After 26 years, ownership changes are afoot at the long-running Fabulous Fern’s Bar and Grill on St. Paul’s Cathedral Hill. Owner Dan Dahlin said he recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy under a reorganization.

He said while business is going well, things could be better. Dahlin said ideally someone would come in and help run the business, either with Dahlin or on his or her own.

“I’m 72 and in questionable health,” Dahlin said. “We have loyal staff here. I’m hoping someone will come with one of those mergers, acquisitions or partnerships and help me out. Someone new coming in could continue to run it under Fabulous Fern’s, or something else. I would hope Fabulous Fern’s, though.”

Dahlin said a number of factors led to his decision to file and seek outside help. He said it has been difficult since co-owner and friend Charles Senkler, who had played a big role in the restaurant’s day-to-day operations, passed in spring 2015.

Then a few months ago Fabulous Fern’s longtime general manager Ed Runyon retired.

In the past year, Dahlin has been dealing with his own personal challenges. “I’ve had some serious health issues. I’ve had open heart surgery,” he said. “The heart thing was successful, but what happens is if you’re a heart patient with heart disease, you’re tired a lot.” Related Articles Surdyk’s adds bar and eatery called Sidebar

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He said Fabulous Fern’s (400 Selby Ave., St. Paul, 651-225-9414; fabulousferns.com), which opened in the early 1990s, continues to move forward, including bringing in a new chef a few months ago and adding new menu items such as “Billionaire bacon,” or candied bacon, cheese curds and walleye.

“The misconception is that if you file for bankruptcy that it’s because things are dire. That’s not the case,” Dahlin said. “Business is good. We’ve just had some bad luck but would like to keep it open.”