Gabby's closes, makes way for new Psycho Suzi's

Gabby's owner Jeff Ormond in 2009. Photo by Kyndell Harkness.

It's official. Gabby's owner Jeff Ormond has finalized a deal to sell his northeast Minneapolis bar to Leslie Bock, the owner of Psycho Suzi's. Gabby's last night in operation was Friday. Speaking on the phone today, Ormond sounded both excited and somber as he said good bye to his business of 24 years.

"It still hasn't hit home," he said. "It's like saying good bye to your family."

Ormond won't be reopening Gabby's anywhere else, but he hasn't ruled out returning to the bar business at some point. One thing he's seriously thinking about: politics. His interest in public office comes as a result of Gabby's three-year fight with the city over the bar's off-premise problems. The battle ended last year in a win for Ormond — and a settlement worth about $200,000.

This week, however, Ormond was thinking about the old days at Gabby's, including its wild country nights from 20 years ago, its packed "Melrose Place" parties (remember that TV show?) and its transition into a hip-hop hotbed. While Ormond's future plans are up in the air, he wished Bock well:

"She'll do very well," he said. "She has a great concept."

Bock (pictured below) wants to open her super-sized Psycho Suzi's in the fall.