The World’s Most Unique Wendy’s, Found In Minnesota, Abruptly Closed

When you think of Wendy's restaurants, you probably don't think of a big log cabin-style restaurant complete with a stone fireplace.

While that is far from the norm, just such a unique Wendy's has been serving up the traditional menu of burgers, fries, Frostys, nuggets, and more in Minnesota's lakes country for a number of years now.

To many Minnesotans, the Brainerd Lakes Area is known as "Up North" making trips to the lake from the Twin Cities. On that journey along Minnesota Highway 371 in the Nisswa area has been a very unique "Up North" Wendy's location.

Construction for the "Northwoods Wendy's" got underway in 2011, with a log exterior and rustic interior design more akin to what you'd find at one of the lake homes on the Whitefish Chain of Lakes than in a fast food restaurant.

After opening, many food and travel blogs and websites called the Nisswa Wendy's the most unique in the world, breaking from the traditional fast food chain's building design and decor.

READ MORE: Brainerd Lakes Area Bar Introduces Cinnamon Roll Burger Concoction

As a fast food beacon to the lakes country, plenty of people stopped for a quick meal on the way to relatively nearby lakes destinations in Crosslake or Breezy Point, or while continuing up 371 to Walker, or on the way to Bemidji.

For fans of the unique Wendy's heading north for the Minnesota Fishing Opener this last weekend got a surprise, with the restaurant's roadside sign reading "Store is Closed".

Some people had speculated (or hoped) online that perhaps the closure would be temporary, maybe for some remodeling or something. That doesn't appear to be the case, however.

Signs taped to every door and window around the building say that the location is now permanently closed, inviting people to visit their nearby location on Washington Street in Brainerd.

For people on their way up north, that's probably not a likely proposition unless you're really in the mood for Wendy's, as you'd have to backtrack almost 20 minutes back south and across Baxter to get to the remaining Brainerd location.

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It's too bad they're closed now. I've eaten there a few times, and it's certainly a fun and unique fast food stop along a busy Minnesota highway. Sadly, the end of an era.