Hard Rock Cafe To Close Minneapolis Block E Location

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Block E in downtown Minneapolis is losing another high-profile tenant. The Hard Rock Café is closing.

In a statement, Hard Rock International says it has run "a successful business in Minneapolis," but says the current site "has created challenges that prevent us from continuing to operate at this location."

The Hard Rock Café opened at Block E in 2002 and was one of the remaining anchor tenants. The 9,000-square-foot restaurant featured rock memorabilia from Madonna, Tina Turner and Prince.

Borders, GameWorks, Hooters and Applebee's have all left Block E.

Minneapolis-based Alatus LLC bought the downtown development in 2010 and hopes to transform the site into a casino.

The Hard Rock Café will close Sept. 30.