Trader Todd's

05/31/2026

05/17/2026

Don Gibb 1954-2026

05/13/2026

Today we raise a glass with heavy hearts at Trader Todd’s as we mourn the passing of our dear friend, Don “Ogre” Gibb.

The memories have been pouring in since news of his passing broke yesterday, and it’s overwhelming to realize just how many moments in our lives included Don. Whether he was holding court at the bar, greeting fans at the Restaurant Show, riding in parades, appearing at boat shows and church festivals, or climbing aboard the Ogre Bus for another promotional tour, people were drawn to him everywhere he went. Don was always gracious, funny, and generous with his fans.

We all met in the late 1990s when Todd opened his first Chicago bar on Dearborn. Don was in town filming US Marshals and happened to stop in on opening day. He was there on the first day and the last day of that location, and somewhere along the way he became family. He was even the best man in Todd and Virginia's wedding. So when Trader Todd’s opened on Sheffield, it only made sense that Don would become part of it too — our friend, our spokesperson, and eventually our partner in Don and Todd’s Beer Company, makers of Ogre Beer.

Today we even saw WGN pay tribute to Don on the midday news and mention his longtime association with Trader Todd’s. It was a reminder of how many people loved him and how far his larger-than-life presence reached.

We are heartbroken by this loss and send our love to his family, friends, and the countless people whose lives he touched.

Rest easy, Ogre. You will always have a seat at our bar.

03/29/2026

03/29/2026

03/29/2026

03/23/2026

The Trader Todd’s survivors of St. Patrick’s parade day 2026