Amid the hammering and sawing going on at the new Lowbrow Restaurant storefront space at 4244 Nicollet Avenue, things are starting to take shape. There's a wood service counter ready for staining, a big, bright open area that will serve as the dining room, and two very excited owners who love talking about how they got to where they are today.

Lowbrow, Kingfield's newest restaurant and pub, is set to open mid-January. It will occupy one of the spaces building owners Rau + Barber put up for lease this past summer.

"We'd been actively working on the restaurant concept for about four years," Jodi Ayres said. "When the economy took a tumble we took a break and went back to our other jobs to refocus and save our pennies," Ayres said.

But then the two got inspired after visiting the Kingfield Farmer's Market.

"We were at the market this summer and were just so excited to see how much this neighborhood embraces local food and how excited the neighborhood is about food in general," Heather Bray said. "We saw the space and thought it would be the perfect marriage with our concept, which is comfort food made from scratch," Bray said.

Bray, who worked previously at Ike's Food and Cocktails in Downtown Minneapolis and Lucia's in Uptown, will serve as the host and up-front manager. She said they chose the name "Lowbrow" because it describes the kind of environment they're going for—in a good way.

"We've worked at 'highbrow' places, but wanted our place to be neighborhood-y with great comfort food and drinks where everyone knows your name," Bray said.

Jodi Ayres, who most recently cooked at Moose and Sadie's in the Minneapolis Warehouse District and also worked at The Wedge Co-op, loves scratch cooking. She said she's very excited to finally run a kitchen of her own.

"I've always dreamed of opening my own restaurant," Ayres said. "I've had some great mentors, so that really helps. Of course nothing can really prepare you for what it takes to do this!" Ayres said.

When it comes to the menu at Lowbrow, Bray and Ayres are particularly passionate about their commitment to using locally-sourced vegetables and meats, and made-from-scratch recipes. Specialties will include bison chili, slow-roasted pork tacos, fish sticks, homemade tortilla chips, nachos and hand-stuffed jalapenos. Bar service will feature a handful of regional brews and reasonably priced, unique small-grower wines. A big focus will be weekend brunch, which will include homemade pancakes, egg samis and coffee cake.

"I really believe in Jodi's cooking, " Bray said. "She's the best cook I know. The food is going to be really tasty. No bells and whistles. Who needs bells and whistles? We just want good flavor," Bray said.

So why now in this economy, and with so many other restaurants on Nicollet?

"I think it really speaks to the vibrancy of the Kingfield neighborhood," Bray said. "I think we and other restaurant owners feel that this a neighborhood that's very dynamic and also under served. When we saw this location we thought Kingfield wants more places, they're clambering for it. When new restaurants open they're packed," Bray said. "So if you have good execution married with a good concept, a good neighborhood can support that."

Sarah Linnes-Robinson, Executive Director of the Kingfield Neighborhood Association, said Lowbrow is part of a growing trend along Nicollet Avenue.

"Lowbrow is a great addition to Kingfield, and will further encourage people to make Nicollet Avenue their destination point," Linnes-Robinson said. "Kingfielders want to be able to walk to their favorite places and they strongly value and support local businesses, so small independent businesses are finding it's a great place to be."

So is Nicollet Avenue in Kingfield becoming another "Eat Street?" Linnes-Robinson said not really.

"But strong restaurant concepts are building up the commercial nodes and will help attract a greater variety of local and funky businesses to these areas. It's really more of an 'Art Street,', where walkable destinations, public transportation options, public art and businesses all combine to create a unique feel," Linnes-Robinson said.

The first three months will be a soft open for Lowbrow, with a focus on brunch and dinner only. The restaurant will be closed Mondays. This spring they'll offer sidewalk cafe seating out front and full lunch service. Good news for parents—there will be a kids menu, each attached to the back of an Etch-a-Sketch game.

"Of course we're family friendly. Kingfield is full of families. Hey, kids are our future diners," Bray said.