Landlord reveals details for future Blue Danube

The Blue Danube will reopen under new ownership, possibly as early as fall.

But that’s about all that’s certain at this point. Other details are hazy, such as whether the name Blue Danube will remain, said Steve Margetis, whose extended family has owned the iconic restaurant since the 1940s.

“I would love to open up before football season,” Margetis said. “It would be amazing if I could, but I don’t think I can.”

Margetis said he and his cousin, Jimmy Sicaris, plan to sink an estimated $1 million into a complete overhaul of the building at 2439 N. High St. in the University District.

A new operator for the restaurant has been identified, but Margetis wouldn’t disclose the name because a lease hasn’t been signed.

Bob Swaim, who’s owned the restaurant since the mid-1990s, in May announced plans to close the Blue Danube after he couldn’t work out a lease agreement. At one point he had said it would operate until Father’s Day, then said he would only operate during brunch hours on the weekends. As of Sunday, the place appears to have closed. Swaim did not return multiple requests for comment.

It isn’t clear just who has the naming rights to the Blue Danube, also known as the ’Dube. Margetis said it is his intention, if he can keep the name, to use it in some form when the restaurant emerges from the restoration project.