Happy Gnome closing?

When it comes to beer in St. Paul over the last 2-3 I have certainly looked at various taproom menus first before thinking Gnome. Food is decent but not my 1st thought when in St. Paul either.....

 

I’ve heard that the other restaurant the owner had was hemorrhaging money, and Happy Gnome was the cash crutch that could only hold it up so long.

 

Yep just saw this, on Pioneer Press. Sad.

 

After original owner sold in 2010 he quickly declared bankruptcy also. Along time coming I guess for the establishment to finally close for good...

 

As they say now days about restaurants operating on a thin margin, I do have to say every place I go to now it almost at luxury prices.
I will miss this place as it was one of my first craft beer experiences back in the mid 2000's. But then again I used to go here when it was Chang OHaras and drink Summit EPA's also.

 

What do you mean by this post? The original owner declared bankruptcy, so it was inevitable that the person who bought it would as well? I guess I don’t know what the previous owners bankruptcy has to do with the current owners bankruptcy.

 

That place was fun when it was Chang's, had my groom's dinner upstairs there. Knew one of the bartenders too so that probably had something to do with it...

 

Two owners of the SAME restaurant. Both declare bankruptcy over unpaid debts related to said restaurant. Common theme = Happy Gnome. But, the Happy Gnome had nothing to do with it?

 

I still don’t understand your point. Also, how do you know that both owners declared bankruptcy over unpaid debt related to the Happy Gnome? What is your source for this information?

 

Unless you have inside info that the Happy Gnome was doing fine financially I’m not sure why you are questioning this. The bankruptcy filing was done for the Happy Gnome. It was not a personal bankruptcy filing so I think it’s pretty safe to assume the business wasn’t doing well. Also it could have been sold if it was profitable.

 

This is hands down the best speculative thread of the year. Well done, all!

 

I’m just trying to figure out what the previous owners bankruptcy has to do with the current owners bankruptcy. Also, I don’t have any definitive answer to why the Gnome closed, but the theory that Augustine’s took the Gnome down is highly likely.

 

What I don't understand is why Augustine's is still open if it was the problem. Wouldn't you think that the owner would close the worse performing restaurant and leave open the better one? There must be more to this story than we know.

 

Good point.

 

Don't you guys get it?! He's saying the building is CURSED!!!!

 

I really liked the Happy Gnome and was super bummed to see it go. I didn’t make it there more than a couple times a year I guess. I think it kind of boils down to prices. I think of the Red Cow locations. They have a pretty solid ever changing tap list and a great food menu. For the most part I could get out of there with a better experience for a few less dollars. There are so many new restaurants and tap rooms where people are going to try new beers/food that a place like the Happy Gnome just wasn’t going to hold up.

 

I just came in here to tell you guys that I don't know why it closed.

 

Well that's speculative.

 

FACT!