Minnesota Restaurant Said It’s Closing But Now Might Stay Open

This popular restaurant in Minnesota previously announced that it was getting ready to close its doors for good, but now it might actually stay open after all.

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.

Popular Minnesota Restaurants That Recently Closed Their Doors

It was earlier this year that the Dark Horse Bar & Eatery in St. Paul closed for good on Valentine's Day, though it reopened with new owners in July. Before that, diners in Woodbury and Lake Elmo were shocked when The Machine Shed, the longtime restaurant that had been open for over 20 years just off I-94, posted a sign on its doors saying it was now closed.

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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.

Milton’s in Crystal, Minnesota, Announced Its Closure

And there was quite the outpouring of emotion in early September when Milton's Vittles, Vino and Beer in Crystal announced that it would be closing its doors for good later this fall. Milton's, which first opened in 2012, says its mission is to 'create a space that brings friends, family, and loved ones together to share a delicious meal.'

BringMeTheNews reported that 'rising costs and equipment breakdowns' were just some of the reasons the popular restaurant announced that it would be permanently closing on October 31st. The news immediately spread through the local Crystal community, apparently.

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Fundraiser Could Help Save Milton’s Restaurant in Minnesota

Since then, according to a post on Milton's Facebook page, patrons and fans of the restaurant have started an online fundraising campaign to help the restaurant keep its doors open. The fundraiser, hosted online by GiveButter.com, is seeking to raise $100,000 to help the restaurant invest in new equipment and remain in business.

Milton's owners say they'll now make a decision on the restaurant's fate on October 10th, and while only slightly over $15,000 of their $100,000 goal has been donated so far, they're 'hopeful we can reach the goal.'

I've not been there, but here's hoping Milton's owners will raise enough money to help them stay in business and not have to close for good. That wasn't the case, though, for the following once-popular brand, however. Keep scrolling to check out 50 beloved retail chains that weren't so successful and are now not around anymore.

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