Friday, March 29, 2024

Oronoco loses Tilly’s but Kasson gains Tammy’s Place

Oronoco’s loss is Kasson’s gain.

Tilly’s Bar & Grill is closing Dec. 23 in Oronoco and then owner Tammy Dee is opening Tammy’s Place in downtown Kasson come March 1. She’ll bring much of her menu from Tilly’s, she said, but will also add some new menu items as well.

“Tilly’s has been around since the year 2000,” Dee said. “I’ve had it for five years.”

The business closure was prompted by rent and property tax increases, which she couldn’t afford. She chose Kasson for her new business because she and her husband live there, and because she fell in love with the historic space at the former Leuthold’s.

The Dees will take over a restaurant front that has been sitting empty on West Main Street in downtown Kasson for the last two years.

“When Misplaced Magnolia closed in 2020, it was definitely a loss for the community,” said Tim Ibisch, Kasson city administrator. “Now seeing Tammy’s Place coming here, we’re very excited to welcome them and to have a new dining choice to draw people to downtown Kasson.”

Tammy Dee said she tried to salvage the Oronoco business by offering to buy the Tilly’s building from the owner, but he priced it out of her reach at $1.5 million.

“We offered less and he wasn’t willing to negotiate, so we thought it’s time to move on and look for something else,” she said of Tilly’s. “A lot of our customers were upset that we’re leaving. They’re sad. They’ve all been very supportive. They’re like, ‘We’ll come to see you in Kasson.’ I’ve had customers cry and I’ve cried with them. It’s kind of tough.”

At Tammy’s Place, there isn’t extensive food storage space so Dee said she’ll be somewhat limited with what she can put on the new restaurant’s menu. Included in the new menu will be some of what Tilly’s was known for, including homemade soups and Philly sandwiches.

“It will be very similar to Tilly’s,” she said. “Most sandwiches will be from $11 to $15. I want to keep it as reasonable as possible.”

She was smitten with the new space from the moment she saw it, Dee said.

“My husband called because there was a sign in the window,” she said. “We made an appointment to look at it, and I was instantly in love with it. It was the best place we saw, and it’s right in our community. We live five minutes away. I can get there faster to help.”

 

 

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Kasson, MN 55944

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Kasson, MN 55944

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