A saloon closes and the dream of a Swank Eatery begins
The 4th Street Saloon operated for 37 years. Photo by Kiya Darden
By Azhae’la Hanson, Reporter and David Pierini, Editor
A landmark has closed, but a community pillar is buying the building to transform it into a destination for visitors to North Minneapolis.
The 4th Street Saloon was set for its last call on March 31. Barber Teto Wilson is buying the building and seeking investors to help him renovate it and create a food hall called Swank Eatery. The 13,000-square-foot commercial space could cost an estimated $11,000 to renovate.
“It’s a great space for many reasons,” Wilson said. “It’s kind of like the gateway to North Minneapolis. From that standpoint, it’s a great space. There’s a food deficit in North Minneapolis. People are going outside of the community to get what they need.
“This won’t solve the food problem but it gives us more options. It will be right here, in North Minneapolis, where people live and work.”
Already, Wilson has received a $500,000 grant from Hennepin County toward his investment. If Wilson is successful in securing investors, Swank Eatery would be one of the first significant development ideas announced to take advantage of its proximity to the proposed Blue Line light rail extension. Wilson said this was not the motivation for opening the food hall.
The bar has operated on West Broadway Avenue near I-94 for 37 years and is best known for the Charles Caldwell mural on the side of the building that serves as a welcome to North Minneapolis.
“I talked to Tito right away when we found out it was going to be up for sale,” said Mike Oker, general manager of 4th Street Saloon since 2000. “Knowing that he’s a community guy and a friend of mine. He was interested and it just blew up into something that looks like it’s going to be amazing.”
So long saloon
Owner Greg Hegwood had always planned to retire near his 70th birthday, which comes up this year.
Over the years, the saloon was known for attracting motorcycle groups who sometimes barbequed in the parking lot. The older regulars would open the place, arriving in the morning to watch “The Price is Right” and then make way for workers after their shifts for a Happy Hour drink. At night, there would be live music, a DJ, or karaoke. Oker started at the saloon as a Hip-Hop DJ and essentially never left.
The saloon hosted a farewell event on March 24, inviting regulars to bring in photos, catch up with old friends and share stories about the saloon.
The area has sometimes been a hotspot for criminal activities, but Oker said his memories of the people he served will last a lifetime.
“You're not just a bartender,” Oker said. “Sometimes you're somebody's comedian when they need to laugh; sometimes you're somebody's therapist when they need to cry. You know, sometimes you're somebody's counselor when they don't even know what they need, but they might need you to tell them what they need.
“So, you know, a lot comes with it, but all I can say is that I got to experience a lot of beautiful people.”
Swank image
Wilson has wanted to open a bar and restaurant with a relaxed vibe for more than a decade. He felt he wanted to do it by the time he turned 50.
Teto Wilson in his barbershop on West Broadway Avenue. Photo by David Pierini
He saw a chance when he began discussing a purchase price with the owner of the Five Points Building located at the corner of Penn and West Broadway avenues.
Wilson said there was an ideal space for a lounge and was directly across the street from his barber shop.
But the proposed Blue Line light rail extension, which will come down 21st Avenue and connect with West Broadway around James, derailed those plans. He had gone as far as having plans drawn up. That was gone.
The Blue Line presented another problem. Would a lengthy construction period send his customers elsewhere? Would his old building survive the vibrations caused by heavy construction?
He said Northsiders are starting to buy properties along West Broadway and are building momentum. He worries the train could dampen that enterprising spirit.
Wilson hopes project managers are genuinely listening, as they say, and hope compensation for displacement is not just the value of an old building but a payment that will make businesses whole.
Wilson said, “I’m worried this project is at the municipal consent stage and they have shared their plan to help with displacement.”
Ironically, Wilson’s first construction grant of $500,000 is tied to the Blue Line. He is the first to receive a grant through the Affordable Commercial Incentive Fund, which was created for viable projects planned near the proposed Blue Line corridor.
Wilson said he has conditional approval for a bank loan and hopes to wrap up the paperwork soon. He hopes to break ground this fall and once the building is in his name, he can seek other investors.
“For many years, I wanted to own a restaurant, but I kept saying, ‘I don’t want to do it now. Maybe when I’m 50,’ “Wilson said. “I’m actually 50 years old this year.”