Golden Thyme’s roots run deep in St. Paul’s Black community
Founded in 2000 by Mychael and Stephanie Wright, the coffeehouse quickly became a sanctuary for artists, entrepreneurs and neighbors. It became a community cornerstone, known for its welcoming atmosphere and support of events like the Selby Avenue Jazz Fest.
After 24 years of service, the Wrights transferred ownership to the Rondo Community Land Trust to ensure the space would continue to thrive as a hub for Black-owned businesses and cultural preservation.
The land trust’s acquisition of the building was a strategic move to preserve cultural landmarks in the community. By securing ownership, the trust aims to keep the space a beacon for Black entrepreneurship and cultural expression.
“We want to ensure that Golden Thyme stays and remains a community asset that is stewarded and run by people of color — Black people, Black entrepreneurs, Black restaurateurs,” said Mikeya Griffin, executive director of the Rondo Community Land Trust.
“At Rondo CLT, we believe that economic development should go hand in hand with cultural restoration. This project does both. It supports local jobs, creates a welcoming space, and reflects the pride we have in our neighborhood,” Griffin said. “Healing comes from being seen, from building something lasting and from knowing that this space belongs to the community.”
The vision materialized with the reopening of Golden Thyme as a full-service restaurant and bar, designed to revitalize the area while honoring its history. The reopening has drawn support from local leaders. Tyrone Terrell, president of the African American Leadership Council, praised the effort.
“It’s a great, great place, and we have to come out as a community to support this business — no excuses,” Terrell said. He also shared a favorite menu item, highlighting the fried catfish.
Inside, the space reflects its cultural roots. Portraits of jazz legends including Billie Holiday and Sam Cooke line the walls, watching over diners as they enjoy food that feels like home and tastes like heritage.
“To see a Black business thriving here again, in this same space, it means the world,” said Brianna Lucas, a local educator who grew up nearby.
Leading the revival is restaurateur Randy Norman, whose background includes co-founding Minneapolis restaurants such as Seven Sushi and Bellanotte. Born in Louisiana and raised in Texas, Norman brings authentic Southern influence to the menu, along with years of industry experience.
Executive Chef Adam Randall joins him. A longtime Rondo resident, Randall previously operated Adam’s Soul-To-Go and Tio’s Tacos at Rosedale Center. His connection to the neighborhood and commitment to soulful cooking make him a natural fit for Golden Thyme’s next chapter.
The restaurant’s menu highlights Southern comfort food with a modern twist. The catfish po’boy — a fried fillet served in a hoagie with aioli and lettuce — has already become a customer favorite.
“It’s always sold out,” a server said.
Other standout offerings include house-made chips with creamy collard green dip, a richer version of spinach artichoke, and a chopped salad with sesame dressing.
“It’s got that balance,” one patron said. “Savory, fresh and a little sweet. They give you a large portion and extra sesame if needed.”
The drink menu has also drawn attention. The sangria is fruity, smooth and popular with regulars. “I could drink the sangria all day,” one guest said, between bites of jambalaya linguine and a pulled pork sandwich.
A spicier choice is the “Hello, Hot Lips,” a serrano-infused tequila cocktail.
“We do all our infusions in-house,” a server said. “It’s serrano-infused, but that’s all I can spill about the ingredients.”
Golden Thyme is located in the Rondo neighborhood, a historically Black community disrupted by the construction of Interstate 94 in the 1960s. Hundreds of homes and businesses were destroyed, and the economic effects are still felt today.
“Golden Thyme is redefining success by showing what’s possible when a community has the means to invest in itself,” Griffin said. “When I-94 was built, it destroyed over 700 homes and 300 businesses in Rondo, deeply disrupting economic and cultural synergies.”
“As a residential and commercial community land trust, Rondo CLT hopes to bring back the residents and businesses who want to return and provide a pathway for existing families and businesses to remain,” she said. “By purchasing Golden Thyme, we are taking steps to remove the barriers that make it difficult for Black-owned businesses to grow. This is not just a business reopening. It’s about responsible land stewardship and creating permanent infrastructure for long-term opportunity.”
By removing the building from speculative development, the trust has kept Golden Thyme in community hands. The restaurant is now part of Rondo CLT’s broader vision to create a corridor of economic and cultural vitality in St. Paul.
Golden Thyme is open six days a week and is already a gathering place for lunch breaks, date nights and community meetups. On any afternoon, visitors might find retirees talking jazz at the bar, college students taking selfies near the Billie Holiday mural, or neighbors catching up like it’s Sunday service.
“Golden Thyme has always represented more than coffee or food,” Griffin said. “It has been a place of connection, culture and resilience for the Rondo community. As someone who grew up here, this next chapter feels deeply personal.
Reopening Golden Thyme Restaurant & Bar is about reclaiming a space that means something to our community. It gives us a way to honor our past while creating something vibrant and forward-looking.”
Whether stopping in for a po’boy and collard dip or sipping sangria under the gaze of jazz legends, Golden Thyme offers more than a meal — it offers a memory, a movement, and a taste of legacy.
Golden Thyme is located at 934 Selby Avenue in Saint Paul. The restaurant is open daily from 11 am to 9 pm and will begin Sunday brunch service on June 8. For more information, visit www.goldenthymeco.com.
