Many coaches and players over the years have frequented Al's...
From the Minneapolis Business Journal:
Al’s Breakfast co-owner Doug Grina has announced his retirement from one of Dinkytown’s dinkiest — and most beloved — restaurants.
“I’m 70. I maxed-out on my Social Security return,” explained Grina, who started at the 14-seat breakfast counter in 1977 and became a co-owner in 1979.
Twenty-five years after that, in 2004, the James Beard Foundation named tiny Al’s one of “America’s Classics,” a designation reserved for locally owned restaurants with a passionate regional following. The restaurant, which is just a little bit younger than Grina, will mark its 70th anniversary in May 2020.
In recent decades, Al’s had two owners: Grina and Jim Brandes, who hung up his spatula in 2016. Brandes’ stake in the business was bought out by long-time employee Alison Kirwin, and Grina said he’s also selling his share to Kirwin — who might have to shorten her name to “Al.”
“We’re back to being an eponymous business,” joked Grina.
Kirwin wasn’t immediately available for comment. Grina said she’s worked at Al’s Breakfast for about 25 years.
Grina may be retiring — “I’ve got a lot of stuff I want to do before I’m decrepit,” he said — but he doesn’t plan to stray far. Al’s regulars can expect to see Grina behind the counter about once a week sipping coffee and serving up insults, an Al’s specialty as renowned as its blueberry-walnut pancakes.
He said he’ll probably start to pick up regular shifts again come spring.
“Al’s is overwhelmingly terrific. I just feel lucky that I had a life where I got to look forward to it every day,” he said.
https://www.bizjournals.com/twincit...lZTBJbG1ndlJiXC92SWp1OFl5Yk90T3JOMnZtb2EifQ==
From the Minneapolis Business Journal:
Al’s Breakfast co-owner Doug Grina has announced his retirement from one of Dinkytown’s dinkiest — and most beloved — restaurants.
“I’m 70. I maxed-out on my Social Security return,” explained Grina, who started at the 14-seat breakfast counter in 1977 and became a co-owner in 1979.
Twenty-five years after that, in 2004, the James Beard Foundation named tiny Al’s one of “America’s Classics,” a designation reserved for locally owned restaurants with a passionate regional following. The restaurant, which is just a little bit younger than Grina, will mark its 70th anniversary in May 2020.
In recent decades, Al’s had two owners: Grina and Jim Brandes, who hung up his spatula in 2016. Brandes’ stake in the business was bought out by long-time employee Alison Kirwin, and Grina said he’s also selling his share to Kirwin — who might have to shorten her name to “Al.”
“We’re back to being an eponymous business,” joked Grina.
Kirwin wasn’t immediately available for comment. Grina said she’s worked at Al’s Breakfast for about 25 years.
Grina may be retiring — “I’ve got a lot of stuff I want to do before I’m decrepit,” he said — but he doesn’t plan to stray far. Al’s regulars can expect to see Grina behind the counter about once a week sipping coffee and serving up insults, an Al’s specialty as renowned as its blueberry-walnut pancakes.
He said he’ll probably start to pick up regular shifts again come spring.
“Al’s is overwhelmingly terrific. I just feel lucky that I had a life where I got to look forward to it every day,” he said.
https://www.bizjournals.com/twincit...lZTBJbG1ndlJiXC92SWp1OFl5Yk90T3JOMnZtb2EifQ==
