Edina's 50th & France lands the Lynhall

The Lynhall has expanded with a new Edina location in the 50th and France shopping area.

"I know, it's crazy, right?" said owner Anne Spaeth with a laugh. "Honestly, every day I get up and think, 'Well, I guess we're doing this.' During this crazy time, it's all about survival."

Lynhall No. 3945, a nod to its address at 3945 Market St., is occupying a prime ground-floor spot in Nolan Mains, a 95-unit apartment complex that opened last year on the site of a former parking ramp.

"We were approached by developer Pete Deanovic, who loved the Lynhall and wanted us to become part of his vision of having a community partner occupy the space and become a true gathering space," Spaeth said.

To start, new executive chef Steph Hedrick — working with chef Marisol Herling and pastry chef Katie Elsing — is offering daily brunch service from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dinner service and happy hour will start in the fall, along with afternoon tea.

"We're excited to partner with Bill Waddington [owner of TeaSource] on that front," Spaeth said. "I've always loved going to London hotels for afternoon tea, and we'll start with that very traditional English afternoon tea experience — sandwiches, scones, clotted cream — and then move into tea experiences from around the world."

Another touch: Every Friday through Sunday, Spaeth will be hosting a pop-up with florist Genevieve Wilson of nearby Apricot Floral.

The light-filled space includes a significant amount of woodwork by Joe Michalski of Rosemount Woods, with interior design flourishes by Jessie Pasqua of Pleasant Bay Designs.

"It's beautiful, and we did it on a shoestring budget," Spaeth said. "Jessie and I went through all the great stores at 50th and Xerxes — Hunt & Gather, Loft Antiques, Clarabel Vintage — and found the pieces to put it together."

The new location offers dine-in, delivery and takeout, including a takeout window that opens to an outdoor plaza with patio seating.

"All these darling Edina ladies [kept] knocking on the windows, giving us a thumbs-up and asking when we're opening," Spaeth said. "That has really lifted our spirits. Bringing good food and people together — even within the proper 6 feet of social distancing — is giving us something to celebrate in the midst of all the instability in our country right now."