Travail Plans Would Give Robbinsdale a Modern Look
The owners behind Travail and Pig Ate My Pizza are talking more about their ambitious goals that would alter Robbinsdale’s downtown restaurant scene.
Travail’s trio of owners purchased property across the street from its existing location. That property, located next to Wuollet Bakery, would be knocked down. The demolition would make way for an ultra-modern, almost museum-like, new restaurant.
The owners told the Star Tribune they want the restaurant to be one of the few in the country to have the prestigious two-star Michelin rating. Diners could expect to pay $150 a person for a full night of dining.
What Do Residents Think of the Travail Plans?
CCX asked local residents what they think of the new plans. The reaction was mostly positive. But there is some pause on how the new building would fit with the character of the existing buildings.
“I’m a little bit mixed on it,” said Robbinsdale resident Sue Lord. “I’m going to have to take a wait-and-see approach.”
Lord added, “I think it’s exciting for progress. And I like to see the economy being increased locally. As far as how it’s going to fit in with everything else, we’ll see.”
“I’ve been a patron of Travail and several of the other estashblishments here over the past 20 years along Broadway, and I’m happy to see the economic development that’s occurring,” said Golden Valley resident Jonathan Burris.
When to Expect Construction
Construction on the new Travail is expected to begin next month. The city approved helping Travail with some of the financing (via tax-increment financing) because the building that would be demolished is considered blighted.
As far as Pig Ate My Pizza, that restaurant would eventually move to the existing Travail location, giving it more room to add a brewery.
