After keeping its doors shut for almost two years, a restaurant iconic to the University of Minnesota reopened on Monday.

 

Sally’s Saloon on Washington Avenue Southeast had been in business for 21 years before construction on a new apartment complex forced it to close in July 2013.

 

Costumers stopped by the establishment for its opening Monday, and residents voiced excitement for its long-awaited arrival.

 

Steve Baker, regional manager of Sally’s new managing company, the After Midnight Group, said with food specials and late hours, the new restaurant caters to a wider variety of customers than the old Sally’s — which largely targeted students.

 

“I think that we will extend our customer service to a wider range of people,” he said. “We’re aiming towards doctors [and] lawyers, as well as students.”

 

Sally’s is located beneath the 700 on Washington — the CPM-developed student-housing complex that forced the restaurant to close. Construction on the establishment started in about September.

 

CPM Companies owner Daniel Oberpriller said Sally’s was a special place for a lot of people and many didn’t want to see it close permanently. A vacant retail space is never good for business, he said, adding that he is excited for its reopening.

 

Stub and Herb’s owner Josh Zavadil said bars in Stadium Village have had a hard time competing with Dinkytown bars, and he hopes the new opening attracts more young customers to the area.

 

“Sally’s always brought a nice young crowd to this side of campus, so it’s always good to have more bars in the area for people to hop around to,” Zavadil said.

 

Sally’s management hopes to block off sidewalk space on Walnut Street Southeast outside the restaurant for tailgating during Gophers and Vikings football games, an old tradition Baker said the staff wants to continue.

 

Karin Teder, a University Office of Information and Technology employee, said she has been a Sally’s costumer for about 20 years. She said she’s excited to eat at the new restaurant, and she was looking forward to its opening.

 

Teder said she likes the new open feel of Sally’s new layout, with its garage doors that open to outdoor seating areas.

 

Ryan Smith, a 2014 University graduate, said Sally’s was a go-to spot for him and many others when he was in college. He started going to Sally’s as a freshman with his dad and would often go there during Gophers or Vikings football games.

 

“I think Sally’s is just a traditional U of M place — it’s been around forever,” Smith said. “We kind of saw it as a staple.”