Bar 209 has made a name for itself in Bemidji, and owners Derek and Janae Leach are ready to bring it to Fargo.
“There is an energy here,” Janae noted, referring to the Fargo area. “It’s really exciting.”
Great States Construction is building out the 10,000-square-foot space from a blank slate at 3788 55th Ave. S, within The Shops at Tillstone just south of Walmart.
Built for Families and Groups
Derek noted that this location was very intentional. Bar 209 sits just down the road from the new Fargo Parks Sports Center, and the Leaches know exactly what that means.
“In Bemidji, we served a lot of teams in town for tournaments,” Derek said. “We’re excited to do the same here in Fargo.”
The space is coming together quickly. Tall ceilings and an oversized bar at the center of the room are among the standout features inside. “It is really exciting to see this space starting to take shape,” said Brian Schoenborn, Project Manager at Great States Construction.
Bar 209 will open this fall with a patio overlooking a small pond outside the restaurant. Outdoor TVs are part of the plan too, with an even bigger patio expansion already in the works for the 2027 season.
All About the Food
Despite the name, food is front and center. “It says bar in our name, but our focus is really on the food,” Derek said.
The menu must-haves? Walleye tacos and their signature smash burgers. We’re excited to watch this project over the next few months and cannot wait to sit on the patio with a cold one and some fantastic food.
Bar 209 is slated to welcome guests in early fall 2026.
