It’s quiet on the corner of 13th and Marshall now. For almost a decade, that specific spot in Northeast Minneapolis was the undisputed epicenter of the Twin Cities food scene. You couldn't just "go" to Young Joni; you had to plan for it. You had to fight for a reservation weeks in advance or gamble on a two-hour wait while sipping a cocktail in the "secret" back bar. But as of late 2025, the wood-fired ovens have gone cold.
The young joni restaurant closing wasn't just another casualty of a tough industry. It was a shockwave.
Honestly, if you live in Minneapolis, you felt this one. It’s the kind of closure that makes you wonder if the "golden era" of the local dining scene is hitting a wall. Ann Kim, the James Beard Award-winning force behind the place, didn't just serve pizza. She served a vibe that felt untouchable. Then, suddenly, it wasn't.
The Messy Reality of the Lease Dispute
Most people assumed the closing was about money in the "we aren't selling enough pizzas" sense. That’s rarely the case with a place that’s packed on a Tuesday night. The truth is way more corporate and, frankly, a bit of a headache to untangle.
It basically came down to a massive falling out between Kim’s restaurant group, Vestalia Hospitality, and their landlord, the Lander Group.
By June 2025, things had turned ugly. The landlord filed a lawsuit alleging that Young Joni owed about $143,000 in back rent. Now, Kim’s team didn't just sit back. They argued they had been trying to negotiate a fair renewal for a year.
The numbers floating around were wild. Reports suggest the landlord wanted to jump from roughly $16 or $18 per square foot to somewhere between $30 and $36. That is a staggering hike. In the restaurant world, where margins are already thinner than a Neapolitan crust, doubling the rent is often a death sentence.
Why This Wasn't Just About Rent
You can't talk about Young Joni closing without mentioning the elephant in the room: the union drama.
Earlier in 2024, Kim’s other high-profile spot, Kim’s (formerly Sooki & Mimi) in Uptown, shuttered shortly after workers voted to unionize. The timing was... suspicious to many. While Kim cited financial losses as the reason for that specific closure, the local community didn't entirely buy it.
By the time the young joni restaurant closing was announced in September 2025, the "cancel culture" conversation was at a fever pitch. Some former employees took to Reddit and local forums to vent about the culture at Vestalia. They talked about a disconnect between the "family" image and the reality of working there.
Whether or not the union sentiment at other locations bled into the decision to close Young Joni is debated. Officially? No. It was a lease dispute. But the optics were brutal.
The Saffron Revival: What’s Next for the Space?
If you're mourning the loss of the Korean BBQ pizza, there is a silver lining for the neighborhood, even if it’s bittersweet. The building at 165 13th Ave NE didn't stay empty for long.
In a move that feels like a "full circle" moment for Minneapolis foodies, Sameh Wadi—the chef behind World Street Kitchen and Milkjam Creamery—purchased the building for $2.6 million.
He’s bringing back Saffron.
For those who don't remember, Saffron was the upscale Middle Eastern spot that put Wadi on the map years ago. Seeing it return to the old Young Joni space in 2026 is a big deal. It’s not a pizza joint, but Wadi is planning to use those wood-fired ovens for Palestinian-inspired dishes and live-fire cooking.
What This Means for Northeast Minneapolis
Northeast used to be the land of dive bars and old-school polish delis. Young Joni changed that. It brought the "destination diner" to a part of town that wasn't used to valets and $20 cocktails.
Now that it’s gone, the neighborhood is at a crossroads.
- The "Ann Kim Effect" persists: Even without the flagship, her influence is everywhere.
- Rising Costs: The rent dispute at Young Joni is a warning sign. If a James Beard winner can’t make the math work on 13th Avenue, who can?
- New Blood: With Saffron moving in and places like Oro by Nixta and Vinai killing it nearby, the area is still a powerhouse, just a different kind.
Actionable Insights for Twin Cities Diners
If you’re still reeling from the young joni restaurant closing, here’s how to navigate the new landscape:
- Use your gift cards: If you have Vestalia gift cards, they are typically honored at Pizzeria Lola and Hello Pizza. Don't let them gather dust.
- Follow the chefs, not just the brand: Ann Kim hasn't disappeared. She’s hinted at "simplifying" her life, but keep an eye on Pizzeria Lola for rotating specials that might feature old Joni favorites.
- Support the new guard: Northeast is changing. Check out the Saffron revival when it opens later in 2026, but also support the smaller, independent spots that are facing the same rising rent pressures that pushed Kim out.
- Reservations are still king: The "Young Joni crowd" has migrated. Expect wait times at nearby spots like Minari or Diane's Place to get even more competitive.
The era of Young Joni is over, but the fire in Northeast hasn't gone out—it's just being used to cook something else now.
