Olsons_Deli_Los_Angeles
Sweden

Closed and operating Scandinavian businesses in the United States

Last updated March 4, 2023

I have become increasingly interested in documenting Scandinavian businesses closing throughout the United States. It seems every time I turn around I am hearing about another Scandinavian business in the US closing.

I feel their closures show waning public interest in Scandinavian culture, as well as economic challenges, such as high expense of Scandinavian products and import fees.

It has me wonder if Scandinavians can ever revive interest in Scandinavian culture? Is there some way Scandinavian food and products can be repackaged to appeal to younger generations?

The businesses that have remained opened, especially in more diverse cities like Los Angeles, are interesting to observe because they tend to have a more modern twist to their business model, for example, their logo, photography style, interior design, etc.

Here is a list I have started of Scandinavian businesses that have closed, and are still open, in the United States. If you know of one that is not on this list, please inform me by emailing lauren[at]laurenelltalk.com.

California

In operation

Closed

  • Lejonet & Bjornen (ice cream shop), Los Angeles, California – closed in 1990 [1]
  • Gravlax (restaurant and bar), Los Angeles, California – opened circa 2013, closed 2022
  • Griswold’s Smorgasbord, Redlands, California – closed some time in the 1990s [1]
  • Griswold’s Smorgasbord, Claremont, California – closed some time in the 1990s [1]
  • Little Stuga, Sierra Madre, California – closed after 1991 [1]
  • Gustaf Anders Restaurant & Back Pocket, Santa Ana, California – closed some time after 2000 [1] [2]
  • Nordic Fox (restaurant), Downey, California – closed in 2008 [1]
  • Cafe Scandia (European fusion), Palm Springs, California – closed in 2014 [1]
  • Olson’s Scandinavian Deli, Los Angeles, California – closed circa 2019 [1]
  • Alta Nordic Kitchen, Los Angeles, California – closed circa 2020 [1]
  • Nordic House (Scandinavian store), Berkeley, California – closed in 2021 [1]

Colorado

In operation

Connecticut

In operation

Florida

In operation

Georgia

In operation

Illinois

In operation

Closed

  • Erickson’s Delicatessen, Chicago, Illinois – established in 1978, closed circa 2014 [1]
  • Scandinavian Affär, Palos Heights, Illinois – reported to have closed in early 2000s. Not confirmed.
  • Scandinavian Boutique, Homewood, Illinois – established in 1971, closed in 2001. [1] [2]
  • The Swedish Bakery, Chicago, Illinois – established in the ’50s, closed in 2017 [1]

Indiana

In operation

Kansas

In operation

Kentucky

In operation

Maine

In operation

Massachusetts

In operation

Closed

  • Crown Bakery & Cafe, Worcester, Massachusetts – established in the ’60s, closed in 2020 [1]
  • Distinctively Sweden (gift shop), Plainville, Massachusetts – closed circa 2019 [1]
  • Vega Bakery, Norwood, Massachusetts – reported by individual, no official confirmation

Michigan

Closed

  • Finlandia University, Hancock, Michigan – established in 1896, closed in 2023 [1]

Minnesota

In operation

Closed

  • Sandeen’s Scandinavian Gifts, Saint Paul, Minnesota – established in 1955, closed some time after 2015 [1]

Nebraska

In operation

Nevada

In operation

New Jersey

In operation

New York

In operation

Closed

  • Manhem Club (Swedish/Norwegian beach club), Bronx, New York – reported to have been sold in 2021, need confirmation
  • Nordic Delicacies, Brooklyn, New York – established in 1987, closed in 2015. [1]

Oregon

In operation

Closed

  • Designs of Scandinavia Boutique, Portland, Oregon – closed circa 1990, confirmation needed
  • Scan Design Furniture, Portland, Oregon – closed in 2016 [1]
  • Scandia Imports, Portland, Oregon – closed in 2017 [1]
  • The Nordic Home, Portland, Oregon – closed in 2020 [1]

Texas

In operation

Closed

  • Three Vikings (restaurant), Dallas, Texas – closure date not confirmed. [1]

Virginia

In operation

Washington

In operation

Washington D.C.

In operation

Wisconsin

In operation

Featured image: Olson’s Scandinavian Deli in Los Angeles. Closed in 2019.

Non-Scandinavian but European

Closures

  • Alpine Village, Torrance, California (Bavarian-themed, German), opened in 1968, closed in 2023 [1]