MAPLE GROVE, Minn. — The City of Maple Grove squashed a proposal to bring Dave's Hot Chicken and Hope Breakfast Bar to the Arbor Lakes shopping area. Hope Breakfast Bar's Owner, Chef Brian Ingram says he's "profoundly" disappointed with the city's decision.
"It seems the city council and mayor had already made up their minds before we had the chance to discuss our business model," Ingram said.
The proposal was for a spot at the north end of the former AMC Theater's parking lot. The council and mayor voted down the proposal on Monday citing concerns for parking, snow removal, pedestrians, and traffic.
Approval was previously granted for a 7,500 sq. ft. development on the land. The Dave's Hot Chicken/Hope Breakfast Bar proposal was smaller at 5,700 sq. ft. Before the Feb. 5 meeting, the Edina-based commercial developer Launch Properties reduced its final proposal size by 1,700 sq. ft. If approved, the plan would remove 45 parking stalls from the surface lot, leaving 55 spaces in total for the customers at the two restaurants.
Ingram told the council that parking for his restaurant wouldn't interfere with others such as Malone's, as it's primarily a breakfast spot that closes by 3 p.m.
“Since we opened in 2019, Hope has done $20 million in revenue. $10,00 of that took place after 3 p.m.," Ingram said during the meeting.
At the meeting, Launch announced it added 12 more spots to the back of the building for employee parking bringing it to 24 spots just for employees for both restaurants. The change didn't move the needle for council members, who then expressed concerns about take-out orders being picked up at Dave's Hot Chicken.
"We are hopeful they can still come to Maple Grove," Maple Grove planning manager, Peter Vickerman said.
In early 2023, Dave's Hot Chicken opened its first location in Minnetonka, which was a smashing success. Co-owner Alex Humphries was asked about the traffic at that location and said online orders reduced 35% of in-person visits two months after it opened.
"I am discouraged and disappointed with their decision," Humphries said.
There was one person from the public who spoke against the proposal at the meeting and it was a fellow restaurant owner, AJ Stevens. He owns Malone's which neighbors the proposed site.
“This would be detrimental to our area," Stevens said during the meeting.
He says the intersection near the businesses which has a nickname "the Total Wine intersection" is problematic for traffic, and nothing has been done to change it.
“These are good guys; they need to develop their land. They have a business to run,” Stevens said.” This is way too tight.”
Ingram says their basis for denial, citing traffic and congestion concerns feels unjustified.
"Malone's statement expressing concern about parking and traffic, considering their business operates during opposite hours and utilizes a separate parking lot and property, seems baseless and outlandish," Ingram said.
During the meeting, Mayor Mark Steffenson accused Dave's Hot Chicken of providing "numbers that worked" for them. He didn't provide additional context.
"That was concerning to me that it seems to imply that were tossing out numbers there that weren’t necessarily accurate. I don’t think that’s ever been fully addressed," Steffenson said.
When a representative from Dave's Hot Chicken objected to the comment in the chamber, the mayor said,” It’s too late.”
Despite the denial, both restaurants are still interested in expansions into Maple Grove.
Dave's Hot Chicken has two other locations in the works in St. Paul and Apple Valley. Former NBA player and Gopher basketball star, Kris Humphries and his family are responsible for bringing the franchise to Minnesota. They're also responsible for franchising Crisp and Green across the Metro. They operate several locations, including Maple Grove.
Hope Breakfast Bar has locations in St. Louis Park, St. Paul, Eagan, Woodbury, and Edina. Ingram's restaurant group, Purpose Restaurants, also owns and operates Apostle Supper Club, and Gnome Craft Pub.
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