Downtown West in Minneapolis in Hennepin County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Saxe Theatre / Forum Cafeteria

1911, 1930, 1987

Photographed by McGhiever, November 1, 2024

1. Saxe Theatre/Forum Cafeteria Marker

Inscription.

Built in 1911, the Saxe Moving Picture Theatre was designed in the Spanish Renaissance style. The exterior was faced in terra-cotta decoration with a four-season theme featuring pilasters, rosettes, and reset panels. Two thousand flashing lights pulsated on the exterior. Inside, the theatre resembled a Spanish palace.

The building remained a theatre until 1929, when it was purchased by the Forum Cafeteria Company, and the building's interior was remodeled in the Art Deco style. Designs included etched glass depicting Minnesota scenes. The Forum Cafeteria operated until 1975 when business slowed. After closing, the interior was given historic designation, preserving the space.

Subsequently, various restaurants have occupied the space including Scotties on Seventh, Paramount Café, Mick's Restaurant, Goodfellows, the Forum Restaurant, and Il Foro. In January of 2017, Moriccan-born, David Fhima began stewarding this historic interior. His restaurant, Fhima's, focuses on French-Moroccan cuisine.

Erected by the Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these

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topic lists: Architecture • Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1911.

Location. 44° 58.666′ N, 93° 16.433′ W. Marker is in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in Hennepin County. It is in Downtown West. It is on S. 7th Street east of Hennepin Avenue, on the right when traveling west. The marker is mounted next to the front doors. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 18 S 7th Street, Minneapolis MN 55402, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Masonic Temple Building (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Westminster Presbyterian Church (about 500 feet away); Gluek's Restaurant and Bar (about 600 feet

Saxe Theatre/Forum Cafeteria Marker just left of the front doors image. Click for full size.

Photographed by McGhiever, November 1, 2024

2. Saxe Theatre/Forum Cafeteria Marker just left of the front doors

away); State Theatre (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named State Theatre (about 700 feet away); Butler Square (about 800 feet away); Minneapolis YMCA Central Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Former Site of Plymouth Congregational Church (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Minneapolis.

More about this marker. Fhima's closed in March 2026, citing rising maintenance costs in the historic building.

Also see . . . Saxe Theatre/Forum Cafeteria (QR code on marker). (Submitted on August 31, 2026, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.)

Forum Cafeteria's Art Deco bar, when operating as Fhima's image. Click for full size.

Photographed by McGhiever, November 1, 2024

3. Forum Cafeteria's Art Deco bar, when operating as Fhima's

The Art Deco interior image. Click for full size.

Photographed by McGhiever, November 1, 2024

4. The Art Deco interior

Credits. This page was last revised on August 31, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 31, 2026, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 14 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 31, 2026, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.