Photo by Charlene Corson Selbee
The long-awaited opening of Caledonia’s newest eating establishment and grocery store came to fruition late last summer. Frank and Julia’s, an Italian grocer and deli, opened on July 26, 2025, and was well worth the wait.
The owners, Tracey Knutson and Bryan Spier, purchased the former Albert’s grocery store on 138 S. Kingston St. in downtown Caledonia in 2021. The building was built in 1877 by John Boltz and opened as a general merchandise and grocery store. Albert’s Grocery store opened in 1938 and closed in 2000.
Both Knutson and Spier have extensive experience in the food industry. Knutson laughed as she explained that she has only had two jobs in her life. Her first job was waitressing, hostessing, and a coat check girl at a successful restaurant in the Twin Cities, where she worked her way up to general manager. She worked there for 15 years. Then she reinvented herself and went to U.S. Foods, a food distributor, for 21 years. Knutson likes to say that she is “an artist of food and entertainment.” Spier grew up on a dairy farm in Iowa and raised his kids in Caledonia. He retired from U.S. Foods at the end of last year, where he was a salesperson in southern Minnesota.
Knutson explained that she is not from Caledonia and is a big city girl. She explained why she fell in love with Caledonia. “What I think in this area, which is what is so appealing, and why I fell in love with Caledonia, is there’s such community and families, like generations of families that have stayed here and are so proud to have their businesses here.”
The deli was named after Knutson’s grandparents on her dad’s side. Knutson remembers all three generations cooking together. “My dad is a great cook,” she said. “As long as I can remember, my grandparents were making pasta, and my sister and I were there with the fork, sealing the ravioli or rolling the gnocchi with our fingers.”
Knutson explained that Frank & Julia’s is “not for everyone, but we have something for everyone. So if somebody wants to come in and they love to cook, there are lots of good, clean ingredients for them to create their own stuff. And if somebody hates to cook, you can come in and order off the menu and grab and go, or you can sit down and have a great experience.”
Visitors are welcomed by an eye-catching pineapple light hanging over the entryway. The pineapple, a symbol for hospitality, sets the tone before guests even step inside. One step inside, patrons are transported back to a slower time when one-on-one service is the norm. At Frank and Julia’s, food is even brought directly to the table immediately after ordering.
The deli is an ideal place to meet friends or family, and also a great place to have a business lunch, dinner or an afternoon break. During the spring, summer and fall, guests can enjoy Minnesota’s warm weather on the outdoor patio. Calming music plays softly, enhancing the experience for both diners and passersby.
Popular menu items include Tony’s Italian sandwich, charcuterie box lunch, lasagna rolls, fettuccine Bolognese, slow cooked pot roast served over fettuccine. The deli serves lunch and dinner, offers grab-and-go options, dine-in seating, and groceries for both food enthusiasts and families on the go. Wine, beer and coffee are also available.
Shoppers will find a wide selection of products suitable for creating a variety of meals. Options range from a charcuterie selection with cheeses and olives to freshly made spaghetti dishes. Customers can also stop in to pick up quality ingredients for a homemade dinner. They also offer take-and-bake pizzas by Pasquale’s Neighborhood Pizzeria in Rochester.
Save room for delicious tasting desserts, or take a selection of individual desserts home for later.
Frank and Julia’s is open Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. They are closed on Sundays and Mondays.
For daily specials and updates, follow Frank & Julia’s on Facebook. The phone number is 507-725-3354, and the email address is frankandjuliacaledonia@outlook.com.
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