The beloved Ann Sather flagship restaurant, a cornerstone of Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood for decades, is preparing for a significant move from its current Belmont Avenue home. While a definitive closing date for the 909 W. Belmont Ave. location has not yet been announced, a restaurant representative indicated that the relocation is slated to occur sometime between June and July of this year. The team behind Ann Sather is actively searching for a new spot within Lakeview to continue serving its loyal customer base.
The Belmont Avenue location has a rich history, with Ann Sather first establishing a presence on the block in 1945. Over the years, the restaurant has occupied several different addresses on Belmont Avenue, eventually settling into its current spot in 2007. This move comes amid significant redevelopment in the area. Next door to the current Ann Sather, a new mixed-use building featuring 46 luxury apartments is under construction. Originally, the plans for this adjacent development included the demolition of the building housing Ann Sather, but these plans were later revised, allowing the restaurant to remain in its long-standing location for a period. However, with the ongoing construction and subsequent need for the building to be demolished, the restaurant is now faced with a relocation.
The iconic Swedish restaurant chain is currently owned by former Ald. Tom Tunney, who purchased the original establishment from founder Ann Sather in 1981. Ann Sather herself was a pioneering businesswoman who bought the diner in 1945 and was known for her dedication to homemade meals, warm hospitality, and affordable prices. The spirit of her original vision—”good food, good friends and good conversation”—continues to define the restaurant’s philosophy.
While the Belmont Avenue location is set to close, Ann Sather maintains other operational sites in Chicago, including its restaurants at 3415 N. Broadway in East Lakeview and 1147 W. Granville Ave. in Edgewater. Over the years, various other Ann Sather locations have also opened and subsequently closed in neighborhoods such as Andersonville, Hyde Park, and Wicker Park, reflecting the chain’s long-standing presence and evolution within the city. The future of the specific building at 909 W. Belmont Ave. remains uncertain, as a representative did not have information on what would happen to the property after the restaurant vacates.
The impending closure of the flagship store marks the end of an era for many long-time patrons who have come to cherish the restaurant as a neighborhood institution. The news has generated discussion among residents, with many expressing sadness at the departure from the familiar location while remaining hopeful that the restaurant will find a suitable new home in Lakeview to continue its legacy.
