The George Floyd riots. COVID-19. ICE. Just some of the huge challenges local restaurants have faced over the past few years.
But a prominent, and concerned, Twin Cities restaurateur says he's never seen the industry in a more precarious position than it is today due to our divisive political climate.
Never one to avoid ruffling feathers, David Fhima says too many customers these days are only patronizing restaurants they know share their political beliefs. He also tells WCCO's Chad Hartman that political and civic leadership in Minneapolis has made it too expensive to operate in the city.
Fhima says could have a devastating ripple effect.
"The state of Minnesota will thrive because downtown Minneapolis thrives, period," Fhima explains. "We can't just say, well, downtown Minneapolis is not doing well anymore and other places. We got to fix our problem in Minneapolis."
Fhima recently closed his fine dining restaurant "Fhimas" in downtown Minneapolis due to what he says was the rising cost of maintenance in an historic building. The space in City Center is on the National Register of Historic Places, with its art deco style and history as the Forum Cafeteria.
But Fhima also places some blame on the exodus of downtown Target workers from the building next door. Target recently spent millions to buyout their lease in City Center, after moving the bulk of those workers to a building in suburban Brooklyn Park, or allowing workers to continue working remotely.
Fhima says that while local restaurants have endured their share of challenges over the years, this one seems to be all about politics.
"You knew that you sat down at a table at a restaurant, all of that was left at the door, and the hospitality brought people together," Fhima explained. "Today you can start seeing a shift where people are going to restaurants that feel, rightfully or wrongfully, that that restaurant shares and espouses the same views that they do."
Fhima says he'll continue to focus on his North Loop restaurant, Maison Margeaux, adding he believes Minneapolis' North Loop to be the "best neighborhood in America."
He'll also open his latest Mother Dough bakery in the downtown skyway later this week.
