Award-Winning Minnesota Pizza Restaurant is Closing This Fall

When I learned that this award-winning and nationally recognized restaurant would be closing, I was shocked! I've written about this restaurant before, heard so many good things, and keep meaning to go, but now it appears time is starting to run out.

There's a pizza restaurant in Minneapolis, Minnesota, that has won awards and been named one of the best pizza places in the entire country. However, they just announced that they'll be closing this fall.

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Award-Winning Pizza Restaurant in Minneapolis Closing

The restaurant is Young Joni. They specialize in upscale and unique wood-fired pizzas that look absolutely delicious.

Owner Ann Kim has won awards throughout her career, including the James Beard Award in 2019 for Best Chef in the Midwest.

The restaurant itself has been recognized multiple times, including just last year on The New York Times list of the 22 best pizza shops in the entire country.

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So they're not messing around with their pizza! Clearly, they're doing something right.

Why are they closing, then?

Why is Young Joni in Minneapolis Closing?

Last week, the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reported that Young Joni was being sued by the owner of the building, where Young Joni is located, "alleging that [Young Joni] owes back rent after negotiations stalled on a lease renewal."

Then, just yesterday, the 16th, they announced that after "failing to reach an agreement with its landlord", Young Joni will be closing its doors.

What a sad way to go! Especially for a restaurant that is well-loved and highly praised.

Young Joni has been open for 9 years and will close its doors on September 14th.

Ann Kim owns other wood-fired pizza restaurants in the Twin Cities. Those locations are Pizzaria Lola, which is also in Minneapolis, and Hello Pizza in Edina.

Ann shared a heartfelt message on the Young Joni Instagram about their closing. In it, she writes:

Every ending is also a beginning, and every challenge an opportunity. All things in life come to an end and this is our moment to make room for the next chapter.