Old Chicago on First Ave to Close
“Old Chicago’s system-wide year-over-year sales growth is outpacing the industry; however its downtown Minneapolis location could not overcome the declining traffic that plagued it and other neighborhood restaurants in that area,” said a statement issued by the company.
Except that Downtown Journal talked to other bars/restaurants nearby and none of them had anything to say about declining traffic.
Here’s my thing: How is Old Chicago much different from The Loon, Brothers, Rosen’s, Refuge Grill, etc.? Maybe Old Chicago is more restaurant-y. Champp’s with more/better beer. But that whole section of First Ave is pretty indistinguishable to me. And if forced to choose, I’d probably opt out of Old Chicago simply because you can go to another Old Chicago elsewhere in the area.
Absent some sort of behind-the-scenes business intrigue, the more interesting question will be what will replace it. Another bar? Yet another new concept restaurant? Retail? Probably not retail. Let the speculation begin!
UPDATE: Word is that the Uptown Old Chicago location is also closing. This one will definitely be replaced by another restaurant/bar. Let the speculation continue!
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Truth be told, the downtown (warehouse dist.) restaurants are all feeling a sales pinch. Champp’s just sold and rumors circulate about Hooter’s closing their doors. Others have said they are having the worst year ever. Not one bit of this will be acknowledged by the management of the restaurants, of course.
The Uptown OC is not closing.