Yum Kitchen reopens day after car crashes through entrance, injures 2

July 24, 2015 at 9:10PM
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Less than 24 hours after a sedan came crashing through the entrance of Yum Kitchen and Bakery in St. Louis Park, the restaurant was open and serving customers.

Some patrons who were inside at the time of the incident Wednesday afternoon were the first to arrive Thursday and show their support, said Yum owner Patti Soskin.

"Our big goal was to get back to business as soon as we knew everyone was OK," said Soskin, referring to the two customers who sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the crash. Both were hospitalized, at least one with serious injuries.

"The biggest thing is that everybody is safe," she added. "We're incredibly grateful and feeling pretty blessed at this point."

Around 12:50 p.m. Wednesday, a customer from the hair salon next door accidentally put her car in reverse, driving through Yum's entrance, Soskin said.

The restaurant at 4000 Minnetonka Blvd. was closed after the crash, which left the red Lexus completely inside the store surrounded by broken glass, twisted metal and overturned furniture. The vestibule was destroyed.

A temporary glass door was erected with plywood keeping it in place, and staff members who were not working at the time arrived to help clean up the mess with other volunteers.

"We're lucky that it wasn't worse and everything that was physically damaged at the restaurant can be replaced," Soskin said.

Monetary damages haven't been assessed. Soskin said insurance will cover a portion of the repairs.

Throughout the day, Soskin said the restaurant received an outpouring of patron and community support.

Liz Sawyer • 612-673-4648

A vehicle crashed through the doors of Yum Kitchen and Bakery on 4000 Minnetonka Blvd, St. Louis Park Wednesday afternoon. ] GLEN STUBBE * gstubbe@startribune.com Wednesday, July 22, 2015
A vehicle crashed through the doors of Yum Kitchen and Bakery on 4000 Minnetonka Blvd, St. Louis Park Wednesday afternoon. ] GLEN STUBBE * gstubbe@startribune.com Wednesday, July 22, 2015 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
about the writer

about the writer

Liz Sawyer

Reporter

Liz Sawyer  covers Minneapolis crime and policing at the Star Tribune. Since joining the newspaper in 2014, she has reported extensively on Minnesota law enforcement, state prisons and the youth justice system. 

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