Jerry’s Other Place will close by the end of the year, according to owner Scott Johnson. Johnson's wife, Julie Johnson, is set to lease the old Tolly’s Time Out site and open a new restaurant called Home Plate. -- Adam Harringa/adam.harringa@austindailyherald.com

Owner’s wife to lease former Tolly’s site

A landmark restaurant for many Austin residents will close this year.

Scott Johnson announced he will be closing Jerry’s Other Place, but his wife, Julie Johnson, will open a diner in the site of Tolly’s Time Out, which will be called Home Plate.

Scott said Jerry’s, at 1207 N Main St., will close toward the end of 2011. It opened in 1980 and Scott has owned it since 2007.

He declined to say why he’s closing Jerry’s, although the restaurant has had financial difficulties. According to the Mower County Treasurer’s office, Jerry’s owes $14,449 in delinquent property taxes.

He said Jerry’s has about 22 employees, and around five of them will be working at the new restaurant, but deferred all other questions about the new venture to his wife.

Vern Bishop, who eats breakfast with a group at Jerry’s every Thursday, said she was surprised the restaurant is closing.

“It’s unfortunate,” she said. “There aren’t too many places that we go for breakfast other than this, so we’ll miss it. I hate to see another restaurant go.”

Shirley Cahill, who also eats breakfast at Jerry’s on Thursdays, said she is disappointed by the news, too.

“It’s been a real stable restaurant through the years,” she said. “I feel bad. We’re losing another business.”

Julie will lease the property at 100 14th St. SW from Peggy Tollefson. Tolly’s Time Out closed May 7.

Julie was not available Thursday morning.