The oldest remaining fire station in St. Paul is getting a breakfast-served-all day spot called Hope Breakfast Bar.
The space on Leech Street and Grand Avenue and a block away from West Seventh Street was slated for a high-end wine bar, but those involved in the project have brought in restaurateur Brian Ingram to take over the spot connected to a new Marriott hotel and near United and Children’s hospitals.
“I thought it would make a great coffee and breakfast place, and I’ve always wanted to do something like this. I grew up with a coffee background. My family owned a coffee shop,” Ingram said.
The name of the restaurant incorporates part of the former fire station’s name: Hope Engine Company 3. “And for us, we always say start your day with optimism. And with Children’s Hospital across the street, it kind of tied into what we do,” he said. “We’re also going to tie what we’re doing here with donations to local charities.”
The spot that will be open from early morning to late at night, will have a mix of savory and sweet breakfast items. Pancakes will be made with cake batter with such varieties as carrot cake and red velvet. Creme brulee French toast, pork belly shrimp and grits, and beef ribs as well as a full coffee and cocktail program are also part of the lineup.
The space will have 90 seats and a patio. The Marriott hotel will offer additional seating for diners as well.
Development of the space has garnered much discussion. When the Marriott hotel was first proposed, it called for the demolition of the fire station. City officials and community members worked with developers to reuse the historic firehouse, and efforts to convert the space while preserving as much of the original material as possible have been underway since.
The new eatery will be a family affair. Ingram’s wife, Sarah Ingram as well as family members Laurén Dordal and Eric Drommerhausen are partners in the project. In addition, “My kids are involved in it,” Ingram said.
Ingram hopes to open in early September.
Hope Breakfast Bar: 1 S. Leech St.; St. Paul; facebook.com/pages/category/Restaurant/Hope-Breakfast-Bar-3115432071831070/
