge, just south of Diamonds.
To get to Diamonds from Central at 18th, head south on Central past the barrier. They’ve got fresh homemade items for breakfast and lunch every day, and the quiet friendly atmosphere has a lot fewer hipsters on MacBooks than some of the trendier coffee shops.
To get to the Ideal Diner from Broadway, head north on Central past the barrier. The Ideal, purchased and reopened by long-time server Kim Robinson, has authentic diner food. Check out the killer corned beef, which they make from scratch. The Ideal is open for breakfast and lunch Saturday through Thursday, and also for a fish dinner on Friday evenings.
So for coffee, breakfast and lunch in Northeast, with or without kids, re-visit these neighborhood favorites to help them out till the bridge is done.
Ideal Diner
facebook.com/idealdiner
1314 Central Avenue NE, Minneapolis
Open Sat-Thu 6am to 4pm, Fri 6am-8pm
Diamonds Coffee
diamondscoffeeshoppe.com
1618 Central Avenue NE, Minneapolis
Mon-Thu: 6am – 10pm
Fri: 6am – 8pm
Sat: 7am – 8pm
Sun: 8am – 7pm
