276 Exchange Street South
Saint Paul, MN, USA

Forepaugh’s Restaurant in St. Paul closes. It had operated in Victorian mansion since 1976.

Forepaugh’s Restaurant in St. Paul closes. It had operated in Victorian mansion since 1976. By NANCY NGO | Pioneer Press

PUBLISHED: March 12, 2019 at 3:44 p.m. | UPDATED: March 13, 2019 at 9:24 a.m.

Forepaugh’s Restaurant, the St. Paul dining institution housed in an 1870 Victorian mansion, has shuttered.

The multi-story fine dining restaurant with several dining rooms closed over the weekend.

Owner Bruce Taher said the reason for the closing was a combination of factors.

“Our revenue continued to shrink year after year and some of the minimum wage activity has really pushed up the cost,” he said. “It’s difficult to do these things. You can do everything right — good food, great staff — but when the revenue shrinks and fine dining restaurants have trouble attracting as many people, it’s hard. We have wonderful clientele and staff, but it was just really a financial decision.”

The restaurant, named after the original owner of the home, Joseph Forepaugh, opened in 1976 after a private company purchased the property located on Exchange Street, just off West Seventh Street, by Irvine Park. In 2007, Taher took over the space and has run a fine dining concept there for more than a decade.

In February, chef Kyle Bell died suddenly at age 32 after a bout with the flu. Bell had been the chef at Forepaugh’s for the past five years.

“I think part of our closing probably tied to that. And our revenues were down, so we thought maybe it was a good time to just stop,” Taher said.

“Kyle was not just good at what he did, but he was also the heart and soul of the kitchen. His death just took the wind out of everybody’s sails,” Taher said. “He was young and had two young children. … It’s really been difficult and emotional for everyone.”

Forepaugh’s employees will be moved to jobs at other Taher Inc. properties, the hospitality company Taher runs that operates in 21 states and includes 50 food service operations throughout Minnesota.

“Our organization is fortunately strong enough that we’re going to relocate staff to different locations,” he said. “They won’t lose their jobs or their benefits.”

As far as the Forepaugh’s space, Taher said the building is in good shape and he may lease or sell the space to another restaurateur.

Meanwhile, Forepaugh’s staff spent Tuesday breaking the news to customers.

“We want to thank the corporations, companies, families, singles, couples that have come and were good customers of Forepaughs’s,” the restaurant’s voicemail message says. “We’re going to miss you all. You were like a family to us.”

Photo 1: The outdoor patio at Forepaugh’s Restaurant in St. Paul has seating on the porch, on the street level as well as a rooftop patio for more formal dining, as seen on Wednesday, May 16, 2018. (Ginger Pinson / Pioneer Press)

Photo 2: Austin Leiby serves Stephanie Gaer, center, and Joella Rumpza, left, cocktails on the outdoor patio at Forepaugh's Restaurant in St. Paul on Wednesday, May 16, 2018. (Ginger Pinson / Pioneer Press)

Photo 3: Pork sliders are offered on the menu at the outdoor patio at Forepaugh's in St. Paul on Wednesday, May 16, 2018. (Ginger Pinson / Pioneer Press)

Photo 4: The outdoor patio at Forepaugh's has seating on the porch, on the ground below as well as a rooftop patio, pictured, for more formal dining on Wednesday, May 16, 2018. (Ginger Pinson / Pioneer Press)

Photo 5: "This is our Cheers", said Rosy Kirk, left, who joins her husband, Ron Kirk, right, for Happy Hour on the patio at Forepaugh's in St. Paul on Wednesday, May 16, 2018. "John greets you at the door. People here want you to feel like you are part of the family," Rosy said. (Ginger Pinson / Pioneer Press)

Architecture Place

Black and white photograph of the Forepaugh's house during restoration.

276 Exchange Street South restoration

Newspaper mention of the restoration work being done on 276 Exchange Street S.

Architecture Place Transportation

Photograph of a house located in St. Paul. Back caption: "W. 7th St. Forepaugh House Restaurant House JKF."

Architecture Place

Black and white photograph of the interior of the Forepaugh house during renovation.

Architecture Place

Black and white photograph of the Forepaugh house, during renovation.

Architecture Place Transportation

Black and white photograph of the Forepaugh's house, after renovation.

Architecture Place

Color slide of Forepaugh's restoration. The date stamped on the slide mount indicates 1970.

Architecture Place

Color slide of Forepaugh's restoration. Date stamped on slide mount indicates 1970.

Architecture Place

Color slide of Forepaugh`s restoration. Date stamped on slide mount indicates 1970.

"Apartment Fire Routs Dozen"

A March 2, 1959 Minneapolis Morning Tribune article noted "a two alarm fire" that took place at 276 Exchange Street S. Firefighters "carried four residents from the burning three story building..." The damage from the fire, which appeared to start "near the basement furnace" was estimated by firefighters to be $12,000.

"Forepaugh Suicide"

An article about the suicide of Joseph L. Forepaugh appeared in the Sunday edition of The Minneapolis Times. As announced in a subheadline, the body was "Found in a Grove on Selby Avenue With a Bullet Hole in the Head- Melancholia the Cause." Forepaugh and his wife were the first owners of 276 Exchange Street S. The Forepaughs lived at the home from 1870-1886.

General John H. Hammond death notice

General John Henry Hammond was the second owner of 276 Exchange Street S. His death was noted in the St. Paul Globe on May 3, 1890. The notice reads, "HAMMOND-In St. Paul, Minn., April 30, 1890, at family residence, 276 South Exchange street, Gen. J. H. Hammond, aged fifty-seven years. Funeral from late residence Saturday, 3d inst., at 2:30 p. m."

The Find a Grave memorial:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/38578990/john-henry-hammond/photo

"Some Fine Paintings"

J. L. Forepaugh's art collection was auctioned on Wednesday May 12, 1886. Visitors had had a chance to see the collection the previous day. The writer noted that "among the pictures most admired were the oil paintings Scene in the Catskills, by Bensell, which cost $2,500; Good Morning, by Mounier, cost $2,000, and Sunset, a very old painting by an unknown artist."

1886 notice of auction sale

In May 1886, P. T. Kavanagh & Co. conducted an auction of personal property of J. L. Forepaugh who resided at 276 South Exchange Street. The notice declared that "the elegant oil paintings, horses, carriages and household furniture of Mr. J. L. Forepaugh will be sold at auction on Wednesday, May 12, at 9:30 p. m., commencing on the furniture." It was noted that "Mr. Forepaugh being about to sail for Europe with his family, to remain for an indefinite time, and not wishing to take the risk of storage, has placed his personal effects in our hands for the purpose of the sale."

"Mrs. J. L. Forepaugh entertained most gracefully. . . "

"Mrs. J. L. Forepaugh entertained most gracefully last Monday evening, and on Tuesday evening a delightful children's party was given at her residence on Exchange street."

The Forepaughs entertain

"Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Forepaugh of Exchange street will entertain this week. On Tuesday evening they will give a juvenile party, and on Wednesday a grand reception."

276 Exchange Street S as seen on 1885 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map

276 Exchange Street S was included in the 1885 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map for Saint Paul. The above image is an enlargement of the section of map showing 276 Exchange Street S. The second image is a key to the map.

The entire page can be viewed by clicking on the Document Source link below.

"Wanted-A cook, highest wages paid."

Mrs. J. L. Forepaugh was in search of a cook when she placed this ad in The Saint Paul Globe in October 1883. The ad read, "Wanted-A cook, highest wages paid. Apply to Mrs. J. L. Forepaugh, 276 Exchange street."