St. Cloud Used to Have This – And We Need Another One Now

When I was a kid growing up in a small town, it was a "thing" to drive the 30 miles to St Cloud and go shopping or wander around the mall and grab some lunch. My parents would love to stop into the pub that was located right in the mall.

REMEMBER WHEN THE MALL WAS SMALL - BUT HAD A RESTAURANT

Crossroads mall in St. Cloud was about a third of the size that it is now.  The whole wing where Target is didn't happen until the late 80s.  And the area with the food court and Scheels came years after that.

Get our free mobile app

CONVERSATIONS ABOUT HAVING A BAR/RESTAURANT IN CROSSROADS MALL

Back in the late 70s, early 80s, there was Little John's Pub.  Remember that place?  It was all like a King Arthur's Court vibe.  For some reason i always felt like that song from the cartoon version of Robin Hood would be played.  But it wasn't... I don't think...

Or - how about this one?

My go to meal there was always the cheese and crackers plate.  Hey - I was like 10, or something.

DID YOU LOVE THE IDEA OF HAVING A PUB/GRILL IN THE MALL

Anyway, eventually that cute little pup turned into Grizzly's.  It was cool having an even bigger bar/restaurant in the mall.  And one that wasn't quite so closed up.  I don't remember any windowns at Little John's but Grizzly's looked right out at the parking lot.

Grizzly's moved over to the spot it's in now, but it was The Black Angus.  And now Grizzly's. The wood-fired grill was not a thing when it was in the mall. But it was really nice to be able to shop around, and then stop in for lunch without having to drive somewhere else.

PEOPLE I HAVE TALKED TO SAY IT'S TIME TO BRING ONE BACK TO THE MALL

It seems like the mall is ripe for another restaurant or a bar/grill within the mall.  The new owners of Crossroads mall have been doing a great job of filling in gaps with businesses that aren't necessarily stores.  Or at least not traditional stores.  There is now a pet adoption place, a gym, and some other non traditional stores like a furniture store, which is awesome!

Thoughts - should Crossroads bring back a bar/grill or at least a restaurant within the mall?  You can see other nostalgic photos and events on the Stearns History Museum.Facebook page and website. 

Get our free mobile app