Burger Champ in Maplewood will close permanently on June 21

Burger Champ will close tomorrow, June 21, at 2704 Sutton Blvd. in Maplewood. Restaurateur Chris Kelling opened the burgers-and-milkshakes restaurant in November 2023, in the same space where he previously co-owned Elmwood. 

“It’s not working,” said a statement from Burger Champ's management in an Instagram announcement posted on June 19. 

“Simply put, the space is too big for the concept and the resources needed to continue are past the point of sustainability,” said the Instagram post. The restaurant, in a premium location on the corner of Manchester Road and Sutton Boulevard, measured 3,500 square feet. The closure announcement also confirmed that Burger Champ will be Kelling's last concept in that particular location.  

But perhaps all is not lost? The statement ends: “You'll see burgers from us again in some form at some point.” That sounds a bit like a promise to us.