Ann Kim’s Young Joni to Close Amid Lease Dispute

Minneapolis, Minnesota — Award-winning restaurateur Ann Kim announced Monday that her acclaimed restaurant, Young Joni, will close its doors this fall due to a lease dispute with the building’s owner.

The decision comes just days after Vestalia Hospitality, the company that operates Young Joni, was sued for over $140,000 as negotiations over the lease reportedly stalled. The restaurant, known for its wood-fired pizzas and globally inspired menu, has been an integral part of the Northeast Minneapolis dining scene since it opened in 2016.

The landlord, Minneapolis-based Lander Group, claims that Young Joni owes substantial back rent and alleges the restaurant’s 10-year lease, which expired in 2024, has not been renewed due to disagreements over rental costs. Lander proposed an increase to between $30 and $36 per square foot, while Young Joni offered $18.

“We did not have the time and energy to go through such a process,” Young Joni stated in an email regarding arbitration, citing ongoing union issues at other Kim-owned restaurants.

Young Joni garnered national recognition, contributing to Kim’s 2019 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Midwest. The closing is set to take effect on September 14.

This is a developing story, and further details will be released as more information becomes available.