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Wonderburger Says Goodbye After 60 Years In Mount Greenwood

By Howard Ludwig | March 5, 2014 12:09pm
 Grant's Wonderburger in Mount Greenwood said goodbye via social media late Tuesday. The tiny restaurant has been serving burgers and curly fries for 60 years.
Wonderburger says goodbye
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MOUNT GREENWOOD — Grant's Wonderburger turned to social media late Tuesday to thank loyal customers in Mount Greenwood. The founding family also said goodbye.

"It has been an emotional few months for our family, and we will miss this place dearly! We cannot thank our customers, family, and friends enough for all the love and support you have given us throughout the years. 60 years — it's been a great ride!!" was the message posted on Wonderburger's Facebook page.

Along with the online farewell, Mike Grant, Matt Grant, Megan Grant Dobbs and Karen McCormick were pictured standing beneath their family restaurant's iconic sign at 11045 S. Kedzie Ave. By 11 a.m. Wednesday, 430 people had "liked" the picture and 63 commenters offered well wishes.

The owners of Wonderburger also took to Twitter, thanking long-time customers. But the founding family offered no answers when questioned about the future of the favorite lunchtime spot.

The restaurant's doors were closed on Wednesday morning. A paper sign greeted customers that read, "Sorry, Wonderburger is closed." A large poster also hung in the picture window, saying "Thanks for 60 wonderful years!"

Several phone calls to the restaurant went unanswered.

Mary Gill, executive director of the Mount Greenwood Business Association, said the restaurant is being sold, but did not know to whom. Beyond that, details were few and the owners aren't saying anything about the future of the restaurant.

Alfred "Bill" Grant operated Wonderburger from 1954 until he retired in 1988. The tiny, 41-seat restaurant had since stayed within his family.

Wonderburger has been for sale for some time. Customers flocked to the restaurant on New Year's Eve, as word of a sale spread quickly through the Southwest Side neighborhood.

The restaurant was packed as customers ordered what they thought was one last Wonderburger and order of curly fries from the original owners.

But Wonderburger reopened on Jan. 9 with the same people behind the grill. A deal to sell the restaurant for a reported $200,000 fell through at the bargaining table. Despite the setback, McCormick said she hoped the news would lure a new buyer — preferably someone from within the neighborhood.