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Keefer Court makes triumphant return in new location at Asia Mall
Fans of Keefer Court lined up Thursday morning for the soft opening at Asia Mall. The beloved Chinese bakery closed in 2022 and has now re-opened under a new owner.
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minnesota — Michael Bui remembers going to school at the University of Minnesota in the early ’90s when he came across Keefer Court in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood.
“I would always get the BBQ pork bun as I walked to school. So back then, I think it was like $1-$1.50. So that was the highlight of my day back then,” Bui recalled.
He became a loyal customer, eventually taking his kids to the beloved Chinese bakery.
Back in 2022, like other fans of Keefer Court, Bui was saddened to hear it would be closing at the end of the year. After nearly 40 years, the Kwan family decided it was time to say goodbye.
Bui said prior to that, he knew Asia Mall was looking for a bakery to move into the space in Eden Prairie.
“I approached them about three years ago about opening at the mall, but I think… they wanted to retire and move on,” Bui said about Sunny and Paulina. Their daughter, Michelle, also realized it wouldn’t be sustainable for her to carry it on.
But Bui was later able to work out a deal to buy Keefer Court and all its recipes. He then spent 14 months with his wife and business partner, discovering all the elements they wanted to include in their bakery. They traveled across the United States looking at the best bakeries.
“That’s where it took us over a year to build this out. We really wanted just to build it right the first time and we believe we have the most beautiful bakery in America,” Bui said.
Thursday morning, a line had formed outside the new Keefer Court in Asia Mall for the soft opening.
“I’ve always enjoyed Keefer Court. I’ve been in the Twin Cities for over 35 years and when they closed I was so disappointed,” said Jane Chao, who waited in line for the soft opening. “You can see in the line, I thought I got here early… I know that this place is very, very missed. So it’s great that they’ve re-opened.”
The Kwan family was also there on opening day, helping customers pick out their Hong Kong-style pastries. They are helping the new team in the beginning.
Sunny even recognized many loyal customers in line.
“I’ve been looking for somebody who can carry on the legacy. But I have to make sure the new owner… can do that,” Sunny said. “Michael is a good fit.”
On Thursday, Sunny was helping in the back of the house.
“Make sure the product passes my inspection before they go out,” Sunny said, laughing.
“All the pastries are from the original recipe. What we brought in is Vietnamese desserts, and sticky rice, and our own pandan cakes,” Bui said. “So we’re super excited for the combination of Chinese pastries with Vietnamese desserts.”
Bui said they traveled the whole country and couldn’t find a restaurant or bakery that offered those two items together.
As one customer left, she said, “The joy is abundant. Have you seen the turnout?”
Keefer Court will be open through Sunday. They will then take a break to regroup and go over what went well and what could be improved.
The goal is to have their grand opening on Saturday, March 23.
Police are investigating after three men were shot early on Saturday morning.
MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis police are investigating after three men were shot in the Ventura Village neighborhood early Saturday morning.
According to Minneapolis police, officers were called to the area around East 21st Street and South 15th Avenue around 5 a.m. Saturday.
Officers found three men had been shot. One of the men died and the two others were taken to the hospital with what police described as life-threatening injuries.
Officials said the shooting happened at a small homeless encampment.
Police have not announced any arrests as of Saturday morning.
KARE 11 will update this story as more information is made available.
This Halloween the chocolate shop is getting very festive.
MARINE ON SAINT CROIX, Minn. — A small sweet shop in a Minnesota river town has won some BIG awards for its chocolates.
St. Croix Chocolate Company in Marine on St. Croix has won national and international awards including Best of Show in this year’s America’s Division of the International Chocolate Awards.
Their chocolates are available at the St. Croix Chocolate Company kitchen or online.
This Halloween they are selling a Halloween Countdown Calendar that features 14 prize-winning recipes made into ghosts, bats, skulls and other spooky configurations. They also have a Boo Bag-handled tote that comes with their “best of” Halloween assortment.
Owner and Chocolatier, Robyn Dochterman, joined KARE 11 Saturday to share what St. Croix Chocolate Company has to offer.
MINNEAPOLIS — Making pasta at home is relatively simple, as long as you have the right tools.
October is National Pasta Month and Red Rabbit‘s Corporate Chef, Adam Lerner, joined KARE 11 Saturday to show us how to make homemade noodles in the confines of your own kitchen.
