Brick Oven Pizza & Brew Pub Interior & Exterior Photography
Continental Divide Brew Pub
New York Mills, Minnesota
Sarah Carlson, Theisen Design Studios - Interior Design Photography
Continental Divide Brew Pub, LLC opened their doors February of 2024 in the center of New York Mills, MN - our hometown! I approached this re-imagined facade pre-opening, which was now totally unrecognizable to me, to document its transformation and I was struck in awe at it’s new appearance. As I walked through the door I entered an entirely new world and was completely blown away by the incredible flip of this historic building. The place I once indulged in the world’s best donuts was now home to a brick oven pizza pub. It almost seemed surreal. Locals and travelers alike now have another place in Mills that offers a comfortable space to eat while gathering in family, friendships and good times.
A full wall of glass windows replaced the small window nooks that were once at the front, where we’d often eat the daily lunch specials throughout my high school days, opening up the ceiling to let in that beautiful natural light. I had no problem getting lost in daydreams of those summer evenings soaking in those stunning Minnesota sunsets over a fresh brick oven pizza. And also great for giving passer-byes a peak at the wood construction inside, something that could draw anyone in.
One of my favorite little details is the ‘Slice Slice Baby’ sign intentionally placed next to the impressive wood wall installation. “The owner group took the idea of the wood slice accent wall and made it happen with their own sweat and muscle!” Sarah said. She was able to convince them that the 'Slice Slice Baby' neon was part of that story connection and I’m stoked she did. I find it to be such a fun conceptual idea and again subtly touching base on the town’s history.
“The investor group had a vision of a space that would house brick oven pizza honoring the starting history of New York Mills as a logging and lumber mill community while also boasting the name ‘Continental Divide Brew Pub’. Seems like a tall order to make it all make sense, but I think we did it.”
A stunning hand-painted topographical map mural stretching floor to ceiling welcomes visitors at the entrance (Sarah’s first signed public artwork), showcasing a Minnesota barn wood art piece that was made by one of the owners. The custom tap handle and metal logo highlight the continental divide where the brew pub lies with the barn wood installation backlit with neon lights representing the Northern Lights that we are blessed with from time to time here in this northern state.
“We focused on a comfortable, stylish seating and layered in lots of lighting that makes this space hug the line of new and historic.”
To tie back into the exterior, a variety of brick accents were used throughout the interior walls and bar design which was then topped with a concrete slab poured by the owner group. A historic photo of the New York Mills, Minnesota lumber mills covered the entire back wall of the brew pub nestled right next to the brick oven, paying homage to the history of its resident town and resources. Special thanks to Otter Tail County Historical Society for helping find the perfect image to bring this vision to life.
A note from Sarah:
“My big thanks goes out to this investor group who took one look at the initial vision and said, 'We trust you to make it happen.' and then left the details to me.”
And a special thanks to Sarah for trusting me to document the story of this newly re-imagined space and latest addition to our hometown! I’m always amazed by what we are able to accomplish just within our local communities, one of the reasons I choose to call rural Minnesota home.
Additional Credit To:
Metal Signage: Bearings And More of Wadena
Logos: Overflow Creative
Contractor: McCall Construction
Historical Photo Assistance: Otter Tail County Historical Society
Mural & Installation: JH Signs & Designs, Inc.
