Nye's Polonaise Room to close next year

[geardaddy]

http://www.startribune.com/local/minneapolis/284399951.html?page=2&c=y

Owners of the Minneapolis bar and restaurant told employees Monday that it will shut its doors next year after 65 years in business.

“No, not Nye’s!”

It was the collective cry heard around the Twin Cities as news broke Monday night that Nye’s Polonaise Room, a Minneapolis fixture, will close next year, marking the end of an era of polka and piano.

Owners of the bar and restaurant, located across the Mississippi River from downtown, told their 35 employees Monday that Nye’s will shut its doors after 65 years in business.

Home to the “The World’s Most Dangerous Polka Band,” Nye’s has been a local landmark for decades. In 2006, it was named by Esquire magazine as the best bar in America.

“It’s a sad day, but it was time. It’s the end of a legacy,” said Rob Jacob, 51, who co-owns Nye’s with his brother Tony, 46.

Nye’s opened in 1950 at 112 E. Hennepin Av. as a blue-collar corner bar. The Polonaise Room opened in 1964 after owner Al Nye purchased the building next to the bar for a dining room addition.

“Nye’s is the last of the places remaining. It will be a huge blow, from my perspective, a huge blow to East Hennepin,” said local restaurateur John Rimarcik, who owns another local landmark, the Monte Carlo, and Rachel’s, which is located down the street from Nye’s.

More at link.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Bummer.

I haven't been there in years, but I remember it as kind of a nifty spot.

[geardaddy]

3. We go there occasionally.

Love both sides, the piano bar and the polka bar. It's sad.

[dflprincess]

8. It's been a long time since I was there as well

but it was fun. My friend and I took a third friend there who was in town after living out of state for years. We felt she needed a real "Minnesota experience" to help her readjust. Where else but Nye's?

[shenmue]

2. Yipes

Le sad.

[geardaddy]

4. Indeed.

[Brickbat]

5. Heard this yesterday. So sad.

Used to live in that neighborhood and have some great memories.

[trotsky]

6. Money

It wasn’t an easy decision to make, Jacob said. But Nye’s wasn’t able to be competitive anymore with its supper-club atmosphere and had been struggling to make things work financially for years, he said.

The place has always been packed every time I've been there, even on weeknights. If you didn't have a reservation, you'd better be prepared to wait. I think the key word here is "competitive" - that means they were probably making money, just not ENOUGH in their minds.

Northeast is a revitalized area, and Nye's sits in a premium location - part of Northeast but easy access from downtown. As one Facebook commenter on this story put it, a developer probably backed up a dumptruck full of money to the Jacobs and they took it. Otherwise, why take the action to CLOSE Nye's? Why not sell it and let someone else carry on the tradition? Greed once again ruins something special.

I shudder to think what kind of crappy chain shit is going to occupy that spot in a few years.

[dflprincess]

9. One article in the Strib speculated that the location might be turned into apartments. nt

[Jenoch]

11. I read somewhere that condos will be built on that site..

[Wellstone ruled]

7. Hate to see the place go.

The dirt under the building is worth a ton. Ethnic old world cafes and restaurants are on their out sorry to say. Will miss our annual Minny run to the Twins and then to Nye's for Hocks and Kraut with great sausage. Plus a tall local brew. Nothing finer than a Minny Brew with great food. BTW,great Meat Market down the street about three blocks,best ethnic meats and sausage in the world. If you want anything like Nye's,you got to go to Chi Town on South Kedse south of the Midway Airport.

[glinda]

10. I grew up in that neighborhood of businesses. Our family (business) also knew the original owners.

It is of no surprise to me that this is happening since younger people do not have the connections to the history of that area. The greater concern to me is that of the East Hennepin area that has successfully risen again from the ashes and is vibrant with shops and businesses.
They, the Developers, have their eye on the WHOLE neighborhood.
Who is going to stand up to protect that? I worked with a Senator and a City Councilman to make sure that area not only survived but thrived. I sold it as the new "Uptown". Now I am concerned.....
I am so proud of what that area has become but also know the downfalls of success since I am an artist and have lost many a residence in DT in the past years. That is why I cannot watch this anymore. I moved. But I still see it and read it and my heart is not breaking for Nye's since the building is not architecturally grand but the area of East Hennepin is Historic to the DT proper area and the development of the success of Minneapolis. That is what people should be worried about. (think Dinkytown)
And BTW....the meat market is not the best one. When the original butcher lost his interest portion (kicked out) in that business and had to go elsewhere to make a living....their quality was not near the same.