276 Exchange Street South
Saint Paul, MN, USA

  • Architectural Style: Italianate
  • Bathroom: N/A
  • Year Built: 1870
  • National Register of Historic Places: N/A
  • Square Feet: 8,500 sqft
  • National Register of Historic Places Date: N/A
  • Neighborhood: N/A
  • National Register of Historic Places Area of Significance: N/A
  • Bedrooms: N/A
  • Architectural Style: Italianate
  • Year Built: 1870
  • Square Feet: 8,500 sqft
  • Bedrooms: N/A
  • Bathroom: N/A
  • Neighborhood: N/A
  • National Register of Historic Places: N/A
  • National Register of Historic Places Date: N/A
  • National Register of Historic Places Area of Significance: N/A
Neighborhood Resources:

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Aug 19, 2024

  • Amanda Zielike

Forepaughs Restaurant Reopens!

"ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Irvine Park neighborhood of St. Paul is rejoicing. Forepaugh's — a historic and haunted restaurant — has reopened its doors after a mega renovation. The million-dollar renovation got big fast, but it stayed true to the home. "That was the whole mission stay true to the home. Don't do major changes, keep it with what is familiar and comfortable for people," John Sugimura said. "It's bright and clean and that was the objective of the renovation — can we make it bright, can we make it clean, can we make it current?" A historic preservation team helped with the renovation. "Staying absolutely true, making the heritage preservation committee very happy," Sugimura said. Diners at Forepaugh's can expect not just an intriguing setting but great American food, with staples like the beef Wellington and miso seabass returning, paired with an inventive cocktail list featuring selections like the Oak Manhattan and the Irvine Park Swizzle. "We wanted to keep the essence of what people have, for decades, enjoyed here, where they could comfortably sit up to the bar with somebody special to them, celebrate something that is special to them," Sugimura said. The house was built in 1870 by Joseph Forepaugh, an industrial businessman. "It has been residential until the late 1970s when another restaurant family — mega family — converted it from a house to a restaurant," Sugimura said. On the new patio, patrons can enjoy a glimmering angle of the storied neighborhood. "If you lived in the neighborhood, if you were a homeowner, resident, you'd remember family celebrations, special meals with special people. Coming out on the patio, having a nice beverage, a nosh or something like that. Really, it's like a 270-view of the park, of the neighborhood, of the governor's mansion across the street. And it really captures that deep meaning everyone enjoys about the neighborhood," Sugimura said. They've been closed since 2019 and they've been missed." It's a storied home filled with intrigue and layered in history, now serving up aromas, flavors and memories that make a mark. "I think the entire team here heard, 'Thank you for saving the house. Thank you for sticking with the neighborhood. Thank you for investing in the neighborhood and thank you for bringing back the food that you've always done so well executing and freshening it up.'" Sugimura said.

Forepaughs Restaurant Reopens!

"ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Irvine Park neighborhood of St. Paul is rejoicing. Forepaugh's — a historic and haunted restaurant — has reopened its doors after a mega renovation. The million-dollar renovation got big fast, but it stayed true to the home. "That was the whole mission stay true to the home. Don't do major changes, keep it with what is familiar and comfortable for people," John Sugimura said. "It's bright and clean and that was the objective of the renovation — can we make it bright, can we make it clean, can we make it current?" A historic preservation team helped with the renovation. "Staying absolutely true, making the heritage preservation committee very happy," Sugimura said. Diners at Forepaugh's can expect not just an intriguing setting but great American food, with staples like the beef Wellington and miso seabass returning, paired with an inventive cocktail list featuring selections like the Oak Manhattan and the Irvine Park Swizzle. "We wanted to keep the essence of what people have, for decades, enjoyed here, where they could comfortably sit up to the bar with somebody special to them, celebrate something that is special to them," Sugimura said. The house was built in 1870 by Joseph Forepaugh, an industrial businessman. "It has been residential until the late 1970s when another restaurant family — mega family — converted it from a house to a restaurant," Sugimura said. On the new patio, patrons can enjoy a glimmering angle of the storied neighborhood. "If you lived in the neighborhood, if you were a homeowner, resident, you'd remember family celebrations, special meals with special people. Coming out on the patio, having a nice beverage, a nosh or something like that. Really, it's like a 270-view of the park, of the neighborhood, of the governor's mansion across the street. And it really captures that deep meaning everyone enjoys about the neighborhood," Sugimura said. They've been closed since 2019 and they've been missed." It's a storied home filled with intrigue and layered in history, now serving up aromas, flavors and memories that make a mark. "I think the entire team here heard, 'Thank you for saving the house. Thank you for sticking with the neighborhood. Thank you for investing in the neighborhood and thank you for bringing back the food that you've always done so well executing and freshening it up.'" Sugimura said.

Mar 12, 2019

  • Marley Zielike

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)

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)

Apr 23, 1980

  • Marley Zielike

Architecture Place

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

Architecture Place

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

1870

Property Story Timeline

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Share pictures, information, and personal experiences.
Add Story I Lived Here Home History Help

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