Uptown Bar and Cafe could close in a few months

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The Minneapolis City Planning Commission has approved a plan that would replace the old Uptown Bar and Café with a new, 3 story, 9,600 square foot retail space.

"It seems like the more they try to force it into a corporate ideal, the more it suffers for it," John Bradley said, as he stamped bags at Penzeys Spices, which is 2 doors down from "The Uptown."

"It's kind of a nice little subculture that's part of the uptown community," Bradley added while talking about his longtime business neighbor.

There are very few that would dispute that notion. The Bar and Café's been there since the 30's, and has been booking bands since at least the 70's.

"There's been a ton of huge well known bands that have played here. Nirvana played here, Oasis played here, the Flaming Lips played here, Pavement played here; the list goes on and one," Brian McDonough said.

McDonough books bands for the bar and on Tuesday, he was wondering just how far out he could keep booking bands. "It is sad. The neighborhood really gained a lot from having this place here, I'm not really sure what it's going to be after this place," he explained.

A spokesman for the Uptown's current owner, 88 year old Frank Toonen, says they're looking for someone who might carry on the bar and café's rich tradition; they're working on finding a replacement owner.

The developer that will likely take over the old address says a new location for a new bar/restaurant has, for the most part, been found, and it is very near where the current Uptown stands.

"I hope it has, because there's too much history to not have," McDonough said.

Crews may break ground on the new retail space by winter. The developer is hoping a new space will bring more consumers into the Uptown area. Across the street, Calhoun Square continues to undergo a major renovation and addition as well, also, banking on bringing more and more people to the corner of Lake and Hennepin.

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