
The Burger King on Elm Street closed without warning on Friday. By Monday, most equipment had been cleared out, as this view through the drive-through window reveals. Photo by Laura Adelmann
by Laura Adelmann
Thisweek Newspapers
Without warning, the Farmington Burger King closed its doors on Friday, Dec. 3.
Local business owners were among the first to notice the closing when workers arrived in the morning and began cleaning and carrying equipment out of the building, located 120 Elm St.
By Monday, the former fast-food restaurant was emptied except for a computer keyboard and a few miscellaneous office supplies lying on a counter.
One worker remained in the building Monday night, and said the grill and other equipment was transferred to other restaurants.
When the Burger King franchise opened in 1997, it had replaced a Hardee’s restaurant that had operated there for years.
Farmington Economic Development Specialist Tina Hansmeier said the city was not told of the restaurant owner’s plans to close down its operations, and first learned of the situation from other business owners.
“That’s not unusual. Sometimes we’re the last to find out when a business closes,” Hansmeier said.
She said that the building will be added to the city’s list of available commercial space and information about it will be provided to those making inquiries about possible commercial opportunities.
Currently, she said, there are no parties interested in the property.
Multiple calls to the company that owns the franchise, Duke and King, were not returned.
A sign in the window thanks patrons and directs them to Burger King restaurants in Lakeville and Rosemount.
Laura Adelmann is at laura.adelmann@ecm-inc.com.