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The Ole Store to reopen as Ole Cafe
Dec.10 2007 at 08:44 by Griff Wigley
A couple of reliable citizens tipped me off to rumors that the Ole Store is reopening. (I last blogged about it in April.) I took these photos last week. The brown paper on the windows is one telltale clue, but also the sign with the admonition from property owner Laverne ‘Professor Dr.’ Rippley.
Will it be a full-service restaurant again or just a coffeehouse? And who is the proprietor?
Update 2/9: the name is now either The Ole Cafe, or OleCafe, or Ole Cafe. I’ve edited the blog post title.
Doug Bratland December 10, 2007 9:31 am
Just this morning I noticed a big poster on the door of the Ole Store announcing that it’s opening in February. See the photo here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/northfield_mn/2101108892/.
#1
Jennifer Torgrimson December 10, 2007 10:42 am
I typed in the website listed on the poster and there isn’t anything there except a comment that this is a free website…
#2
Griff Wigley December 10, 2007 10:47 am
Thanks, Doug. So it appears as though it’s going to be called either The Ole Cafe or maybe just ‘OleCafe’ (domain parked, no website yet) to include: “cafe * bakery * pizza * wine bar”.
#3
Skip Zimmerman December 10, 2007 6:22 pm
A few months back I saw some food-service style shelving being moved into a back door at the Ole Store - thought to myself, “Ah, now THERE’S a good sign!” Perhaps my observation was a harbinger after all. A welcome return if it turns out to be true.
#4
victor summa December 10, 2007 6:41 pm
my unsubstantiated rumor(s) to add here are:
It is reopening - in a form tailored after the Victoria Crossing’s Cafe Latte’ - to be run by a local entrepreneur- but is being assaulted by BO woes.
If your blanking on the acronym, BO - read Norman Butler’s comment on the LG thread: Doing Business in NF … One Company’s Story
#5
Sean Hayford O'Leary December 10, 2007 7:41 pm
I guess an OleCafe is better than an empty building, but that new brand isn’t really winning me over. And pizza? Craziness.
PS: I knew “Professor Dr. Rippley” had owned the property for a while now, but I guess the restauranteur’s identity is still under wraps!
#6
Lisa Guidry December 10, 2007 8:20 pm
Sean,
I agree with you we don’t need another pizza place. Does anyone like a good steak? I don’t understand why we can’t get a place to serve steak. I guess I’ll have to continue going to the cities.
#7
Anne Bretts December 10, 2007 8:37 pm
Lisa,
Don’t go to the Cities. Try Monte’s Steak House in Faribault or the new Porterhouse in Lakeville. Both are nice steak restaurants that aren’t chains…
#8
Sean Hayford O'Leary December 11, 2007 4:00 pm
Lisa,
My problem wasn’t so much that it’s a pizza place as it is an Ole Store pizza place. I suppose its proximity to St. Olaf makes pizza a logical thing to serve. Just seems wrong, though.
#9
Doug Bratland December 11, 2007 4:16 pm
As a very close neighbor, I’m supportive of any effort to make the Ole Store live again. I guess my dreams of a Thai restaurant in that space will have to go back on hold, though….
#10
Bright Spencer December 11, 2007 4:22 pm
Thai pizza, nothing’s wrong with that, Doug.
#11
John George December 11, 2007 4:55 pm
Lisa- Re. steak. Have you had the steak at the Tavern? It makes driving somewhere else seem like a waste of time and money. Very good!! (Or, at least the last one I had there was delicious.)
#12
John Thomas December 11, 2007 5:25 pm
I find it interesting that they are going after the pizza demographic. It must be the highend type, as I do not see students walking down the hill for pizza that can be delivered to the dorm.
Also, St. Olaf has incredible food service, that is open to the public.
The Stav Dining Hall, as well as a holiday “brunch” meal at the King’s Room is fantastic. It is one of Northfield’s best kept secrets.
Here is the website for contact information and hours: http://www.cafebonappetit.com/stolaf/
It really is amazing fine dining.
Good luck to the Ole store in any configuration. It will be great to have them reopen. It is a piece of Northfield history…
#13
Sean Hayford O'Leary December 11, 2007 5:52 pm
John,
I think students would go to the Ole Store more for atmosphere than anything else — good food or not, they need to leave campus from time to time.
#14
Steve Wilmot December 12, 2007 9:37 am
Two brief comments, Monte’s Steakhouse has updated their menu and website: http://www.montessteakhouse.com/index.html and I have also heard tell that the Ole Store will have some activity soon!
#15
Kurt Larson December 13, 2007 3:41 pm
Just noticed a banner for a new eatery at Mendota Homes corner building.
Anyone know what it is?
I know this is the Ole Store blog but didn’t know where to ask the question?
#16
John Thomas December 13, 2007 4:08 pm
I saw it this morning on my way out of town as well. I will stop by on my way back, and find out what it says.
#17
John Thomas December 13, 2007 5:30 pm
The sign says:
The Final Course Cafe, opening January 2008.
Soups, Pannini, Tortes, Treats, Ice Cream, Coffees
#18
John George December 14, 2007 12:01 am
Sounds good to me. Hope they include the “Ole Rolls” from the original store. I also hope they serve them more often than just Sunday Morning. If the prices are reasonable, and they stay open ’til 1:00 am, it should be a good attraction for the Olaf students. There is a really good market segment just accross the street, so to speak. It will take more than just Olaf studnts to make it successful, though.
I know they like to get off campus. My wife and I have been hosting a weekly informal dinner for a small group of them for several years. We have had students from Washington state to Maine be a part of that group. It keeps changing each year as seniors graduate and freshmen come along. It’s been really great for us, and I know the young people really enjoy it. The price is right, also.
#19
Sean Hayford O'Leary December 14, 2007 12:45 am
John,
I don’t think the Stanglers (owners until 2005) ever passed the Ole Roll on — had they, I’m sure the Byhre Ole Store (2005-2007) would have served them.
It’s a shame for the tradition, though I have to say I never really cared for Ole Rolls; I prefer the Brick Oven sweet rolls.
#20
Bill Ostrem December 14, 2007 9:54 am
The Final Course Cafe, at the Crossing, will be run (and owned?) by Dean and Rose Sorenmann. I know that Dean is an astute gourmand - some would say a foodie - so it’s likely to offer good fare.
As a fairly close neighbor of the Ole Store, I’m glad to hear that it will reopen. There are so few retail establishments we can easily walk to here on the west side other than those at St. Olaf. And I second what John Thomas said about the food at St. Olaf’s dining hall - it’s really good!
Where else could neighborhood cafes be opened? How about something over on the Northfield Retirement Center property? That would take some vision and daring on their part. A cafe could bring some community to some of our neighborhoods.
#21
Marlene Zeug December 14, 2007 10:03 am
Perhaps we should not focus on the pizza…maybe it will just be a great place that offers a lot of variety for everyone around town. I am very excited to see what the new place will offer. Anything is better than the last. Another great addition will be a cozy wine bar. I love to gather with girlfriends and have a great glass of wine and a delicious slice of cake. Good luck to the new owners…I know that I will visit often, or at least give it a chance.
P.S. for your information, I have had great steaks at the northfield golf club and other wonderful meals…maybe try that instead of monte’s or porterhouse.
#22
Griff Wigley February 9, 2008 9:21 am
The Ole Cafe’s website says they’ll be open in March.
#23
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#24
Griff Wigley April 17, 2008 8:43 am
I spoke with Ole Cafe owner Angie Perez this morning. They’re hoping to open in early May now.
#25
Britt Ackerman May 12, 2008 5:13 pm
The Ole Cafe is opening this week! I forget if it’s on Wednesday or Thursday, but there’s a sign on the door.
#26