This year saw many businesses come and go from the St. Cloud area, with some beloved favorites calling it quits and promising new spots opening in town.
Some of the area’s staples, such as the Fulfillment Distribution Center, Crafts Direct and Arrow Hardware closed this year. Several bars and restaurants also ceased operations, including Chinese Phoenix Express, B Social, Whit’s Craft and Oblivion Coffee Bar & Mercantile.
But despite losing some favorites, the St. Cloud area welcomed a range of new businesses in 2024, from restaurants to auto shops and a theater.
What restaurants opened in St. Cloud this year?
The St. Cloud area welcomed many new restaurants this year, offering a variety of cuisines. Mexican restaurant Sol Azteca opened in St. Cloud in April, serving a menu of authentic Mexican items.
Also in April, House BBQ Ribs came to Sauk Rapids to provide a new barbecue option. St. Joseph staple Jupiter Moon Ice Cream also launched its second location in June in Munsinger Gardens’ old gift shop.
Waite Park saw a few new restaurant openings as well, with Mexican restaurant Tres Pozoles, which offered customers a unique taste of Mexican cuisine and Pasta Buckets, which created a convenient way to feed the whole family with large pasta orders.
Sauk Rapids welcomed Mie Bistro and Boba over the summer, which offers boba and quick-serve food items like egg rolls. The area’s newest Scooter’s Coffee location opened in December in Sauk Rapids as well.
After coming under new management this year, the Crossroads Center Mall opened Mr. Potato in its food hall, and across the street, HuHot Mongolian Grill replaced the former Mongo’s Grill.
What stores came to the St. Cloud area?
In addition to restaurants, new stores also opened up this year, including Advance Auto Parts’ St. Cloud location that opened in November.
VK Caribbean Groceries, which opened in Brainerd slightly over a year ago, launched its second location in St. Cloud’s east side this fall, offering ingredients, spices and snacks from many Caribbean countries.
SOS Thrift Store, originally based in Sauk Rapids, also made the move to St. Cloud this year to double its size after outgrowing its previous location.
Crunch Fitness, a physical fitness location, also headed to the mall.
What other places opened around St. Cloud?
Residents looking for a new spot to enjoy stage performances can now visit the Gnarly Bard Theater, which opened in downtown St. Cloud in January. The space hosts some comedy and smaller concerts, as well as original musicals.
Aslan Health Clinic, which offers affordable health services to low-income and underinsured individuals, started seeing patients in August for general appointments like annual physicals and diabetes care.
A local entrepreneur and chef duo also launched the Culinary Studio, leading themed cooking classes out of Sauk Rapids-Rice High School before moving into its own space in 2025.
What businesses are coming to the St. Cloud area next year?
There are also several new spots to look forward to in the new year, including the Sartell play cafe space Nurture to Play, opening in the former The Pantry space.
The Great River Children’s Museum is also eyeing a spring opening, followed by the new Les Schwab Tire Center set to open in Sartell in May.
The Culinary Studio is planning a move to its permanent space in the 539 Building alongside Iron Street Distillery and Harvester Square, and an awaited food hall is expected in St. Joseph this spring.
Teagan King covers business and development for the St. Cloud Times. She can be reached at teking@gannett.com.