Jambo Africa Restaurant Plans To Relocate in Brooklyn Center
A restaurant and nightclub in Brooklyn Center has plans to relocate within the city.
The Brooklyn Center City Council approved plans for Jambo Africa to move to a new space this week.
The restaurant is currently located at 1601 Freeway Blvd. The owners plan to transfer operations to the building located at 5729 John Martin Dr. That building currently houses the New King Buffet Chinese restaurant. Tires Plus also used to operate out of the building.
Jambo Africa expects to remodel the interior of the building and construct an outdoor seasonal patio.
Once finished, the new venue would have a 10,200 square-foot restaurant, bar and nightclub with a 704-square-foot patio.
Jambo Africa is currently located at 1601 Freeway Blvd. The owners plan to transfer their operations to the building located at 5729 John Martin Dr.
“We specialize in original and authentic cuisine from the African continent, such as cassava, torborgee, plantain, and pepper soup, prepared and sauteed with special spices and sauces,” the restaurant owners wrote in a correspondence with the city council. “We are one of the first African-owned restaurants in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area to cater to members of the large and growing African communities in the Twin Cities. We offer full-service dine in, takeout, and delivery.”
The building is located just north of the first phase of development planned for Brooklyn Center’s Opportunity Site redevelopment area.
City staff members noted concerns with the available parking at the site, as well as the proposed lighting.
The city council voted 3-1 with one abstention to approve the proposal.
Brooklyn Center City Council member Dan Jerzak abstained from voting on the proposal due to his history as city inspector before his election.
Meanwhile, Brooklyn Center City Council member Kris Lawrence-Anderson cast the lone vote against the proposal. She said she was worried about parking at the site. She also said she the city has to “think big picture” about future development in the Opportunity Site.
