Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda & Kyle Lussier.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
We moved to Grand Rapids in December 2020 in pursuit of opening a restaurant in Kyle’s hometown. Both of our careers had shifted during COVID-19, and we felt it was the right time to finally follow our dream. We dove in headfirst — business plan in hand and tenacity at our heels — and took our first shot at buying a building in downtown Grand Rapids. As fate would have it, that space went to someone else, but we didn’t let it slow us down.
Instead, we rooted ourselves deeply in the community, got to know our neighbors, and shared our vision for what we hoped to build. Over the next five years, we created invaluable relationships, found incredible business partners, and gained the momentum we needed. We hosted a fundraiser that helped close the gap on our loan and held multiple farm dinners at Bryndlewood Gardens to give people a taste of what was to come.
Fast forward to December 2024 — we purchased the building The Pines was always meant to call home. After six months of renovation, we opened our doors on June 27, 2025. From day one, the community showed up for us, and that support continues to this day.
Now, three months in, our small but mighty team has truly become a family. We’ve set out to prove that dining out is about more than food — it’s an experience shaped by hospitality, intention, and care. We’re proud to bring something new to Northern Minnesota: community-driven, locally focused fine dining with high-quality food and humbling hospitality. We’re endlessly grateful for our team, our partners, and our town — and we can’t wait to see what the next chapter brings.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road — but that’s part of what makes it all so meaningful. From the beginning, we faced financial hurdles, setbacks in securing a building, and all the learning curves that come with starting a restaurant from scratch. We heard “no” more times than we could count before we finally heard “yes.”
When the first building fell through, it was heartbreaking, but it gave us time to grow stronger roots and build relationships that became essential later on. Once we finally purchased our space, we entered a whole new chapter of challenges — navigating code regulations, dealing with furniture and equipment delays, and managing all the unexpected logistics of renovating a historic building. Those tough moments became the foundation of what The Pines stands for: resilience, collaboration, and heart.
Still, we kept pushing forward. Each obstacle tested our patience and reinforced our purpose. The support from our community never wavered, and that kept us going. Now, when we walk through the doors and see our guests enjoying the space we poured ourselves into, it’s a reminder that the hard road was worth every step.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Pines Restaurant?
At The Pines, we set out to bring something new to Northern Minnesota — a fine dining experience that feels both elevated and deeply connected to the community. Our menu is seasonally inspired and locally sourced, celebrating the farmers and producers who make this region so special. From Bryndlewood Gardens produce to handcrafted cocktails in The Understory cocktail lounge, everything we serve tells a story of collaboration and care.
What truly sets us apart is our approach to hospitality. We believe dining out is about more than great food — it’s about connection, intention, and creating moments that linger long after the meal ends. Our team takes pride in every detail, offering humbling hospitality and genuine warmth in a refined yet approachable setting.
We’re most proud that The Pines has become a reflection of the community around us. Our three-level space — the main dining room, The Gallery upstairs, and The Understory lounge below — invites guests to explore, gather, and experience something distinctly local. At the heart of it all, we’re here to celebrate good food, good people, and the simple joy of coming together.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
The quality that’s been most important to our success is perseverance — the ability to keep moving forward with heart, even when the path isn’t easy. Opening The Pines took years of planning, patience, thoughtful attention to detail, and problem-solving. At the core of it all is our belief in doing things from scratch and with care — from the food we create to the way we welcome every guest. We’ve always believed deeply in what we were building, and in the community we were building it for.
That perseverance continues to guide our team every day. It shows in the extra care our kitchen staff takes with each plate, the attention our bartenders and servers give to every detail, and the warmth our staff brings to every guest interaction.
At the end of the day, we’ve found that heart, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to our values have carried us further than anything else.
Pricing:
- Average cost per guest is about $60
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thepinesmn.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepinesrestaurant.mn/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556902557298
