Popular Minnesota Sandwich Shop Now Closing Original Location
It's been around for over 30 years, but this sandwich shop with numerous locations here in Minnesota is now closing its original location for good.
Americans love a good sandwich, right? Heck, the sandwich has been around even longer than the U.S. has. According to the sandwich chain, Earl of Sandwich, the sandwich made its original debut over 260 years ago:
In 1762, John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, was playing cards and did not want to leave the gaming table to eat. He asked for a serving of roast beef to be placed between two slices of bread so he could eat with his hands. Thus, the Sandwich was born.
While the History Channel doubts the entire historical accuracy of that tale, suffice it to say sandwiches have been a popular food here in the U.S. for a while. And here in Minnesota, we're no different.
ALSO INTERESTING: Five Minnesotans Made the World Billionaires List in 2025
And while there are a lot of places that will serve you a sandwich, Erberts and Gerbert's Sandwiches and Soups is a sandwich chain that has been expanding rapidly here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes the past few years. They were founded over in Eau Claire, Wisconsin back in 1988.
According to the Erbert and Gerbert's Sandwiches and Soups website, there are now 80 different locations spread across 8 states. Here in Minnesota, Erberts and Gerberts operates approximately 30 restaurants in 16 different cities, according to Indeed:
- Bloomington
- Cloquet
- Duluth
- Eden Prairie
- Hopkins
- Lakeville
- Mankato
- Minneapolis
- Moorhead
- Rochester
- Saint Cloud
- Saint Paul
- Saint Peter
- Waite Park
- Willmar
- Winona
But as of April 1st, Erbert and Gerbert's original location and flagship store on Water Street in Eau Claire is now closed. In a release, Erbert and Gerberts noted that it's in the process of opening a new location on Eau Claire's westside, and said the original location will shut its doors permanently:
"The flagship store at 409 Water Street, Eau Claire, WI 54703, will close its doors at the end of March 2025 to make way for this exciting new chapter," the release noted. It's a sad note to me because I found myself at that very location many times while I was a student at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
This closing is similar to when Minnesota's own Caribou Coffee closed its original location on France Avenue in Edina a few years ago. So the next time you head to Erberts and Gerberts here in the Bold North, pause for a moment to remember its first now-closed location over in Eau Claire. And speaking of things that have closed, keep scrolling to check out 50 beloved retail chains that no longer exist!
Listen to Curt St. John & Samm Adams
Weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m. on Quick Country 96.5
LOOK: 50 Beloved Retail Chains That No Longer Exist
Gallery Credit: Madison Troyer
