Lou Malnati’s is getting ready to shut the doors on its Gold Coast pizzeria as the lease on its State Street storefront runs out, but the deep-dish staple is not bailing on the neighborhood. The dining room at 1120 North State Street will close when the tenancy ends, with operations shifting to an off site delivery kitchen while executives scout a new brick and mortar home. Company leaders say the plan is to bring a full service Lou Malnati’s back to the Gold Coast by summer 2027.
Lease Runs Out, Ghost Kitchen Keeps The Ovens Hot
As reported by the Chicago Business Journal, Lou Malnati’s confirmed that its lease is expiring and said it will keep serving the area through an off site "ghost kitchen" while it negotiates for a new location. According to the Chicago Business Journal, the chain is actively searching for space and could reopen a full service restaurant in the Gold Coast by summer 2027.
Where The Gold Coast Lou’s Sits
The Gold Coast pizzeria is perched at 1120 North State Street, at State and Rush, and its location page still lists current hours and contact information. According to Lou Malnati’s, customers can continue to place orders for pickup and delivery while the company transitions operations.
Neighborhood Redevelopment And Retail Pressure
Rising rents and nonstop redevelopment have been squeezing Gold Coast storefronts for years, and Lou Malnati’s is hardly alone in feeling the heat. Hoodline previously noted that a planned high rise at 7 W. Elm would replace a small Lou Malnati’s on the corner, a reminder of how quickly the neighborhood’s retail footprint is shifting, in coverage of a planned 28 story tower.
Why A Delivery Only Setup Pencils Out
For a brand trying to stay put in a pricey ZIP code, moving delivery to an off site kitchen can preserve a local presence without the sting of marquee retail rent. That does not mean it is a magic fix. Reporting from Restaurant Dive has documented mixed results for ghost kitchens, noting that they can trim overhead and speed market testing, even as margins and customer experience remain tricky.
Founded in 1971 and still family owned, Lou Malnati’s told the Chicago Business Journal it is committed to returning to the Gold Coast and will update neighbors once a new site is locked in. For now, the chain says delivery in the neighborhood will continue without interruption while it searches for its next full service home.
