ByRestaurant operators felt blindsided by Gov. Tim Walz’s announcement Wednesday that restaurants could open only for outdoor dining on June 1, with the head of a hospitality trade group calling it a “disastrous setback.”While some restaurant owners are still weighing whether employees would be safe from COVID-19 if they open — and if customers would come — they had been expecting a green light to operate their dining rooms, possibly with tight restrictions.Loading...“Our patio has eight tables. With social distancing, what is that? Two tables? We’re almost better off staying closed and...…ByRestaurant operators felt blindsided by Gov. Tim Walz’s announcement Wednesday that restaurants could open only for outdoor dining on June 1, with the head of a hospitality trade group calling it a “disastrous setback.”While some restaurant owners are still weighing whether employees would be safe from COVID-19 if they open — and if customers would come — they had been expecting a green light to operate their dining rooms, possibly with tight restrictions.Loading...“Our patio has eight tables. With social distancing, what is that? Two tables? We’re almost better off staying closed and...WW…

ByCraft breweries in Minnesota say they need the state’s help to stay afloat.Many have tried what they can to keep their businesses going during the state’s stay-at-home order. But more than half said they could be forced to close in three months if the stay-at-home order is extended beyond May 13, according to a Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild survey of 77 members.Loading...Owners and analysts said the business is precarious, with a national Brewers Association survey producing similar results. Many have heavy debt loads, and state laws impede some revenue streams.“Breweries typically have...…ByCraft breweries in Minnesota say they need the state’s help to stay afloat.Many have tried what they can to keep their businesses going during the state’s stay-at-home order. But more than half said they could be forced to close in three months if the stay-at-home order is extended beyond May 13, according to a Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild survey of 77 members.Loading...Owners and analysts said the business is precarious, with a national Brewers Association survey producing similar results. Many have heavy debt loads, and state laws impede some revenue streams.“Breweries typically have...WW…

More from the HomepageBusinesses connected to the iconic downtown Minneapolis artery face uncertainty amid the pandemic. By Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:For nearly 30 years, downtown Minneapolis workers have wended their way through the skyways at lunchtime to grab Chicago-style hot dogs at Walkin' Dog.Just over a year after most downtown office workers began working from home, Walkin' Dog is the only spot still open on the first-floor food court of Northstar Center. And owner Dave Magnuson misses his customers."I've taken to writing down descriptions of people I no longer see," he...…More from the HomepageBusinesses connected to the iconic downtown Minneapolis artery face uncertainty amid the pandemic. By Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:For nearly 30 years, downtown Minneapolis workers have wended their way through the skyways at lunchtime to grab Chicago-style hot dogs at Walkin' Dog.Just over a year after most downtown office workers began working from home, Walkin' Dog is the only spot still open on the first-floor food court of Northstar Center. And owner Dave Magnuson misses his customers."I've taken to writing down descriptions of people I no longer see," he...WW…

More from the HomepageStatewide, gross liquor receipts for the year through October increased about 20% to almost $32 million for municipal and nonmunicipal stores. By Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:It started in March when workers witnessed near panic in liquor stores as customers stocked up on liquor, beer and wine with almost as much frenzy as toilet paper.Customers feared the liquor stores would be deemed nonessential as the coronavirus pandemic hit the state and forced to close in the spring like malls and restaurants.They weren't, and as restrictions continued for restaurants and...…More from the HomepageStatewide, gross liquor receipts for the year through October increased about 20% to almost $32 million for municipal and nonmunicipal stores. By Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:It started in March when workers witnessed near panic in liquor stores as customers stocked up on liquor, beer and wine with almost as much frenzy as toilet paper.Customers feared the liquor stores would be deemed nonessential as the coronavirus pandemic hit the state and forced to close in the spring like malls and restaurants.They weren't, and as restrictions continued for restaurants and...WW…

More from the HomepageOwners believe the global street-food restaurant "will live again" in new location. By Star TribunemoreChino Latino, the global street-food restaurant near the corner of Lake and Hennepin for 20 years, closed Sunday."The decline was in place three to four years ago," said Phil Roberts, co-founder of Parasole Restaurant Holdings in Edina, which owns and operates Manny's Steakhouse, Pittsburgh Blue, Field Day, Good Earth and Burger Jones. "It began gradually and then COVID and the protests and rioting hit."Parasole believes the concept remains strong, and that it...…More from the HomepageOwners believe the global street-food restaurant "will live again" in new location. By Star TribunemoreChino Latino, the global street-food restaurant near the corner of Lake and Hennepin for 20 years, closed Sunday."The decline was in place three to four years ago," said Phil Roberts, co-founder of Parasole Restaurant Holdings in Edina, which owns and operates Manny's Steakhouse, Pittsburgh Blue, Field Day, Good Earth and Burger Jones. "It began gradually and then COVID and the protests and rioting hit."Parasole believes the concept remains strong, and that it...WW…

More from the HomepageA scaled-down version of the closed W. Broadway store will also open soon. By Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:Yes, it’s air-conditioned.That’s the first question shoppers may wonder as they make their way to Cub Food’s new temporary supermarket on East Lake Street in Minneapolis.The tent-like structure opened Wednesday in front of the store at 26th Avenue and Lake Street that was badly damaged on May 28 in riots that followed protests over the police killing of George Floyd.“I live two blocks away and I’m disabled so this is very important to me,” Darryl LeVells...…More from the HomepageA scaled-down version of the closed W. Broadway store will also open soon. By Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:Yes, it’s air-conditioned.That’s the first question shoppers may wonder as they make their way to Cub Food’s new temporary supermarket on East Lake Street in Minneapolis.The tent-like structure opened Wednesday in front of the store at 26th Avenue and Lake Street that was badly damaged on May 28 in riots that followed protests over the police killing of George Floyd.“I live two blocks away and I’m disabled so this is very important to me,” Darryl LeVells...WW…

More from the HomepageBy Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:With Cub, Target, two Aldi stores and many small markets damaged by rioting over the past week, Longfellow and about eight other neighborhoods have nearly become a food desert.“I consider the loss of these businesses devastating,” said Melanie Majors, executive director of the Longfellow Community Council. “Besides just the food, there’s a lack of retail for diapers, formula, household goods, even clothing.”Many residents of the area shop lower-priced stores such as Aldi or dollar stores. Two of those dollar stores — including Family...…More from the HomepageBy Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:With Cub, Target, two Aldi stores and many small markets damaged by rioting over the past week, Longfellow and about eight other neighborhoods have nearly become a food desert.“I consider the loss of these businesses devastating,” said Melanie Majors, executive director of the Longfellow Community Council. “Besides just the food, there’s a lack of retail for diapers, formula, household goods, even clothing.”Many residents of the area shop lower-priced stores such as Aldi or dollar stores. Two of those dollar stores — including Family...WW…