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
- Andersen’s Split Pea Soup, Buellton, California & Santa Nella, California. Buellton location is undergoing change in ownership. [1]
- Bulle Bakery, Lake Arrowhead, California
- Clark Street Bakery, Los Angeles, California
- Copenhagen Pastry, Los Angeles, California
- Kantine SF (bakery), San Francisco, California
- Open Face Food Shop (Danish inspired restaurant), Los Angeles, California
- Scandinavian School, San Francisco, California
- Svenska Skolan (Swedish school), Orange County, California
- Svenska Skolan (Swedish school), Silicon Valley, California
- Svenska Skolan Ventura County (Swedish school), Thousand Oaks, California
- The Little Viking (Scandinavian store), Temecula, California
- The Swedish School of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Viking Spirits (Scandinavian alcohol), San Diego, California
- Zoega’s coffee importer, Fort Bragg, California
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
- Shoppe Internationale, Georgetown, Colorado
- Svenska Skolan i Colorado (Swedish school), Denver, Colorado
Connecticut
In operation
- Scandinavian Butik, Norwalk, Connecticut
- Svenska Skolan (Swedish school), Westport, Connecticut
Florida
In operation
- Svenska Skolan i Fort Lauderdale (Swedish school), Florida
Georgia
In operation
- Swedish School of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia
Illinois
In operation
- Jule-Hus Scandinavian Gifts, Rockford, Illinois
- Simon’s Tavern, Chicago, Illinois
- Stockholm Inn (restaurant and hotel), Rockford, Illinois
- Svea (restaurant), Chicago, Illinois
- Swedish American Museum, Chicago, Illinois
- The Norwegian, Rockford, Illinois
- The Swedish Pancake House, Rockford, Illinois
- The Sweden Shop (gift shop), Chicago, Illinois
- Tre Kronor (restaurant), Chicago, Illinois
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
- Nordikreations, Crown Point, Indiana
- Svenska Skolan i Indianapolis (Swedish school), Indianapolis, Indiana
Kansas
In operation
- Hemslojd Swedish Gifts, Lindsborg, Kansas
Kentucky
In operation
- Smør Nordic Bakeri, Louisville, Kentucky
Maine
In operation
- Simply Scandinavian, Portland, Maine
Massachusetts
In operation
- Yankee Crafters (gift shop), South Yarmouth, Massachusetts
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
- Ingebretsen’s Scandinavian Gifts & Foods, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Scandinavian North, two locations – Stillwater, Minnesota and Bloomington, Minnesota
- Svenska Skolan i Minneapolis (Swedish school), Minneapolis, Minnesota
- The Valley Troll, Glenwood, Minnesota
Closed
- Sandeen’s Scandinavian Gifts, Saint Paul, Minnesota – established in 1955, closed some time after 2015 [1]
Nebraska
In operation
- Little Scandinavia (gift shop), Elkhorn, Nebraska
Nevada
In operation
- Saga Pastry + Sandwich, Henderson, Nevada
New Jersey
In operation
- Swede Things in America, Cape May, New Jersey
- Svenska Skolan (Swedish school)
New York
In operation
- Aquavit (restaurant), New York City, New York
- Leske’s Bakery, Brooklyn, New York
- Smörgås Chef, New York City, New York
- Svenska Skolan i Hudson Valley (Swedish school), New Rochelle, New York
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
- Carina’s Bakery, Beaverton, Oregon
- Chain
- Broder Söder, Southeast Portland, Oregon
- Broder Øst, Hood River, Portland, Oregon
- Broder Café, Southeast Portland, Oregon
- Broder Nord, Portland, Oregon
- Dania Furniture, Portland, Oregon
- Finn Ware, Astoria, Oregon
- Nordia House (cultural center), Portland, Oregon
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
- The Wooden Spoon (Scandinavian food and gift shop), Plano, Texas
Closed
- Three Vikings (restaurant), Dallas, Texas – closure date not confirmed. [1]
Virginia
In operation
- Axelsdotter Bakery, Richmond, Virginia
Washington
In operation
- Scandinavian Specialties (food and gift shop), Seattle, Washington
- Svenska Skolföreningen i Seattle, Seattle, Washington
Washington D.C.
In operation
- Chef Mikko (restaurant), Washington, D.C.
- Svenska Skolan i Washington, D.C. (Swedish school)
Wisconsin
In operation
- Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant & Butik, Sister Bay, Wisconsin
- Dregne’s Scandinavian Gifts, Westby, Wisconsin
- Norske Nook (restaurant), three locations, Osseo, DeForest, Rice Lake, Wisconsin
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]