downtown st. cloud

A new craft burger and beer restaurant is ready to open next week in downtown St. Cloud. 7 West Taphouse has moved into the former Electric Fetus building (they closed in May 2014). Co-owner Ray Harrington says they gutted the building while trying to maintain the historic look and atmosphere.

Downtown St. Cloud will be full of holiday spirit this weekend with the annual Winter Festival.

Friday will be the last chance to stroll down the street and enjoy the work of local artisans before winter hits.

St. Cloud is taking a step towards a possible $19 million retail-office building that would go in next to city hall. During their regular meeting on Monday night, the city council heard a plan for the city to enter into an agreement with Inventure Properties.

Downtown St. Cloud is bidding to host the 2017 Governor's Fishing Opener. Julie Lunning is the Executive Director of the St. Cloud Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. She says they have a unique proposal to host the opener on three stretches of the Mississippi River.

What was once the Le St. Germain Hotel has now officially become a Courtyard by Marriott. The hotel is at 404 West St. Germain Street. Renovations were announced in January. Renovations and name change were announced in January. Over 100 guest rooms and suites were updated over the last few months.

Big Apple Bagels is returning to St. Cloud this summer. The St. Cloud Downtown Council announced on Tuesday that the restaurant will be at 701 West St. Germain Street, which used to be home to Whiskey Business and Biology 701. They hope to be open by late August.

A new antiques and vintage decor shop is now open in downtown St. Cloud. The Rusty Pick is at 707 West St. Germain Street, attached to Bumbledees. The store sells clothing, jewelry, signs, architectural salvage, artwork, antique toys, vintage books and much more.

St. Cloud is looking into a different plan for a new downtown parking ramp. St. Cloud has $11.56 million in state bonding money for the project. However, recent bids for the project came in too high, with the lowest being $17.4 million. The bids were rejected by the council earlier this month.

A downtown St. Cloud tea shop now has a new name and ownership. What used to be Willow Tea is now Spice of Life Tea at 820 West St. Germain Street. Terri Emmerich is the new owner and says she jumped at the opportunity to own the shop. Spice of Life offers numerous teas by the cup or in bulk, coffee, herbs and spices.