• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Subscribe
Program Guide
Watch Live

CCX Media

Skip NavigationMenu
  • News
    • Close
        • CCX News
          • CCX News Home
          • News Stories
            • CCX Daily Newcast
          • CCX News Special Reports
          • CCX Media Schools
        • Feature Segments

          • Business Matters
          • School Spotlight
          • Standout Student
          • Weekend Showcase
          • Newsmakers
        • News Tip

          Send us a story idea or news tip!
          Facebook Instagram Twitter
          Watch Live
          CCX1 | CCX2 | CCX3
        • Apple News
    • Close
  • Sports
    • Close
        • CCX Sports
          • CCX Sports Home
          • Sports Tips
          • Hall of Fame
          • Upcoming Event Coverage
          • Play of the Week
        • Sports Coverage

          Adapted SportsAdditional SportsBaseballBasketballFootball
          GymnasticsHockeyLacrosseSoccerSoftball
          Swimming & DivingTennisTrack & FieldVolleyballWrestling
        • Social Media

          Facebook Twitter Instagram
          Watch Live
          CCX1 | CCX2 | CCX3
          Shop/Order
    • Close
  • Cities
    • Close
        • CCX Cities
          • CCX Cities Home
          • The Connection
          • In The Community
          • Our Town’s Story
          • Community Resources
          • CCX Media Schools
          • City Meetings
        • Your City

          Brooklyn Center Local News and Events
          Brooklyn Park MN Local News and Events
          Crystal
          Golden Valley
          Maple Grove
          New Hope
          Osseo
          Plymouth
          Robbinsdale
        • Social Media

          Facebook Twitter
          Watch Live
          CCX1 | CCX2 | CCX3
    • Close
  • Create
    • Close
        • CCX Create
          • CCX Create Home
          • Channels
          • Resources
          • Meet The Create Team
          • CCX Create Virtual Tour
        • Get Creative

          • Make Your Own Show
          • Free Classes
          • Contact Us
          • Polka Spotlight
          • Diversity Minute
        • RueShare

          • Member Login
          • Member Guide
        • Social Media

          Facebook Twitter Instagram
          Watch Live
          CCX1 | CCX2 | CCX3
    • Close
  • Subscribe
  • Program guide
  • Watch Live

Brooklyn Center Firefighter’s Bar Destroyed in Civil Unrest Gets Presidential Attention

3:31 PM | Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Brooklyn Center firefighter Korboi “KB” Balla was in the process of opening a sports bar in south Minneapolis when vandals destroyed the property during the civil unrest following the death of George Floyd. When President Trump visited the Twin Cities last week, he invited Balla to speak about his bar and the experience. So far a GoFundMe page to rebuild Balla’s bar has raised more than $1.1 million.  

A Tough 2020

korboi

A Brooklyn Center firefighter planned to open a sports bar in south Minneapolis this past spring. Vandals set fire to the location during the civil unrest.

Balla told CCX News that he can’t believe what a tough year 2020 has been. He had plans to open a sports bar in south Minneapolis, but his plans were put on hold by COVID-19 in the spring.

“There was a lot of sweat equity put into the location,” said Balla.

Then, his plans became even more indefinite. The civil unrest following the George Floyd killing resulted in vandals destroying his property. Balla took his family to see the destroyed building afterwards.

“Even my little son, my youngest. He’s 6 years old. When I took him to see the restaurant after it was burned down he was so angry and mad. Why did they do this to my dad’s place,” said Balla.

The family was devastated, but news of Balla’s misfortune spread. A GoFundMe page started to generate donations. Then, he got a call from the commander-in-chief.

A Presidential Visit

On a recent presidential visit to Minnesota, Balla got a chance to meet the president. He and his wife, Tawanna, met the president on the tarmac at the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport.

President Donald Trump asked Balla about the event and his plans to rebuild. The president even hinted at helping with a comment of  “maybe we can help you out a little bit.”

Balla said the experience of meeting and interacting wit the president is one he will not forget. He prayed about the visit and spoke with his pastor about it too before the meeting.

“I’m not into politics,” said Balla. “I didn’t want to speak on something I didn’t know about. The biggest concern was just going on there and talking about my business and what I’ve been through.”

Balla has been touched by the overwhelming support, both from the presidential attention and the money raised.

“I could have never imagined in a million years that I was ever going to raise this much money,” said Balla.

What’s next? Balla says he’s currently scouting out locations for his new sports bar. If all goes according to plan, it could open in the spring of 2021.

 

Brooklyn Center

Related Stories

Plan Your Route Before You Go, 511MN.Org:  There are more than 200 projects underway on state roads… Read More
Edibles, Beverages, Containing THC Now Legal in Minnesota:  A new state law that went into effect on… Read More
‘Hostile Work Environment,’ Brooklyn Center City Manager Suspends Staff Support for Police Implementation Committee:  … Read More
Brooklyn Center COVID-19 Clinic Offers Vaccines for Infants, Preschoolers:  A Pediatric Vaccine Clinic… Read More
Hennepin County Monitors Water Quality on Local Lakes Weekly:  Hennepin County public health staff… Read More
Brooklyn Center Council Considers Charter Changes to Adjust Mayoral Duties:  Possible Charter Changes… Read More

Footer

NAVIGATE

  • CCX Media
  • NEWS
  • SPORTS
  • CITIES
  • CREATE
  • Job Opportunities
  • Meet the CCX Media Team
  • ABOUT CCX MEDIA
  • Annual Programming Reports
  • CABLE COMMISSION

SUBSCRIBE

Get email updates for daily story previews. “Week in Review” video links, and programming previews.

Subscribe Today

CONNECT

HAVE A NEWS TIP? CALL OUR TIPLINE AT:  763-533-1710
Send us story ideas and comments!
Get in touch with us
               
 NEWS   SPORTS
 SHOP/ORDER

LOCATION

CCX Media
6900 Winnetka Avenue North
Brooklyn Park, MN 55428

Main Phone:  763-533-8196

CCX Media serves the northwest suburbs of Minneapolis, Minnesota, including Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, Golden Valley, Maple Grove, New Hope, Osseo, Plymouth and Robbinsdale.
Copyright © 2022 CCXMedia | All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Accessibility Statement
Web Design and Development by CEL Marketing PR Design and BizzyWeb | Log in