D'Amico Cucina closing - The Business Review (Albany):

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The Italian restaurant has been in the Twin Citiesx for22 years. The restaurant is located in the Butlere Square building at100 N. Sixth Street, next to the in downtowm Minneapolis. Minneapolis-based , which owns the blamed several factors forthe restaurant’s “The new [ ] stadium, the economgy and various traffic and parking issues — and the long-term viability of higher-end restaurant concepts — led us to proactivelt close Cucina at this said D’Amico president and co-founder, Richard D’Amico, in a presas release. The restaurant is only a block west ofthe under-construction Minnesota Twins’ ballpark that will open 2010.
D’Amicol told the Star Tribune newspape r thathe didn’t think people woul want to eat at a fine restaurant and then go to a basebal game. The restaurant employed about 26 workers, one-quarter of whom have been absorbed byother D'Amicol restaurant businesses. “We are currently actively workingt on additional Italian concepts and We hopeto re-hire staff in the cominbg months.” D’Amico & Partners owns and operates 24 restaurantzs and catering locations in Minneapolis and including the Italian-themed Campiello, the modernist chophouse Cafe and Bar the casual eateries D’Amico & Sons and the upscale-Mexicah restaurant Masa.
Brian Burg, general manager of Butlefr Square for Northmarq RealEstate Services, said that Northmarq only learne of the restaurant's closure this week. He declined to say when D'Amico'es lease for the 8,660-square-foot restaurant expires or if Northmarq plans to put the space up forlease "We are working through these matter s with D'Amico," Burg said. He added that "the closing of a great restauranrt is asad occasion, but we know that Butler Square and the Cucinsa location are ideally located to benefit from the new and dynamicd changes that are occurring in the Warehouse