Caitlin McMahon has fond memories of working as a server at Corner Table in the early 2000s, a well-known Minneapolis restaurant formerly located at E. 43rd St. and Nicollet Ave. S. While she was in her twenties, she served guests farm-to-table dishes created with fresh, local, seasonal ingredients. It was small, cozy and a huge hit with both diners and critics, alike.
“Corner Table was a truly special restaurant back in its day, with loyal customers who became friends and family to us all. My own parents were known as ‘Mom and Dad’ by the staff for years after I stopped working there,” says Caitlin, who now works as a loan officer at Sunrise Banks, specializing in New Market Tax Credit financing.
Even though Caitlin’s Corner Table days are behind her, she recently played an instrumental role in bringing a new restaurant to life in the same space.
Bûcheron is the dream of co-owners Jeanie Janas and Adam Ritter. The restaurant opened in January with Small Business Association (SBA) financing support from Sunrise Banks as well as financing from the City of Minneapolis.
“There were so many parts of our decision to open this restaurant that felt serendipitous, and this was absolutely one of them,” says Jeanie Janas, one of the co-owners of Bûcheron. “It was especially fun to share our excitement knowing that Caitlin had such a personal connection and a genuine love for this space and a vested interest in our success.”
“When Jeanie approached me with their concept for Bûcheron, I just knew it would be an instant success,” says Caitlin.
French cooking with Minnesota roots
French for lumberjack, Bûcheron draws its inspiration from a style of cooking known as bistronomy. Popular bistro dishes are created with high-level culinary techniques and seasonal ingredients from Minnesota. Adam serves as the executive chef while Jeanie is the hospitality director. Along with their team, the couple is hopeful their dishes, cocktails and warm, inviting atmosphere will draw new and familiar crowds to the corner of 43rd and Nicollet.
“We wanted to create a space that feels special and sexy, yet comfortable at the same time, and our guests are really vibing with it,” says Jeanie. “We fit a niche that falls between fine dining and casual, where the experience can be as easy as a weeknight dinner to a place where you'd like to celebrate a special occasion.”
A culinary landmark in Minneapolis
Bûcheron’s location is known as somewhat of a restaurant landmark in Minneapolis. In addition to Corner Table, the building also housed the first location of Revival MPLS, known for its smoked meats, fried chicken and other southern-inspired dishes.
Adam and Jeanie know they have some big shoes to fill but are excited to create their own culinary history in the same building.
“We have had a lot of fun welcoming back guests from our previous restaurants and making new friends, especially with people who live in our neighborhood,” adds Jeanie.
“I was absolutely delighted that such a lovely concept would be going into the very same building where I had so many fond memories,” says Caitlin.
The Sunrise process
After learning of Caitlin’s own history with the building, Adam and Jeanie felt more comfortable with the financing process of opening the restaurant.
“Caitlin spent years working in the restaurant industry, so she really understood what we were going through and helped us to understand the process as it was so new to us,” says Jeanie. “It was great to have her constant support and to know that we had someone we trusted guiding us through every step along the way.”
Jeanie says she also appreciated the hometown feel she and Adam experienced when working with Caitlin and the Sunrise team.
“It truly felt like they were to cheer us on and support us through the process,” she says. “Our loan process never felt transactional, and although the SBA process was full of learning for us, we always felt seen, heard, and supported.”
“Bûcheron is a truly special concept backed by an incredibly talented team,” says Caitlin. “I'm so grateful that Jeanie and Adam trusted me with their business.”
Read more about Bûcheron in the Star Tribune, Bring Me the News Off Site Link, Eater Twin Cities Off Site Link, Minnesota Monthly Off Site Link, Mpls/St. Paul Magazine Off Site Link, Axios Twin Cities Off Site Link and the Pioneer Press Off Site Link.
