Young Joni to Close After Award-Winning Decade Amid Financial Issues

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Young Joni, a popular restaurant in northeast Minneapolis, will close its doors after a decade in business, owner Ann Kim announced on social media. The eatery is set to officially close on September 14.

In an Instagram post, Kim expressed gratitude for the support the restaurant has received over the years, stating, “It has been a privilege to work with our dedicated teams and serve the greater community with heart, creativity and purpose.” She also looked forward to hosting guests one last time before the closure.

Young Joni, which opened in 2014, gained acclaim for its innovative wood-fired pizzas. Kim received the Best Chef Midwest award at the 2019 James Beard Awards for her work at the restaurant. She and her husband, Conrad Leifur, also operate other establishments, including Pizzeria Lola and Hello Pizza.

However, financial difficulties have emerged. A lawsuit filed by property owner 1300 LLC claims that Young Joni owes over $140,000 in unpaid rent. The lease for the restaurant was set for a ten-year term, expiring in August 2024.

Discussions about new lease terms broke down when 1300 LLC proposed a rate of $30-36 per square foot, while Young Joni countered at $18 per square foot. In June 2024, the landlord suggested arbitration to resolve the disagreement, but Kim declined, citing her involvement in a labor dispute at Pizzeria Lola.

As the original lease expired without a new agreement, the landlord shifted Young Joni to a month-to-month tenancy with higher rent. The lawsuit further claims that Young Joni is in default, owing over $100,000 in rent payments that date back to August 1.

There are also ongoing financial obligations from a rent deferment agreement made in 2020, which Kim has yet to address. The landlord had allowed over $42,000 in rent to be deferred due to COVID-19, with the expectation it would be repaid once Young Joni resumed full operations.