North Loop Restaurant Pleads for Customers to Return to Downtown Minneapolis

Dario's owners say recent ICE activity and a challenging winter have caused a sharp drop in reservations, putting the restaurant's future in jeopardy.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 4:36am

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The co-owner and executive chef of Dario, a popular restaurant in Minneapolis' North Loop neighborhood, have sent an urgent message to customers asking them to return to the downtown area. They say recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity, combined with a difficult winter season, has led to a significant decline in reservations, putting the restaurant's future at risk.

Why it matters

The North Loop is known for its vibrant dining scene, but the owners of Dario say their restaurant is struggling, along with others in the neighborhood. This highlights the broader challenges facing downtown Minneapolis businesses, which have been impacted by factors like immigration enforcement and seasonal shifts in customer traffic.

The details

Dario has been serving homemade pasta and cocktails in the North Loop for two years. Its co-owner, Stephen Rowe, and executive chef, Joe Rolle, recently sent a message to the restaurant's email list, saying the ICE surge and challenging winter have caused a "nosedive" in reservations. They're asking customers, particularly those from the suburbs, to come back downtown. The North Loop Neighborhood Association president, Mary Binkley, says the past few months have been tough for restaurants in the area, with people spending their dining dollars elsewhere due to the ICE activity. Dario has had to cut back on hours and shifts for its 80 employees, and has launched lunch service and catering in an effort to boost business.

  • The recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) surge has impacted the North Loop area.
  • The challenging winter season has also contributed to the drop in reservations at Dario.

The players

Dario

A popular restaurant in Minneapolis' North Loop neighborhood that has been serving homemade pasta and cocktails for two years.

Stephen Rowe

The co-owner and beverage director of Dario.

Joe Rolle

The executive chef of Dario.

Mary Binkley

The president of the North Loop Neighborhood Association.

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What they’re saying

“We're not going to last much longer, nor are any of the other places you like to frequent, if we don't get out here and try to experience these places.”

— Stephen Rowe, Co-owner and Beverage Director, Dario

“No one thought that North Loop was really affected, but we were.”

— Mary Binkley, President, North Loop Neighborhood Association

“January and February were certainly heavy and that's because people were spending their restaurant dollars elsewhere, in immigrant-owned restaurants, restaurants in neighborhoods where there was more ICE activity.”

— Mary Binkley, President, North Loop Neighborhood Association

What’s next

With St. Patrick's Day and Minnesota Twins games coming up, the North Loop Neighborhood Association is confident that foot traffic and business will improve in the area.

The takeaway

The struggles faced by Dario and other North Loop restaurants highlight the broader challenges downtown Minneapolis businesses are experiencing due to factors like immigration enforcement and seasonal shifts in customer traffic. This underscores the importance of supporting local establishments and the need for strategies to help downtown areas thrive.