Wee Willie’s, the 48-year-old breakfast and lunch restaurant on Bloomington’s south side, has permanently closed its doors after its manager, Roy Wathen, died April 5.
Wathen, 56, was the manager of the restaurant for 36 years.
“We’re not ready to start over,” said Brenda Lutgens, owner of Wee Willie’s and Wathen’s sister. “My brother knew how to do everything.”
Wathen’s sudden death Easter morning has no confirmed cause.
Lutgens said she and her husband Bill have been contemplating retirement for a while, but she did not want that to come under these circumstances.
“The students and Bloomington clientele have been so good to us,” she said. “It’s going to be tough.”
The cash-only, unmarked establishment was open seven days a week, served breakfast all day and closed for part of each summer before students returned to Bloomington.
Wee Willie’s location at 4618 W. Richland Plaza will remain open, Lutgens said, adding that employees at the former south side location could seek employment there. The Lutgens’ son runs the west side location.
“We’ve all had a good time,” Lutgens said, “but this the next step.”
