ST. JOSEPH (WJON News) – On Monday, groundbreaking took place for a new food hall concept in downtown St. Joseph.

House Food and Tap is located on the corner of 2nd Avenue Northwest and Minnesota Street.

During the event, owners Craig And BriAnne Hern announced the three restaurant concepts and a café that will be part of the project.

Excellent coffee roasters owned by Josh Kaeter will open its first brick-and-mortar store, Birdie’s Pizza and Garden Bar will offer stone oven pizza and is new to the pizza scene, former Minnesota Viking Esera Tuaolo will open 98 Hawaiian Grilland Mateo Mackbee and Erin Lucas will Joetown Smashburger.

BriAnne says all of the business owners had a hand in designing their own spaces.

We just finished the design process before we announced groundbreaking. As the first builders, they had the luxury of having a say and helping us build their kitchens.

Each of the companies has signed multi-year contracts in this area.

House Food and Tap also has 30 beer taps available.

The Herns are young entrepreneurs who wanted to find the right project for the community.

We just believe so much in the community and know that there is a ton of talent here, so we wanted to find a way to help elevate the people with these brilliant talents in the field.

They say the feedback they have received from the community has been overwhelmingly positive.

The opening is planned for early 2025.

Director of Community Development at St. Joseph Nate Keller describes it as one of the largest investments in the city center in the city’s history.

READ RELATED ARTICLES

Visit St. Joseph, Minnesota in Pictures