Legendary Chicago restaurant Gale Street Inn closes in Jefferson Park
The Gale Street Inn, a legendary restaurant in Chicago's Jefferson Park neighborhood, has abruptly closed its doors, apparently for good.
The Gale Street Inn first opened its doors in 1963. Late Wednesday night they posted a video of the inside of the restaurant with the text "It's been a heck of a run Chicago, thank you!"
Thursday morning they followed up with a second Instagram post, writing they have closed their restaurant.
"Hiring and retaining quality staff has proven too tough for too long," they wrote in the post. "We are tired of sucking, we have standards you know. But overworking our existing crew is not the answer. There are simply too many of you and not enough of us."
They thanked their current and past employees, their guests, and their vendors, and apologized for the sudden closure.
"There is no gracious way to close a retail business and we apologize for the inconveniences in advance," they wrote.
Neighbors of the restaurant weighed in on the sudden closing Friday.
"It's been there for so many years, so we will miss them," said Oscar Pena. "You know, I hope a new good restaurant comes in, because that was one of the best restaurants around the area."
"I never thought it would close, and to see it closed — the other businesses on the block have been closed and knocked down," said Jeffrey Lindmark, "so I don't know what they're planning on this block."
Google had listed the restaurant as permanently closed by 11 a.m. Wednesday.