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The Elm Grove Inn was a staple on Watertown Plank Road... |  |
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 | By Drew Olson   Senior Editor E-mail author | Author bio More articles by Drew Olson |
| Published Nov. 12, 2008 at 8:31 a.m. |
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The Elm Grove Inn, located at 13275 Watertown Plank Rd., closed its doors Oct. 1.
I drive by the place fairly often, but I can't say for certain if I ever dined there. If I did, it was 15 or more years ago.
I can't say the closing has impacted my life or my dining plans in any way.
But -- as strange as this may sound -- I'm bummed about it.
For starters, I hate to see just about any place close (with the possible exception of Circuit City, which was mentioned in Andy Tarnoff's blog yesterday). When businesses close, jobs are lost and the community is diminished.
Locally-owned restaurants are becoming rare these days. The Elm Grove Inn, which is purported to be the second-oldest restaurant in the state, offered a fine-dining experience that probably was a little out of my price and demographic range.
When I drove by, I often saw couples and extended families that seemed to be celebrating big events. When I watched these well-dressed folks walk on and off the porch of the place, I imagined grandparents' birthday brunches, wedding rehearsal dinners, graduation parties and other landmark celebrations.
For now, the celebrations have moved elsewhere.
Mark Doweiko, who took over operations at the Elm Grove Inn seven years ago, closed the place and the owners, Roxanne and Nico Derni, are looking for new operators.
I hope they find someone to take over soon. Maybe I'll try lunch or dinner there. If I don't, I look forward to seeing the activity again.
When a place that has been open for more than 150 years closes, it just doesn't seem right.
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6 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review. |
Recent Talkbacks ...
Posted by jakkalope on Feb. 14, 2009 at 4:35 p.m. (report)
Tammy said it best - Why are you wondering why it closed when all you have done is drive by the place? You will see many more places close this year, unfortunately due to the economy. Sad but true.
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Posted by brendacee on Nov. 13, 2008 at 1:43 a.m. (report)
The last time I was Elm Grove Inn was a diaster. I went with my parents and we had tickets for a play at the Sunset that night. We arrived with plenty of time to enjoy drinks, dinner, and dessert. Our entre finally arrrived 20 mintues before the play was to start. We were offerred no apology or anything from management. It wasn't even that busy. Needless to say, that was the last time I've been there. It was a real diasappointment from what had been a nice and reliable establishment.
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Posted by Tammy on Nov. 12, 2008 at 2:09 p.m. (report)
Okay -seriously... you're bummed it closed and you NEVER went there? Why do you think it closed? If we continue to drive by locally owned businesses and never try them and encourage them to get better so we continue to patronize them, we have no one but ourselves to blame when we become more and more like every other city across America, full of chipper chain restaurants and stores that are all the same. Think about it, Milwaukee!
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Posted by ozricale on Nov. 12, 2008 at 10:09 a.m. (report)
I went there on my birthday several years ago and was underwhelmed. After reading so many good reviews over the years I finally tried it, and I never had a desire to go back. Food, service and ambience were all average. If and when they reopen I'll probably try again.
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Posted by mitchgat on Nov. 12, 2008 at 9:51 a.m. (report)
Great food and service. Sad to see them leave.
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