Rumors closed, and rumors abound about why

“It’s like Cheers here from 3 to 7 (p.m.),” said Klemetsen, an opinion echoed repeatedly.

Klemetsen, who’s owned Rumors for a dozen years and worked there before through several different incarnations for a total of 25, said she lost her lease to the mall’s owners, Menards.

The day before her final night, which reportedly was a bittersweet big ol’ party with free food and a DJ, she said she had been notified officially about two months ago that the nightly party was over.

She and some of her regulars said Menards plans eventually to expand into the mostly empty mall, except for a few stores and County Market on the other side of the building. In the past, the company considered and abandoned plans to tear down and rebuild and then later expand on an empty lot.

“It’s kind of a crying shame,” said Sharon Mannausau, who’s been Klemetsen’s friend and customer for decades. “It’s terrible. We just like to come here to relax and catch up. We’re like family. It is like Cheers where everybody knows each others’ names. How many places are like that anymore?

“How many are like Rosie? She’s just a real person. A wonderful person. She cares about everyone will do anything for you. As great a gal as there is.”

So why is it called Rumors? It’s not named after the Fleetwood Mac album, but essentially is the same concept behind the hit ‘70s record.

Klemetsen said she was asking her friends for ideas when she took over what was then called Our Place, and one person suggested/repeatedly shouted out “Rumors, because “that’s life in a bar.” It’s the old childhood telephone game, basically, she said.

When someone has a piece of gossip or even the smallest tidbit of news to share, by the time the information comes back to she or he, “it’s changed six times,” Klemetsen said.

Whether it’s fact or still a rumor, some of her customers didn’t have very nice things about the Eau Claire, Wis.-based home improvement giant supposedly taking away their happy-hour hangout.

A spokesman for Menards did not reply Monday to phone and email messages seeking comment. A sign outside the mall says Menards is still leasing and selling space indoors.

One regular, who declined to be named, said Menards is stealing away their “office,” an inside joke as in “I’ll meet you later at the office.” She said she and her husband would tell each other that over the phone sometimes.

Others said the move is bad for Menards since so many Rumors’ customers also shop at the conveniently situated store next door.

However, Klemetsen appeared more understanding, or at least resigned about the sudden turn her life’s taken.

Her regulars/friends said, “That’s Rosie.” Yet another one of her wonderful character attributes. She makes the best of things while worrying more about others first, they said, while also being protective of her personal life.

Although the bar was doing fine, Klemetsen said she has no regrets.

“I have endless stories. Lots and lots of good times,” she said.

Rumors has hosted myriad retirement parties, community events and fundraisers, while she’s always been someone who’s willing to listen, her friends said.

Klemetsen added there really is truth behind the saying that bartenders are part psychiatrist.

Regular Pam Jewell said she thought it was a “a total shame.” In addition to what’s being thrust upon her friend suddenly, Rumors is a nice a place, too, she said. Not some dive bar to be thrown away.

“For the most part,” she said half kidding, “the people here are loyal and kind, especially Rosie.”

It’s rare in life to know someone who “really cares about people,” she said. “She’s so beautiful.”

Klemetsen did drop her smile for a moment or two on Friday.

“I did always imagine I’d retire here and sell it,” she said.

Instead, she’s been peddling away her bar stools, tables, fridges, freezers and other bar supplies piece by piece.

“Nobody thinks something like this is just going to happen to them,” she said.

Her well-known dimpled smile stayed in place as she continued to mix drinks, joke around, listen intently and clean the bar and do an interview.

“It’s always been a peaceful bar, even when we had the big events, or young people in here or bands,” she said.

Some of her favorite memories were hosting Icebox Days’ events, like the smoosh racing outside, she said. That’s where competitors strap into pairs of shoes nailed to 2x4s and try to go as fast as they can without tipping over or worse.

Or when she took over the winter “beach party” as annual break from cabin fever, Klemetsen said.

After a few months in the Southwest, Klemetsen said she plans to return to the International Falls bar business. Except this time, she said she might work for someone else rather than take on all the headaches of being an owner.

There’s a certain amount of freedom with being able to just go work, do your shift, and leave work at work, she said.

“I won’t be the boss, and that won’t be all that bad,” said Klemetsen, who has two part-time employees. “But if it doesn’t work out, I can always buy another place and start over. I really am not ready to retire at all.”

When a few of her regulars — who still remain in disagreement about where to start going now — heard her say that, they gave her kind of a little cheer.