Last Day To Enjoy North Loop Galley Is May 10th
After a five-year run in the North Loop’s Nordic tower, the Pittsburgh-based owners of North Loop Galley have decided to close it.
May 10th will be final day to enjoy Ono Hawaiian Plates, Wrecktangle Pizza, Good Boy and Kawae here.
Galley Group’s CEO, Chad Ellingboe, told the Star Tribune that there was nothing “juicy or salacious” behind the food hall’s closing. “All we can say is cheers to the five years we had, and we look forward to watching the continued success of the North Loop.”
Jessie Kelley, co-owner of Ono Hawaiian Plates, has been here from the start–and the North Loop location helped Ono build such a following, they opened a second location in the Seward neighborhood. They also became a popular caterer for Major League Baseball teams–serving all but one visiting team last year at Target Field, as well as the home team, the Twins, several times.
Jessie Kelley, at right
“Oh, it’s been a great experience,” Kelley said. “North Loop is fantastic. The Galley itself has been fantastic for us.”
She said the vendors only learned on Monday that the facility was about to close but she’s already working on finding a new location, hopefully in the North Loop.
“We’d love to stay in the North Loop,” she said. “This is home.”
Jim Pfeffer, general manager
North Loop Galley general manager Jim Pfeffer, who also runs one of the kitchens, Good Boy, says he’s going to take some time away from the restaurant business for now.
“I had a baby two months ago, so right now I’m just going to focus on being a dad and enjoying those moments that you don’t get a second chance at,” he said. “Obviously, we love being a part of the neighborhood. We love what we add to the neighborhood. It’s a decision that was made by our ownership, that I stand by and it just makes sense, it’s business.”
It also means the end, at least for now, of Kawae, which has been at North Loop Galley for nearly three years.
Wrecktangle’s owners used their success at North Loop Galley to open two other locations, while also launching WRAD Pizza and WRAP handhelds at Graze Food Hall in the North Loop.
By Mike Binkley, North Loop volunteer