Classic Minnesota Restaurant Now Closing Permanently

It's been around here in Minnesota for nearly 40 years, but this classic restaurant said it'll soon be closing its doors for good.

These days, sadly, it seems like you almost need a scorecard to keep up with the number of restaurants that have either recently closed, or have said they're closing permanently here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

It was just late last month that we heard that the Dark Horse Bar & Eatery in St. Paul will be closing for good on Valentine's Day, February 14th. Before that, diners in Woodbury and Lake Elmo were shocked when The Machine Shed, the longtime restaurant that opened over 20 years just off I-94, posted a sign on its doors saying it was now closed.

READ MORE: This Popular Convenience Store Now Has No Locations Left in Minnesota

These announcements hit close to home, because we love our restaurants, right? They play a unique role in our economy and culture both here in Minnesota and across the country. The National Restaurant Association estimates that there are currently over 11,100 restaurants in the North Star State, generating over $15 billion in sales.

However, difficult hours and high turnover rates mean it's often tough for restaurants here in the North Star State and nationwide to attract and retain workers. And, since the pandemic introduced even more challenges, it's been common to see restaurant closings become a more common occurrence in the news.

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And, another classic restaurant has suddenly announced they'll be closing for good soon, as well. That was the word from The Dock in Stillwater. The classic restaurant is located on the banks of the St. Croix River, at 425 Nelson Street, 30 minutes from the Twin Cities. The Dock 'looks upriver to the historic Stillwater Lift Bridge and downriver to the new St. Croix Crossing Bridge,' its website says.

And now, The Dock just posted an announcement on their website saying that they would be hanging things up in under two weeks:

It is with a heavy heart that we announce The Dock will be closing, with our last day of service on **February 23, 2025**. The past three years have been nothing short of amazing. Having the opportunity to reopen The Dock after its two-year closure due to COVID (2020-2022) has been an absolute honor. We’ve loved every moment—serving you, celebrating with you, and creating unforgettable memories on the river.

The full announcement didn't say why the restaurant, which BringMeTheNews said started in the 80s as the Dock Cafe, was closing. However, the announcement did include a line about hoping that '...the next chapter of The Dock is just as incredible,' so perhaps the longtime restaurant will reopen in the not-too-distant future with new owners.

I'm hoping that's the case because The Dock's patio is an incredible place to spend a Minnesota spring or summer day. Reopening was definitely *not* the case for the following brands, however. Keep scrolling to check out 50 beloved retail chains that weren't so successful and are now not around anywhere anymore.