MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – St. Paul diners will have one less place to try in Lowertown come 2017.
Heartland Restaurant & Farm Direct Market announced Tuesday that it will be closing its doors in December.
According to a message on the website, the building Heartland is housed in was purchased by a private investor.
Owner and Head Chef Lenny Russo said in the message the restaurant is excited to be able to celebrate 14 years of operation in St. Paul, and is proud to say it helped revitalize the Lowertown neighborhood.
“We wish to express our most heartfelt thanks for all of the love and support that we have been shown, and we hope to see you here,” the message read.
On the website, Russo explains he and his wife opened Heartland on St. Clair Avenue in the Macalester-Groveland neighborhood on Oct. 27, 2002. The restaurant sat 50 people. In 2010, they moved to its current location in Lowertown.
Russo was named a James Beard Foundation Award Semifinalist for Best Chef in the Midwest from 2008 to 2016, and was a finalist in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015.
He also inspired other local chefs, such as Chef Alan Bergo of St. Paul’s Salt Cellar.
Heartland will serve its final meal on Dec. 31, 2016.
