Mike Mueller, the owner of Snuffy’s Malt Shops and prominent member of the Twin Cities community, died on Sept. 12 due to heart failure.

“He was a wonderful person,” Bryan Bach, a manager at Snuffy’s said. “He … really embodied what St. Paul is all about as far as working class and blue-collar worker.”

Mueller bought his first eatery, Hoagies, at 25-years-old with no previous restaurant experience, according to the Star Tribune. He went on to create Snuffy’s Malt Shops in 1983, designed after the drive-in-themed restaurants he attended as a kid.

“It used to be just half the size,” Bach said. “It’s just kind of become that spot where people of all ages can come and enjoy it … we’ve always wanted to maintain that family atmosphere.”

Now, Snuffy’s has expanded to four different locations in the metro area. The Highland Park location in particular was popular with St. Thomas students and the broader community. Bach assured the community that the restaurant will remain open.

“(Mike’s) legacy at Snuffy’s will continue on, we’re not obviously gonna close the doors anytime soon,” Bach said.

The only thing the shop will be missing, Bach said, is Mike’s warm smile.

“It always seemed like he cared about you and … was willing to help anybody for any reason … whether it was family, friends, employees, guests – you know he was really just a friendly person.”