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After more than 40 years, Beirut Restaurant announced the closure of their West St. Paul location in September. Owner John Khoury plans to relocate to Rosemount and shift their business model from a sit-down restaurant to fast-casual counter service, take out, and catering.
Why: “I’ve been in this industry for 37 years, just me working myself since I was 13 years old,” said Khoury. “It’s time that I’d like to take more of a supervisor, managerial role, instead of the hands on, owner/chef/operator/inventory/go-get-the-supplies-guy all the time. At this point—I’m 50 years old—I’d like to be able to enjoy the business I built up.”
Shifting model: The restaurant industry has been moving away from the sit-down dining experience. Khoury said he saw the writing on the wall two years ago, and looks forward to condensing the menu and focusing on dishes that are quicker and easier to create. Beirut will also focus on catering, something Khoury loves.
New location: Khoury lives in Rosemount and opening a location there was always the plan.
- When a space opened up only a mile and a half from Khoury’s home, “it just made the decision so much easier,” Khoury said.
- The new Rosemount location will be at 14873 South Robert Trail (still on Robert!).
- Any gift cards purchased or donated in the past will still be honored at the new location: “We’re not changing hands, we’re not closing, we’re literally just moving,” Khoury said.
Old location: What will become of the old space in West St. Paul? Khoury and his parents own it, so they’d like to lease it to another restaurant. But if the right offer came along, they could also sell the property.
Timeline: Khoury hopes to open the new location in Rosemount in late summer or early fall. The West St. Paul location will close in mid-September. More specific dates are coming soon.
Future plans: The shift in Beirut’s business model creates options for expansion and multiple locations.
- “My bigger picture plan is one in Rosemount, maybe on in Woodbury, Plymouth, Eden Prairie,” Khoury said. “Who knows, maybe back here in West St. Paul. You just never know.”
- That creates legacy options for Khoury’s three kids (one in college and two in high school), something he doesn’t want them to take on with the current model.
- “With this business model we have right now, I do not want them to be in it—it’s just too labor intensive,” Khoury said. “I wasn’t able to spend the family time that I would have liked to. [I missed] a lot of football games and a lot of basketball games and just a lot of things when they were growing up. I don’t want them to have to do what I did.”
History: Khoury’s parents, Joe and Rita Khoury, started the business in West St. Paul in 1983 after immigrating from Lebanon. John Khoury and his wife Madelaine took over the business in 2002. The building was recently remodeled in 2019.
Memories: “There are countless memories—it’s going to be hard,” Khoury said. “Those final couple of days when we’re open here, it’s probably going to be harder than I’m anticipating right now. Just because there’s so many memories here—we’ve had marriage proposals, hundreds of birthday parties and wedding receptions. Most of our customers have become like family to us.”
Sept. 5, 2024 Update: Last Day
Saturday, October 12 will be Beirut’s last day open in West St. Paul, according to a message on their Facebook page.
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One Response
My family and I will be sad to see this great place go. We have been customers for over 30 years. We even remember the belly dancers, that my father in law loved… We wish them luck in their new place and we will try to visit them from time to time. We’ll make sure to have dinner there before they move, and get some garlic sauce to take home. FOR SURE.
thanks for all the great times and the great food.