The VIRUS has not infected much in Cook County, but it got the Wunderbar. The sign says closed; the parking lots are empty. And we are sad. An auction by Auction Masters is set for September 15 per the Internet.
Myrna and I moved two blocks from Highway 61 some four years ago. At the time, what became the Wunderbar restaurant property had been vacant for several years. The city axed an attempt to sell the property for a Dollar General store. We were cheered to learn that Teri and Chris Downing bought the place about three years ago. We were cheered even more to learn of their plans and see them develop. And we were cheered because Teri had served as general manager of several outstanding theme bar-restaurants in Minneapolis, including Psycho Susie’s.
Wunderbar consisted of a restaurant, bar, game room, soft chair reading area, poker corner, and glampgound complete with small travel trailers and Yurt units as well as tenting spaces. They bought the historic Preus house and moved it to the glampground. Wunderbar even had a small library whose flagship books were in a set of Great Books of the Western World as well as novels and political history. It was designed as a 3-D play station.
We became regulars there, getting to know the staff, liking the developing bar, and warming in Teri’s infectious welcome. We even helped each other quit smoking! Wunderbar soon became a gathering place for all sorts and conditions of Cook County people. And it hosted numerous community events including two Bobby Burns dinners, complete with kilts and bagpipes, charity events, and political gatherings. The bar had a collection of fine beers and whiskeys that kept us well.
As WTIP noted, “The funky atmosphere, with its from-scratch menu overseen by Chef Chris Callender, nostalgic drinks, game room and lounge and live music has earned two Minnesota Monthly awards – Top 50 Destinations in Minnesota and Top 100 Places to Visit this Summer.”
Faithful readers will recall that Wunderbar became the pivot of my winter walking. The trail that begins at the west end of Second Street West is still there for walkers. But now we cannot stop for lunch, and that is sad.
As they expanded, perhaps too fast, the community responded to a Go Fund Me campaign to raise part of a needed contract-for-deed payment. They seemed to be prospering and to be as permanent as any restaurant can be. Then COVID-19 hit the country. And Wunderbar became a sad casualty of that infection. Teri and Chef Chris Callender prepared free food for truckers and others, with donations optional. The contract holder and the Downings were unable to negotiate terms that would permit Wunderbar to survive the Virus.
If Wunderbar is indeed gone for good, lift a glass to a gallant attempt.
Steve Aldrich is a retired Hennepin County lawyer, mediator, and Judge, serving from 1997-2010. He and Myrna moved here in 2016. He likes to remember that he was a Minnesota Super Lawyer before being elected to the bench. Now he is among the most vulnerable to viruses. Steve really enjoys doing weddings, the one thing a retired judge can do without appointment by the Chief Justice. He has never officiated at a Skype, Zoom or Google Team wedding. Contact him at stevealdrich41@gmail.com.
Copyright 2020 by Stephen C. Aldrich and the Cook County News-Herald
Leave a Reply