May 22, 2023

The Tavern Grill, a restaurant that began in the Twin Cities, has started work on its Sioux Falls location.

It will fill the long-vacant Spezia space in the Beakon Centre at 57th Street and Louise Avenue. After the owners announced the deal more than a year ago, a top-to-bottom renovation is underway.

“The lead time is over. We are going at it 100 percent,” said Tim Cary, owner and president of Hemisphere Restaurant Partners.

“Construction has started — we’re looking at about 12 weeks — and then the hiring starts.”

The restaurant needs to hire about 150 people, he said, adding that he thinks the labor market has improved from a year ago.

The supply chain constraints have eased too.

“We were waiting a year on some items that used to be 12 weeks,” he said.

Tavern Grill’s menu revolves around customization. It offers more than 60 chef-designed menu items with everything made in-house, including soups, sauces and marinades. There are build-your-own sections on the menu for burgers, pizzas and salads.

The restaurant plans to be open for lunch and dinner daily, including a Sunday brunch buffet. There will be three private dining spaces of various sizes, plus patio seating.

A general manager in Sioux Falls has been hired, and the hope is to open in late August, Cary said.

“We’re excited.”