Jambo Africa Restaurant Approved for New Brooklyn Center Location

A Brooklyn Center restaurant and nightclub that has spent the past couple years working on a move to a new location can now proceed after receiving city council approval.

Jambo Africa, owned by AWC Holdings LLC, plans to build a 5,720-square-foot restaurant, bar and nightclub on parking lot space at 6500 Camden Ave. N., just north of Topgolf. That would be double the size of its current location at 1601 Freeway Blvd., near the FBI building.

The Brooklyn Center City Council unanimously approved the project at its July 27 meeting.

“Honestly, I couldn’t think of a better use for that particular property,” said Brooklyn Center Council Member Dan Jerzak.

Jambo Africa, operated by Simone Chambliss, plans to make a significant investment in its future space. Robert Sanders with Sanders Development Group, the entity working on behalf of the restaurant, told the city council the total investment is expected to be between $3.5 million to $4 million.

“It’s such a huge contribution to the city,” said Jerzak. “This is a significant investment in the community and I want this community to recognize that.”

Vacant parking lot space proposed for new Jambo Africa restaurant/courtesy city of Brooklyn Center planning documents

Details of the Move

The restaurant would purchase the vacant site, which is currently owned by the city’s Economic Development Authority. Once built, Jambo Africa would relocate from its existing location.

Sanders said construction at the new location could take 10 months to a year. After its completion, Sanders said the existing location would be redeveloped. 

According to planning documents, the restaurant and nightclub would have a 1,645-square-foot dancing and dining area. There would also be an indoor-outdoor patio.

The business at the new location would operate on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m., Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., and Sundays from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Jambo Africa offers cuisine authentic to Nigeria, Kenya and Liberia. The restaurant hosts cultural and community events throughout the year, including Liberian Independence Day and IgboFest.

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