The Dock restaurant to close less than 3 years after reopening

STILLWATER

Building’s owners say new restaurant likely to open before summer

By Mary Divine

The Dock restaurant in downtown Stillwater, which overlooks the St. Croix River, will close on Feb. 23, but the owners of the building say a new restaurant should open in the space before summer.

Staff at The Dock shared the news of the closing in a post on the restaurant’s website. “It is with a heavy heart that we announce The Dock will be closing, with our last day of service on Feb. 23,” they wrote. “The past three years have been nothing short of amazing.”

The Dock, previously known as The Dock Cafe, was closed for two years due to COVID. It reopened in June 2022 under new management and with a new menu.

“Having the opportunity to reopen The Dock … has been an absolute honor,” the announcement states. “We’ve loved every moment — serving you, celebrating with you, and creating unforgettable memories on the river. Stillwater, you are truly the best. This place holds so much history and heart, and we can only hope the next chapter for The Dock is just as incredible.”

Owner John Koch, who also owns Gio’s and the Portside in Stillwater, said he no longer had time to run The Dock. Koch also owns Syagrus, an Arden Hills-based semiconductor company.

“The Dock is a great place, but I just don’t have the time,” Koch said. “I’m focusing on my other stuff right now.”

Robin Anthony, director of the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce, said she was surprised and sad to learn the news on Tuesday morning. “It’s such an iconic space in Stillwater, and we hope we can fill it as soon as possible,” she said.

The restaurant, located at 425 E. Nelson St., was a former car wash that the late architect Mike McGuire transformed into a restaurant. McGuire died in August.

McGuire’s children, John McGuire, Sally McGuire-Huth and Kate McGuire, are the owners of the building.

“We have a couple of local parties who have said they’re interested, so we’re working on that,” John McGuire said. “Hopefully we’ll find a new tenant soon and be able to get it open for summer.”

The McGuires are looking for someone with restaurant experience who would help them “maintain our father’s building as best we can,” he said. “We would like somebody to not do too much or make too many changes to it.”