Chicago's Mag Mile's staple Grand Lux Café announces closure

The Grand Lux Café, a longtime fixture at Chicago's premier business district, Magnificent Mile, popularly known as the 'Mag Mile', abruptly announced on Thursday, that it will close permanently by the end of the year.

The restaurant confirmed in a statement that the Grand Lux Café, which had been in operation for more than 21 years, will be closing its doors on Christmas Eve, December 24, ABC7 Chicago reported.

"We are working with our staff to help them transition to other opportunities in one of our nearby concepts," the restaurant said in a statement. "We have enjoyed being a part of the downtown Chicago community and hope that our guests will continue to dine with us at our other restaurants in the area."

Originally created by The Cheesecake Factory, the cafe did not provide a reason for its impending closure, but Crain's Chicago Business reports that the decision to close the cafe coincides with a whopping 30% increase in store vacancies along the struggling Mag Mile.

The cafe joins other iconic establishments that have recently closed along the city's iconic shopping strip, including AT&T, Verizon, and Old Navy.

While the space will soon be just another vacancy on a list that seems to keep growing, some people are confident the Magnificent Mile can bounce back, despite the health of the city's famed commercial district appearing even bleaker, the broadcaster added.

"It's sad because one by one the stores are closing and it's losing the ambience it had for years," said Nancy Dolan, who works near the Mag Mile.

"We don't walk down Michigan Avenue like we used to because so many businesses are closing," said Terry Orr, a customer at the Grand Lux Cafe Friday.

However, Stone Real Estate Principal John Vance is maintaining a glass-half-full mentality over the impending closure of Grand Lux and its implications for the future of Michigan Avenue.

"This is a bad news and good news situation," Vance said.

He said all of the store closures are just part of the circle of life.

"It allows for change and that's what the avenue and really all high streets across the country need," Vance said. "They need new tenants, new creative ideas to revitalise these streets."

Vance said with stores like Alo Yoga and Aritzia opening next year, 2024 will look brighter.

"I think the avenue is going to look much better once those three tenants open up in their new locations," Vance said.