Word rolled in late last week that a former owner of the Lexington, one of St. Paul's most classic, high-end eateries, has purchased the restaurant once more. Rick Webb, who operated the restaurant in the 1990s, has yet to announce his plans for the St. Paul landmark this time around.
Once considered to be one of the Twin Cities' most luxurious supper clubs, the Lexington was reportedly sold late last spring to a group of restaurateurs who closed it down for a remodel, but the restaurant never reopened. According to the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, the deal fell through over the summer and the Lexington eventually made its way back onto the market. Little is currently known about the sale of the Lexington or when it will reopen.
The Lexington (commonly referred to as "the Lex") originally opened its doors back in 1935. Although ownership has changed hands numerous times throughout the years, the restaurant's rich wood interior and white-tablecloth motif remained a fixture of the Twin Cities fine dining scene until the restaurant went dark last spring.
The Lexington's new/former owner, Rick Webb, is no stranger to the Twin Cities restaurant arena. In addition to his previous ownership of the Lex, Webb also founded downtown Minneapolis's Zelo, Minnetonka's Bacio, and Bloomington's Ciao Bella. In 2008, Webb sold both Zelo and Bacio.
What can we expect from the Lexington once it reopens its doors? Will it retain its classic supper-club feel, or will it modernize and adopt a theme rooted in Italian cuisine like Webb's other ventures? For now, details are scant. Which would you rather see?