"We had every intention of staying in Minnetonka long-term, but parking continues to be a challenge for our guests." That's how Redstone American Grill's director of operations, Joe Fresta, explained the restaurant's departure to Bring Me The News in early September. With that, one of the Ridgedale area's longest-running dinner spots was gone after 27 years.
In the same report, Bring Me The News cited the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal on why parking got hard. Over the past nine years, new development has taken over some of the lot space around Ridgedale, and the priority has been moving surface parking into structures.
The land around Ridgedale is being used more intensively. Sit-down dining has moved inside the building, and the lots outside now hold quick-service counters. If you're planning a holiday dinner near Ridgedale this season, the reservation is now indoors.
The Ring Road Lost Its Long-Timers
Redstone first opened near Ridgedale in 1999 at a different location, so it had already moved once before this closure. Its Eden Prairie and Maple Grove restaurants are still open, and staff were offered positions with the same hours at those two locations, Bring Me The News reported.
It wasn't the first departure. Eight months earlier, Toma Mojo Grill closed its Minnetonka location near Ridgedale on Dec. 31, 2025, according to Bring Me The News. That spot was the original location of the Spanish-inspired counter from Paul Backer and Michael Knox, who came to it from Tilia in Minneapolis. It opened in 2021. The Richfield location is still open, and the restaurant still caters across the metro.
Together, the two closures took out a long-running grill and a chef-run independent from the area just outside the mall in less than a year.
Plymouth Road Got a New Pad, Built for Quick Stops
Redstone's announcement came just as new quick-service places were opening across the mall on Plymouth Road. The site at 1807 and 1809 Plymouth Road was redeveloped in two phases, according to an October Q&A with Bloom Commercial Real Estate in Finance & Commerce. The south building went up first. Then the old Wells Fargo building on the north part of the site was torn down to make room for the second building.
The south building houses Wells Fargo and Southern Vet Partners. The north building holds most of the day-to-day traffic: Chipotle, Shake Shack, Jersey Mike's Subs and Massage Envy.
Chipotle came first. Bring Me The News reported the 1807 Plymouth Road location was set to open Friday, July 31, as the chain's third Minnetonka restaurant.
Shake Shack followed. The 1809 Plymouth Road restaurant was scheduled to open Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 10 a.m., Bring Me The News reported. It's the chain's fifth Minnesota location. The opening-day plan included giving $1 from every sandwich sold to the Intercongregation Communities Association food shelf in Minnetonka.
The posted hours run later than the mall's:
- Sunday through Thursday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The report also noted that Shake Shack tends to locate near malls. Its other Twin Cities restaurants are at or near Mall of America, Southdale Center, the Shoppes at Arbor Lakes and Rosedale Center. Ridgedale now joins that list.
Inside the Mall Is Where Dinner Happens Now
With the ring road shifting to counters, most of the sit-down meals near Ridgedale are now inside the building. The current Ridgedale Center dining directory lists these:
| Where | Restaurant | Location in the mall |
|---|---|---|
| Inside, sit-down | The Cheesecake Factory | Level 2 |
| Inside, sit-down | The Tavern Grill | Level 2, Macy's side |
| Inside, sit-down | Big Bowl | Level 2, Macy's side |
| Inside, sit-down | Niko Niko | Level 2, Nordstrom side |
| Inside, sit-down | Ichiddo Ramen and Sushi | Level 1 |
| Inside, casual | Café Zupas | Level 1 |
| Inside, casual | Leeann Chin | Level 1 |
| Plymouth Road pad | Chipotle, Shake Shack, Jersey Mike's Subs | 1807–1809 Plymouth Road |
Most of the sit-down rooms are on Level 2, split between the Macy's and Nordstrom wings. That makes it easy to plan an evening around a single parking spot. The mall's separate dining feature page still mentions Redstone, Ruscello and Social Kitchen, so check the directory before you go.
The Next Sit-Down Proposal Also Wants to Be at the Mall
The one new sit-down concept on the table for Ridgedale is aiming at the mall, not the outside ring. Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant presented a concept plan to the Minnetonka City Council on June 8, 2026. It covered an on-sale liquor license and an off-sale wine shop, Bring Me The News reported, and it would be the chain's first Minnesota restaurant. The chain has 76 locations in 14 states, with Napa-style tasting rooms and specialty markets.
It's still a proposal. The city's June 8 meeting summary says the council gave feedback on the concept, and that concept review happens before a formal application is filed. In June, Bring Me The News reported that the project still needed formal council approval and that its space inside Ridgedale and its opening date were unknown. For now, it's a project to watch on council agendas, not a place you can book for the holidays.
The Holiday Calendar Is Centered There Too
Ridgedale's seasonal draws are in the same part of the building as the dining rooms. The mall's events page lists Photos with Santa at Level 1, Center Court. The Christmas Corner, with ornaments, decor and gifts, is back one floor up at Level 2, Center Court. The booking page already shows Santa photo time slots for Nov. 20, and walk-ups are welcome. The mall hasn't posted a full Santa schedule, dates for the Christmas Corner or 2026 holiday hours, so check its site the week you plan to go.
Just outside the mall, the city's big December event uses the same block. Light up the Commons is Minnetonka's December family event at Ridgedale Commons. Last year it took place Dec. 6, 2025, from 4:45 to 6 p.m. It included a glow-stick and candy hunt, the park lighting, a DJ dance party, cocoa, a food truck, a fire performer and crafts, according to the city's 2025 listing and a Lake Minnetonka Magazine preview. The 2026 date isn't posted yet. Keep an eye on the city events page.
A few more dates for the next several weeks:
- Nov. 7, 1 to 3 p.m.: Author Anton Treuer gives a free Native American Heritage Month presentation at the Minnetonka Community Center. No registration is required, according to the city calendar.
- Through Dec. 19: The Arts of the Holidays Show & Sale at Minnetonka Center for the Arts features work by more than 100 local artists in the Laura H Miles Gallery. It's free and open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
One Independent Opening Away From the Mall
This fall's notable small-business opening in Minnetonka didn't happen on the Ridgedale ring at all. Star Tribune's restaurant roll call reported that Ichigo Cafe opened Oct. 1 at 10988 Cedar Lake Road S. It serves Tokyo-style crepes and Japanese sweets. It makes a good dessert stop on a day of holiday errands.
The new ring around Ridgedale offers a quick burger until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and the sit-down dinners are on Level 2. Center Court is where the season's events gather, and the city's December lighting is right next door at Ridgedale Commons.
If you live near Ridgedale and want to know how this year's changes around the mall show up in your home's value, Eric and Sharla at Stafford Family Realtors would be glad to walk you through it. Get your complimentary home valuation, and we'll talk it over the next time you're in the neighborhood.
