And yet another closure: Walker’s Point restaurant The National Cafe, 839 W. National Ave., announced its immediate closure on Thursday. The announcement was made on social media.
“It is with great sadness and utter heartbreak that we announce the sudden closure of The National Cafe, our beloved Walker’s Point breakfast and lunch spot,” the announcement reads.
National owners Angie Wierzbinski and Amy Plennes also owned East Side eatery The Lafayette Place. A car crashed into the Lafayette building in 2024. That restaurant closed earlier this year.
“After our Lafayette Place tragedy and a painfully slow 2025, we kept hoping for a busy fall and holiday season that just never came,” The National’s message continues. “We will miss our cafe. We will miss working with our favorite people. We will miss the smell of crispy bacon and cinnamon rolls. We will miss the hiss of our espresso machine. And we will so so miss serving our beautiful and amazing customers with our brunch that was made with so much love.”
Michael Diedrick opened The National in 2008. Three years later, Nell Benton took over. Wierzbinski and Plennes assumed ownership in 2019.
The National’s closure follows news that East Side staple Beans & Barley will close January 31; East Side vegan restaurant Strange Town needs some help; and everyone else is hurting, too.
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