Old Chicago's Minnetonka Location Will Close Sept. 14

The location in Minnetonka at the intersection of Hwy. 7 and Co. Rd. 101 will close at 10 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 14.

The restaurant will close after 16 years of business.

The landlord decided not to renew Old Chicago's lease, but Kitchen Manager Scott Pashina said he couldn't explain why. "That I cannot say, because I do not know," he said. "I'm not at liberty to say."

Many of the 40 staff members will be transferring to other Old Chicago locations, primarily in Eden Prairie and Plymouth.

"We have made some great friends over the years, and we are hopeful that you will continue to think of Old Chicago when you are in the vicinity of one of our other locations," staff wrote on Old Chicago's Minnetonka web page.

As for what will take Old Chicago's place, a source said staff are being told Wild Bill's has begun preparations to take over the building.

"It's a bar that make Cowboy Jack's look responsible," the source said. "I don't know how they're even going to get their liquor license in Minnetonka. It's not exactly a young community."

Wild Bill's features specials such as $5 burger and beer lunches and most locations, , draw crowds with a mechanical bull and other western-style entertainment.

Patch will post additional details to this story as they become available.