After 39 years of operation at 63 W. Ontario Street in River North, Chicago's Hard Rock Cafe will officially shut down on March 29 of this year, according to NBC Chicago.
The news was first shared by a fan account on Facebook last week, confirmed today by NBC Chicago.
"Today, Chicago is the 4th oldest cafe left of the original 10," reads a post by Scott's Hard Rock. "Now there are just 3. Also, this is the 3rd location to be closing so far in the new year."
Although no official reason behind the closure was provided, Scott's Hard Rock account posits that the location "wasn't earning any profits anymore."
The company told NBC Chicago that two other area Hard Rock Cafes, Rockford and Northern Indiana, will remain open for now.
As for the employees of the to-be-shuttered River North destination, they will be receiving "outplacement support and resources," according to an official statement. They are also encouraged to apply to other open positions across the company.
Fans of the River North business quickly took to Scott's Hard Rock Facebook page to express their consternation and devastation at the development.
"Loved this cafe," a user wrote. "It’s one of the few ‘old style’ ones left."
"This is very sad news," someone else noted. "Chicago was [the] first location that I went to and where I fell in love with the Hard Rock brand. I have an original jean jacket from this location and will definitely wear it more often!"
"Got engaged there in 1993! So sad to hear it’s closing," a third person commented.
As they say, it's the end of an era—and we'll be mourning the loss of such a defining business with our fellow Chicagoans.