Hackney's on Lake to Close After 71 Years, Marking End of an Era in Glenview

GLENVIEW — After seven decades of serving up signature Hackney burgers and brick-shaped French-fried onions, Hackney's on Lake will close its doors for good in early September, the restaurant announced Friday.

The Lake Avenue landmark, which has been a Glenview institution since 1955, will remain open through August, inviting loyal patrons to come in for "one last hurrah" before the final curtain falls.

"This is not a decision we take lightly," owners said in a social media post. "But a 700-seat restaurant made sense in the 1960s — it doesn't in 2026."

The closure comes as the restaurant industry continues to evolve away from massive dining establishments. Management noted that operating the sprawling venue no longer aligns with modern business models.

Harms Road Location to Remain

While the Lake Avenue location is shuttering, Glenview residents can still get their Hackney burger fix at the Hackney's on Harms location, which will remain open. That restaurant is currently closed for indoor dining as it undergoes renovations.

"This will let us focus on creating an excellent customer experience at our Harms location, where our exciting renovation will be complete," the restaurant said. "Same family, same 87 years of history, just a nice, new interior for the next chapter."

A Legacy of Community and Tradition

Since 1955, the building has hosted countless birthdays, sports banquets, first jobs, and Circle Bar meetups. The restaurant has been a gathering place for North Shore locals, families, and politicians from surrounding Chicago suburbs.

Hackney's has also been a fixture at the Glenview Fourth of July Parade, where they became famous for tossing 1,500 loaves of dark rye bread to parade-goers. This summer, they continued the crowd-pleasing tradition, which has earned the restaurant the "Best Business or Commercial Group" award in 2013, 2014, and again in 2024.

"We'll be back in the Glenview Fourth of July Parade, with Dark Rye Guy tossing our famous dark rye bread along the 2026 route," ownership promised.

Fond Memories Pour In

Former employees and longtime customers took to social media to share their memories.

Mike Elrick, who worked at the restaurant from 1967 to 1973, posted: "Rose from busboy to full-time cook. Great memories from my mom's memorial lunch to hookups with good friends. Remember fondly the Kiddie Cocktail and juicy burgers. Hackney's, you will be missed. 70 years is a long time!"

Local resident Mary Bog asked about the possibility of a Hackney's server reunion, while Ann Knoll suggested the restaurant consider a smaller location: "Consider opening at another location... Ten Ninety on Waukegan Road, smaller and still in the neighborhood? I think you'll find that the Harms location will not accommodate all the diners coming from Lake Street, plus the Harms regulars. PLEASE consider opening another location."

End of an Era

The closure of Hackney's on Lake follows a pattern of downsizing for the family-owned chain. Hackney's in Lake Zurich closed in 2017 after nearly 48 years, while the Palos Park location shuttered in 2019 and Wheeling in 2011.

"We hope you'll come and celebrate 71 years of great memories over the next month," the restaurant said. "And that you'll continue to make new memories a mile and a half up the road at our newly refreshed Harms Road bar."

Hackney's thanked everyone "who's worked here, eaten here and made this giant, 700-seat restaurant feel like home."

The restaurant is encouraging patrons to visit the Lake Avenue location throughout August for one final celebration of seven decades of Glenview history.