What Grandma’s Restaurant Is Saying About Their Iron Range Saloon + Grill Location Closing
A popular Northland restaurant with three different locations at the beginning of 2026 will soon have only one.
Last Friday, Grandma's Saloon & Grill shared that it will soon be closing their Iron Range location in Virginia, MN. This comes just a matter of a few months after the announcement of the closure of the Miller Hill location in Duluth.
With the closure of the Miller Hill location earlier this year and the upcoming closure of the Iron Range location later this month, that will leave just one remaining Grandma's Saloon & Grill - the original Canal Park location at the foot of the Aerial Lift Bridge.
In a lengthy social media post, the Virginia Grandma's Saloon & Grill said, "With sadness and a heavy heart," that they were announcing that operations at this Iron Range location would conclude on September 27, 2026.
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After operating on the Iron Range since 1991, the team says the decision stems from the lease for the restaurant's location.
They explained that the decision to close the Iron Range location is rooted in respect for the brand's legacy, explaining "Rather than operating under a short-term lease that could compromise the high standards of food and service our guests expect, we have chosen to close this chapter with our quality and reputation intact."
With concerns over what could come in the future as it relates to the lease for the building near the Thunderbird Mall at 1302 S 12th Avenue in Virginia, Minnesota, the company had decided, after 35 years, to end its story on the Iron Range. They say, "While this closure brings an end to a wonderful era on the Iron Range", that "There will always be a warm welcome and a table waiting" at their Canal Park location.
This is different than what Grandma's had to say about the closure of the Miller Hill location in Duluth, explaining that the decision was driven by changes in post-pandemic consumer habits, which made them feel it was best to consolidate their efforts into one location in Duluth.
While there will be only one remaining Grandma's Saloon & Grill location after this Iron Range closure on September 27, the company still operates other venues in the Twin Ports area.
Along with the original Grandma's Saloon & Grill in Duluth's Canal Park, the company also operates Little Angie's Cantina and Grill, Bellisio's, Adventure Zone, and The Garden event venue, all also found in Canal Park.
As they did with their Miller Hill closure, Grandma's says they are "deeply committed to supporting its workforce through this transition". They are providing every employee wishing to remain with the company opportunities to relocate to work at one of their remaining Duluth properties.
In the final days before the closing of their Iron Range eatery, Grandma's says, "This final period is dedicated to our loyal guests, giving the community a chance to visit one last time, share memories, and say goodbye".
