MOUNT GREENWOOD — Karen McCormick was back at the grill of Grant's Wonderburger in Mount Greenwood on Thursday.
The owner of the popular lunch spot at 11045 S. Kedzie Ave. said good bye to many regulars on Dec. 31. A deal to sell the business was all set for the start of 2014, but it fell apart at the last minute, McCormick said.
Without a deal, Wonderburger reopened, seemingly without skipping a beat. Customers on Thursday ordered the signature Wonderburgers ($2.40) and baskets of the restaurant's famous curly fries ($1.60) as if the doors had never closed.
McCormick said few people even knew the business was for sale prior to the botched deal. Now, she's hopeful that the publicity surrounding the sale draws a new buyer.
"Hopefully, it's someone from the neighborhood," she said.
Alfred "Bill" Grant opened Wonderburger on March 8, 1954. He ran the tiny, 41-seat restaurant until he retired in 1988. It has since stayed within his family.
Wonderburger has actually been for sale for some time. A Century 21 agent had listed the business for $200,000.
On Thursday, customers seemed delighted that the deal was dead. One customer hugged her waitress saying, "I'm so happy to see you."
