Counter Intelligence: Changes (probably) coming to Loring Park

It's not a done deal, yet, but it's close.

Cafe Maude (5411 Penn Av. S., Mpls., www.cafemaude.com) owner Kevin Sheehy plans to open a restaurant/bar in the Loring Park space currently occupied by Nick and Eddie (1612 Harmon Place, Mpls., www.nickandeddie.com).

"We just need to get our hands on a lease," said Sheehy. "That's the final nail, so to speak, and as long as it's satisfactory, we'll be moving forward on our plan. It's hard to keep this kind of thing under wraps. But it's all very friendly between Joe [Whitney, the landlord], and Doug [Anderson, of Nick and Eddie] and I. Joe has been very generous."

Anderson is more cautious. "It's premature to comment," he said. "Kevin and I have been talking for a couple of months, so yeah, there's plenty of speculation out there. But there's no more sure way to screw up a deal than to start talking about it out of school."

Word on the street has it that Nick and Eddie might relocate around the corner, to an empty Hennepin Avenue storefront most recently occupied by an advertising agency.

"That's premature, too," said Anderson. "There has been some talk about that; it has come up as a possibility."

As for details of the new restaurant, Sheehy is calling it Cafe Maude at Loring.

"We're going to have fun with the menu," said Sheehy. "Something different from Maude, but keeping the same qualities."

Doors will open at 4 p.m. daily, and remain open until midnight Sunday through Wednesday and 1 a.m. Thursday through Saturday, with live music on Friday and Saturday.

"The idea of closing my joint at 2 a.m. just makes me tired," said Sheehy with a laugh.

Why Harmon Place? For Sheehy, it's that old location-location-location real estate mantra.

"When it comes to expanding, I've always thought, 'Do I go to Maple Grove, or Eden Prairie, or do I go where my heart is, in the city?'" he said. "And I can't think of another location that speaks more to my heart than Loring Park. It's my favorite part of the city -- that and the river, around the Stone Arch Bridge -- and it's really the heart of everything. I'd love to buy a condo there, if I can ever make any money."

Coming to Minnesota: Moe's Southwest Grill (www.moes.com). The chain (400-plus outlets in 33 states and counting) specializes in made-to-order burritos and quesadillas, and its first Twin Cities location, opening in late summer, is moving into a new apartment-townhouse-retail development at 8055 Penn Av. S. in Bloomington.

Downtown Minneapolis skyway lunchers, take note: Ipolti Indian Grill (601 Marquette Av. S., Mpls.) is now serving fast-food Indian fare in the former home of Vescio's.