Annie’s Parlour, located above the new safety center, announced its official closure after over 50 years of business, leaving alumni and students reminiscing.
Annie’s Parlour first opened in 1974 by businessman John Rimarcik. Rimarcik opened many other restaurants in the area, including Kitty Cat Klub, a business which was once located in the street-level space below Annie’s, and others, including Monte Carlo and Runyon’s.
Annie’s was most known for its traditional burgers and shakes and was located on a second story with a patio looking over the city and campus.
Both Annie’s and the Kitty Cat Klub closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with plans of reopening. John Rimarcik passed away in 2023 before the businesses were able to reopen.
Rimarcik’s sons, Tony and Tom Rimarcik, inherited the businesses after the passing of their father and were able to successfully open Annie’s in February of 2024. Meanwhile, the University of Minnesota Police Department converted the space Kitty Cat Klub once occupied into a safety center.
Less than a year and a half after opening, Annie’s officially closed for good on July 1. WCCO News reported there were multiple reasons for the official closing, one being that they were losing more money being open than being closed.
Sitting on the patio of Annie’s with friends before a hockey game or with visiting family was a fond memory of Annie’s, University of Minnesota alum Jon Lutsey said.
“It really didn’t have the same feel when it reopened,” Lutsey said.
University alum Joe Touchet said Annie’s holds some of the fondest memories.. He said he would go to Annie’s on dates with his now wife, before hockey games and for a much-needed shake after a long day of studying.
“I’ll truly miss Annie’s parlor. I’ve been going there for almost 30 years,” Touchet said.
Touchet, who still lives in the Twin Cities area, would bring his kids to Annie’s to give them a taste of a favorite restaurant from his college days and continue a long-standing tradition.
“I’m not sure there’s another place on campus that will bring back that same spirit of tradition,” Touchet said.
John Rimarcik said in an interview with FOX 9 that he opened Annies with the intention of creating an atmosphere that keeps things simple, affordable and real.
Former Minneapolis resident Brad Sewich said Annie’s was a unique place with a great campus atmosphere.
“I will miss all the memories it holds, of meeting up with friends during a really fun time in my life,” Sewich said.
Even though Annie’s is gone, Touchet still remembers his go-to order from his college days.
“My order was always the same, I’d get the Riverside, which was an open-face burger, with fries and gravy, and a Vanilla Coke, both of which felt like something straight out of a ‘60s diner,” Touchet said.
