The Rochester Businesses That Said ‘Goodbye’ in 2019

Rochester saw a lot of growth in 2019 but unfortunately, we had quite a few businesses close up shop this past year.  Take a trip down memory lane and see the list below of the places that closed up in and around Rochester:

• Kmart - After surviving announced Kmart store closings around the country in recent years, luck ran out for the Rochester site and they officially closed their doors in March. Read More: Rochester Kmart Will Soon Be Closing - For Good
• Shopko - Shopko first announced bankruptcy in January.  Rochester had two store locations which both closed their doors this past year.  Read More: All Shopko Stores to Close
• Payless Shoe Source - Another popular store inside the Apache Mall closed up shop. Payless filed for bankruptcy back in 2017 and announced in February plans to close all of its stores in the United States. Read More: Liquidation Sale Starts At Apache Mall Store
• Ground Round - With what appears to be zero notice, Ground Round, which was located by the Rochester airport, put the closed sign up the morning of Tuesday, March 26th. Read More: Rochester Restaurant Suddenly Closes Doors
• Cowboy Jacks - Cowboy Jacks was located near the fairgrounds and according to an employee, when she showed up for work in April, the doors were locked and moving trucks were clearing out the space.  Read More: Rochester’s Cowboy Jacks Closes Without Warning
• Shoot N' Save Sports - If hockey has been part of your life the last 37 years, you probably know all about the Shoot N' Save Sports store that was located in Rochester.   The store closed their doors on June 30th.  Read More: Something New Is Brewing In The Shoot N' Save Store Location
• Apple Ridge Orchard & Vineyard - Apple Ridge Orchard & Vineyard, located in Mazeppa, announced on their Facebook page and website in July a message to all of their customers that they were closing due to retirement.  Read More: Apple Ridge Orchard & Vineyard In Mazeppa Closed For Retirement
• Gingerbread House Bakery - Rochester residents had their last taste of the amazing donut holes from The Gingerbread House Bakery in August.  Read More: The Gingerbread House In Rochester Is Closing In September
• Bob's Smoke Stack Ribs - Bob's Smoke Stack Ribs out in Byron closed up shop in August.  Our taste buds are still missing this place. Read More: Byron Restaurant Announces Sudden Closing
• ApplianceSmart - ApplianceSmart was located in the Crossroads Center in Rochester and closed up shop in August.  This was a great store to find some savings on refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, freezers, dishwashers, microwaves, and several other household appliances.  Read More: ApplianceSmart Closing In Rochester
• iLoveKickboxing - iLoveKickboxing closed back in late August with no warning to members.  The place was cleared out when our team went to check on these rumors.  And while we were out, a business next door had closed due to staffing issues. Read More: Staffing Issues Cause Rochester Restaurant to Suddenly Close
• Rochester Pet & Country Store - Back in August, Rochester Pet & Country Store closed up their NE location.  The good news is that there is another location in Rochester that is still open.  Read More: Rochester Pet And Country Store Closing North Location
• Artistic Framers - Long-time downtown business, Artistic Framers, announced in September that this Christmas will be their last in Rochester. Read More: 2019 Will Be Artistic Framers Last Christmas in Rochester, MN
• Tweit's Family Farm - Tweit's Family Farm, a family favorite out in Byron, shared the news in September that 2019 would be their last season.  They closed up shop on October 20th.  Read More: Tweite's Family Farm is Closing Up for Good in October
• Willow Creek Golf Course - Willow Creek Golf Course let all of their staff go and closed their doors back in October.  The latest info revealed that the property was being handed over to Sterling State Bank.  Read More: Willow Creek Golf Course In Rochester Has Closed Their Doors
• Blu H20 - Blu H20 Salon shared the news with their clients on Friday, November 1st, that they have closed their doors. Read More: Popular Salon In Rochester Closed Permanently
• Dress Barn - On November 1st, the Dress Barn's parent company began the final step in closing all brick and mortar stores, saying they expect it to be completed by the end of the year, likely December 26th. Read More: Rochester's Dress Barn Liquidation Has Begun
• Carroll's Cup - In the Subway area of Rochester, there were two Caroll's shops...Carroll's Corn and Carroll's Cup.  The popcorn business is going strong but the doors closed on Carroll's Cup in November.  Read More: Carroll's Cup Frozen Yogurt in Kahler Subway Closing Soon
• David Iver Jewelry - David Iver Jewelry shared the unfortunate news that they were closing their downtown location.  The good news, they are still taking online orders.  Read More: David Iver Jewelry Design Closing Downtown Rochester Location
• Arrow Ace Hardware - The Arrow Ace Hardware store located on 37th Street posted their "Going Out Of Business" signs in their windows in November.  Read More: Rochester Hardware Store Is Closing
• Motherhood Maternity - Motherhood Maternity, located in the Apache Mall near JC Penney's, announced their closing in November.  Read More: Another Store Is Closing At The Apache Mall In Rochester
• Fitness Evolution - Members and staff at Fitness Evolution, a gym located in NW Rochester, were told in December of the sudden closing. Read More: Large Gym In Rochester Announces Sudden Closing
• AMPI - Back in November, the New Ulm-based Associated Milk Producers Incorporated announced it is shutting down the AMPI plant along South Broadway on the edge of downtown Rochester. Read More: AMPI closing in Rochester
• Bernie's Lapidary - After 65 years, Bernie's Jewelry closed their doors on North Broadway.  Read More: Bernie's Jewelry closed in Rochester
• Salvation Army Thrift Store - A news release stated that the lease for the property expired at the end of this summer, and economic and competitive pressures have negatively impacted the sustainability of the operation.  This location officially closed in July. Read More: Rochester Salvation Army North Thrift Store is Closing

This is quite the list, but is there a business that I missed?  Send me a message on my Facebook page (Jessica On The Radio) or DM me on Instagram.