DeRusha Download - Forepaughs Update, Walz, Amanda Brinkman

IT’S WALZ: Whatever you think about Governor Tim Walz politically, it is remarkable to see him as the pick for Vice President. I sat next to him when he was a U.S. Rep. running for Governor in 2018 at the State Fair (pic below) and he brings a warmth and a positivity that I personally crave in our political discourse. He’s tough but talks like a normal human. He’s lived in rural Minnesota, much like J.D. Vance grew up in rural Kentucky. Plenty to criticize about his performance as Governor, lots to love too. But seeing “one of us” on the national stage is a good thing for the state.  Doesn’t mean you have to agree with him or support him! But you can acknowledge the coolness of the moment. Disagree? Your thoughts are always welcome! - Jason

TOO BUSY TO DOWNLOAD:

• Animales BBQ gets a permanent spot

• Amanda Brinkman’s Writes A Guest Column

• Forepaugh’s In Training - Likely Opening Date below

• Saint Dinette likely to close when the lease expires

• Maple Grove Restaurant Week

• Podcasts: Youth Sports, Steak & Ale, Polaris Pre-Internships, More!

MAPLE GROVE RESTAURANT WEEK: You guys know I live in MG, I love our restaurant scene! Exciting chains like Paris Baguette, Biaggi’s & Portillos and so many amazing locally-owned spots like Lotus Maple Grove, Tono, El Rodeo, Malone’s, 3 Squares, Pittsburgh Blue, The Lookout! There are nearly 30 local restaurants in the Restaurant Capital of Minnesota’s first Restaurant Week. Special deals & events all week. Visit 4 you could win a $1000 prize package! Pick up your passport at one of the 30 spots: https://fluence-media.co/3ytb4A6 (Experience Maple Grove is a DeRusha partner)

If you’re looking for a speaker on food, media, career changes or current events: please reach out! Jason@JasonDeRusha.com

Thank you to new subscribers! Forward this to a friend - they can subscribe at bit.ly/DeRushaDownload!

GUEST DIALOGUE: You may know Amanda Brinkman from her days as CMO of Deluxe, and her hosting of Small Business Revolution. I love her creative approach to storytelling - and both of us took leaps in our careers at around the same time. I asked if she’d write a little bit about her journey to share here:

My journey has been a whirlwind—from climbing the ladder to earning my place in the C-suite, to hosting and producing an Emmy-nominated series on HULU to taking a daring leap into entrepreneurship. But after leaving corporate two years ago - I found myself in a state of personal identity… crisis? recalibration? I mean- who was I without the title, the structure, the climb and the existing metrics I had become accustomed to judging my ‘winning at life’ success?  It sent me into a deep dive on what exactly IS ‘Purpose’. I proceeded to go on the yoga retreats in the desert, read all the books, listen to all the podcasts and conduct hours of interviews with purpose-driven leaders.

so what do I do with all these ideas? I’m going to share them (it’s what I do). I really think you’ll get a lot out of "The Purpose Pursuit". Whether you're like me or Jason and thinking about a career change, navigating life's transitions, or simply curious about infusing more intention into your daily life, we’ll have meaningful conversations, create genuine connections, and empower your journey toward purpose.

September 26 from 1-6pm, get tickets here: https://fluence-media.co/3YBNRGq

Want to write a guest column for the Download? Reach out: Jason@JasonDeRusha.com

SAINT DINETTE LIKELY TO CLOSE IN MARCH: The lease is up and Tim Niver has decided unless the landlord can come up with a much better deal for him, he’s closing in March of 2025. He opened it 10 years ago, but ingredient costs are up 8-12% from last year, insurance is skyrocketing, and Lowertown/Downtown St. Paul have really been hard hit by government employees working from home. The Pi Press story was definitive - Niver has backed off a bit in social media posts. Come on landlords!  PI PRESS STORY: https://fluence-media.co/3SBmsR2

ANIMALES BBQ GETS A BRICK & MORTAR: Finally! Jon Wipfli tells me he’s found a permanent spot, and it’s near Target Field and downtown. Animales will open in a huge space next to La Dona Cervezeria, in the former Royal Foundry Distillery. 300 seats! Right on a bike trail, right off of I-94, huge potential for this spot. BBQ & Animales Burger will be based there, which means the trucks are done. Jon’s selling them too - he’d really like to find someone to carry the torch at Bauhaus. Me in MNMO: https://fluence-media.co/4dxbCUj Steph March’s MSP story had it first: https://fluence-media.co/3WR8k8O

DEXTER’S TO OPEN AUGUST 19: Reservations are now live for Dani del Prado’s 50th & France neighborhood restaurant, Dexter’s. Grand opening is Monday, August 19th. RESY: https://fluence-media.co/3Wu2I32

FOURPAUGH’S PREVIEW: I checked out the $1 million renovation of St. Paul’s Forepaugh’s. The Taher family has restored this home to it’s former glory. It’s one of the few new big-time spots to open in St. Paul’s downtown over the last several years. High-touch hospitality, affordable indulgence. I tried the best fried chicken sandwich I’ve ever had during a training session , plus some glorious homemade pasta from Chef Tim McKee. Is pasta back? Did it ever go away? Word is it’s opening on Tuesday the 13th! Here we go!!

1881 by LAKE ELMO INN IS OPEN: New in St. Paul’s Union Depot, John & Christine Schiltz have refreshed the space and opened a new restaurant. RESERVE: https://fluence-media.co/4dqminM LISTEN TO JOHN ON MY PODCAST: https://fluence-media.co/4c77YQU

THREAD OF THE WEEK:

PICK OF THE WEEK: 801 Fish in downtown Minneapolis. Hospitality is alive and well! We had a glorious experience at 801 Fish last Saturday night. They put our group of 10 in a small private room at the back of the gorgeous Shea-designed seafood restaurant on Nicollet Mall. We were on a family stay-cation with Alyssa’s parents, sister + her two kids, and our family. The team there couldn’t have been nicer. Excellent wine list (we had a lovely crisp Chablis), and Executive chef Lawrence Kirkland (formerly of Oceanaire) knows seafood. Look at that shrimp cocktail! Alyssa and I shared the grilled branzino - just perfectly done, full of flavor with a pineapple beurre blanc. Desserts from food TV star Jeremy Intille also impressed! Solid Happy Hour at 801 too (4 oysters for $10 from 4-6pm). Chad Waldon is the regional director for 801 (Chop + Fish), you may remember him from the OG Butcher & The Board. Great guy, he knows service, and I felt it from the entire team over there. MENU: https://fluence-media.co/4fALiuo

WEEKEND PLANNER:

What are you going to do this weekend?

IRISH FAIR: Friday- Sunday on Harriet Island. https://fluence-media.co/3YD3kG9

MN GARLIC FEST: Saturday, 10am - 5pm, Hutchinson. https://fluence-media.co/4dzjiFH

FRIDAY - SUNDAY: Cleveland v. Twins at Target Field - huge divisional rivalry! Should be fun. TIX: https://fluence-media.co/3WTGmcA

SATURDAY/SUNDAY: Downtown Minneapolis Street Art Festival - 10am - 6pm on Nicollet Mall https://fluence-media.co/3M38QKF

SATURDAY: Vikings First pre-season game against LA - it’s too early for Football.

SUNDAY: Stories behind the menu at Surly. Nicholas Hall of Caribbean Kitchen, Wendy Puckett of Wendy’s House of Soul, Jamie Yoo of Abang Yoli and Tomme Beevas of Pimento Jamaican Kitchen create a 5-course meal. Seats are randomly assigned. “A culinary experience designed to flip the script on how racism is viewed and discussed in our country.” BUY TICKETS: https://fluence-media.co/3WwEULX

What am I doing this weekend? Tonight we drive to Chicago for my sister’s daughter’s baptism. We’re also touring Northwestern on Saturday morning - for those of you worried that my kids don’t look at any colleges in the Midwest!

DRIVETIME ON DEMAND

MN IN THE SPOTLIGHT: What do you want people to know about Minnesota? https://fluence-media.co/4dgs7EE

ROCHESTER’S HOPPING DOWNTOWN: Bill Lindecke talks about the “unicorn” in MN. https://fluence-media.co/4fxhu1P

EY ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR: The #1 cold brew on Amazon is made in Minnesota - Bizzy Cold Brew. https://fluence-media.co/3WDrhKT

HOW DO WE BRING FUN BACK TO YOUTH SPORTS: Legal settlement in Warroad got me going on out-of-control parents. https://fluence-media.co/3YCEAOg

POLARIS’ INNOVATIVE NEW WAY TO TRAIN HIGH SCHOOL GRADS: How do you grow manufacturing without workers? https://fluence-media.co/4coBaC2

CHRIS SHAFFER ON WCCO-TV’S POWER OUTAGE: How’d he do the weather with a road atlas? https://fluence-media.co/4d7wPV7

STEAK & ALE IS BACK!: Why a local couple relaunched it in Burnsville: https://fluence-media.co/46IyD4I

AIRLINE’S CHARGING FOR SEAT SELECTION FOR FAMILIES: I don’t have a problem with it. Kate Raddatz joins me: https://fluence-media.co/3WVFKTM

SUBSCRIBE TO THE DRIVETIME WITH DERUSHA PODCAST!

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We upload every segment so you can listen on your own time!

IT’S YOUR TURN:

ON MY GOAL TO RECLAIM THE FLAG BY FLYING IT DAILY AT MY HOME: “Yes! Yes! Yes- on reclaiming the American flag! I’d also like to reclaim Christianity. Christian nationalism is in no way the life Jesus espoused.” - Kate

OLYMPIC FEVER: “We’re heavy into Olympics here also. But we carry it a step further. If Team USA pulls a team win we have a team flag. On regular days we display the Olympic Flag. And as we get to late stages of soccer there are American, England and Brazil Soccer Flags. Did I mention our townhouse association calls us “the Flag House” as a point of reference for visitors?” - Doug Hendrix

“We love the Olympics.  There is so much positivity & excitement.  I love to see the pride & patriotism of not only our country but the other country’s participants also.  Those kids have all struggled so hard to be the best.  It’s nice to be unabashedly proud without fear of being ridiculed by others.” - Dorothy

E-MAIL ME!! HAVE COMMENTS? A GOOD QUESTION? WANT TO PARTNER? The partners make it possible for me to do this — so do you! Thank you for reading!! I love seeing your feedback - so please share thoughts and news tips to Jason@JasonDeRusha.com.

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