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Finger-pointing as Grandma's is saying goodbye

Last update: May 2, 2008 - 9:02 PM

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Fans of the chicken tetrazzini and bicycle burgers at Grandma's Saloon and Grill have until May 22 to dig in at the Minneapolis eatery. The restaurant is closing its doors then, saying that legislative decisions, the weak economy and the collapsed bridge over Interstate 35W led to its demise.

The three-story restaurant, in the Seven Corners area near the University of Minnesota's West Bank, is the last of three Grandma's to close in the Twin Cities. The Duluth-based chain operates 10 restaurants under various names, mostly in the Duluth area.

Brian Daugherty, Grandma's general manager, said he opted out of the lease after being "legislated out of business." He blamed a host of laws -- a 2005 bill that doesn't allow tips to be counted as part of the minimum wage, the smoking ban, the 21-year-old drinking age and lower limits on blood-alcohol levels -- for a drop in business and rising expenses.

"[Legislators] tell me jobs are important," Daugherty said in an e-mail. "I share with them how to save thousands of them without any downside to absolutely anyone, or any handouts; they vote against it."

JACKIE CROSBY AND MATT McKINNEY

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