Daniel del Prado’s restaurant group to close all four Cafe Cerés locations

Cafe Cerés, the coffee shop and cafes from Daniel del Prado’s restaurant group, has informed employees that all four locations will close April 13.

Responding to a request from the Star Tribune, the DDP Restaurant Group provided this statement:

“The DDP Restaurant Group has made the difficult decision to close all four Café Cerés locations. Our desire is to continue to operate through Sunday, April 13, 2025,” the statement reads. “While we are proud of what we accomplished in the café space, it is clear that the DDP Restaurant Group’s future lies in what we do best – creating and operating amazing, and highly successful, restaurants by delivering exceptional hospitality, crafting unforgettable dining experiences, and leading chef-driven food and beverage programs.”

The first Cafe Cerés opened near the end of 2020 in Minneapolis’ Linden Hills neighborhood and quickly gained a following for blending Middle Eastern spices with standard coffee house fare like its Jerusalem bagels, dukkah spiced lattes and tahini chocolate chip cookies. Other Cafe Cerés locations in Minneapolis followed: Armatage (2021), downtown (2023) and near Minnehaha Falls (early 2024).

In 2023, its pastry chef Shawn McKenzie was nominated for a James Beard Award in the national category of Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker - the only Minnesotan to represent the region that year. (McKenzie has since branched out to work with Rustica Bakery).

In August of 2024, a majority of Cafe Ceres’ baristas voted to unionize. The restaurant group said it is in talks with the union.

“Our most immediate priority is to ensure that our impacted Café team members are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve during this process. We are working with UNITE HERE Local 17, the union representing the baristas, as we work through the effects of this difficult business decision,” reads that statement from the restaurant group.

According to UNITE HERE Local 17, unionizing was about fair wages and employee well-being. Employees were still in talks for a contract, with four planned negotiations this month, according a statement issued by the union.

“The restaurant industry is fundamentally broken, and workers will not stop organizing and demanding more from their employers until they have the basic respect, living wage, and healthcare they need,” the statement read.

“Café Cerés workers won their union election in August 2024 and have been in bargaining for their first union contract since then, including four bargaining dates this month. Because these workers have a union, they can bargain together for severance instead of being completely neglected like so many workers in this industry when an owner closes.”

In addition to Cafe Cerés, DDP Restaurant Group operates Cardamom, Colita, Dexter’s, Martina, Minari, Porzana and Rosalia, which has a second Minneapolis location in the works at 333 E. Hennepin Av. It is expected to open later this spring.

Before signing off, the restaurant group had an additional message for those in the community.

“We are deeply grateful for the support our customers have shown us over the years and hope they will continue to support us during our final weeks,” the statement read. “It has been an honor to serve the community and to be part of our customers’ daily routines, celebrations, and special moments.”