SAUK RAPIDS - After 45 years in business, the Sauk Rapids "Perkins in the Pines" has closed its doors.

A note posted on the door says ownership made the tough decision to close due to an expiring lease and a third straight year of road construction nearby.

Dave Hanson is the owner of the area Perkins Restaurants, he says their parking would have also been reduced with more construction this year.

"The road in front of us is going to be closed for a better part of the summer as they redo Golden Spike Road. We were going to lose some parking spots in front of the building."

Hanson adds that they're looking for another location in Sauk Rapids to put in a new Perkins.

"Perkins is requiring any new leases and franchise agreements to upgrade their building. That just doesn't make any sense for that building, thus we're going to look for a new site in Sauk Rapids and go with a new style building."

The restaurant was at 1417 2nd Street North. The St. Cloud, Waite Park and Sartell Perkins will continue to operate as normal.

The building closed on Monday afternoon. As of Tuesday morning, the Perkins signage and American Flag were all taken down.

Hanson says all employees at the restaurant have been transferred to the other three nearby locations.

"As of this morning, 100 percent of the employees agreed to transfer to the other stores. It looks like everyone is staying with us, which we're very grateful for because they're a part of our success."

Dan DeBaun, WJON
Dan DeBaun, WJON
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The closing note in the front door. (Dan DeBaun, WJON)
The closing note in the front door. (Dan DeBaun, WJON)
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