Less than two weeks after Ann Sather opened a new flagship location between East Village and Wicker Park, the diner known for its large, house-made cinnamon rolls made another announcement: a move back to Lakeview. The new site will be housed in the previous Stella’s Diner, which shut down permanently this week. “Lakeview has been good to me,” said Tom Tunney, Ann Sather’s owner and former alderman. He had closed the last Belmont Avenue location after 81 years in the area in late June.

Although Ann Sather’s decision to occupy Stella’s space came shortly after a temporary closure due to a failed city health inspection in July, Tunney explained that the relocation had been years in planning. “Marvin (Barsky), Stella’s owner, approached me two or three years ago about buying Stella’s,” Tunney said, mentioning that he already had a property on Broadway. With Stella’s recent closure, circumstances changed.

Tunney plans to shut down the Ann Sather location at Broadway and Roscoe by year-end, coinciding with the expiration of the lease. This makes the move a relocation instead of an expansion. Stella’s failed its health inspection on July 9, discovering over 50 cockroaches in kitchen equipment and several violations. Managers were directed to clean up and seal entryways. Following required corrections, the city permitted Stella’s to reopen. Tunney confirmed that the closure was unrelated to the inspection but was due to lease expiration and an opportunity in Lakeview.

Tunney said renovations will take place before reopening Ann Sather at 3042 N. Broadway, including structural repairs to the 100-year-old building. He aims to open it in about eight weeks. “There’s always a challenge, considering the building’s previous condition,” Tunney said. “We will perform thorough cleaning and structural improvements with our landlord.”

Last month, Tunney moved Ann Sather’s Belmont Avenue restaurant to the previous Yolk space on 1819 W. Division St. after the Belmont property was sold to a developer for building apartments. Tunney intends to rehire many Stella’s employees, valuing their customer service skills. While the Belmont closure was sentimental for some, Tunney aims to satisfy everyone.

Marvin Barsky, who owns Stella’s Diner, was unavailable for comment but accepted full responsibility via an Instagram statement. Barsky also owns The Bagel Restaurant and Deli, which similarly closed temporarily due to cockroach issues.

Once Ann Sather opens in Stella’s former space, there will be four Ann Sather locations, at least temporarily. The original owner, Ann Sather, bought the Swedish Diner in 1945 and renamed it in 1955. Tunney joined shortly after, taking over in 1980 and expanding in 1984.

Meanwhile, the West Loop’s Wishbone Restaurant announced its permanent closure. “There is no easy way to say goodbye to something that has been such a significant part of our lives,” said owners Joel and Julie Nickson. Operating for 36 years, Wishbone was famous for its Southern-style food and counted Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Studios among its regulars. Rising rent was a previous concern noted by Joel Nickson in 2018. Although the closing date is not set, Wishbone plans to remain open through August, providing longtime patrons a chance to say goodbye.