The Huddle restaurant in DeKalb to close after 11 years

DeKALB - A longtime DeKalb eatery, The Huddle, is set to close later this month, announced restaurant owners on social media this week.

The social media post said the restaurant owners are “sad to go but excited about a new beginning.” The eatery will close its doors after 11 years in the community on Saturday, Nov. 13, “unless we run out of food sooner.”

“After 11 years of serving this wonderful community, we have decided it was the right time for us to close our doors and explore new opportunities,” the social media post reads. “We can’t thank you all enough for your support and kindness over the years. It truly has been a pleasure to serve you and we will miss you very much.”

Mohammed Labadi, longtime owner of The Huddle, said he and his family made the decision to permanently close together. He said the timing was also a factor, since labor is hard to come by these days and he didn’t want to have to adjust prices for his valued customers.

“We’re sad to see The Huddle closing doors but 11 years, it was a great journey,” Labadi said Friday. “We’re going by choice, which is great.”

He said the outpouring of support he’s received from the community since making the announcement is “the hard part.”

“That was my whole goal as I went to school at NIU [Northern Illinois University], was to have a good place to eat near campus and I am so grateful that I’ve done this for 10 plus years,” Labadi said. “It’s a blessing, it’s wonderful, and we look forward to what new adventures life is going to bring to us.”

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Labadi said he’s already had someone approach him interested in purchasing the commercial space at 817 W. Lincoln Highway. He plans to sell the space but not the business, he said.

The post also thanked those who’ve worked at the restaurant over its expanded decade in service.

“Thank you to all our team members who helped make The Huddle successful and fun throughout the years,” the post reads. “Thank you to our local suppliers for helping us deliver great quality food and products. We will be open until November 13th, unless we run out of food sooner. So please come visit us and get your Huddle fix.”

Labadi said rising prices of delivery service providers which raise the amount a customer has to pay for a meal didn’t help matters, and he didn’t want to have to pass on that financial burden to patrons.

He said he’s proud his restaurant was able to make it through the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impacts.

“The fact that we were able to get through the most difficult times, the COVID thing, that’s really cool,” Labadi said. “And that wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the local community. We’re just so grateful to have been able to work with so many people, serve so many people and leave a kind experience in people’s minds. When they think of The Huddle they think of good product and good service. That’s really what’s kept me going for the last 11 years.”

This story has been updated with additional comments from The Huddle owner, Mohammed Labadi.